Review: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort

Published Feb 16 2025, 2:43 PM, Updated Feb 17 2025, 1:00 PMSituated in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the luxury The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is ideally located on the serene beachfront of pristine Saadiyat Island.

Location

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort overlooks the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, and is framed by palms and foliage. It sits on nine kilometers of natural sandy beach near the stunning Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

Despite its secluded atmosphere, it remains conveniently accessible, just 17 kilometers from downtown Abu Dhabi, 30 kilometers from Zayed International Airport, and 68 kilometers from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. You can quite easily taxi in and out of Dubai should you wish to spend a day enjoying the water parks and other facilities offered by the city.

Located just up the beach from the Park Hyatt, the St. Regis Saadiyat Island is arguably Marriott Bonvoy’s most luxurious property in Abu Dhabi, and because it’s right on the beachfront, it is the best Marriott Bonvoy pick for a holiday in Abu Dhabi. This St. Regis is not far from Dubai but has a quieter, less hectic feel, ideal for a family-friendly beach getaway.

Style & Character

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort offers a mix of Mediterranean-inspired architecture and contemporary interiors. Natural materials, soft neutral tones, and open spaces evoke a sense of calm while incorporating tactile elements like smooth wood and sleek stone. The elegant cream-toned décor and expansive marble interiors create a sophisticated atmosphere.

While the decor of the communal areas is fairly formal with shiny marble floors and hugely high curved ceilings, this palatial feel is softened by natural furnishings with touchy-feely character, including a large table sculpted out of a driftwood and adorned with vases of fresh flowers, which sits right in the center of the foyer.

Service & Facilities

Exceptional service is the cornerstone of the St. Regis experience. Guests are treated to bespoke amenities such as the renowned St. Regis Butler Service, which includes unpacking, packing, and personalized assistance available around the clock.

Two of the resort’s standout features are its four pools and its beach facilities. Guests can enjoy an adults-only pool surrounded by palm trees and cabanas with breathtaking Gulf views. It sits by its own cocktail and food bar. There’s also a lap pool for fitness, a huge family pool on the edge of the beach for fun and splashing, and even a shallow toddler-friendly pool with ankle-to-knee-deep waters. Some pools have shaded areas to protect from the sun, and all the loungers at the resort have cream parasols to block the hot sunshine.

The long private beach is a true highlight, featuring plush cabanas, shaded loungers, and drink service. It’s one of the finest beaches in the UAE, offering a tranquil escape from the outside world.

For wellness enthusiasts, the state-of-the-art St. Regis Athletic Club is brilliant for working out, and the resort’s spa offers a transformative experience with 12 treatment rooms and therapies that blend traditional remedies with modern techniques.

Families are also well-catered for with the Sandcastle Kids Club, which provides engaging activities for younger guests. The Sandcastle Club caters to children up to 10 years old, featuring a dedicated play area, fun pool, and excellent entertainment. Even the Friday brunch includes a special kids’ area, making dining a breeze for families.

Rooms

The resort’s 376 rooms start at a generous 55 m² in size, and feature a large private terrace, allowing guests to enjoy panoramic views of the sea or the resort’s lush landscapes. We love the stunning views over the palm-lined pools and the resort’s extensive white-sand beach.

They have shiny cream tiled floors softened with sand coloured rugs, a large bed and a sitting area. The walls and curtains are neutral, and most of the room decor offers various shades of white mixed with wooden furnishings. The bathrooms have Balmain toiletries, and many include a pleasing modern stand-alone bath.

The welcome gift here is usually fruit, chocolate, and dates, and you get one of these indulgent bowls and platters if you book your stay via our luxury travel concierge.

The pièce de résistance of the hotel’s suites is the Royal Suite, a 2,000 m² duplex complete with five bedrooms, a private pool, and an expansive ocean-facing terrace. Every detail, from plush furnishings to in-house organic toiletries, reflects the resort’s commitment to indulgence and sustainability.

Food & Drink

Culinary excellence is at the heart of The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. With seven unique dining venues, the resort offers an extraordinary array of gastronomic experiences. Oléa, the main restaurant, serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in both indoor and al fresco settings, while Sontaya delights guests with Southeast Asian flavors in stunning glass-walled pavilions.

For a taste of Greece, MAZI Abu Dhabi offers innovative twists on traditional dishes. The Manhattan Lounge provides an elegant space to unwind with signature beverages, and the Drawing Room serves exquisite afternoon teas accompanied by pastries crafted in-house.

Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi elevates the dining experience with its day-to-night ambiance, Pacific Rim cuisine, and masterfully curated cocktails. Buddha-Bar is right on the beach with an interior and exterior section. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail next to the grassy dunes down by the waters edge.

For more intimate gatherings, Lemoni Garden offers panoramic views and expertly crafted drinks, making it an ideal spot for reconnecting with loved ones.

Breakfast at this St. Regis is an absolute highlight and is usually delivered out on the terrace on wonderfully cushioned wrought iron seating shaded by white parasols. We have experienced a number of St Regis breakfasts and they are always great. We loved the breakfast we experienced at The St. Regis in Mallorca too.

The terrace is dotted with lush greenery and palm trees, and a water feature runs through it, reflecting the blue of the ocean beyond. If you prefer an air-conditioned breakfast experience, you can also eat indoors but this terrace is really rather special at most times of the year.

The buffet at St. Regis hotels is always extensive with breads, cereals, cold meats and cheeses, yogurt, and fruit, as well as a la carte eggs and extras like hot oatmeal and french toast. This amazing breakfast is complimentary if you book your stay via our luxury travel concierge.

Conclusion

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is a wonderful beachfront resort and its numerous unique pools, all surrounded by lush greenery, mean that the hotel is ideal whether you are travelling as a couple and want some peace and quiet by the adult pool, whether you’re into fitness and want to do lengths of the lap pool, whether you want to splash in the family pool or whether you have tiny toddlers who want to mess about safely in the shallow pool.

St Regis Abu Dhabi Vs. St Regis Saadiyat Island: Which Is Best?

Tips

St Regis Abu Dhabi and St Regis Saadiyat are some of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in the UAE. Saadiyat Beach is one of our favorite places in Abu Dhabi, and The St Regis is a beautiful hotel, far more suitable for a couples or family beach vacation. Book any of the St Regis mentioned below with our luxury travel concierge, and you will get all our free VIP benefits as well as your usual Marriott Bonvoy points and status benefits. At the St Regis Saadiyat Hotel, you can enjoy an excellent pool and afternoons on the beach.

The beach is vast and goes on forever, the grounds are green and tropical. The breakfast is another nice surprise. We love its terrace setting and could spend all morning shaded from the sun enjoying the delicious buffet.

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