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.
Style & Character
At the St Regis Saadiyat Hotel, you can enjoy an excellent pool and afternoons on the beach. The new St Regis on the Corniche is a city hotel, more suitable for business but less ideal for a family holiday. The St Regis Saadiyat is a beautiful hotel that is much more resort-style than the new St Regis on the Corniche in the centre of Abu Dhabi.
St Regis Saadiyat Island is situated just up the same beach from the Park Hyatt. It is probably Starwood’s (and Marriott Bonvoy’s) most luxury property in Abu Dhabi, but it is not far from Dubai and is worth considering if you are heading to Dubai with your family.
St Regis Abu Dhabi is very tall and very grand with white pillars everywhere and incredible views. It is a great choice as long as you don’t mind being high up!
Located at the heart of the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the hotel is directly connected to Nation Galleria Mall. It is just minutes from Marina Mall and the sophisticated World Trade Center. It is also in the close vicinity of many of the embassies, oil and gas companies, and other business institutions in the city.
The grand lobby has two enormous marble staircases leading upwards, decked in gold carpet, and winding around towards each other underneath a collection of chandeliers. Whether this hotel is your style or not, I would describe it as a classic style. You will be impressed by the sheer indulgence of this hotel (pictured above). One thing to note is that the view from guest rooms can be quite urban, overlooking the city of Abu Dhabi. Bathrooms are a mass of white marble and mirrors, as you would expect, and are impressive.
Pool & Beach
Both of these St Regis hotels are located on a beautiful beach and have an impressive pool area, but the Saadiyat hotel has the better pool complex of the two. Your preference between the two may be based on the pools or style or simply might be decided by your feelings about heights and whether you like your hotel room to be high up or not.
Review: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
Situated 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. 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.
Two of the resort’s most impressive features at St. Regis Saadiyat Island are its four stunning pools and exceptional beach facilities. Guests can unwind at the adults-only pool, a serene retreat surrounded by palm trees and private cabanas, offering breathtaking Gulf views. This tranquil oasis is complemented by its own cocktail and food bar, perfect for poolside indulgence.
For those looking to stay active, there’s a dedicated lap pool, while families can enjoy a spacious beachfront pool, ideal for fun and splashing. Younger guests aren’t left out—there’s even a shallow toddler-friendly pool, with ankle-to-knee-deep waters for safe play.
Many pools offer shaded areas for sun protection, and throughout the resort, cream parasols cover the loungers, ensuring a comfortable escape from the midday heat.
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 offers a top-tier fitness experience, while the luxurious spa provides a transformative retreat with 12 treatment rooms and therapies that blend traditional healing practices with modern techniques.
Families will find plenty to love as well, with the Sandcastle Kids Club designed to keep younger guests entertained. Catering to children up to 10 years old, it features a dedicated play area, a fun pool, and engaging entertainment. Even Friday brunch is made family-friendly with a special kids’ area, ensuring a stress-free dining experience for parents.
Rooms
The resort’s 376 spacious rooms start at an impressive 55 square meters, each featuring a large private terrace where guests can take in panoramic views of the sea or the resort’s lush tropical landscapes. The palm-lined pools and expansive white-sand beach provide a breathtaking backdrop, enhancing the serene atmosphere.
Inside, the rooms are designed with elegant simplicity, featuring polished cream-tiled floors, softened by sand-colored rugs. A plush king-size bed, a cozy sitting area, and neutral-toned walls and curtains create a calming, sophisticated space. The décor blends shades of white with rich wooden furnishings, offering a timeless aesthetic.
Bathrooms are equally luxurious, stocked with Balmain toiletries, and many include a modern stand-alone bathtub for ultimate relaxation.
As a thoughtful touch, guests that book via our luxury travel concierge are welcomed with a beautifully arranged platter of fresh fruit, chocolates, and dates, adding an extra layer of indulgence to the arrival experience.
Food & Drink
Culinary excellence is at the heart of The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, where seven distinctive dining venues offer an exceptional range of flavors from around the world.
At the resort’s signature restaurant, Oléa, guests can enjoy Mediterranean-inspired cuisine in both elegant indoor and breezy al fresco settings. For a taste of Southeast Asia, Sontaya enchants diners with glass-walled pavilions floating over tranquil water features, creating a magical dining experience.
For those craving Greek flavors, MAZI Abu Dhabi puts a modern spin on traditional dishes, offering a fresh and inventive take on classic Greek cuisine. The sophisticated Manhattan Lounge is the perfect spot to unwind with signature cocktails, while The Drawing Room serves exquisite afternoon teas, paired with delicate house-made pastries.
For a more vibrant scene, Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi delivers an unparalleled day-to-night experience, blending Pacific Rim cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and a chic, laid-back atmosphere. Nestled right on the beachfront, Buddha-Bar offers both indoor and outdoor seating, allowing guests to sip cocktails while taking in the stunning views of the grassy dunes and shimmering shoreline.
Conclusion
The St Regis Saadiyat is one of the best Marriott Bonvoy properties in UAE, with the exception of Al Maha, so if you are earning or redeeming these points, this is a great choice.
One thing to note is that this luxury St Regis Saadiyat Island costs 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night if you are redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points, which is 15,000 more than the St Regis Abu Dhabi, which comes in at 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. In our opinion, the cheaper St Regis Abu Dhabi offers sufficient levels of luxury and also has a very good pool area and beach, so for point redemption value, the more urban St Regis Abu Dhabi is the one to choose.
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Image(s) courtesy of The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
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