The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi – ‘Mini Moon’ Experience.
Written by on August 13, 2013.
Tagged under: Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi weddings, Mini Moon review, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
As expatriates living in the UAE, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to not only wedding Venues but also weekend getaways. As an engaged couple you will be caught up in the romance of it all and may wish to celebrate by being whisked away to one the UAE’s 5* hotel establishments. And let’s not forget, many expats in the region have a ‘legal’ wedding first and then their BIG celebration later.
If it’s just you and your hubby and a few witnesses for your legal wedding, why not mark the occasion and spend a romantic night away just the two of you, a ‘mini moon’? This review will give you a glimpse into what being a guest at the The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi may be like, and will also give you a taste of what the venue can offer you for a potential wedding too.
Here, we review The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi – ‘Mini Moon’ experience.
Location/hotel
Located on the pristine beach of Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, and framed by the distinguished Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is in the heart of what is destined to become one of the most sought after leisure destinations in the world. A mere 1 hour drive from Dubai, the journey up to the hotel for myself and my guest was stress free, we also enjoyed some stunning scenery enroute.
Check in
Check in at the The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi was relatively painless and standard.
Room
Our room was situated in the 8th floor with a huge balcony overlooking the stunning landscape and Arabian Gulf in the distance. I was particularly impressed with the large sink in bath tub, which made for a wonderful treat after an hour’s drive up to the resort. Free WiFi was available in our hotel room, always a handy bonus if you are a social media addict like myself.
Dinner (Sontanya)
Worldly guests with a penchant for a more intimate setting can visit the floating pavillions of Sontaya, the exquisite Southeast Asian restaurant, looking out to the beach and across the turquoise Arabian Gulf. This restaurant is perfect for a couple celebrating their engagement, wedding, or anniversary. The staff escorted us to our table outside, as soon as I sat down I felt calm and serene. I asked the waiter if the architect and interior designers had followed the rules of Feng shiu, the effects were that strong. Instead of choosing from the menu ourselves, our lovely waitress suggested options for us and we obliged.
My guest and I feasted on delights such as papaya salad, Tom Yum soup, Pad Tai gay and sirloin steak. For desert, I recommend the mouthwatering ginger pear! I would give this restaurant 10/10 for attentiveness and service, the staff were very personable and well informed. And the food a very positive 8/10.
Cost: Our romantic dinner for two, including starters, main, desert, wine and coffee came to 1488.22 AED.
Breakfast
Located on level one with panoramic views of the ocean and beyond, our morning breakfast was at Olea, an all-day dining venue of the resort. The restaurant was spacious with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Food options were bountiful with hot and cold options with varying taste, from a hot full English breakfast to fresh fruit, and for the more sweet toothed amongst us, the waffles with syrup is a fine choice.
Spa
The Iridium Spa, the region’s first, is perfect for relaxation and indulgence. The serene atmosphere coupled with internationally-acclaimed treatments is ideal for a total mind, body and spirit rejuvenation experience.
Blending traditional remedies with modern technologies, tailored treatments can be enjoyed in any of the 12 treatment suites. For a more intimate and exclusive experience, guests can choose to receive treatments in one of three themed Spa Suites with private terraces and pools
My guest and I were warmly welcomed into the spa with refreshments. After a quick consultation, we were given a guided tour of the spa and finally led to our haven of sanctuary in the spas ‘couple suite’. We each had a 60 minute Iridium Signature Massage with two female therapists. Prior to the massages, our feet were washed with flower infused water. Our very own massage suite included a shower and Jacuzzi filled with warm water. It really was very romantic, and I highly recommend this for the newly married, the massage was delightful and my therapist was always sure to ask if the pressure was ok.
Cost: A 60 minute Iridium Signature Massage costs AED 525
Pool and beach
My favorite part of the St Regis Abu Dhabi, has to be the naturally stunning views. Complimenting this is the hotel’s pools and outdoor relaxation areas. With a pool dedicated to families and children, and another just for those adults looking for some ‘ME’ time all preferences are covered. We also loved the shallow water sun loungers, perfect for the mid afternoon sun and cooling down. Of course, just a few feet away lies the stunning white sand dunes and clear blue Arabian Gulf, for those who prefer the ocean and beach.
Check out
Checkout out was quick, however, we did have an issue with my guest having help with the bags, we had to ask several times for assistance and waited a total of 30 minutes. This may be forgiven, as I do know that the hotel has a huge wedding the evening before and we were leaving at a time when many were arriving and departing from the resort.
In conclusion, our weekend at the St Regis Saadiayt Island was a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of city life in Dubai, if visiting just for the day or indeed overnight, it’s well worth a visit, and as we mentioned earlier, what a beautiful wedding venue it would make too (see below some images from a previous wedding set up at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi).
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