THE much-awaited St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, opens doors this month brining to the emirate a new landmark hotel. With its prime location on the pristine white sands of Saadiyat Island, the hotel is the first to open doors on the island. Ahead of its opening general manager John Pelling gives us an insight on what to expect at this new address.
After much anticipation the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi is finally opening doors. What can guests expect to see?
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi is located on the beautiful natural island of Saadiyat framed by the prestigious Saadiyat Beach Golf Course, the Arabian Gulf’s first and only beachfront course and a beach so unspoiled that Hawksbill Turtles nest within view and Bottlenose Dolphins can be seen playing in the unspoiled and crystal-clear waters.
The resort will offer 377 lavish rooms and suites, 3,000 sq m ballroom, 6,000 sq m of retail space encompassing restaurants, lounges and boutiques, the St. Regis Athletic Club, the region’s first Iridium Spa with 12 treatment rooms, the Sandcastle Club for the children, seven distinctive food & beverage venues, two tennis courts and two squash courts and five swimming pools including a 25-m indoor lap pool and an adult-only pool.
Will the resort be heavily influenced by the region in its design and layout?
The resort has been influenced by Mediterranean architecture, while a contemporary twist adds freshness to the whole design. The architectural design of the hotel has incorporated the southern Mediterranean style of arches, tiled roofing, and the light shell pink exterior render.
The interiors has been designed by internationally-renowned HirschBedner Associates, a blending of influences creates a unique and exciting destination. The main lobby and all-day dining options are Mediterranean in feel, while the Lobby Lounge and signature 55&5th The Grill restaurant are in keeping with the legendary St Regis New York cosmopolitan style. The Arabian Gulf is celebrated everywhere, from the ocean and beach-inspired décor to the panoramic views.
What kind of brand positioning does St. Regis have in the region today?
Since the 1904 groundbreaking of this New York landmark, St. Regis brand has been synonymous with the heritage of the Astor family’s rituals, innovations and luxuries. Over the past century, the St. Regis brand has evolved from a single property– the legendary flagship hotel in the heart of New York City– to become one of the most internationally revered names in the hospitality industry. The success of the St. Regis brand is a result of our commitment to delivering an unrivalled setting and bespoke service to each and every guest at all of our hotels, from arrival to departure.
With the opening of St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, guests will be able to experience this service for the first in the Middle East. What makes our resort distinctive is the St. Regis legacy including of signature St. Regis Butler Service, the hotel’s Mediterranean architecture, distinctive food and beverage venues, the expansive facilities that are complemented by the pristine beach and the Saadiyat Beach Golf course.
What is the brand’s USP?
St. Regis Hotels & Resorts bring the legacy to life. In 1904, John Jacob Astor IV sought to create a masterpiece of service and opulence, an institution that set a new standard for luxury that far exceeded anything ever seen.
The St. Regis brand defines itself not only by its standards of service, the gestures it unravels at unexpected moments, but by the bespoke experiences that live on long after they occur. Inspired by this legacy to be the finest hotel in the world, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort will deliver the finest experience imaginable. The resort’s commitment to service excellence is further personified by the signature St. Regis Butler service.
With more properties expected to open doors on Saadiyat Island, what is key to ensure repeat business and how important will that market become for the property?
The success of the St. Regis brand is a result of our commitment to delivering an unrivalled setting and bespoke service to each and every guest, from arrival to departure. For modern connoisseurs who desire the finest expression of service, each moment with us will reflect the St. Regis signature of discreet, bespoke experiences.
Do you expect to attract a lot of interest from the UAE nationals? Further, what new markets will you target?
I am confident the resort will be very popular with residents of the UAE at large. This is an ideal weekend getaway for a young couple as well as family with children. Set on an island with pristine white sand yet just minutes away from the city’s downtown, the distinctive food and beverage venues, the facilities such as the Sandcastle Club, the large spa facility including the unique themed sap suites, the early arrival & late departure lounge, makes the resort a must-experience getaway.
Our feeder markets include Russia & CIS, Germany , UK, UAE , India, China , Asia & GCC. Since we went live with our online bookings page, the interest from these markets has been very positive.
What has been the feedback from the trade?
The response has been very promising. Partners and operators who are familiar with the St. Regis brand are pleased to offer discerning guests the brand experience in Abu Dhabi, a city that is transforming to be a destination of choice in the region.
Travel trade play an integral part in the success of a hotel and we work closely with them at all times.
Tell us about your favourite space in the hotel and why?
My personal favourite is the Lobby. This area provides an amazing arrival experience with its location on level three of the hotel. As soon as you arrive in this area, you are greeted by two-storey high windows where your eyes are naturally drawn to the inviting turquoise blue ocean.
The lobby in itself is beautiful, with its striking custom marble and mosaic tile floor that is themed on sea anemones, coral and sea kelp in the shapes of ribbons and medallions. The overhead crystal and hand-blown glass has been custom-designed depicting sea creatures.