St Regis Saadiyat Island review, Abu Dhabi: Luxury on the best beach in the UAE

St Regis Saadiyat Island ticks all the boxes.

CHECK-IN

St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi's convenient location makes it perfect for stopovers, but its facilities are designed to appeal to long-stay guests. Just 20 minutes' drive from the airport and 10 minutes from downtown, Saadiyat Island is being transformed into a major leisure destination. Its clean beach, lined with powdery white sand, is known as the best beach in the United Arab Emirates and you will find some of Abu Dhabi's best hotels here, including the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

THE LOOK

Saadiyat Island is being transformed into a major leisure destination.

Banish all thoughts of blinged-up Middle Eastern interiors. The St Regis brand is known for its sophisticated design sensibility and this hotel is no exception, using luxe materials in a pared-back palette. Instead, it is the soaring scale of the hotel that makes an impact here, particularly on arrival, when you are met with views across the gardens and pools to the beach beyond, framed by triple-height windows. A sense of place comes courtesy of Middle Eastern motifs scattered with a light touch - in the light fixtures, for instance, and in the delicate etchings on the back of the elevator doors.

THE ROOM

My suite is more of an apartment, with separate lounge and sleeping areas, an oversized bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, views out across the water and a small balcony. St Regis hotels are known for their butler service, and not long after I arrive one of the team knocks on my door to introduce themselves. As is increasingly common across the luxury sector, WhatsApp is the recommended way to contact them, and they respond promptly to every request, whether it is printing a document or delivering some carrier bags. One small touch I appreciate in the room is that the mini-bar has been left empty, allowing you to fill it with your own drinks and snacks instead of relying on the hotel's selection.

My suite is more of an apartment, with separate lounge and sleeping areas.

FOOD + DRINK

Apart from its beachside location, the St Regis' excellent food and beverage offering may be its biggest selling point. There are six separate restaurants including Olea, the Mediterranean restaurant that serves up a breakfast buffet that is extraordinary even by Middle Eastern standards. Other highlights include the Greek restaurant, Mazi Abu Dhabi – try their superb roast aubergine – and Signature 3, serving light bites including an excellent chicken salad on a shady verandah. On a balmy evening, kick back at the beachside Buddha Bar Abu Dhabi, where Asian-inspired bites are accompanied by cool beats. Opt for one of the tables on the sand, kick off your shoes, and savour the tropical resort vibe.

OUT + ABOUT

Among the guests I chat to, many confess to rarely leaving the resort, preferring to relax on the deckchairs on the beach or in the cabanas by the various pools that offer every kind of swim experience, from family-friendly splash pools to lap pools. Golfers will love the fact that the 18-hole Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is right next door. If you are keen to explore, however, there is plenty within easy reach, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

THE VERDICT

Location, service, fine food, and a beach thrown in – St Regis Saadiyat Island ticks all the boxes.

ESSENTIALS

Rates from $700 a night . See st-regis.marriott.com

HIGHLIGHT

The beachside setting and the abundance of dining options gives this hotel a laidback resort vibe.

LOWLIGHT

In a hotel complex this size, some people may feel there is too much walking involved – although I love the opportunity to stretch my legs when it's too hot outside for a stroll.

OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE

★★★★

Ute Junker was a guest of St Regis Hotels.