The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

Overlooking the sapphire blue Arabian Gulf, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi provides a serene escape just minutes from the city centre. Set on a pristine beach with Mediterranean-inspired architecture that unites contemporary interiors with natural materials, the hotel is one of the grand old dames of the exclusive Saadiyat Beach enclave. The 376 rooms & suites feature traditional décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, private balconies and 24-hour butler service. Select suites have chandeliers, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, private pools and cabanas – all enjoy impressive panoramic views.

There are six restaurants spread across the resort, including the world-renowned Buddha-Bar Beach Abu Dhabi and the Mediterranean-inspired Olea. Floating among a series of interconnected pools and offering a taste of Southeast Asia is Sontaya, which serves exotic dishes complemented by signature cocktails. The Drawing Room offers both handmade sweets from the onsite pastry shop, Sucre, and savoury snacks at the legendary Afternoon Tea. Guests are invited to rejuvenate at one of the 12 Iridium Spa treatment rooms, energise in the 25-metre indoor lap pool, dip into one of the four outdoor pools, or simply soak up the sun on the private beach. The resort’s beach is so unspoiled that Hawksbill Turtles find refuge in its sand dunes and Bottlenose Dolphins are often seen playing in the surf along the shoreline.