The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort defines understated elegance with striking interiors

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, the city’s first true luxury beach resort as recognized by the World Travel Awards, offers a perfect getaway with its thoughtfully designed interiors. Exuding understated elegance and Mediterranean-inspired living, the resort connects guests to the location’s natural surroundings of pristine white sand and turquoise blue water at every turn while the design incorporates southern Mediterranean-style arches, tiled roofing, and a light shell pink exterior.

“For a guest, stay at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is to experience a relaxed environment, complete with the distinctive St. Regis service in a setting that is second to none,” said John Pelling, General Manager, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. “And as part of that relaxing experience, the resort’s design embraces the ocean throughout, beginning with the 3-storey high glass wall that affords unmatched views of the ocean upon arrival in the hotel lobby flowing through to our dining venues  and even rooms and suites with ocean inspired colors and natural products, individual terraces and expansive bathrooms.”

The interior design, by internationally-renowned Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), uses a blend of influences which create a unique and exciting destination. The main lobby and all-day dining options are Mediterranean in feel, while TheDrawing Room (the lobby lounge) and signature restaurant, 55&5^th The Grill, are inspired by the address where it all began - the legendary St. Regis New York. The hotel’s design is further enhanced by the contemporary Mediterranean interiors with Arabian influences coupled with the use of unique local products, art pieces and elements.

On arrival at the resort, guests are greeted by a breathtaking view of the ocean and beyond. The three-level glass serves as a transparent backdrop, allowing in ample natural lighting that intensifies the lobby’s striking custom marble and mosaic tile floor inspired by sea anemones, coral, and sea kelp in the shapes of ribbons and medallions. Overhead are custom-designed depictions of sea creatures created in Prague from crystal and hand-blown glass that are, with LED lights, programmed to fade and flicker.

The lobby surroundings feature ivory and cream stone with wide vistas to the myriad hues of the ocean through the panels of teal glass. The casual oversized sofas and rattan armchairs sit with deep hand-carved area rugs in golden tones, create an aura of plush elegance within the arrival and lobby lounge areas. Reclaimed rustic timber tables topped by lamps with tumbled river rock bases offer unique decorative accents.

With the rooms and suites, described by the interior designers as “a blissful escape to tranquil surroundings”, the selection of neutral palette of cool browns and creams, punctuated by the occasional burst of red, orange, and turquoise, add a distinctive twist to the décor. Chisel-edged stone and petrified wood add texture and lend a sense of permanence to the interior, while the sleek, clean-lined furnishings soothe the eye. Sleek interior furnishings in soft, woven fabrics, leathers, and smooth rattans sit against blonde rift-cut millwork and sandblasted glass.

Across the resort, guests will see and have the chance to experience elegant resort furniture, with woven cane, washed timbers, soft cool leather and plenty of stone and glass throughout. A variety of seating styles and furnishings are spread throughout the property, including ecologically-friendly mix of sustainable teak, as well as resin rattan that is durable and sun-resistant.

Overall, the relaxed ambience and lively tropical palette of the resort makes for a soft and playful backdrop for both leisure and business travelers, as well as corporate and family celebrations.

The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi was the first of three St. Regis properties to be open in the Middle East.