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The opulence of the St Regis Abu Dhabi is masked, with the hotel occupying sections of two office-style skyscrapers.
“Oh,” I thought, slightly disappointed as my airport car pulled up to the main entrance.
But “oh, wow,” I said under my breath as I entered a lobby worthy of Mount Olympus. Vast pillars rise, dazzling chandeliers hang, and two epic staircases lead to a mezzanine that wraps around the entire space.
An ultra-courteous receptionist greeted me – and the service offered by his colleagues during my stay never deviated from his impeccable standards.
MailOnline Travel’s Ted Thornhill checked into the St Regis Abu Dhabi (above)
Ted’s room above was on the 39th floor and gave him a wonderful view.
This is the view from Ted’s room across the hotel’s private beach to a mini peninsula breakwater that houses the majestic Rixos Marina Hotel, designed like a colossal arch.
Epic View Room: Downtown Abu Dhabi, seen from Ted’s Suite
My room was on the 39th floor.
After exiting the express elevator and equalizing the pressure in my eardrums, I entered a corner room that, like the lobby, was fit for the gods.
My eyes widened at the opulent, marble-clad bathroom and the plush king-size bed, with dilated pupils joined by a dropped jaw as I drank in the stunning view – on one side over the center – Abu Dhabi city and across from the hotel’s private beach to the eye-catching breakwater, a mini peninsula that houses the majestic Rixos Marina Hotel, designed like a colossal arch.
The delights continued at low altitude.
There was a wonderfully fun champagne sabering – a St Regis tradition – in the mezzanine bar, with a member of the bar team expertly knocking the top of the bottle off with a large saber.
Ted describes the lobby (above) as being worthy of Mount Olympus.
The hotel’s private beach (above) up close, accessible via a golden subway
“An ultra-courteous receptionist greeted me,” Ted writes, “and the service provided by his colleagues during my stay never deviated from his impeccable standards.”
Pictured above is the hotel’s inviting outdoor pool
Ted enjoyed breakfast on the downstairs terrace (above)
Spectacular sushi at Catch restaurant
On the same floor, I really enjoyed an al fresco meal at the hotel’s impressive Villa Toscana Italian restaurant. The standard would satisfy any Italian grandmother.
Breakfast was served on the ground floor of the restaurant La Terrasse de la Corniche – and what a treat – for the stomach and the eyes. Sit outside and you have the opportunity to gaze at the hotel’s twin towers, the tallest of which stands at 233.2 m (765 feet).
One morning, the tops of the towers were mesmerizingly adorned with clouds.
Another downstairs treat was a meal at Catch at St. Regis, which specializes in seafood.
The indoor breakfast room (above) – technically the terrace of the Corniche restaurant. Here, a “feast” is organized for the guests
Outdoor diners at the Corniche Terrace have the opportunity to gaze up at the hotel’s tall twin towers (above).
It’s located next to the property’s private beach and is accessible via what is surely the world’s chicest subway, a golden passageway with gleaming floors and soft lighting.
At Catch, the eager-to-please waiters brought me one winning dish after another, including top-notch sushi theatrically presented on a small wooden platter over a bowl filled with dry ice.
If the hotel was looking for compliments, it certainly wasn’t necessary.
It’s a class act.