Aug. 17–The second St. Regis hotel in Abu Dhabi is now ready to welcome guests after eight months delay from the initial inauguration plans.
Unlike St. Regis on Saadiyat island, owned by Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), the recently opened St. Regis Abu Dhabi is owned by International Capital Trading, a private investment company based in the Capital.
“Despite different ownership we will cooperate with each other. Besides, the Saadiyat hotel caters primarily for the tourism sector, while we target the corporate market,” said general manager of St. Regis Abu Dhabi Oliver Key.
Located in the rather dull Nation’s Towers, yet another glass building along the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the hotel’s interior design is a world apart from the uninspiring exterior. The hotel, which opened on Thursday, is reminiscent of 1920s Manhattan with dark Mahogany and cherry wood, luxurious leather, thick carpets and super-sized chandeliers.
“We have worked with local Emirati artist, Azza Al Qubaisi, who has made for us Arabian inspired jewellery, which we exhibit as artworks,” Key said.
In keeping with Abu Dhabi development’s aim to achieve a superlative feature such as “first”, “best” or “biggest”, the new St. Regis is no exception. Yet to be opened, its Abu Dhabi Suite is the world’s highest suspended suite — with the “bridge” that connects the two Nation’s Towers acting as the suite’s majlis.
When ready, the 1,085 square metres suite, hanging 200 metres above ground, will have three bedrooms, private elevator access, spa and movie theatre, as well as a kitchen, dining room and a fully equipped gym.
The other 282 guest rooms, including 54 suites, offer panoramic waterfront views of the Arabian Gulf, thanks to the tower’s position located right at the edge of the Corniche — and on the corner of Abu Dhabi island.
The tower’s 4th to 32nd floors are occupied by offices, with the hotel rooms starting from the 33rd floor to the 49th floor.
Opening summer rates start from Dh720 for a Superior Room to Dh5,000 for a St. Regis suite. For a different kind of budget, perched at the top of the world, the Al Hosen suite charges Dh20,000 per night. The suite only has one bedroom, but attached are a majlis, dining room, living area, study, kitchen, spa, gym and dressing room. “We already have bookings made,” Key said.
The hotel has two main restaurants, Rhodes 44 and Villa Toscana, with Rhodes 44 run by the Michelin star chef Gary Rhodes. —
