The St. Regis Abu Dhabi — Hotel in Abu Dhabi

We had a fantastic stay here in June 2025. My wife, our two girls and I stayed here for 9 nights on a half board basis. We had originally booked to stay at the Ritz on the grand canal but then transferred our booking here when we learnt that the Ritz was having construction work undertaken at the time we’d be staying.||From the second we arrived to the moment we left, all the staff were hugely attentive to us and made sure our stay was as memorable as possible. We’ve stayed at 5 star hotels before but we found the St. Regis to be different with the staff all being so very friendly and talkative whilst also still being highly professional, far more than we’d experienced in other hotels. They couldn’t have been more friendly and caring to our two little girls, who towards the end of the stay were treated almost like celebrities wherever they went in the hotel. ||I have to mention some of the standout staff who made our stay so special - Elvis (our butler), all the staff at the Terrace Restaurant but especially Khine, Hussam, Hany, Bikram, Rossie, Thiirupathi, Sandhya, Anass and Ari, and also Johanson on the front door. And also all of the concierge and reception staff. If I could I would mention everyone. Our girls even got gifts in the restaurant from pictures to sweets to backpacks - absolutely amazing and it really made their days - thank you.||The food in the Terrace restaurant was of such high quality and there was always such a large selection of things to choose from. Each night was different and the chefs are evidently very talented. ||In terms of the facilities and amenities here, everything is as you would expect for a very high 5 star hotel. Spotless wherever you went with very high quality finishes to everything. Whilst the pool and beach club were a bit of a walk (via a nice underground tunnel) they were a great place to cool off at. Plus the views from the private beach couldn’t be beaten. ||The room (we had a double deluxe) had a stunning view and the beds were some of the most comfortable we’ve had. The butler service we received was above and beyond what we expected, with so many little things properly thought about and provided. From handwritten notes, cakes, balloons. and our girls favourite fruits (that they just happened to mention in passing) suddenly being in our room. All of the products in the bathroom were very high quality, and the kids even got their own amenity kits. ||If you do have kids, the St. Regis may not seem like the first choice for families as it doesn’t have a splash pad or a kids water park or playground, but it’s one of the most family friendly hotels we’ve been to. Not in the way that kids are running around everywhere, but in the way they’re welcomed into everywhere and made to feel so special. They were also given St Regis branded bears, colouring packs and books so it meant they were well catered for. My eldest daughter even said that it wasn’t a 5 star hotel it was a 99,000 star hotel! ||We highly recommend this hotel to anyone, whether you have...

I spent a week at the St. Regis Abu Dhabi to celebrate my 40th birthday in July, and I can confidently say the experience was exceptional from start to finish. The hotel itself is beautiful, and the service was faultless throughout. Every request was handled promptly and professionally, making this one of the best hotel stays I've had.

I stayed in a King Room, which was spacious, comfortable, and immaculately cleaned each day. Housekeeping and the butler service were attentive and thoughtful. I also tried room service and highly recommend the crème brûlée (which is definitely enough for two!).

Check-in was smooth and welcoming, with professional and friendly staff setting the tone for the rest of the stay. Most of my time was spent relaxing at the Nation Riviera Beach Club, and I must highlight the exceptional service there. The pool team went above and beyond—offering help with towels, adjusting parasols, and ensuring guests were comfortable at all times. It’s the kind of service that makes a lasting impression.

A standout detail was the generous and thoughtful approach to amenities, cold bottled water delivered in an ice bucket and replenished through out the day, complimentary snacks like nuts and crisps, and even sunscreen provided at no extra charge. It’s these touches, often overlooked elsewhere, that show St. Regis isn’t cutting corners or worried about margins at the guest’s expense.

Another impressive feature was the digital call buttons at the loungers for prompt service, though I often preferred the personal interaction. The staff not only remembered our usual orders but made helpful and friendly suggestions, which added to the personalised feel of the stay. It’s that proactive approach to service that really defines the St. Regis brand for me, they anticipated my needs rather than just reacted to them.

Dining at the hotel was also a highlight. Breakfast was excellent, though if I had to nitpick, some of the bread rolls could have been a little fresher. The St. Regis Bar had more of a cigar lounge feel than a modern cocktail bar, but the atmosphere was classy and relaxed. I had dinner there one evening and highly recommend the chicken souvlaki—it was delicious. Again, the staff were personable, helpful, and accommodating.

Checkout was seamless, and once again the service was top-tier. The only "downside," if I can call it that, is that the Corniche area is quieter in the summer months due to the heat—especially compared to places like Yas Island. But that’s more of an Abu Dhabi issue than anything to do with the hotel itself.

A special thanks to the incredible team at the pool—Vincent, Buskhar, and Milan ( I may have misspelt their names)—who made our stay unforgettable and even surprised me with a thoughtful leaving gift on the last day there. Their warmth and professionalism really elevated the whole experience.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the St. Regis Abu Dhabi. Yes, it’s a luxury property with a premium price tag, but you truly get what you pay...

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)||Overall, the experience was excellent. The staff were generally warm, friendly, and genuine—with just a couple of minor exceptions. I did consider giving 4 stars due to a few areas that let the experience down slightly, but I’m sharing those points constructively in the hope they’ll be considered for future improvements. We will definitely be back!||⸻||Rooms||We stayed in the lowest category room, and honestly, I wouldn’t upgrade—anything more would be unnecessary. While the décor is slightly dated, the quality is excellent. The bathroom was a real highlight, and the bed was the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in anywhere in the world. The city view side is also lovely, with the higher floors offering the best outlook.||⸻||Butler Service||A true standout. Our butlers, Ghansyham and Vinu, were absolutely exceptional—genuine, proactive, and always eager to help. They are a credit to the hotel and made our stay feel very special. I can’t thank them enough.||⸻||Restaurants| • Azura Lounge – Great views, excellent service, food was average.| • Villa Toscana – Sadly overrated. The service was lacklustre and the food underwhelming.| • Catch @ St Regis – The absolute highlight of our trip. Mthokozisi provided impeccable service—professional yet personable. His knowledge of food and wine was top-tier and he made the evening unforgettable. The food itself was outstanding—easily the best meal we’ve had in the last three years anywhere in the world.||⸻||Beach Club & Pool||The pool is beautiful, and the pool bar service was excellent. However, poolside service was disappointing—pressing the service buttons on the tables yielded no response. If the feature isn’t functional, it’s better to remove the buttons entirely. The beach itself was lovely and well-maintained.||⸻||Opportunities for Improvement| • Breakfast Service|This was unfortunately a low point. Tables were often left uncleared and hot drink service was disorganised and slow. We had to place multiple requests before anything arrived. The food itself was very good, though the pastries were stale.| • Beach Club Environment|As a couple without children, we generally have no issue with well-behaved kids. However, the Beach Club was overwhelmed by out-of-control children, with no visible intervention from staff or parents. While this isn’t entirely the hotel’s fault, I would expect some level of oversight—either gentle reminders to parents or a designated adult-only area, as done successfully on the beach.||⸻||Final Thoughts||Despite a few areas needing attention, most aspects of our stay were outstanding. From the butler service, Catch restaurant, valet, housekeeping, to the comfort of the rooms—many elements were executed to perfection. I’m giving 5 stars because the overall experience deserved it, and I genuinely hope some of the opportunity areas are taken on board before...