December 27, 2015 by findingbackroads

Where we stayed: Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri

hotels
abu dhabi, Hotel, review, staycation, uae, weekend
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We spent a wonderful weekend at Traders Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi and couldn’t be happier.We’ve never been to the Qaryat Al Beri area before but within minutes of arriving, we’re already pretty sure we would like to be back soon. Just a little over an hour drive from The Dubai Mall on Sheikh Zayed Road, Qaryat Al Beri is a little piece of paradise very close to Dubai.

TIP: When you go to the hotel around sunset time, don’t miss to stop when you drive beneath Al Maqta Bridge.

We were lucky to be at the right place and at the right time to witness this beautiful sunset with the silhouette of Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque against the crimson sky.

When I first heard of Traders Hotel, all that was in my mind was that this must be strictly for business hotel. However, internet research showed it is not just for business but for leisure and families as well. The lobby is huge and welcoming and the vibrant, funky colors are proof that this hotel is upbeat and modern – certainly not just for the modest business traveller!

View outside the hotel – you can easily tell this is a resort type hotel.

Traders is managed by Shangri-la and follows all the protocols, service and food quality standards of the Shangri-la brand.

LOCATION

Traders Hotel is located within the Qaryat Al Beri complex and is a 10-minute drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport, five minutes from Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and 15 minutes from the city centre. It overlooks its own private beach and is directly across the water from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (covered by another property but visible as you walk towards the neighbouring property Shangri-la).

The beach area out at the back side of the hotel is well kept and the sand is clean. There are lots of sunbeds and other comfortable seating available .

THE ROOM(s)

We stayed at interconnecting rooms (perfect for families staying with children) at the Traders Club floor. The Traders Club Superior rooms on the 7th, 8th and 9th floors are sleek and modern, affording guests access to the dedicated Traders Club Lounge and full Traders Club benefits.

The rooms are very spacious, with king sized beds which were very comfortable.

The bathroom is large with a monsoon type shower, amenities and a separate bathtub. A hotel with a separate bathtub is always a winner in our book!

We had a sea view room on a top floor with magnificent views from the balcony. One of the first things I check after entering a hotel room is the view outside. I couldn’t complain…

TIP: Booking a club floor is such a great value. Guests who stay at any rooms in the club floor get access to the Club Lounge with breakfast, all day tea/coffee, soft drinks and alcohol and nibbles between 6pm and 8pm, and of course, free WiFi and a place to work, overlooking the private beach.

TRADERS FOR FAMILIES TOO

The property was very family friendly, starting with the staff who never fail to make us feel at home, especially our kids. There’s plenty of space to run around and a playground to boot!

If swimming on the beach is not your bet while staying here, there’s also a pool, which unfortunately small for the size of the hotel. We did not have a problem with the crowd though as not many were keen to swim at the time we went there (around 10am).

But how many would prefer to be in the pool if the beach is so close by?

DINING

The hotel is serviced by the all-day dining restaurant Afya that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast buffet was good and staff were alert and attentive to everyone’s needs. You can also opt to sit outside for al fresco breakfast while enjoying the lovely sea breeze.

FRIDAY BARBECUE NIGHT

Every Friday is barbecue night at the beach with wide spread international buffet, mixed grills of meat and seafood. Shisha also available.

What’s great about it, other than the food? There’s a play setup for kids which means quiet dining time for the parents!

It was quite chilly when we were there so we’re glad there were heaters placed all around the dining area to keep us warm. Strange things happen when you live far too long in desert land – you become sissy with the cold once the temps drop below 20C!

We enjoyed the lovely dinner under the stars (that sounds so romantic, I know and it was) while the children played in the bouncy castle and in the sand. It is really the loveliest time of the year to be outside.

WHAT WE LOVED MOST

Our stay at Traders Qaryat Al Beri was faultless. Everything from the rooms to the service was ace. Add to that, the property was really a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city – the green surroundings, the soft sound of the lapping waves…it is a breath of fresh air, literally.

We really liked our early morning walks in the promenade to the Souk/Shangri-la Hotel and back.

Souk Qaryat Al Beri (the souk between Traders Hotel, Shangri-la Residences and Shangri-la Hotel), is a contemporary adaptation of a typical Arabian market, with abras (water taxis) ferrying visitors round the waterside complex via meandering man-made canals.

The children are thrilled to be in the small motorized boat. We passed through the narrow canal to Traders from the Souk and back again to Shangri-la. Hotel guests can enjoy this service free of charge.

LASTLY…

If my photos don’t do this place justice, you simply have to go and see for yourself (you won’t regret it). I would have no hesitation recommending this hotel to anyone, whether travelling on business or leisure and highly recommend for families. We had a great time and would love to celebrate family milestones in this hotel or simply a long weekend staycation in the future.

If you’re looking for a high quality class of a hotel and not at 5 star prices, then give this hotel a look.

To learn more about Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri and their special offers, check out their main website as well as connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

We were guests at Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri but all opinions are my own.

October 27, 2015 by findingbackroads

Where we stayed: Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City

hotels
Hotel, IHG, Intercontinental, staycation, weekend
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We had a long weekend for the Islamic New Year and after living in Dubai for almost nine years, we find ourselves running out of ideas of where to go or what to do when a few days of holidays strikes. Recently, we’ve been staying at home more than going out but it would be unfair for the children so I thought it would be the perfect time to use the loyalty points I got from the IHG Rewards Club for one night hotel stay!

What is the IHG Rewards Club?
Through IHG’s Rewards Club, you can earn rewards at more than 4,900 properties within IHG’s extensive network of hotels, including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Hotel Indigo and Staybridge Suites properties. The program also offers a variety of ways to use your accumulated points, ranging from paying for hotel stays and air travel to purchasing goods and services online.

I chose that we spend our rewards night at the Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Festival City because it’s the nearest IHG hotel from our home.

LOCATION

Intercontinental Hotel is at Dubai Festival City, a large residential, business and entertainment development in Dubai. It is very close to the airport and access to other parts of the city is easy via taxi or private cars.

Hotel staycations are always a hit with the kids (actually for all of us) – there’s a change in atmosphere, big comfortable bed, nice view outside, pool time and for me, not having to wake up early to cook breakfast on a Friday morning (our weekend here).

THE ROOM

50,000 IHG Rewards Club points = 1 night stay at a deluxe room at Intercontinental Hotel Dubai Festival City. The room as surprisingly huge. It’s very comfortable for families staying with children. There’s also a kitchen, a separate walk in closet, bath tub and separate shower room. It is very spacious!

And the view outside our hotel window…lovely.

POOL TIME

One of our favorite part of any hotel stay is time at the pool. The weather is easing up on us and it’s so wonderful to swim and just relax by the water.

And of course, just lounging in bed watching a movie. We never do this at home because we don’t have a tv inside the bedroom!

We loved our short but wonderful stay at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City. The staff were courteous and always helpful, we’re happy with the room and the pool and the breakfast (not included in the rewards club redeemed room).

You can read and see more pics of our stay at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City from the IHG Destination Guides page.

Disclosure:This post is brought to you in collaboration with InterContinental Hotels Group as part of their Rewards Club scheme promotion. The views and opinions are entirely mine.

August 19, 2015 by findingbackroads

Where we stayed: Holiday Inn & Suites Makati

hotels
Holiday Inn & Suites Makati, Hotel, Makati, Philippines, review, staycation, Travels, vacation
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There is no international airport near my home town (yet) and the quickest and most convenient way for us is to fly in and out of Manila. Depending on the flight schedule, I choose connecting flights but the weather during the rainy months of July and August is tricky. Flights could be delayed and even if I choose the earliest flight, if the plane leaves on time, I will end up waiting for hours at the airport in Manila…with kids.

That I didn’t want to happen during our recent travel (going back to the UAE after spending one month in the Philippines).

I chose to leave a day prior to our flight date and stay at a hotel in Manila. There are plenty of hotels to choose from depending on budget, location, reviews and word of mouth. We ended up staying at The Holiday Inn & Suites in Makati because of its proximity to the airport and safety/convenience factor.

LOCATION

I chose this hotel first and foremost for location: it is very near to the airport and it is situated at the heart of the business district of Makati. Also, one very nice advantage of this hotel is that it’s connected to the Glorietta Mall. If you’re travelling with kids or someone who is not familiar with Manila and feel uncomfortable venturing out to walk to the malls or to take a cab, this is actually a huge plus!

AIRPORT PICK UP

I requested for private pick up from the airport, though a little bit costly at PHP1,500 (as of this writing), because it gave me a sense of security. Unfortunately, Manila can be a dangerous place and I’ve heard and read a lot of horror stories of newly landed people (tourists or otherwise) being duped by taxi drivers. The hotel arranged one person with proper identification to meet us right outside the terminal and took us to the car, with full assistance on our luggage. I highly recommend their service!

Holiday Inn & Suites Makati is only less than 4 kilometers from the airport, according to Google maps but with the traffic in Manila, it took us about 30 minutes.

CHECK IN

I expected to queue at the check in counter for the check in procedures, however, we were directly taken to our rooms where we did our check in. Easy breezy!

THE ROOM

We had two queen size beds in the room, one for Pristine and the other for me and Benjamin. We had interesting pillows in the room. They have the words “soft” and “firm” mark so you can select which type of pillow you prefer! If the kids didn’t insist we go to the pool, I think I could have slept in this comfy bed all day!

The room was clean and functional with mini bar, complimentary water, coffee and tea. It’s a happy surprise that you would not need adaptors in the electrical outlets on the wall.

* Note that there is no tub in the bathroom but this is never an issue for us.

BREAKFAST

After a good night’s sleep, the kids woke up early! We were headed down at 7am. Breakfast was served at Flavors Restaurant at the Lobby floor and we were surprised that the restaurant was buzzing with diners at 7am. So different than in Dubai!

I am happy with the breakfast buffet selection and there was even pork adobo! Where in the world would you have pork adobo for breakfast?

THE POOL

After breakfast, the kids did not have anything else in mind except going to the pool. They saw it on the night we arrived and couldn’t wait to swim. As it was a weekday when we were there, we had the pool all to ourselves. They have two pools – one small and shallow for kids and one for adults.

The hotel also had a well-equipped gym – no reason to skip exercise!

We had a very pleasant stay at the Holiday Inn & Suites Makati. The staff are fantastic, always very professional and with a ready smile. Location was unbeatable, connection to the mall made moving around very easy especially it rained when we were there.

Oh and there is free WiFi!

If you are worried about the price that is a little high than other Holiday Inns, take it from me, this hotel is beyond any usual Holiday Inn. (Just think of the savings you can make by not requiring to hire a taxi to go anywhere for food, shopping or entertainment!)

It’s easy to assume a Holiday Inn hotel is mainly for business travellers. However, Holiday Inn & Suites Makati caters for families with children too with their “Kids Stay & Eat Free” campaign. I would gladly choose to stay at Holiday Inn & Suites Makati whenever we find ourselves back in Manila soon. And you should too!

To learn more about Holiday Inn & Suites Makati and their special offers, check out their main website as well as connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We were guests at Holiday Inn & Suites Makati but all opinions are my own.

June 28, 2015 by findingbackroads

Where we stayed: Park Rotana Abu Dhabi

hotels
abu dhabi, Family, Hotel, Reviews, Rotana, staycation, weekend
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After living in Dubai for more than 8 years, we feel we’d like to explore the other Emirates more and spend some time there on some weekends. We previously explored Fujairah again and had a day trip to Ras Al Khaimah lately. We have found family friendly hotels during our stay. School’s out and it’s summer, Eid is also coming around soon. If you’re not going out of the country like most of the expat population, you might want to check out this hotel we stayed in Abu Dhabi: Park Rotana Abu Dhabi just off Maqta bridge, near Khalifa Park.

The drive took us about two hours from Dubai. The hotel is easily accessible from Dubai (with the help of Google maps) but it’s a bit far from Abu Dhabi city center. The hotel offers shuttle buses to the city center as well as there are plenty of taxis available right from the hotel entrance.

We were assigned at the 7th floor and excited to see the view outside. This is the chic hotel lobby.

We had interconnecting rooms, perfect for families with children so there’s more space. Family rooms at Park Rotana features two rooms: one with king size bed and the other, with twin beds.

It is ideal for families or friends and could sleep up to 4 people. The rooms were clean, spacious and nicely decorated.

Look at this sweet welcome not just for me but for the kids too!

It was the first day of Ramadan when we arrived at the hotel. We had our first Iftar at Ginger Restaurant, the hotel’s all day dining restaurant. I’m not only impressed by the variety of the dishes available (mostly Arabic, though) but also the taste. After indulging in so many iftar buffets in the past, I found that the more I dine ‘buffet style’, the harder it is to please my palates. Confession: I easily get bored or had become sensitive to bland food. But to be honest, the food we had here did not disappoint. Kebabs and Arabic mixed grill was really tasty.

This was the view from our room. This is part of Khalifa Park, if it had not been too hot, we would have loved to go out and explore this very huge park with the kids.

After a good night’s sleep, (the bed was nice!), we look forward to breakfast. As I’ve said, it has been difficult for me to appreciate buffet food because most of them are either too common or just don’t have anything special. These are just some of the food at the breakfast buffet. I think it could cater to anyone’s breakfast needs.

DINING OPTIONS AT PARK ROTANA ABU DHABI

Coopers Bar is open from 9pm during Ramadan while the Italian fare Teatro is closed till Eid holidays. Ginger all day dining restaurant is open all throughout the holy month.

GREEN SPACES & POOL

The green space between Park Rotana and Park Arjaan by Rotana was wonderful with pool , lounges, a tennis court and mini playground for kids.

The best part of our staycation was definitely the pool!

There is a small shallow children’s pool which had shade so it’s perfect for the little ones!

PARK ROTANA TIDBITS

Only 20 minutes drive to the airport so it’s convenient for travelers.
Very close to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (a must see when you’re in Abu Dhabi!)
There is a shuttle to take you to the grand mosque
has Bodylines fitness and wellness club. The gym is very well equipped!
In-room WiFi is not free but according to their website and other reviews online, the hotel is regularly reviewing competitor’s services and assure that their rates for wireless internet is very competitive.
The bathroom has no tub. It wasn’t an issue for us as we really don’t have time to soak in the tub and spend most of our time in the outdoor pool
20 minutes drive to Yas Island (Ferrari World, Marina Circuit, Yas Waterworld, Yas Mall, Yas Beach)

It was a very pleasant staycation and I would highly recommend this hotel for families who want something different, a drive out of Dubai. We had a very chill time and the children really enjoyed the pool. Staff were very polite and very attentive to guests. I think this hotel can be a great staycation hotel in Abu Dhabi for this coming summer!

To learn more about Park Rotana Abu Dhabi hotel and their special offers, check out their main website as well as connect with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We were guests at Park Rotana Abu Dhabi but all opinions are my own.

February 24, 2015February 3, 2022 by findingbackroads

A trip to Al Bidyah Mosque, oldest mosque in the UAE

The UAE
Al Bidyah mosque, Family, fujairah, history, Novotel, staycation, Travels, uae, weekend
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When you live in Dubai, it’s easy to miss things as natural as rain or trees (other than date palm) or the sight of mountains. It was our second day in Fujairah and after exploring the coast by boat courtesy of Fujairah International Marine Club, we wanted to look around and show the kids some things they won’t see in Dubai (mountains!) and visit the Al Bidyah Mosque, (sometimes written as Al Bidiyah or Al Badiyah) reputed to be the oldest mosque in the country.

Novotel Hotel, the budget and family friendly hotel in Fujairah where we spent our short out of the city getaway offers tours to the city and nearby historic spots.

Our driver and guide picked us up after breakfast and we went straight to Al Bidyah Mosque. It was a longer ride from Fujairah city proper where Novotel is located but the sights along the way has something we do not see everyday. There were no bored souls inside the car.

Al Bidyah mosque is located 8 km north of Khor Fakkan in the mountainous coastal region of the emirate of Fujairah. The mosque is a charming earth-coloured structure of stone, mud brick and gypsum built between 1446 and 1668. The mosque is unique to the UAE but not the region. It was built about the same time as similar mosques in Yemen, Oman and Qatar.

I have been to this mosque before but that was way back in 2007 with my mother and if I remember, we weren’t allowed to go inside. Now, visitors can take a peek inside as it now functions mainly as a tourist attraction. Non-Muslims may enter if they are appropriately dressed and have taken off their shoes, but women must cover their heads.

Its structure has been kept true to its past. Apart from the welcome introduction of two air-conditioning units and four fluorescent lights, and some restoration work a decade ago, the mosque of mud and bricks remains much as it did in the mid-15th century.

Here, my 3 year old son is looking at a wall that existed centuries and centuries before him. It’s heartbreaking though to see all the vandalized walls on this old, small building near the mosque.

Locals says that they don’t know who built this mosque. There were no books or historical studies on who built it. There’s some sort of fort at the top of the hill behind the mosque. And there’s a pathway to it.

Way back in 2007 when we first visited, we did not have much time to explore around the area. Now that we didn’t have to rush back to Dubai and the weather was really great, we asked the kids if they wanted to go up.

I guess you know what they said next. The older one was too excited to show the place to her little brother as if she owns it, as if she has been there a hundred times. Those mountain silhouettes in the horizon, aren’t they beautiful?

The climb to the top wasn’t too much of a struggle but I guess for the little one, it was quite an effort. He loved it though and looked forward to reaching the top.

“Those mountains…where do they start and where do they end, mama?” I get overwhelmed by the questions Pristine asks during our travels because sometimes, the answers to those questions I can’t find in Google.

I am proud of my (little) young travellers. We’ve taken them everywhere we wanted to them to see and not once they complained or threw a tantrum (no jinx!). If at all, they are so eager to see more and always the reason why we need to linger more at a certain spot.

From the watch tower above the mosque you can view more of the magnificent scenery of the coast. If you’re thinking of doing something different on a weekend, you can drive to Fujairah from Dubai via the new road, stay a couple of nights at a city hotel (there are a lot of affordable hotel options!) and experience this piece of history and natural beauty in a country so focused on moving forward, with most buildings not older than cheese. Sorry for the mention of cheese, I am getting hungry.

Seriously, Fujairah is a must visit and you’d be more enticed to do so in my next post. We had a short stop at the beach on our way back to our hotel!

December 20, 2014 by findingbackroads

Where we stayed: The Address Dubai Marina

One of the things we absolutely love doing whenever we can is stay at one of the hotels in the city for a short break. Popular term for that is staycation – an increasingly popular and fun vacation at home or at some place within the city or to a driving distance location. On one of our weekends, we had a wonderful and memorable time at The Address Dubai Marina and can’t wait to talk about our experience here.

We stayed at the corner Premium Suite room with the best view of the marina. The two kids and I arrived first since the husband had work and will catch up later. As soon as the staff opened the door of our hotel room, they were saying oohs and aahs…they were very, very impressed and excited to inspect every corner.

They ran to different directions. One went to inspect the bedroom, one went to the bathroom. I was in the living room/receiving room (the premier suite room is like a one bedroom apartment with a separate receiving room, a bathroom and a bedroom) taking care of the check-in process (they do it right in your room!). The sofa in the receiving area also converts into a sofa bed which calls for pillow fights like this. My sister were staying with us too and she’s like one of the kids.

The bed is very comfortable. After a long day at work, all I wanted to do was dive into it but the children had other things in mind, and we had to dress up for dinner. See you later, bed.

My son did not want to close the curtains on our first night. But can you blame him?

As for me, is it weird to say that the bathroom is probably my favorite part of the hotel room?

The next morning, Dubai’s new winter day was glorious.

We stayed on Thursday and when the (UAE) weekend rolled in, I woke up at the usual time like I usually do wherever I am – at home, or in a hotel. I sat in the balcony and did what I couldn’t do normally – read the news in paper form and most importantly, soak up some Vitamin D. I love the winter here – nothing but clear skies, no rain or snow and temperatures that’s so pleasant. If the weather is like this everyday, I wouldn’t mind living in Dubai forever.

More bits about the hotel…

CHECK-IN
Have you experienced where you wished there was a chair at the front desk? Sometimes, the checkin process is long and tedious and you are made to wait and with a baby or toddler, sometimes I have to run back and forth as I chase my boy around, take him back to the front and run away again.

The Address Dubai Marina has solved this problem by having someone escort you to your hotel room directly and do all the check-in process there, including swiping your credit card (for security deposit). It was such a relief!

LOCATION
The location of this hotel is very convenient and accessible via the Metro stations, either Jumeirah Lake Towers or DAMAC Properties station (formerly Dubai Marina station). If you prefer to walk from the metro station to the hotel, it is closer from Jumeirah Lake Towers rather from DAMAC Properties station. During summer when even a 10 minute walk is nearly impossible, you can take the tram from JLT metro station and get down at Dubai Marina Mall station (one stop, 3 dhs).

The hotel is connected to the Dubai Marina Mall so it’s convenient in so many ways like if you forgot to pack something important, you can always go to the mall. You can access Marina Mall directly from the hotel lobby and access without having to go outdoors would be very welcome in the sizzling summer months.

The location has superb views of the Marina (TIP: Request for a higher floor room!). I love this part of Dubai! It is almost therapeutic to watch boats go by.

It is also close to “The Walk” at JBR where there are plenty of great restaurants and of course, the beach. The newly operational Dubai tram has provided an easier access for these areas from the hotel.

LEISURE FACILITIES
The third floor Spa at The Address has 12 treatment rooms, including two for couples, all featuring in-suite showers. Separate relaxation rooms for ladies and gentlemen, sauna and steam room facilities are also provided. There’s also the state-of-the-art Fitness Centre, open 24 hours that ticks all your cardio and weight needs and offers great Marina views.

The real leisure highlight though is the oval pool it was fun swimming in such a vast space that has an infinity pool effect, and seemingly into the JBR high rises. This pool is our FAVORITE pool in Dubai!

I am not done raving about the bathroom which I think is an ‘unofficial’ leisure facilities. This is the view from the tub. Definitely one of the highlights of the suite was soaking in the bath tub looking out at the twinkling lights of Dubai Marina at night.

Also, it’s worth mentioning that the hotel has fast and FREE WiFi inside the room! A huge plus for me!

SERVICE
The staff were extremely helpful and everyone went out of their way to assist us. Room service requests were swift. Standards are high in Dubai, so we expected the service to be very good, but they were much more than that. We felt so welcomed like we were long time residents there.

The Address Dubai Marina has exclusive offers to make staycations much more enjoyable and I highly recommend for those with families. Their Saturday family brunch is so far the best I’ve been to in Dubai and watch out for their Generation Creation Saturday brunch that happens every 3rd Saturday of the month where kids and parents form a team to create something special together…and win prizes too!

*****

To check out the CURRENT OFFERINGS AT THE ADDRESS DUBAI MARINA, please check out their main website or visit their Facebook page.

*****

A good night’s sleep then breakfast at Mazina and then pool time for the next day!

The Address Dubai Marina is definitely one of Dubai’s best hotels. The rooms are a good size with everything you could possibly need, and with a very large bathroom. The hotel is spotlessly clean throughout and I can’t think of a facility that is not available (they even have ample of free bottled water). And the service is simply faultless. The Address Dubai Marina…it surely lived up to the “THE” in its name.

We were guests at The Address Dubai Marina however, as always, all opinions are my own.

July 1, 2014 by findingbackroads

Where we stayed: St. Regis Abu Dhabi

It’s summer time in the UAE. While it’s also known as “exodus time” among stay-at-home moms and kids, some stay behind and schedule staycations within the country. Hotel rates and promotions are best during this time so we checked out hotels within driving distance from Dubai.

First up: Abu Dhabi

My family and I stayed at the St. Regis, Abu Dhabi hotel for one night with their Arabian Summer Escape promotion and very impressed with the overall feel of the hotel. If I could describe the hotel in one short phrase, it would be: “luxury in every inch” or “every inch is a luxury”. See that above photo and tell me if I’m wrong.

The check-in was fast and smooth, the staff were charming, friendly, out-of-the-box helpful and very professional. They went out of their way to ensure that we had a memorable stay, even called me by my name! My children had the impression that mom was a very important person! LOL

We were given the sea view superior room with twin beds on the 35th floor overlooking the city and can see the beautiful shoreline and turquoise beach.

At St. Regis, they only say “twin” to mean two beds but the beds were queen sized, perfect for our family of 4.

The room was very spacious even with the two beds and we certainly felt that ‘newness’ of the hotel – clean all over, fluffy carpets and just that general new and clean feel.

THIS. Marble walls and floor, this bathroom makes you feel like royalty. We also love that the shower and bath tub is separate. That must be one of my biggest hotel pet peeves.

Breakfast at Rhodes 44

Breakfast at St. Regis Abu Dhabi is served at the ground floor restaurant Rhodes 44 – the hotel’s all-day dining venue that offers reinventions of classic British and European dishes, complemented by Arabic influences by chef, restaurateur, celebrity and author Gary Rhodes. Don’t you just love to wake up to these perky colors?

Breakfast has a great selection of breads, gluten-free muffins!, salads, Arabic mezzehs, Indian food (my son refused to eat anything than rice and butter chicken!), the usual toast, pork section with bacon and cold cuts, baked beans, cheeses, fresh juices, yoghurts.

We love the hotel too much we didn’t want to leave and go back to reality. However, I wished the pool and the beach weren’t that far. St. Regis Abu Dhabi is basically a “city hotel”, while the beach is walking distance, it is across the road and they made a very good job of building an underpass (I wouldn’t call it a “tunnel”) which is beautifully adorned with marble flooring and walls and with aircon. The pool and the beach club is reached by this air-conditioned corridor beneath the main road, allowing for very easy and cool access from the hotel. It’s too hot at this time of the year in the UAE and going to the pool in the heat and then going back to the hotel through the cold tunnel was a bit uncomfortable. Maybe it’s best to cover the kids with a big towel before walking back into the hotel after swimming.

One of the best hotels we have stayed at, The St Regis is a fantastic city getaway for the family. The kids club is one of the best of its kind with excellent staff to care for the kids. Our kids had a lovely time in their cozy Treasure Island Kids Club near the pool.

One of the highlights of this staycation is the Spa – Remède Spa had fantastic facilities, ample supply of towels, very clean area and the staff very helpful and friendly. I had a customized 60 minute massage that felt only 5 minutes. Then I knew the reason – I was unconscious for 55 minutes. Duh. What a lovely treat!

The hotel certainly lives up to the St. Regis brand of luxury and class from the spacious rooms, impeccable service, ample amenities, great food and uncompromising luxury. Very family friendly too! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay from start to finish. A winner in our book.

It is also very interesting to note that in St. Regis Abu Dhabi, you don’t need to stay in a suite to be able to use the butler service. The white gloved butler is one phone call away and services include luggage packing and unpacking (which could be fantastic to others but we didn’t use)!

The Arabian Summer Escape at St. Regis Abu Dhabi Hotel details:

Superior Sea view Room
60 minute customised massage for two at Remède Spa
Breakfast at Rhodes 44
Daily group activity at Nation Riviera Beach Club
Late check out until 4 pm

Stay two nights or more for AED 860 a night! You can find other exclusive offers here.

We were guests at St. Regis Abu Dhabi however, all thoughts and opinions are my own. For more information about the hotel, please visit their website. You can find other photos I posted in social media in my Instagram account, @sandierpastures with hashtag #StRegisADventures.

Finding Backroads

Get out of the tourist trail

Tag / staycation

Where we stayed: Traders Hotel Qaryat Al Beri

Where we stayed: Intercontinental Hotel, Dubai Festival City

Where we stayed: Holiday Inn & Suites Makati

Where we stayed: Park Rotana Abu Dhabi

A trip to Al Bidyah Mosque, oldest mosque in the UAE

Where we stayed: The Address Dubai Marina

Where we stayed: St. Regis Abu Dhabi