If you love stories and style, St. Regis has 100 years of them. We checked into one of Dubai’s classiest hotels.
When you say the two words – St. Regis – it just oozes opulence and you know you’re entering a world of luxury. The brand has welcomed guests for over 100 years, as the first hotel was created in 1904 in New York, United States. Today, it can be found in more than 50 countries including the UAE. So, as The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm has opened, we were keen to experience its intimate elegance for ourselves.
St. Regis boasts an enviable origin story. The brand was created by John Jacob Astor IV, who was one of the wealthiest men in America. (Not so fun fact: he was so rich that he could afford a ticket onto the RMS Titanic, which is where he eventually died at the age of 47.) Each hotel carries St. Regis traditions – nods to its founder, Bloody Marys, a butler service, and a lobby with a statement chandelier and staircase.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm is spread across 18 floors of the new Palm Tower. When you enter the hotel, it combines St. Regis class with Dubai bling. The Art Deco-inspired lobby is decorated with plush white and cream sofas, which are accentuated by gold touches across the staircase, tables and vases. So far, so refined.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm’s rooms and suites
The St. Regis service starts from the moment you check-in, as my personal butler was on hand to help. What makes the service stand out from the hospitality crowd is that every room has access to the butler service – and what a service it is.
If you’re the sort of traveller who unpacks on arrival, there is a butler who is happy to do this for you. Even if you have quirks about your items, butlers have seen it all before and treat your items with respect and privacy. Within a matter of minutes, my dresses are hung and my underwear rolled. Plus, if you want to look St. Regis-ready, you can get one item pressed for free each day.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm is home to 264 rooms and 26 suites – we checked in the grand deluxe king room, which spans 463 square feet. All of the rooms are designed in such a way as to please all tastes, with whites and cream shades creating a clean aesthetic. The result: a light, airy and effortlessly chic room.
It’s all about the attention to detail: the French-style chaise lounge is by the window, so you can sip your complimentary tea while looking at the Burj Al Arab; and each side of the bed has two lights, one lamp for unwinding and a spotlight for reading.
This Palm Jumeirah address doesn’t cut any corners, as the bathroom hits major #bathroomgoals. It feels just as large as the bedroom, and the products are all high-end – Balmain, darling. Great for couples, there is a big, beautiful free-standing tub, spacious shower, two sinks and a long lighted mirror. The floor-to-ceiling window, which acts as a wall between the rooms, might not be to everyone’s preference, but this is a tech-savvy hotel, after all, so a curtain can descend at the press of a button.
When it came to using the facilities, however, there was intermittent hot water, due to building rather than hotel issues. Thankfully, these were quickly addressed with an engineer. Plus, we were offered a late checkout for the inconvenience.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm’s restaurants and bars
The St. Regis’ history can be found across its restaurant and bars. The St. Regis Bar is a slick spot with a smoking room and wine room. The venue draws inspiration from the New York hotel’s King Cole Bar. In 1934, this is where the Bloody Mary cocktail was invented, so St. Regis’ across the world have a local take on the legendary drink. In Dubai you can sip The Glitzy Mary, which includes date syrup, a spice blend, sundried lime and saffron. Cheers to that.
Another tradition worth witnessing is sabering at sunset in The St. Regis Bar, which is when the top of a Champagne bottle is opened – with a sword, no less. Get there early, as the dramatic moment draws a crowd and you may get the cork as a memento (like we did).
When we visited the Jazz Night at The St. Regis Bar, it didn’t quite hit the high notes. We were hoping for more of a jazz group than a jazz solo, as the evening simply included a saxophonist. The beverages and bites kept us entertained with the fancy take on comfort food, from sliders to mac and cheese. The event takes place every Thursday from 7pm to 11pm, with a minimum spend of AED 120 per person.
Cordelia, the flagship restaurant, is where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner. The vast space offers continental and Arabic favourites, such as fluffy pancakes, egg dishes and pastries from the live station. Italian food lovers should visit its Sapori D’Italia, which was the food highlight of our stay, as it includes pizza and pasta. Plus, tiramisu served from a cart rolled to your table, where you can create your own flavours. The experience costs AED 150 per person for a four-course meal, and takes place every Friday from 6pm to 10.30pm.
Plus, the other restaurants include Her by Caroline Astor, a ladies-only afternoon tea venue, which is named after its founder’s mother; Dip Pool Bar for light bites and drinks; and SUSHISAMBA Dubai, which has fans ranging from the FACT team to Sheikh Hamdan.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm’s spa and facilities
What The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm lacks in a beach club, it makes up for with its spa. Iridium Spa offers a range of treatments, from clinically proven facials to the Signature Gold Journey using 24k gold. You’ll feel zen from the moment you enter this modern yet minimalist space, which includes six treatment rooms, a sauna, a steam room and a relaxation area where you will want to linger that little bit longer.
We sampled one of the signature treatments, Sound Therapy. Mastered by Buddhist monks, you can sample the ancient ritual, which uses Tibetan bowls to balance your energy. Translated: bowls are balanced on your body and played like instruments, as the sounds and vibrations are meant to reduce stress. While we don’t want an encore anytime soon, it’s certainly an experience you won’t forget.
The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm’s facilities include two rooftop pools, one for families and one for adults. Plus, if you want to feel the sand between your toes, Kyma Beach Dubai on Palm West Beach is opening in September.
A stay at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm is like a masterclass in hospitality. In a city where more is more, St. Regis hotels are leaders at providing a grand service in an understated setting. As the brand is more than a century old, it has a timeless charm. Here’s to heritage and hospitality that never goes out of style.
GO: Visit www.marriott.com for reservations and more information.
