SimplyAbuDhabi V

23 S IMPLY ABU DHABI Renowned Butler Service The St Regis brand dates back more than 100 years and all the staff are unrelenting in their pursuit for excellence. In order to provide the most personalised service possible to each and every guest, the celebrated St Regis Butler Service builds on its long standing commitment to the customer experience transforming a fabulous stay into a truly unforgettable stay. The world-acclaimed butler service is one of the hallmarks of the St Regis brand. As a key feature of their flawless service, the quality of the butler service is at the heart of all they strive to achieve. Established as a distinctive legacy to offer the finest experiences imaginable to discerning guests, the St Regis Butler Service offers a standard of attentive care beyond expectation. Having heard all about the legendary St Regis Butler experience, we were incredibly excited to learn it was making its mark in the Middle East and even more thrilled to have the opportunity to be waited on throughout our stay. Guests at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort are now sampling the delights of the century-old St Regis Butler Service which is now making its distinctive mark in the UAE. Fulfilling every possible request, the Butler Service is as dedicated today as it ever was. Your attentive Butler can sort last-minute gifts or find your favourite book for an evening read. Nothing is too much trouble no matter what the hour. What we found most noteworthy about the superlative services of the St Regis Butlers is that it affords guests at the resort the precious commodity of time, seeing to their every need – upon request – around the clock. The Director of Butler Services at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Noriko Kibar threw herself into the role by visiting the St. Regis New York to experience the legendary service in action at the address where it all began. Witnessing the first-class service and attentive standards of care the Butlers afforded each and every guest she returned to Abu Dhabi to immerse herself completely in the brand’s service standards and was meticulous in preparing her team for the resort’s opening. Seeing the fruits of her labour in action – as we did throughout our stay – it was clear her hands-on approach has paid off as the Butlers work tirelessly in keeping with the St Regis legacy to ensure guests receive the finest experience, 24 hours a day, just as it was conceived in way back in 1904. Enthusiastically summing up her role Noriko Kibar says; “I’m so happy to be part of the team that is bringing this century-old tradition to the Middle East. The St. Regis Butler is the Ambassador of the brand and is the foundation of everything that we stand for. The smallest details have been considered and we are ready and committed to provide guests with great service when they stay with us.” We fully enjoyed the benefits of the legendary butler service throughout our stay taking advantage of the chance to order complementary refreshments when needed as well as the additional services that felt like we were really pampering ourselves. Extremely friendly, helpful and courteous, on being shown to our sensationally sumptuous suite, our lovely Butler took the time to explained the facilities available to us and make sure we knew where everything was, without imposing on us or outstaying his welcome. In fact, he seemed to know exactly when to withdraw from the room to return with much needed and appreciated afternoon tea. Already feeling at ease and relaxed by the exquisite ambience of such outstanding surroundings with grand staircases, glittering chandeliers and lavish furnishings, we were delighted to take advantage of the unpacking service offered by our Butler and returned from a look around the hotel to find everything folded and hanging in perfect order. It is also great to know that your Butler can assist with folding your clothes upon your departure. Far from feeling intrusive, it became a treat to be greeted by our Butler every morning with tea, coffee, a morning paper and a warm smile, offering to draw back the shades and letting us know the weather forecast for the day ahead. No request appeared too trivial and no item unattainable, no matter what the hour. If either of us had a request, we simply dialled from our guestroom phone and our Butler was promptly on hand. It is such a welcome and convenient service for business travellers and tourists alike who may arrive late at the hotel to discover they have forgotten something or simply feel in need of refreshment without having to venture out. The complimentary in-room beverage service is available to guests throughout their stay and we found we made really good use of it. Whether in or out of the hotel, the unique butler service was also readily accessible at any time via email which we found most useful while out and about when we decided we’d like to make a restaurant booking. Having been reliably informed that the pressing of up to two garments is complimentary it would have seemed rude not to take advantage of the service! He even presented me with my perfectly pressed suit and insisted on shining our shoes before an evening spent at the 55 and 5th Grill – all part of the remarkable St Regis Service. Full of enthusiasm for the service they provide, passion for the St Regis Brand and warm accessible knowledge of the local area, it wasn’t just our Butler, but every Butler we came across was a pleasure to deal with and a real testament to the uncompromising standards of service they have become so famous for. The resort’s General Manager, John Pelling sums up his innate pride of the Butler Service at Saadiyat which follows the St Regis traditions; “At St. Regis we believe luxury is all about choices and Noriko and her team of Butlers are here to make whatever guests choose happen seamlessly and perfectly. A lot of hotels have Butlers but I believe guests who stay with us will see that at St. Regis we take the art of service very seriously.” Let us support John Pelling’s absolute belief in the exceptional service provide by the St Regis Butlers in Abu Dhabi by saying that our entire stay at the resort was made all the more beautifully indulgent thanks to their incredibly attentive service – both seamless and perfect! Sensational Soirees As one of Abu Dhabi’s most exclusive and sought-after beach resorts, the St Regis Island Resort provides an unrivalled range of first class facilities and services to all its guests for a truly memorable stay. The expansive outdoor terrace with breathtaking coastal views provides the perfect setting for weddings and private functions that demand the absolute finest venue and facilities and resort’s flawless banqueting service makes special celebrations even better. A fabulous setting for conferences, exhibitions, grand occasions and VIP events in Abu Dhabi is the well equipped and magnificently lavish Regal Ballroom. The breathtakingly impressive Regal Ballroom at St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort takes a remarkable 3000sqm of space and throws down the gauntlet for the most lavish and extravagant events you could dream of. With a meticulous attention of detail paid to not only the opulent decor, but to every single finishing touch, the Regal Ballroom is the place to be to create a striking event to remember. With up-to-the- minute lighting and sound technicality, the venue also features an impressive boardroom, four meeting rooms, a majlis and an events office. Balls, banquets and major occasions are all catered for in unrivalled fairytale style within this majestic and magnificent room. The ideal venue for grand social events, exhibitions and business conferences alike, you will certainly leave your guests with fabulous lasting memories in a stunning 3000sqm function room that also boasts an outstanding adjoining ocean-view terrace which can’t fail to take your breath away. Since the resort’s opening the Regal Ballroom has already gained a fantastic reputation as the city’s largest and most lavish events space and everyone wants to be seen in this beautiful expansive ballroom. As John Pelling the resort’s General Manager enthuses; “This venue has every facet to be the city’s best be it business or social, opulent or intimate. With our commitment to service excellence, the personalised menus created by our experienced chefs and the distinct St. Regis experience, The Regal Ballroom is tailored for success.” With the added appeal – as if one where needed! – of being located just a short drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport and the downtown district, the Ballroom features a separate entrance within the resort offering exceptionally convenient access to guests. A compelling choice of venue for a business visitors or a couple seeking the ultimate bespoke wedding, the Ballroom is destined to become a magnet across society when it comes to high profile events in the city. With a dedicated bridal arrival area with separate bridal salon, what bride-to-be could fail to start another love affair – with this idyllic wedding venue! And when the last guest has reluctantly left the ballroom, the lavishly appointed Bridal Suite is the perfect romantic icing on a breathtakingly stunning wedding cake. The dream venue for weddings and private functions, at full capacity, the Regal Ballroom, can cater for a gala dinner for 1600 persons but offers the flexibility of being divided into smaller events areas to accommodate 300 to 500 guests for the more intimate gathering that still demand the finest standards. Even the ocean-view terrace caters for up to 600 guests for the ultimate cocktail reception. For anyone wanting to be the ‘Belle of the Ball’ or hoping to throw the party to end all parties, the Regal Ballroom is the place for all sensational soirees. s imp l y s t r e g i s t ranqui l l i t y and be au t y