Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort will open its doors on November 11, bringing a breath of fresh air and understated luxury to the shores of Abu Dhabi.

Surrounded by natural beauty, this contemporary beachfront resort occupies a stunning location on Saadiyat Island, overlooking 400 metres of protected sand dunes lapped by turquoise waters. Just 10 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Saadiyat Island is undergoing a remarkable transformation into a world-class leisure, cultural and residential destination, eventually housing the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural assets. These will include Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which opened last year to international acclaim.

Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort’s prime location on the island results in an experience where world class art and culture seamlessly cohabit with mangroves, dolphins and turtles - the original ‘guests’ of Saadiyat Island. In keeping with its location, the 293-room hotel values sustainable tourism and will be free of plastic straws and single-use plastics bottles.

Announcing the opening date, general manager, Linda Griffin, Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, said: “This resort is a place like no other, located footsteps from one of the most beautiful protected beaches in the Arabian Gulf. Every aspect of the resort’s design and intended guest experience has been influenced by the beauty of this location. Guests can embrace sunrise yoga, find a secluded spot to watch the sunset, or relax in one of three infinity swimming pools that merge into the sand dunes and, during the turtle nesting season, there will be a special opportunity to see the Hawksbill ‎turtles on the 9km sweeping beachfront. This will be island life at its best.”

The property’s 293 rooms include eight villas with private pools, 64 suites and six panoramic suites offering floor-to-ceiling glass walls which can open-up to take advantage of the sea breeze. Guests can enjoy expansive sea views or extended patios and outdoor space from the rooms which overlook the pristine, unspoilt beach and tranquil waters. Throughout the resort the stylish contemporary architecture is decorated with marine themed touches that bring the outside world to life.

The spa is centred around a grand Moroccan Hamman, which will enrich the body and mind with a cleansing ritual that has been celebrated for centuries. 14 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pools, a steam room, a salt room and a traditional Arabic Rasul room also feature, and a VIP couple’s spa suite has a private entrance. Four spa villas allow guests to be pampered in their own villa.

Plastic-Free
In partnership with Trust Your Water, the resort will provide solutions to eliminate the need for single use plastic water bottles.

Announcing the initiative, Griffin commented: “The resort’s design was heavily influenced by the need to minimise impact to the island’s habitats including the Saadiyat Beach dune ecosystem, its native flora and fauna and the nesting of the endangered Hawksbill turtles. So, it is natural that we also minimise the impact of guests by eliminating single-use plastic bottles and plastic straws. Proposed measures include complimentary, reusable plastic bottles for all guests who will be encouraged to refill at water stations, serving local filtered water in glass bottles throughout the resort and eliminating plastic straws.”

Restaurants
The eight food and beverage outlets include the chic all-day dining venue White for buffets and live cooking stations; Mare Mare for fresh and authentic Italian summer food; Levantine inspired Tean for mezzes and grills next to the beach and Al Majilis for a cup of rich roasted coffee and patisseries. The Lounge is perfect for afternoon tea or sundowners, Offside is the place to watch your favourite team from the comfort of your own booth and the Pool Bar which offers drinks and snacks throughout the day.

Meetings
Located on the ground floor, the 600-sq-m meeting space can be divided into five separate areas or combined together for larger gatherings and social occasions: the venue has a capacity of 350 seated guests for dinner and is suitable for a plethora of events including weddings, banquets, exhibitions, product launches, smaller functions and parties. - TradeArabia News Service