There's nothing more annoying than hanging around a hotel lobby to check in after a long flight. So it's a pleasant surprise at the St Regis Abu Dhabi Corniche to be greeted by three empty check-in tables, be offered a juice and still arrive to the room, luggage delivered, 10 minutes later.
The first St Regis hotel was built in New York by society man John Jacob Astor IV before he drowned on the Titanic. Fast-forward a century and St Regis is a chain sitting within the Starwood group.
The Corniche hotel, 36 kilometres from the airport and within a few kilometres of the banking district, opened two years ago and caters well to the business traveller – the gym, business centre and room service are all 24-hour.
Attached to the Nation Galleria mall, the hotel has a marbled corridor crossing beneath the busy Corniche road to its beach club. It has 283 rooms and a presidential suite, eight restaurants and bars, a spa, male and female salons and a helipad.
The room is thoughtfully laid out – there are three desk-height power points, as well as USB, audio and HDMI sockets, and even a power point built into the inside of the room safe door.
Transformers are available, Wi-Fi is automatically connected after first login for your entire stay – and for up to five devices – and there are two chairs for the desk so you can work with a colleague if necessary. A socket next to the bed, clearly labelled 230V, is ideal to charge your phone overnight.
One feature that sets St Regis apart is its butler service. Your butler arrives to your room shortly after you do, gives you their business card and shows you around. They are available “for any other request, however large, small or unusual”. A 20-page colour printing request was emailed in at 10pm and hand-delivered to the room 15 minutes later.
Luxury touches are everywhere, in the super-soft bedding, motorised drapes, chandeliers and in-mirror bathroom television (although that didn’t work properly, in five days). And the view – a stunning panorama of the sea, Marina Mall, nearby skyscrapers and Emirates Palace.
Prices per night start from Dh650 in low season and Dh900 in high season.
q&a looking after your needs
Suzanne Locke reveals more details about a business stay at the St Regis Abu Dhabi Corniche:
What about tea and coffee?
As well as the normal kettle and creamer in the room, you can call any time for free tea or coffee, delivered by the butler with fresh hot or cold milk on a beautiful silver tea set and with biscotti. There is also a generous amount of complimentary bottled water in the room – great when the tap water is desalinated. Just don’t touch the expensive minibar or room snacks – Dh50 for a very light tub of crisps and Dh18 to Dh28 for soft drinks.
Can I get a newspaper?
The hotel says a variety of local and international newspapers is available, with an iPad app for more publications and hotel iPads available on request from the butler. However, this guest’s newspaper request was wrong every day for five days and the butler said the hotel did not have iPads available.
Any cleaning facilities?
Pop your shoes in the bag for complimentary shoe-shining, along with up to two pieces of laundry free a day. Have it picked up by 9am for same-day service. There’s also one-hour pressing and an iron in the room.
What about room service?
Room service is delivered in 30 minutes, wheeled in on a heated hostess trolley draped in a tablecloth and then laid out for you. Breakfast is international, from congee to foul medames and chana masala; try the salmon from the all-day dining. And the late-night menu, from 11pm to 6am, includes the ever-present club sandwich and Arabic meze.
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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 760Nm
Price: From Dh280,000
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Results
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China and the UAE agree comprehensive strategic partnership
China and the UAE forged even closer links between the two countries during the landmark state visit after finalising a ten-point agreement on a range of issues, from international affairs to the economy and trade and renewable energy.
1. Politics: The two countries agreed to support each other on issues of security and to work together on regional and international challenges. The nations also confirmed that the number of high-level state visits between China and the UAE will increase.
2. Economy: The UAE offers its full support to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which will combine a land 'economic belt" and a "maritime silk road" that will link China with the Arabian Gulf as well as Southeast, South and Central China, North Africa and, eventually, Europe.
3. Business and innovation: The two nations are committed to exploring new partnerships in sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, energy, the aviation and transport industries and have vowed to build economic co-operation through the UAE-China Business Committee.
4. Education, science and technology: The Partnership Programme between Arab countries in Science and Technology will encourage young Emirati scientists to conduct research in China, while the nations will work together on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, renewable energy and space projects.
5. Renewable energy and water: The two countries will partner to develop renewable energy schemes and work to reduce climate change. The nations have also reiterated their support for the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency.
6. Oil and gas: The UAE and China will work in partnership in the crude oil trade and the exploration and development of oil and natural gas resources.
7. Military and law enforcement and security fields: Joint training will take place between the Chinese and UAE armed forces, while the two nations will step up efforts to combat terrorism and organised crime.
8. Culture and humanitarian issues: Joint cultural projects will be developed and partnerships will be cultivated on the preservation of heritage, contemporary art and tourism.
9. Movement between countries: China and the UAE made clear their intent to encourage travel between the countries through a wide-ranging visa waiver agreement.
10. Implementing the strategic partnership: The Intergovernmental Co-operation Committee, established last year, will be used to ensure the objectives of the partnership are implemented.
