Fun in the Middle Eastern Sun

Following my 7-hour flight from Manchester with Etihad, my Travel Counsellor transfer met me in the arrivals area and took me to my hotel in just 20 minutes. My home for the next 14 nights was the St Regis Saadiyat Island and after just a few days I must say that this hotel is just stunning. The beautifully appointed modern and spacious guest rooms have everything you could need including UK plug sockets - and the bathroom is huge!

The levels of service are exceptional and for a larger hotel the staff make it feel very personal, knowing our names, restaurant table, drinks and poolside preferences already.

Pool towels, iced water and fresh fruit are complimentary both poolside and beach-side. I love having a button by my sun lounger that alerts the pool team that I would like to order food or drinks.

There are lots of evening options for food or drinks including Buddha Bar Beach, the Manhattan Lounge, Lebanese and Indian restaurants.

It feels very safe with room key cards required to access the pool area from the beach and to move throughout the hotel. There are even mounted police on the extensive white sandy beach too.

The turquoise waters of the Arabian gulf are warm, as are the tiered infinity swimming pools. The supervised Kids Club has its own pool area and the separate Adult Pool area is tranquil and spa like. The Athletic Centre houses the latest techno-gym equipment and has a 25m indoor lap pool, add in the Spa, the shopping square, and the golf course in the hotel grounds, and there really is something for everyone here.

Abu Dhabi weather is great all year round and this is our third visit having stayed previously at the Hilton on Corniche and the Ritz Carlton on the Grand Canal - Saadiyat Island definitely has the best beach in Abu Dhabi.

When you compare this to half-board in a 5* hotel in the Canaries you get a lot more for just a little more money.

If you are looking for something of a high standard with great year-round weather then this may well be for you as it's ideal for families, couples or singles.