23 May 2023

“Take only memories….Leave only footprints” What does responsible travel mean to you? I think it is easy for the terms “responsible” and “sustainable” to be used interchangeably when discussing travel. But when talking about sustainability, most people think of environmental impact – waste, single-use plastic, natural resources. But what about responsibility? As a tourist and a guest in somebody else’s home country, I have a responsibility to help further the economic and social prosperity of that place and its people. So what can we do to be responsible travellers? • Learn about your destination and engage in local culture • Buy local products and services and pay a fair price – leave the aggressive bargaining at home if your purchase is providing someone with their livelihood • Respect the natural environment – make wise choices when it comes to transport and tidy up after yourself • Tell everyone! Share your positive experiences and photos when you get home. Opening others' eyes to a new destination is helping that place to grow and prosper.

13 March 2023

When the visiting grandparents offered to give us a break and look after the kids for a night, we didn’t look back. The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort had been on my radar for a while but each time been overlooked for somewhere with more water slides, bunk beds in the rooms, and free kids' meals….you get the picture. But with 48 hours ahead of us kid free it seemed like the obvious choice. Checking into a hotel on Saadiyat Island never disappoints, as you immediately get a glimpse of that sparkling blue sea. The colour of the water here always reminds me of the Caribbean - beautiful white sands leading into that endless pale blue. The St Regis lobby oozes luxury holiday vibes with attentive staff and relaxed guests, and no sign of any business going on. With our room not quite ready, we were invited to try out the buffet breakfast which continues until 1 pm making a perfect lunch as well (Yes you can definitely expect a reasonable lie-in here!). Olea, the main buffet restaurant is a massive highlight of this hotel for me. The food offering is vast and caters to all international tastes. The terrace has plentiful tables arranged on a shady, elegant patio overlooking the sea. The vibe is relaxed but upmarket - reminiscent of the Riviera. We chose to spend our day lounging by the adults-only pool, which has a spa-like atmosphere. The area is a myriad of plunge pools, jacuzzis, cabanas and day beds, all with waiter service at the touch of a button. From here the outlook is of the Arabian gulf, interrupted only by the golf course, which had as many gazelles grazing on its hills as it did golfers. In the evening we dined on the breezy terrace of Sontaya, which seems to float among a collection of pools. The menu was a hit list of Asian fusion favourites, with the roasted duck being a particular highlight for us. The clientele was a comfortable mix of cosy couples and celebratory groups of friends. This hotel would be a great spot for a luxury golfing getaway. And despite my reservations, I also spotted an extensive kids club with a splash pad, not to mention a chocolate fountain at breakfast… so I have no doubt that we will be back with the kids!