UAE—Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) has designed two new hotels here: St. Regis Abu Dhabi and Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.
The St. Regis Abu Dhabi is composed of two skyscrapers linked by one of the world’s highest bridges. The top floor of the first building is home to the St. Regis Abu Dhabi, which is comprised of 228 guestrooms and 55 grand suites, including one situated on the connecting bridge. HBA was enlisted to create an interior architecture connecting both the St. Regis brand and the hotel’s setting, while retaining a distinctly Arabic identity. HBA designers drew inspiration from something that never existed: an Art Deco past in Abu Dhabi, according to the company.
The Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, the region’s first Waldorf-branded hotel, was inspired by the palaces of the Arabian Peninsula. An iconic clock based upon the ancient astrolabe, which was used to discern the precise times for prayer in the Islamic faith, is showcased in the center of the lobby. Flowing from the lobby is Peacock Alley, a signature lounge found in all Waldorf Astoria hotels. Here, the design mixes local touches with contemporary style inspired by the brand’s New York City flagship, according to the company.
