St Regis Hotels and Resorts has unveiled the Middle East's first Iridium-branded spa at the new 377-bedroom St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The 3,500sq m (37,674sq ft) spa includes 12 treatment rooms - five for men, five for women, a Vichy room and a couple's room - and three individually-designed suites.

Germany-based skincare company Babor has joined forces with the Iridium Spa to offer an extensive range of treatments, such as the Asia-inspired ShiTao treatment for body and face.

The Khanya of Africa Treatment aims to capture the healing powers of Africa's marula tree, while Babor services also include the SeaCreation massage and the HSR anti-aging therapy.

Elsewhere at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is the 3,500sq m (37,674sq ft) athletic club with fitness facilities and five swimming pools, including an 25m indoor lap pool.

The resort has been designed by Woods-Bagot; South Africa-based Northpoint Architects; and interior designers Hirsch Bedner Associates.

Roeland Vos, president of Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East, said: "The opening of this hotel is an iconic addition to the St Regis brand's impressive global portfolio.

"Almost 30 per cent of the brand's global growth is focused in the Middle East, underlining our commitment to the region and growing the brand in emerging destinations around the world."

Iridium Spa is the in-house brand of St Regis Hotels and Resorts, which launched in early 2011 at St Regis Lhasa, Tibet. For more on the Iridium Spa brand, see Spa Business 2011 1, p56

Details: www.stregissaadiyatisland.com