Reimagined: Sontaya’s Lighting Transformation at St. Regis Saadiyat Island

Tucked away within the serene confines of the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort in Abu Dhabi, Sontaya has long captivated guests with its Southeast Asian charm. Yet, as the world of hospitality evolves, so too must its legends. Recognizing the need to elevate the dining experience, St. Regis entrusted us with a delicate mission: enhance the restaurant’s atmosphere without compromising its timeless charm.

The project began with a clear but challenging brief – to completely redesign the lighting, control systems, and wiring accessories across the restaurant’s front-of-house and kitchen areas, within a strict three-month timeline that demanded precision and agility. More than just a technical upgrade, this transformation sought to craft an atmosphere that could gracefully shift through the rhythms of day and night, enhancing every guest’s experiential journey through light.

Our team approached Sontaya with the same blend of technical mastery and storytelling spirit that defines Creation. The selection of products was no accident either; each component, from Helvar’s sophisticated lighting controls to carefully curated luminaires from well known brands like Enigma, Ledray, Gallis, Zico, Neko, and Neoz were chosen not only for quality but for their ability to whisper to the senses. In the dining room, pendant lights from Rippl Lighting now glow with a softness that beckons guests to linger. 

Challenges arose quickly, however. Our team was tasked with integrating new lighting demands into an existing infrastructure—an effort that required meticulous planning and adaptability. Refusing to be derailed, the team conducted an exhaustive load study, carefully mapping out a new MEP design and installing distribution boards crafted specifically for the site. “Challenges will always arise, but how we respond is what defines us. Our team’s commitment to precision, creativity, and seamless execution reflects the standard we hold ourselves to at Creation,” reflects Mr. Dharmendra Patel, MD, Creation Gulf.

Behind the scenes, technology always hums with purpose. The lighting system’s tactile keypads let staff choose between 5 programmed scenes at the touch of a button, adapting the restaurant’s atmosphere with effortless grace. Outdoors, the newly designed water feature, now awash in OneEightyOne’s vibrant neon flex lights, transforms the nighttime landscape into a shimmering dreamscape perfectly by a discreet timeclock set to illuminate from dusk until the early hours.

Future-ready and adaptable, the system offers firmware upgrades and scene customization, ensuring Sontaya can continue evolving without losing its essence. Today, as diners step into Sontaya, they find themselves immersed in a space where light has become an invisible storyteller—guiding, enhancing, and celebrating magic every meal. For Creation, the project embodies more than just technical achievement- it represents a legacy of craftsmanship, collaboration, and Creation’s enduring pursuit of excellence.