Summer at the St. Regis | Atlanta

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La Dolce Vita

Celebrate summer with all your senses at the St. Regis Atlanta.

By Kristin Devoto | Photos by Sara Hanna Photography

 

 

Everyone remembers being a child and waiting, waiting, waiting for summer to arrive. The sweet anticipation of warm sun, cold water and non-stop outside play made it impossible to concentrate during the last days of school. While we never cease our sweet summer anticipation, sometimes those simple pleasures are harder to make time for as adults. This year, The St. Regis Atlanta is making it easy, as the resort offers a host of ways for guests to celebrate summer with all their senses.

 

See

The Pool Piazza at The St. Regis Atlanta is the ultimate getaway in the city. “Guests are transported to a beautiful environment with the red and white striped awning, beautiful palm trees and a lively pool,” says Simon Rusconi, the The St. Regis Atlanta’s general manager.

The 457-foot oval-shaped pool is a sparkling blue gem of crystal clear water situated at the center of the piazza and surrounded by cushioned chaise lounges. The Pool Piazza has a Mediterranean, Old World feel that immediately evokes a sense of luxury enhanced by the Italian-inspired waterfall at one end of the pool and the dramatic stone staircase cascading over the cafe and bar.

“Guests can enjoy the bar, lounge in the cabanas or rest under our sunburst umbrellas on plush towels and comfortable seating,” Rusconi says. Offering a much welcomed addition to a warm day, Pool Piazza guests are treated to refreshing hourly amenities passed by St. Regis pool butlers. Treats include mini smoothie shots, fresh frozen- fruit skewers, Evian spritzers and chilled towels to revive and refresh.

To that end, The St. Regis Atlanta continues to update and improve upon its already outstanding facilities. This summer, the hotel introduces an array of cabanas on the Grand Terrace overlooking the Pool Piazza.

 

 

“The cabanas provide a nice shaded spot for relaxing and enjoying the ambiance of the Pool Piazza,” Rusconi says. “It’s an oasis of luxury and that has a different definition for different people. Whether that’s active or just working on your suntan, the St. Regis helps establish that luxury they need.”

During the summer, the piazza is one of the most popular locales at the resort. “It’s from early morning until late into the evening that guests enjoy the piazza and Poolside Café and Bar,” Rusconi says. Use of the Pool Piazza and Poolside Café and Bar is reserved exclusively for hotel guests and residents.

“We have all of the luxuries here. I haven’t seen another patio or pool experience that rivals that of The St. Regis Atlanta,” Rusconi says.

 

Taste

Although all five senses work together to build memories, taste has a special importance. People recall moments simply by tasting what they were eating or drinking at the time, and they often celebrate with a meal or special drink. At The St. Regis Atlanta, incorporating only the freshest ingredients helps create the menus that will be the basis for many summertime memories.

“One of our main focuses is what is in season,” Executive Chef Joseph Trevino explains. “We definitely change our food and beverage menus four times a year to make sure everything is fresh, in-season and current.”

This summer, he promises, guests will have the chance to experience the ultimate tastes and sips of the season. “Incorporating new trends with classics and fresh, high-quality food is what our guests are looking for,” he says. As always, the St. Regis delivers, with fabulous new offerings in Paces 88 American Bistro and the Poolside Café and Bar.

“The spicy tuna tacos offer the perfect flavors of summer,” Trevino says. Available as a starter on both the Paces 88 and Poolside Café menus, the spicy tuna tacos are composed in petite wonton shells and served with avocado, cucumber-ginger dressing and a white soy and jicama salad. The seafood cocktail is another new starter, featuring Georgia shrimp, seasonal crab claws, traditional tomato horseradish sauce and chardonnay-mustard sauce.

For a heartier bite, guests might enjoy one of these new menu items: the portobello burger (grilled portobello mushroom, Thomasville Tomme cheese, roasted sweet peppers, frisee salad with truffle dressing and fries), the Cuban sandwich (pulled and smoked barbecue-flavored cured pork, sweet and sour pickles, ancho-honey mustard, Napa cabbage and apple slaw, with sweet potato tater tots) or the lobster BLT (Napa cabbage slaw, lemon tarragon dressing, pancetta, tomato and bibb lettuce with salt and vinegar chips).

Of course, what guests sip is certainly as important as what they eat, and The St. Regis Atlanta has put a lot of thought into its seasonal summer cocktails.

“A splash of Champagne or sparkling wine and fresh fruit served in a beautiful glass creates a drink for the palate as well as the eyes,” Trevino says.

“We’ll certainly include cocktails featuring our Woodford Reserve as well as exciting martinis and, of course, a fantastic margarita,” he adds.

In a nod to the classic South, Trevino also expects the Arnold Palmer to remain popular. “There’s nothing more refreshing than fresh lemonade or iced tea, so including those makes for a well-received drink.”

 

Touch

Aside from the touch of sun on your skin at the Pool Piazza, The St. Regis Atlanta also offers the soothing, therapeutic touch of massage and other services at Remède Spa. The ambiance at this full-service spa is one of serene elegance, with each and every service customized to suit individual guests.

Remède Spa Manager Genny Holden says, “For certain times of year, some services are more widely chosen. For instance, a body treatment is very good for pre-summer. Skin cells and the texture of skin will be revitalized with the rich ingredients we use as well as the exfoliation process. The skin is left rehydrated and rejuvenated.”

During the summer, guests visiting the spa are often focused on relaxation, Holden says. After all, what better way to celebrate summer than to pamper your body before slipping into a swimsuit and enjoying the Pool Piazza?

“Body treatments seem to be a big hit in the summer time,” Holden explains. “Our slimming treatments, body polishes and body wraps all provide a refreshing, refining, rejuvenated feel and appearance to every guest. Our guests love our nail services in the summer as well. Freshly groomed, polished and moisturized feet and hands are the best for that vacation or stay-cation to the pool.”

If you’ve already spent a bit too much time at the pool, Holden recommends trying a facial. “Summer can be brutal on the skin,” she says. “Facials are popular to assist in keeping the skin moisturized, hydrated and in some cases providing preventative maintenance on sun- damaged skin.”

Amenities at the Remède Spa are the perfect way to indulge before any treatment. “We have individual steam rooms and saunas, as well as great relaxation areas in both the men’s and women’s locker rooms,” Holden explains. “We offer fruit, truffles, dried fruits, nuts, hot teas, fruit-infused water in each of the locker rooms as well. We also have a couples’ VIP suite with its own private room, a whirlpool tub for two and private restroom and shower.”

To maximize a relaxing summer vacation, Rusconi suggests a spa package including a massage, facial and manicure/pedicure. “Spend the day at the spa to get that full state of relaxation and well-being. Pampering oneself is a must—keeps your mind, body and spirit in a wonderful place,” he says. “We have some of the best therapists in Atlanta. You will get great results on every service we offer at the spa.” (To schedule services, guests should call the spa directly at 404-563-7680.)

 

A Perfect Day

Not sure how to incorporate everything The St. Regis Atlanta has to offer? Rusconi suggests the following line-up for the ideal summer day.

“Begin with a workout in the seventh-floor Athletic Club, and then enjoy complimentary coffee in The Wine Room,” he says. “Choose a comfortable chaise lounge in the piazza and relax with a copy of Bespoke Magazine as you sip a signature West Paces Mary. Try a pesto chicken panini at the Poolside Café and Bar, and then visit Remède Spa for a massage. Later, watch the traditional Champagne sabering, and then spend an evening with friends at The St. Regis Bar.”

With chaises at the pool for sunning, cabanas for those who prefer utter relaxation in the shade, spa services and special seasonal food and drinks for all, The St. Regis Atlanta is the perfect spot to celebrate summer in Atlanta.