Drawing inspiration from Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian motifs, reinterpreted with a modern twist, Jesé Medina-Suárez has conceived a distinctive look for Sontaya, the Southeast Asian-inspired dining venue at St Regis Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
Tasked with preserving the restaurant’s soul while elevating it into a contemporary, ultra-luxury dining destination, the goal was for the restaurant to effortlessly flex between romantic evenings, social brunches and high-end gatherings.
In response, Medina-Suárez and his team reimagined the hotel’s floating pavilion by making use of layered lighting and spatial zoning to enhance intimacy and operational efficiency.
“The design’s strength lies in its over-water pavilion setting, warm yet minimalist material palette, and a dynamic lighting scheme that transforms the mood from daylight serenity to evening allure,” Medina-Suárez explains. “The repositioned bar, fluid guest flow and adaptable dining zones create both visual drama and commercial advantage, turning the venue into a sensory, photogenic environment that extends guest dwelling time.”
Ambient lighting and artful décor feature, evoking the warmth and mystique of Southeast Asia without resorting to clichés, ensuring the space feels both refined and welcoming. Elsewhere, and a fusion of natural architectural finishes, from baked tiles, breeze blocks to mosaics and wood, tastefully juxtapose with colourful fabrics and furniture, while ceiling wallcoverings depicting rice fields in soft green and yellow hues play gently against upholstery in green, teal and tan, adding depth and continuity to the visual experience.
“Sontaya offers guests an immersive, multisensory journey defined by reflections of water and sunset light and surrounded by Southeast Asian artistry refined for Abu Dhabi’s luxury context,” Medina-Suárez concludes. “The result is a space that feels both escapist and sophisticated, delivering emotional resonance, culinary authenticity and a sense of place.”
