Information
Landmark: Emirates PalaceCity: Abu Dhabi
Country: United Arab Emirates
Continent: Asia
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates , Asia
Overview
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi isn’t just a hotel-it’s the city’s crown jewel, gleaming with gold accents, sweeping marble halls, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like royalty.Designed to dazzle royalty, dignitaries, and world leaders, this stunning estate fuses graceful Islamic arches with sleek modern comforts, wrapping you in an atmosphere that feels like walking through a royal dream.The Government of Abu Dhabi owns Emirates Palace, and Mandarin Oriental runs it, but what truly sets it apart is the sheer opulence-gold gleams on the walls, marble floors stay cool underfoot, and crystal chandeliers spill light like water across the room.Built over four years and costing about $3 billion, the Emirates Palace was created to be far more than a hotel-it’s a true palace, with gold-tipped domes gleaming in the sun.Drawing on Arabian and Islamic architecture, the design weaves in features from old palaces and mosques-grand domes that gleam in the sun, fine carvings you can trace with your fingertips, and minarets that rise like slender watchtowers.The Emirates Palace sprawls across 850,000 square meters-about 9.1 million square feet-making it one of the largest hotel properties on the planet.Though immense, it’s flawless in every detail-from 114 domes that shine like pearls in the Abu Dhabi sun to 1,002 Swarovski-crystal chandeliers sparkling inside.Architectural and design marvels, like a glass tower catching the sunrise, stand at number one.The building’s golden stone façade catches the light like desert sand at sunset, echoing the warm tones of the Arabian landscape.As the sun slips below the horizon, the palace glows gold against the deepening blue, a sight that steals your breath.Number two stood alone, sharp and simple, like a single chalk mark on a board.Step inside, and the first thing you see are marble columns rising high above you, their gold leaf trim catching the light, framed by intricate Islamic patterns that seem carved from a story.Rising 72 meters into the air, the vast central dome ranks among the largest on Earth, its curves echoing the graceful lines of classic Islamic design.Number three.Opulent Interiors: Gold everywhere-more than 6,000 square meters of gleaming gold leaf cover the palace walls and ceilings.Gold gleams on the walls, the ceilings, and even along the smooth handrails of the stairs.Handwoven carpets from master artisans around the world cover the floors, their patterns rich with color and texture.A stay at Emirates Palace means more than checking into one of its 394 rooms or suites-it’s stepping into marble halls, warm light spilling over gold accents, and feeling pure, unmatched luxury.Whether you’re in a deluxe room or a royal suite, every corner-from the smooth marble desk to the soft lamp glow-feels steeped in exclusivity and quiet sophistication.Number one.Lavish guest rooms feature plush king beds, soft silk drapes, and private balconies where you can feel the evening breeze.Bathrooms wrapped in cool marble, each with an oversized tub big enough to stretch out in.You’ll have a personal butler on call around the clock-because here, only the kind of service that carries silver trays and remembers your favorite tea will do.Number two.Royal & Presidential Suites - the ultimate experience - welcome only royals, world leaders, and celebrities, the kind who might arrive with a motorcade or a trail of flashing cameras.Gold-plated trim catches the light, leading into grand dining rooms and discreet private entrances.From here, you can see the Arabian Gulf stretching out in blue and the Abu Dhabi skyline rising sharp against the heat-hazed sky.Dine like royalty-if you thought the rooms were lavish, just wait until you catch the scent of truffle butter drifting from the kitchen.At Emirates Palace, you’ll find some of Abu Dhabi’s finest restaurants, where world-class chefs plate dishes so exquisite they could grace a royal banquet.One.At Le Café, you can sip a cappuccino crowned with delicate 24-karat gold flakes-yes, real gold that glints in the light.It’s one of the palace’s best-known luxuries, like the velvet-draped banquet hall that smells faintly of rosewater.Number two.Talea by Antonio Guida offers authentic Italian dishes crafted by a Michelin-starred chef, from silky handmade pasta to rich, slow-simmered sauces.Hakkasan offers world-famous Cantonese fine dining, where each dish arrives like a work of art, fragrant with fresh ginger and star anise.Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi offers a polished taste of India, where rich spices meet a fresh, modern touch.BBQ Al Qasr sits right on the shore, dishing up smoky grilled meats and just-caught seafood with the sound of waves in the background.Luxury like no other, with moments that feel hand‑picked just for you.A private stretch of beach and shimmering pools wait just 1.3 km away, with soft white sand reserved only for hotel guests.Two temperature-controlled pools await-one swirling with waves for thrill-seekers, the other calm and warm for drifting in peace.Two.At the Emirates Palace Spa-where gold is part of the beauty ritual-the Gold Radiance Facial smooths 24K gold–infused oil over your skin, leaving it glowing like warm sunlight on silk.Sink into a lavish Moroccan hammam, then retreat to a private spa suite where steam curls softly in the air for the ultimate relaxation.Three.Yes, you read that right-tucked inside Emirates Palace sits the world’s first Gold ATM, ready to dispense gleaming bars and coins at the push of a button.Number four.The palace boasts its own private marina, where guests can step aboard sleek luxury yachts and glide along Abu Dhabi’s sunlit coastline.Emirates Palace isn’t just about gleaming marble halls and lavish suites-it’s also a place where culture thrives and diplomacy finds its stage.World leaders have stepped through its doors, along with royal families, Hollywood’s brightest stars, and billionaire entrepreneurs.Hollywood blockbusters and Bollywood hits have both filmed here, turning it into a global icon-once, a camera crew even filled the air with bright lights and the smell of hot cables.Its grand ballrooms often host international events, from royal receptions glittering with crystal chandeliers to high-profile summits that draw leaders from around the world.You don’t have to book a room at Emirates Palace to soak in its grandeur-step inside and you’ll see gleaming marble floors and gold accents at every turn.It’s on West Corniche Road in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where the sea meets the edge of the city.Non-Guest Access: You’re welcome to stroll through the lobby, wander the gardens, sink your toes into the warm beach sand, and enjoy a meal at the restaurants.The best time to go is in the evening, when the palace glows warmly against the deepening Abu Dhabi skyline.Pro tip: You don’t need to book a room-just sip a gold-dusted cappuccino or linger over dinner at one of the restaurants for a hint of royal luxury.Final thoughts: Emirates Palace isn’t just a hotel-it’s stepping into halls of gold light and marble floors, a place where grandeur wraps around you.Stay in one of its lavish suites, sip a gold-dusted coffee that glitters in the light, or pause to admire the sweeping arches-either way, you’ll feel like royalty.With gold glittering on its walls, a Michelin-starred restaurant at your table, and a quiet stretch of private beach, Emirates Palace embodies luxury, elegance, and the spirit of Arabian heritage.