Review: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi

Why book?

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is literally the place to stay in Abu Dhabi. The sheer size and opulence will astonish even the most seasoned luxury traveller.

Set the scene

Situated on 14,000 square metres of pristine land, two kilometres of private beachfront, lush gardens and restaurants to cater for every taste, there is truly no reason to leave this palatial resort. And most don’t. The clientele here is as varied as the city in which it sits, with guests ranging from honeymooners to families, and groups of friends enjoying luxurious getaways.

The backstory

The Abu Dhabi government built Emirates Palace with the aim of creating a centrepiece in the capital that would host everyone from visiting heads of state to celebrities. The property’s most impressive – and famous – draw is the sheer scale of gold on display, from the drapes and the parking cones to the much-photographed gold-leaf cappuccinos. In early 2023, Mandarin Oriental took over operations.

The rooms

In comparison to the hotel’s common areas, rooms are surprisingly understated, filled with relaxed, neutral tones. Luxury is still on display, however, in the form of ridiculously roomy showers and bathtubs, spacious closets and easy-to-use, touch screen operating systems for everything from lights to drapes to ordering room service. Families will love the spacious suites, with double balconies, two bathrooms and full salon. However, no room in this hotel will leave guests wanting. And with six new fully vegan rooms on offer, where all furnishings and facilities meet vegan standards, down to the kombucha, keto bars and popped lotus seeds that fill the mini bar.

Food and drink

An indulgent afternoon tea at the palace iis a huge draw for guests and outside visitors alike, and requires booking in advance. However, that’s not the only draw. With two Michelin-star restaurants on site, the hardest choice will be where to have dinner. If you’ve tried Hakkasan before, opt for an Italian feast at Talea by Antonio Guida, where the charred crust pizza tastes as though it’s been sent straight from Rome.

The spa

The spa has been given a gorgeous facelift, with the formerly dark space being brought into the light, and given welcome splashes of colour from intricate mosaics. A Turkish hammam remains the centrepiece, now using organic products from MarocMaroc. All guests are assigned one of five elements in traditional Chinese medicine to guide their treatment: wood, fire, earth, metal and water (with corresponding playlists for each offered via Spotify). Highly recommended is the Oriental Qi massage, which works with the body’s own meridians to bring even the most jet-lagged traveller back to life.

The service

The service here is white, white glove, if such a thing exists. Haven’t eaten the beets you took from the breakfast buffet? The waiter might notice and offer you a fresh beet juice instead. Guests will be delighted by a series of thoughtful touches, like a small pot of menthol lip balm placed on the nightstand, or velcro wraps placed around your computer cords.

The neighbourhood/area

Emirates Palace is neighboured by Qasr Al Watan, home to Abu Dhabi’s sprawling presidential palace, so guests are in good (and royal) company. If you feel the need to venture out, the boardwalk of Abu Dhabi’s eight-kilometre Corniche is within easy reach, so sunshine strolls are within easy reach.

For families

The Emirates Palace Kids’ Club – aka Sarab Land – is a major draw for families. Free bikes, standup paddle boards and kayaks are on offer to keep children active, while the resort’s camels are always on standby waiting to say hello. Oh, and there’s a lazy river, a favourite with adults and children alike.

Eco effort

Dozens of on-site beehives produce all of the resort’s honey, which is a fairly impressive undertaking, given its sheer size. Vegetables served during winter months are grown in the hotel’s organic garden, and guests can drive golf balls into the ocean without worry, because they are designed to quickly dissolve once they hit the water.

Accessibility

The hotel is fully accessible.

Anything left to mention?

The sheer size of this property means that in a typical day, guests can easily hit their step count. If it gets too much, staff are always on hand with golf buggies to give you a lift.