Emirates Palace Hotel

Emirates Palace is not just a hotel, but a true symbol of Abu Dhabi and one of the most recognizable landmarks of the United Arab Emirates. It is a place where an oriental fairy tale meets modern technology, and luxury is taken to the absolute. 
The hotel was opened in 2005 and was originally built as a venue for meetings of heads of state of the Persian Gulf, hence its name can be translated as "Palace of the Emirates." Today, it is a must-visit point on every tourist`s itinerary, as you can come here for a tour even without booking a room.

Location and Scale of Emirates Palace

The hotel is located at the western end of the Corniche waterfront, in close proximity to the Qasr Al Watan Presidential Palace and the famous Etihad Towers skyscrapers. The complex occupies a vast area: 85 hectares of gardens and lawns, its own one-and-a-half-kilometer coastline, and a building nearly a kilometer long.

Architecture and Finishes of Emirates Palace

Emirates Palace was designed by British architect John Elliott in a traditional Arabic style, reminiscent of palaces from "One Thousand and One Nights." The building is crowned with 114 domes, the tallest of which reaches 80 meters. The main dome rests on massive columns and is adorned with intricate geometric patterns.

But the main splendor is hidden inside. The interiors are finished with marble and gold leaf — according to some reports, about 40 tons of gold were used for the decoration. Thousands of crystal chandeliers gleam in the halls and corridors, floors are laid with elegant mosaics, and gold patterns cover the walls, columns, and even decorative elements. Even everyday things look different here: the hotel has vending machines selling gold bars.

What`s Interesting for Tourists: Accessible Areas of Emirates Palace

The best part is that the doors of Emirates Palace are open to everyone. Unlike its Dubai "counterpart" Burj Al Arab, tourists are allowed in here without booking a room or a table at a restaurant.

The main lobby is the first thing visitors see. A huge space under a golden dome, marble floors, and fountains create the feeling that you have entered a sultan`s palace. It is always bustling here — tourists and hotel guests take photos against the backdrop of this incredible luxury.

Special attention deserves the famous cappuccino with gold. The lobby cafe serves coffee adorned with edible 24-karat gold flakes. This is perhaps the most "Instagrammable" drink in Abu Dhabi, which you can try for about $15–20. Many tour companies even include this tasting in their excursion programs.

What is Available Only to Guests of Emirates Palace

As in any palace, there are areas closed to outsiders. Regular tourists are not allowed into the rooms, spa centers, private beach area, and pools. Access to restaurants is only possible with a reservation. The rooms here, by the way, start from 55 square meters, and the six penthouses on the upper floors are reserved exclusively for royalty and heads of state.

The hotel`s service staff move through the long corridors in electric cars — that`s how vast the building is.

Evening Show at Emirates Palace

The hotel looks especially impressive after dark. The architectural lighting is switched on, and the facade shimmers with gold and blue lights. The fountains in front of the entrance begin their synchronized water and light show — a beautiful and free spectacle available to everyone.

What Kind of Hotel is This: 5, 7, or 8 Stars?

Emirates Palace is often called "the world`s only eight-star hotel." Officially, it has 5 stars, but the hotel positions itself as something more — "a palace, not just a hotel." In terms of construction cost, it ranks among the three most expensive hotels in the world.

Today, the hotel is managed by Mandarin Oriental, and in 2020, a large-scale two-year renovation was carried out, which updated the rooms and public areas while preserving the legendary palace atmosphere.

Emirates Palace is not just a place to stay overnight, but a full-fledged attraction that can and should be visited even on a limited budget. Come here to drink coffee with gold, stroll through the marble halls, watch the sunset from the waterfront, and feel like a guest of an eastern ruler.