A palatial sanctuary where legendary hospitality meets unparalleled grandeur on the shores of the Arabian Gulf
Our arrival at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental felt less like checking into a hotel and more like stepping into a living monument to Arabian hospitality. Stretching one kilometre along Abu Dhabi’s pristine coastline, this architectural marvel dwarfs Buckingham Palace in scale, yet somehow manages to feel both intimate and awe-inspiring. Built originally to host visiting dignitaries and heads of state, the property has evolved into one of the world’s most distinctive luxury hotels, where over 1,100 staff members deliver service that balances warmth with meticulous attention to detail.
The transformation under Mandarin Oriental’s stewardship has been thoughtful rather than dramatic. Rather than diminishing the palace’s inherent grandeur, including more than 6,000 square metres of 22-karat gold leaf adorning its interiors, the rebrand has introduced subtle contemporary refinements that enhance the guest experience. The addition of two Michelin-starred restaurants, the innovative EP Club, and carefully curated private spaces now sit comfortably alongside the property’s legendary opulence, creating a hotel that functions beautifully as both palace and intimate retreat.
What immediately struck us was the duality of the experience. Beyond the lobby, where curious day visitors marvel at the soaring domes and gilded surfaces, the hotel reveals carefully designed private enclaves. The EP Club in particular offers escape for those who prefer discretion to spectacle, whilst the public spaces continue to deliver the sense of occasion that makes this property unlike any other.
Arrival and first impressions
The approach along West Corniche Road builds anticipation effectively. Past the Founders Memorial and ADNOC headquarters, the eight-storey palace emerges into view. Room keys shaped like gold coins, 114 domes punctuating the skyline, a central dome soaring more than 70 metres above marble floors, these details hint at what lies within but nothing quite prepares you for the reality.
Our welcome felt ceremonial without being overbearing. Staff in gilded tailcoats greeted us at the entrance before guiding us to the reception area, where we received roses, refreshing towels, dates, and a selection of juices and teas. This ritual set the tone for everything that followed. The formality never tipped into stuffiness, and the warmth of the greeting established a relationship that continued to develop throughout our stay.
The EP Club advantage
We opted for an EP Club room, which proved transformative. This discreetly positioned space, tucked away from the main tourist areas, operates at a level above even the finest hotel lounges we’ve experienced. The distinction goes beyond free-flowing Champagne and daily changing afternoon tea and evening canapés, though these certainly impressed. What sets the EP Club apart is the calibre of service and the granular attention to detail.
Access to the EP Club came with its own delightful touch. A private golf cart service transported us from the main lobby, with a driver providing an impromptu tour of the extensive grounds. This wasn’t a one-time courtesy. The 24/7 transport service took EP Club members anywhere on the property, whether to restaurants, the spa, or back to our room. The convenience proved invaluable given the palace’s vast scale, and the effortless nature of simply requesting a cart whenever needed elevated the entire experience.
The club opens daily for breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening canapés. Alongside self-service options, a small menu of freshly prepared dishes is available. The lobster scrambled eggs at breakfast deserve particular mention, an indulgence that speaks to the kitchen’s capabilities. Each day brings unique afternoon tea and canapés creations, making return visits surprising rather than predictable.
The team here, led by Nicholas, showed what exceptional hospitality looks like when properly resourced and empowered. They learned our names within hours, remembered our preferences, and maintained a professional warmth that never felt intrusive. This balance, friendly without being overfamiliar, attentive without hovering, is extraordinarily difficult to achieve and even harder to sustain consistently across multiple days and different staff members.
EP Club membership provided access to a private section of the 1.3-kilometre beach, complete with substantial daybeds, sun loungers, and cabanas that offered seclusion from other guests. A 24-hour butler and concierge service, along with priority restaurant bookings, completed the package. For guests seeking additional privacy within an already exclusive property, the EP Club delivers meaningful value rather than simply incremental improvements.
Our accommodation
Our sea view suite provided direct views across the Persian Gulf and access to the private beach club. The room followed the palace’s aesthetic with marble bathrooms featuring hot tubs, elegant living spaces, and that characteristic blend of traditional opulence and contemporary comfort that Mandarin Oriental has introduced throughout the property.
The balcony became our preferred space morning and evening. Watching the sun rise over the beach with coffee, then witnessing it set each night, provided a rhythm to the days that felt both luxurious and authentic. These moments of quiet, framed by the extraordinary setting, proved as memorable as the property’s more obvious attractions.
The hotel offers 394 rooms and suites divided between the Mandarin and Oriental wings, with the former suited to families and the latter focused on adult guests. This division works well, allowing the property to serve different guest needs without compromise. The introduction of six dedicated vegan rooms, featuring sustainable bedding, plant-based bathroom amenities, and furniture avoiding animal-based materials, shows the property’s willingness to adapt whilst maintaining its fundamental character.
Bathrooms throughout are uniformly marble, equipped with either Amouage or Diptyque products depending on room category. Fresh orchids appear as standard. The iPad control systems allow environmental adjustments, though we encountered some technical issues with ours, a rare service lapse at this level that was quickly addressed when mentioned.
Dining at Talea by Antonio Guida
We experienced Talea’s six-course set menu on our second evening. The progression took us through dishes that balanced innovation with respect for Italian tradition, showing why Chef Antonio Guida’s approach to cucina di famiglia has earned Michelin recognition.
The seared langoustine with grilled lettuce and citrus bisque arrived first, displaying technical precision in both the sear on the shellfish and the balance of the sauce. The handmade ravioli with smoked eggplant and beef tartare followed, presenting creativity in combining ingredients that shouldn’t work together but somehow did. Each course arrived properly paced, with enough time between dishes to appreciate what we’d eaten without feeling rushed or forgotten.
The restaurant occupies an elegant al fresco space within the palace grounds. Head Chef Luigi Stinga, recipient of the inaugural Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi’s Young Chef Award, executes Guida’s vision with meticulous attention. The tiramisu, assembled tableside, provided a fitting conclusion, though by this point we were thoroughly satisfied. This is cooking that has earned its star through consistent execution and clear vision rather than courting accolades through technique alone.
Lebanese Terrace
Lebanese Terrace offered a different but equally accomplished experience. The outdoor setting features thoughtfully designed booths and fire elements for cooler evenings, creating an atmosphere that felt both relaxed and special. Chef Gilber Sakr’s menu honours Lebanese coastal cuisine with dishes that show both technical skill and affection for the ingredients and traditions.
We sampled the traditional fattoush and hummus before moving to an assorted seafood platter featuring grilled lobster tail, jumbo prawns, hammour, and salmon. The char-grilling achieved that elusive balance between proper caramelisation and perfectly cooked fish and shellfish. Too often, restaurant grilling either under-cooks to avoid drying out or over-chars in pursuit of flavour. This kitchen managed both texture and taste correctly.
The crispy chilli and garlic potatoes provided an inspired accompaniment, substantial enough to balance the seafood without overwhelming the plate. The cotton candy dessert, gazleyah, surprised with its combination of muhalabia, cotton candy, and caramel sauce. This was playful without being frivolous, showing the kitchen’s range beyond traditional preparations.
Facilities and the private beach
The 1.3-kilometre private beach, made with white sand imported from Algeria, provides luxury simply through its scale and maintenance. Two temperature-controlled pools serve different purposes. One features in-water hammocks that create the sensation of floating, whilst the family pool incorporates a water slide and gentle rapids that proved surprisingly engaging even for adults.
The water sports centre offers both serene options like paddleboarding and kayaking, particularly beautiful at sunset, alongside more energetic pursuits including wakeboarding and speed boat experiences powered by renewable energy. All activities are supervised by knowledgeable instructors who balance safety concerns with enjoyment.
We particularly enjoyed the weekly complimentary horse riding sessions along the nearly mile-long beach stretch. This felt authentically local rather than contrived, an activity that happened to take place at a luxury hotel rather than a manufactured “experience” created solely for guests.
The spa and Acqua di Parma Barbiere
The award-winning spa, designed with inspiration from Moroccan culture and oriental heritage, blends ancient Eastern healing traditions with Arabesque therapies and modern wellness practices. We experienced the Oriental Qi massage, which provided 90 minutes of relaxation through proper technique rather than simply going through motions.
The Acqua di Parma Barbiere deserves its own recognition. The head barber’s skill, trusted by figures including Pep Guardiola and Manchester City players, translates into bespoke grooming that balances traditional Italian barbering with contemporary techniques. The experience extends well beyond a standard haircut to include face, hand, and shoulder massages that left us feeling refreshed rather than simply polished.
Location and cultural context
The hotel’s position on the western end of the Corniche places it ten minutes from the Founders Memorial and approximately ten miles from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. The mosque, free to enter with appropriate modest dress, features white marble throughout and provides architectural wonder. We visited late afternoon and found the space both beautiful and moving, a reminder of the depth of Islamic architectural and artistic tradition.
Abu Dhabi city centre and Dubai sit roughly 30 and 90 minutes away respectively. This positioning allows the property to serve either as a base for exploration or as a destination in itself. We found ourselves doing very little beyond the hotel grounds, which speaks to both the quality of the facilities and the appeal of simply being in such an extraordinary space.
Understanding the palace
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental functions simultaneously as palace, resort, and hotel. The recent Mandarin Oriental rebranding has introduced refinements that enhance rather than dilute the property’s inherent character. Service standards reflect the brand’s global reputation whilst incorporating the warmth characteristic of Emirati hospitality.
The addition of two Michelin-starred restaurants, Talea and Hakkasan, elevates the property beyond simply luxurious accommodation into a legitimate dining destination. The EP Club provides guests seeking additional privacy with an elevated experience rather than simply incremental improvements.
The palace brilliantly caters to two distinct audiences. Those who appreciate prestige and want to experience the grandeur will find the gold leaf, soaring domes, and palatial public spaces deliver exactly that. The building itself is a tourist attraction, visitors come simply to photograph the lobby and marvel at the scale. Yet for private guests who expect the best without the spectacle, the EP Club and carefully designed private spaces offer complete discretion. This duality makes the property special. You choose your own experience based on your preferences and needs.
What makes everything work is the substance behind the scale. The skill in the kitchens, particularly at Talea and Lebanese Terrace. The thoughtful service from staff who remember names and preferences across multiple days and shifts. The private spaces that offer respite when needed from the undeniable magnificence of the public areas. These elements create a hotel that functions beautifully despite, or perhaps because of, its palace proportions.
For those drawn to Abu Dhabi, whether for the growing cultural attractions, the proximity to Dubai, or simply the experience of staying somewhere unique, this palace turned hotel offers something found nowhere else. It balances spectacle with substance, grandeur with hospitality, in ways that few properties even attempt.