The reputation of the Middle Eastern oil tycoons has long been the envy of the world, with the UAE undoubtedly being the epitome of lavish spending. As the relatively discreet capital, Abu Dhabi not only named the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, but also claims the title of the world’s only “eight-star” hotel.
In the 2015 movie “Furious 7,” the main characters, dressed in formal attire, descend a staircase with the Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi behind them, creating an unmatched atmosphere of luxury.
In February 2023, the hotel officially renamed itself the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, situated in the dreamlike and mysterious city of a thousand faces, unveiling the veil of splendor on the shores of the Persian Gulf, ushering in a new golden era! 
In 2023, Abu Dhabi introduced its own luxury hotel classification standard: 5-star Plus, and announced that the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, is the first hotel in the region to meet this standard.
The criteria include: at least two presidential suites; a higher staff-to-guest ratio; luxury car transfers; and a helipad within a 5-kilometer radius of the hotel.
The Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, is situated on a pristine private beach, with the sea to the north and west, just across the street from the UAE President’s Palace.
From a distance, the hotel looks like a grand castle, with sand-textured exteriors exuding a rich Arab atmosphere.
The hotel boasts over 1,300 meters of golden coastline and fine sandy beaches where you can play to your heart’s content, adding more fun to a warm family trip.
The fan, exclusive to this MO, also sparkles, designed by Abu Dhabi-born multidisciplinary artist Ahmad Saeed Al Areef Al Dhaheri, drawing inspiration from the UAE’s precious tradition of pearl diving, with each pearl representing the beautiful islands scattered across the Persian Gulf.
Everything here is built to royal standards, with domes being a distinctive feature of Arab architecture, and the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, boasts 114 of them.
The most spectacular is a dome that stands at 72.6 meters tall, adorned with shiny gold, mother-of-pearl, and crystal geometric patterns.
The entire hotel is crafted with dozens of tons of gold, adorned with valuable oil paintings, and filled with numerous artistic treasures, stunning all who visit. Even the uniforms of the hotel staff are extravagantly designed, with the elegance of royal butlers, truly making it a “Palace of Gold.”
The renovated rooms showcase modern fashion while being infused with a strong Middle Eastern flair. The Deluxe Sea View Rooms come with spacious private balconies, offering breathtaking views of the gulf at any time.
The full ocean view suite is one of the finest accommodations in the UAE, offering a discreet sanctuary of luxury with breathtaking 180-degree sea views, hot tubs, and world-class entertainment options.
In the revitalized dining experience, the Michelin-starred restaurant Talea by Antonio Guida interprets the authentic Italian Cucina di Famiglia tradition, with both indoor and outdoor areas exuding a lively atmosphere.
Here, coffee, ice cream, and other desserts are extensively adorned with edible gold leaf and gold dust, providing a visually striking presentation that vividly illustrates the Arab region’s “love for gold.”
The spa will introduce self-care therapies crafted by world-renowned spa therapists and launch a range of new skincare products from brands like Tata Harper and Oto.
The hotel features lush gardens, two temperature-controlled swimming pools, a kids’ club, and a private marina, allowing guests to indulge in endless seaside fun.
Guests passionate about water sports can explore various motorized and non-motorized activities, including flyboarding, kayaking, doughnut rides, jet skiing, and windsurfing.
You can also visit a Bedouin tent to engage in conversations with local residents, offering a unique perspective to explore the local culture and experience the ancient heritage of Arabia.
