A short cab ride to the city (with its array of high fashion stores and fine dining restaurants) or the craziness of Dubai, the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is well positioned to offer the best of both worlds: the serene tranquillity and opulence of one of the world’s most luxurious beachside hotels or easy access to the hotspots of the UAE.
If Abu Dhabi wasn’t on your globetrotting list, it should be. Flights on Etihad are just as premium as Emirates but you'll typically pay between five to ten per cent less and, with a less busy airport awaiting your arrival, it offers an easier journey.
Style
Surrounded by palm trees, the hotel is a considered blend of Islamic architecture combining geometry, proportion and hierarchy with modern construction and design. Shades of the desert sand make up the hotel’s exterior hue with a large central dome proudly adorning the roof and surrounded by smaller domes across the complex. Inside the labyrinth of marbled rooms – each one decorated to the highest spec (the hotel even has its own gold leaf specialist) – you’ll find crystal chandeliers, intricate latticework and hundreds of water fountains. With leisurely pools bookending the hotel, lush gardens and the glistening Arabian Gulf as a backdrop, it really is a fairytale setting.
Food & Drink
Where to start! The hotel boasts eleven restaurants (several of which have Michelin star status). All fine-dining experiences. With tables inside the air-conditioned rooms, you can take a breather from the outside heat (it was 40 degrees when we visited) although the cooler UAE months facilitate al fresco dining. You can travel around the world with each meal starting with contemporary Indian fine dining at Martabaan (with renowned chef Hemant Oberoi taking an innovative approach to Indian cuisine). Their Royal Set Menu included succulent prawns marinated in raw mango and yoghurt and grilled in their tandoor as well as the most tender lamb biryani. Another hit was the Lebanese Terrace where we enjoyed a mixed grill with hot and cold mezze that expertly blended Levantine traditions and flavours sprinkled with chef Gilber Sakr’s love for his homeland. If you like a steak as much as I do, make sure you head to Broadway – the modern American brasserie and bar offers a more relaxed atmosphere. Sample the wagyu ribeye with confit garlic (triple cooked chips on the side, obvs) and wash it down with one of the bar’s cocktails – again, perfectly prepared by their expert mixologists. The expansive menu also offers more classic dishes such as The Broadway Burger, moules frites or an excellent sticky toffee pudding, but don’t expect anything other than an elevated tasting experience.
Fancy a Michelin-star Italian for dinner? Talea (by renowned chef Antonio Guida) offers up distinctive interpretations of classic Italian dishes in the warm embrace of Italian hospitality. The menu highlight was the seabass risoni with a fresh tomato and basil sauce although the pizza al nero was certainly unusual with its black charcoal dough topped with burrata and Iberico beef ham.
Afternoon tea at Episodes, located in the heart of the hotel, is a dining destination for the locals. Expect exceptional fine teas from around the world paired with the most incredible mini sweet and savoury artisanal creations that are so beautifully presented you almost don’t want to eat them (although of course we did).
We saved our favourite until last – Hakkasan with its well-deserved Michelin-star. Expect elevated Cantonese cuisine. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting the original London flagship, you’ll know about its luxe décor; moodily lit carved wooden screens and latticing combining to create an incredible environment as you sample the menu and soak in the live DJ set. Their signature Peking duck pancakes dish is a must. If, like me, you enjoy a cocktail, then try the smoked negroni. You’ll thank me later.
Across all the restaurants, from breakfast through to lunch and dinner, service is as exceptional as it is warm and knowledgeable. I took great comfort in the waiters’ knowledge of the dishes. It’s also satisfying to learn that the hotel sources its produce as locally and sustainably as possible (the hotel even has its own beehive and allotment). Oh, and the hotel has over 1,100 members of staff so service here is not a joke.
Facilities
We especially enjoyed the pristine white sand beach and its sunbeds, as well as the camel ride from the Bedouin tent along the private stretch of beach. The hotel has two pools. One with a pool side bar and in-water hammocks. The other pool is aimed at kids with its water slide and lazy river. (I discovered my inner child as I reclined in a rubber ring floating under the palm trees!).
Looking to deeply relax into a zen state of mind? Then the luxurious spa is a must. I opted for the traditional Oriental Qi massage, which was 90 minutes of pure serenity. The on-site barbers offer a bespoke grooming service and the head barber will rejoice in telling you all about the likes of Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland who have entrusted his skills as you recline into his world of pampering.
Taking the children but need some time out? Book them into the new purpose-built Kids Palace where they can safely enjoy an array of activities from art sessions to flying on a bird simulator. For us though, the water sports were the main attraction and perhaps the most invigorating activity of the stay. We opted for the on-water Bond-esque speed ‘car’ and the wake-boarding – all guided by an expert. More serene paddle-boarding and kayaking options are just as exhilarating though, especially as the sun sets.
Take part in beach volleyball, golf, padel or horse riding. Head to their on-site gyms or take a yoga class, or if you’re feeling more energetic, take on one of the cycle trails.
Extracurricular
Abu Dhabi city and Dubai are a 80-minute taxi ride apart if you want to further explore but a perennial local highlight is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is 20 minutes from the hotel. Free to enter, it’s the most iconic national cultural landmark in Abu Dhabi.
Which room?
We opted for the elegant Sea View Suite with its own balcony and views of the Gulf and the hotel's private beach. The suite itself is comprised of an en-suite marble bathroom with hot tub, elegant living room and access to the hotel’s EP Club. Our balcony soon became our haven as we enjoyed the sun rising over the beach with a coffee in the morning and it setting each night. Stunning.
There are 390 rooms and suites in total so depending on your budget and preference you can opt for either a city view (650 USD), garden view (750 USD), or sea view (850 USD) room. Take your pick. All are the epitome of luxury and come furnished with the highest level of comfort and décor.
The EP Club is the hotel’s more private offering giving you access to a champagne breakfast, bespoke meals throughout the day or cocktails at night. It also gains you access to its own section of the private beach to kick back and relax on one of the large daybeds, sun loungers or opulent cabanas. A 24-hour butler and concierge service, private meeting rooms and other priority bookings are also part of the EP Club. Worth considering if you’re keen to enjoy a more VIP stay away from the other guests. The package is around 1,100 USD a night.
The dedicated Vegan rooms (900 USD) are also an interesting new option supporting a vegan lifestyle with sustainable bedding, plant-based bathroom amenities and furniture that avoids animal-based materials.
Best for...
It's really a case of all sorts, as we came across an eclectic mix of guests, from families to honeymooners and couples, business groups and solo travellers – many of whom had visited before.
