After being severely enthralled by the lavish Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi, it was time to explore the even more resplendent Emirates Palace. Thesaurus.com defines luxury as “a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity”. For Emirates Palace probably even luxury is an understatement.
Introduction
Arabian dreams and fantasies are one of the most profligate, audacious, and imprudent. Nevertheless, when Sheikhs start dreaming and possess gigantic amounts of pecuniary means, architectural wonders, such as this hotel, emerge in the middle of the desert.
Actually, the palace is not really in the desert, but is located very close to a pristine beach, private marina, and landscaped pools. Boasting one of the largest conference halls in the Emirati capital – Abu Dhabi – Emirates Palace is described as going “beyond 5-star luxury” (since 6- or 7-star ratings are officially non-existent). It is more of a palace than just a hotel.
Interior of Emirates Palace
As soon as you enter inside, on the left wall, there are portraits of two of the most important Emirati Sheikhs.
The hotel itself houses 394 magnificent rooms and suites spread in the two wings and the central building of the palace. A good amount of those is richly furnished in marble and gold.
If there are sweet tooths among you, do not worry – your inner desires for appetising delicacies will be met inside the Palace. Take a look.
We did not have time, but if you do, spending an extra hour sipping the world-popular Palace Cappuccino. The coffee is strewn with 24-carat gold flakes. For a price of around 70 AED (19 USD), you get the aromatic gold cappuccino accompanied by dark chocolate and a special date.
After the regal treat, you can visit the restrooms.
Exterior of Emirates Palace
Winner of many awards, including Best Beach Resort in the World for 2014, the hotel was constructed as a superlative for national prestige. Multitudes of pillars support the 114 domes that are over 80 metres in height. The Palace is within walking distance of the Etihad Towers and quite close to Heritage Village.
Emirates Palace – Figures and Facts
- The Palace was opened in February 2005.
- It is owned by Abu Dhabi’s government.
- Managed by the oldest, European hotel group – Kempinski – the Palace is a ground-breaking hotel worldwide.
- There are different sand shades found in the Arabian Desert – the building’s colours reflect them.
- More than 2,000 staff members and around 50 nationalities maintain the Palace,
- The Grand Atrium dome with a gold and silver glass mosaics is 42m wide.
- Guests may benefit from 755 plasma TVs – in each room, suite, and inside the halls.
- Emirates Palace is a proud owner of 1,002 gorgeous chandeliers decorated with the premier Strauss crystals of Swarovski.
- Two helicopter pads are found on the floor.
- Seventeen top-brand shops will cater to the needs of even the most fastidious guests.
Emirates Palace – where opulence meets luxury, one is left breathless. Have you been there? Did you choke on that 24-K gold while sipping your expensive cappuccino?
PIN ME, WILL YOU?
Alfi
https://svetdimitrov.com/emirates-palace/ my link but I lost all my pics. so all pics are taken from the website. and my post is in Russian so don’t read it))))
Svet
Au contraire, I am going to read it now. You know my Russian is excellent :)))
Bailey K.
Oh I like the fact about the different sand shades! The palace is beautiful, especially lit up at night. And you’re right, those bathrooms are a million times more luxurious than anything found in my apartment!!
Svet
I also did not know it. I had to research that. The Palace is so opulent that even the bathrooms are hardly comparable to the “simple” people’s restrooms. Hehe
Toronto Seoulcialite
You can always judge a fancy spot based on their bathrooms! I’m glad you got to experience such opulence. I’m such a MACARON addict – I would have gorged on those tasty little beauties (Macaroons are the ones with coconut and chocolate – not my bag). What was your favourite part of your elegant stay?
Svet
I always go straight to the bathrooms of a hotel whenever I visit it, he-he. I am also a macaroon addict, but I did not have time to taste them there. Just captured the images. Well, my favourite part was learning about the curious facts, I guess. A place of this magnitude is always gripping to explore further.
Toronto Seoulcialite
Macaron!
Hung Thai [Up Up and a Bear]
Geez man.. this is opulence beyond reason! I’ll see you on one of those helipad though 🙂 LOL
Svet
Yes, Hung, the Arabic people sometimes lose their mind… Haha. Let’s base jump from a helicopter over the pristine beach?
Gina Bear
I really enjoyed learning about the fun facts of the palace. 2,000 staff members make you think how awesome the palace really is! It’s enormous!
Svet
Hehe, I am glad you did. I could have included many more facts and figures, but I was afraid to bore people too much 🙂
It really is enormous!
abcdeghizzy
I was in Abu Dhabi this past November on a 12-hour layover and couldn’t convince my boyfriend to walk to the palace with me since it was just too expensive but now I’m regretting I didn’t make the time for it! I heard the palace is also the home of the famous ATM that disperses gold bars instead of cash! Did you see that too? I have never heard of Palace Cappucino but seriously, coffee that’s sprinkled with 24-carat gold flakes?? It’s crazy how lavish some places in the world are. Definitely next time!
Svet
Hey, really, Izzy! Shame on you and your boyfriend!! Haha, just kidding. But to mention that you don’t have to pay a single penny for entering the Palace. Just for the coffee, macaroons, etc. Or if you are staying for the night.
Yeah, I heard about that ATM, but did not have a chance to see it. Coffee with 24-carat gold flakes is next to madness…
PaigeBrown
I think you’re right that luxury just might be an understatement for them! That is so crazy that their cappuccino is dusted with gold flakes!? That is just absolutely crazy! I can tell just from this post that this would be way more luxury than I would ever feel comfortable in! I bet that the people who do stay there love having the beach so close by and amazing amenities! Thanks for sharing this incredibly LAVISH post! Cheers!
Svet
Yes, it jumps so well beyond luxury. I was checking Thesaurus to find a better words lavishness, luxury, opulence, etc. But it seems nothing is enough to describe this madness. I’ll also feel a bit uncomfortable. Thanks for reading!
Vyjay Rao
This is indeed beyond the heights of luxury and bordering on opulence. Your photos vividly convey the magnificence of the place. I loved the special Coffee with gold flakes. that is indeed a royal Coffee!
Svet
Thank you very much, I really had difficulty explaining all these luxurious things in terms of finding the right words. The coffee is a royal treat, indeed.
hurricanejustin
Wow, so insanely ornate! They are certainly not subtle in the UAE! Is that gold flakes on that cappuccino?
Svet
No, they are not! :)) Yes, the cappuccino was generously sprinkled with 24-carat gold flakes.
anna
Gold flaked cappucino?? Wow! That is insane…but I’m sure it was a cool experience!
Svet
Yeah, it was crazy!
Alana
I really want to try that gold flaked espresso drink! Looks like luxury at its finest at Emirates Palace!
Svet
I think it is a cappuccino, but I guess they won’t have problems infusing an espresso with gold flakes too. Yep, luxurious luxury. Haha
Crizzy Kiss (@CrizzyKiss)
Beyond luxury indeed! I wanna have some of those macaroons and a cup of palace cappuccino without the gold flakes hehe. 😉
Svet
Yes, indeedy, Sir! hehe, why without the gold flakes? You will keep them for you? :)))