Emirates Palace: Complete Guide, History, Tickets & More

Are you planning to visit the ginormous and regal surroundings of the Emirates Palace with extravagant ambiance all decked up with 1000 Swarovski crystal chandeliers? The Emirates Hotel can top the list of must visit places on your Abu Dhabi itinerary. It is worth having a look at the world’s biggest dome which is considered to be higher than St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Besides, the 6000 square metres of 22 carat gold leaf is well worth a visit and a must watch. So let us check into this magnificent architecture and see for ourselves what all are in store for us.

History of Emirates Palace

The Emirates Palace Hotel was launched in December 2001 and was operated by Kempinski from November 2005, when it was opened to January 1, 2020. The palace was later renovated. Emirates Palace is not only a hotel; it is a majestic palace and a dream that was turned into a reality. It took them three years to build the palace with immaculate white marbles and gold leaves. The cost of the building is 3.5 billion dollars, a tad too high by even the Emirates standards. It covers an expanse of 100 hectares of land. Since it is adjacent to the Presidential Palace, it is a royal feel that you get while staying here. While staying here you would be putting up with government officials, heads of the states, celebrities from all walks of life. With a thriving team of eighty professional designers, interior designers, on site engineers and architects, every detail of the designing of the Emirates Palace Hotel was executed to a T.

Tickets

You may enter the Emirates Palace for free but these are only certain areas for public viewing. For the rest of the building, you need to gather a pass, or check in as guest in the hotel or may be, book a private tour that is guided to satiate your thirst for learning more about the place. We have Abu Dhabi city tour that includes this place. 

Location

The Emirates Palace is located in the middle of the city, near the Presidential Palace and just off the Corniche. However, near the Palace is to the centre of the city, with the Palace facing the sea, the Marina and also with the Presidential Palace in the vicinity, you would not feel it is just near the city centre. With its ginormous structure and opulent facilities, it gets the look and feel of a luxurious resort in every way. The Emirates Palace is divided into three separate divisions like the Main Palace, the East Wing and the West Wing. The restaurants and the reception of the hotel are all located in the Main Palace area.

How to get at Emirates Palace

• You may easily reach the Emirates Palace Hotel from the Abu Dhabi Airport which is a distance of 37 kilometres.
• You may take a bus from the Terminal 1 of the airport to Al Rawdhah and another one from Abu Dhabi to the Corniche Street.
• This should take around 1.5 hours.

Dress Code for Emirates Palace

• At the restaurants, a smart casual attire is all that is needed.
• Men are not allowed in shorts and long trousers are mandatory.
• Even at breakfast, T shirts, flip flops, sandals or beach wear are not allowed.

The facilities at the Emirates Palace

• The pompousness and lavishness of the Emirates Palace is swoon-worthy. The dome of the palace has a height of 200 metres. There are Swarovski crystals on the door handles and the ceilings are all gold plated. The courts in between the rooms had palm tree gardens or reflection pools.
• The East and West wings have the look and feel of Louvre Museum or the Hermitage. This is actually not only a five-star hotel but it bears the mark of abundance and plenitude coupled with suaveness and style all over the place.

1. Rooms and Suites

The rooms and suites are at the best of Arabian sense of luxury. The Palace has 302 rooms and 92 suites. The king beds, bed spreads, walk in wardrobes, sofas, study desk, the powder room with a magnificent view of the sea all mark the pleasures of a wonderful stay at the hotel. The standard rooms are also spacious and done up with Arabian themes.

2. Swimming pools and gyms

The east and west wings both have swimming pool and gym facilities.

The West Wing has two water slides. It also has arrangements for water sports and this is a favourite haunt for kids. You can try water-skiing, stand-up paddle boating, banana boat rides and other rides. Dolphins can also be spotted while having the rides. Emirates Palace Hotel also offers soccer, cricket and tennis facilities.

3. Anantara Spa

Designed with the best and the most opulent fashion the Anantara Spa is a welcome change during your vacation stay at the hotel. With all the splashes of colour, white marble all over and the gold music coupled with dim lighting, the place is a luxurious retreat. Arrangement for a Hammam treatment is also there, replete with ice rooms and spa baths. There is excellent scope for facial treatment too. The Spa has the most efficient therapists to give you great value for money.

4. Restaurants

Breakfast at the Emirates Palace Hotel is a ceremonial affair on the terrace with mesmeric views of the sea and the beach. It is truly a five star feel with prompt food and beverages served in the nick of time. Gourmet food is just right and a great start to a day. You may try the authentic Arabian delicacies.

Dinner is served in style in special cabanas where you can enjoy your meal with the accompaniment of Arabian music being played. The sumptuous meal of lamb cooked under the earth for eight hours and that which melts in the mouth is a grand affair. Juicy and succulent lobsters and sea food are also on the top of the list at dinner.  

5. Specialty

The tourist would love their stay at the Emirates Palace because they feel special. The ambiance is exclusive and the privacy is guaranteed. There are 100 hectares of lush green parks and white sand beaches. You can only extend your vision to crystals, marble and gold all over the place. Great suites and immaculate services to sum up.

6. Size

• The hotel ares is 84 hectares
• 394 guest rooms including 92 suites
• 22 residential suites for Heads of State
• 243,000 square meter total area

The Hotel’s View

The design of the hotel with the palm trees, the water bodies, a sense of the palatial oasis that is indebted to the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi and also that of the Emirates, speaks volumes for the aesthetic sense of taste that went forward to the building of this great architecture. You should be enchanted with the first look of the hotel. It is an amalgamation of the strong cultural heritage along with the national identity of the UAE. The balconies of this palatial structure present a mesmerizing light show thus adding to the magical presentation.

Conclusion

United Arab Emirates has so many palatial hotels but the Emirates Palace Hotel is a class of its own in regalness and pompousness of style. It is one of the best places that can ever be for a guest looking to get the most opulent lavishness that can ever be and Emirates Palace Hotel lays it all out on a golden platter for its guests. It is an architectural marvel, a wonderful oasis full of pomp and luxury that blends modern architectural marvel with the national culture and heritage of the United Arab Emirates. The drive through the entrance that takes the people through the gardens and past the water fountains under the arches is truly inspiring and enchanting for the awestruck tourists.