Emirates Palace was operated by the luxury hotel group Kempinski Hotels & Resorts. The world's most expensive hotel was built and is owned by the Abu Dhabi government. The 3 billion $ cost hotel was opened in 2005 and is a colossal standstone itself.
Etihad Airways have free stopover offers for First Class, Business Class and The Residence guests flying on confirmed Etihad tickets through Abu Dhabi. I was able to take advantage of this nice offer on my recent The Residence Flight.
I was booked 2 nights in the Khaleej Suite in the Emirates Palace courtesy of Etihad as a stopover package.
We checked in the hotel during the busy Eid Holiday (End of Ramadan) in late June and the hotel was very busy. However, we were very lucky to have been upgraded 3 category upwards to a Pearl Palace Suite.
The Palace Suite is located in the center of the hotel building while the hotel have 2 wings, East and West. Our host told us the Palace Suite is among the best Suite in the Emirates Palace usually reserved only to government and VVIPs so we have been extremely lucky!
Here are the photos of our 165 sq meter 1 bedroom Pearl Palace Suite. The opulence finishing is everywhere, with a very tall ceiling resembling a palace in being spacious and splendid which create the "Palatial" feel like.We have 2 really large 85" TV and an excellent bluetooth sound system. You can enjoy your favourite tunes in the jacuzzi! Such is life!
A night in the Palace Suite cost you 7,425 Dhs (over 2,000 USD)
The one bedroom Pearl Palace Suite also come with a very large outdoor balcony, which I suspect is the biggest balcony in the UAE! 😉 Of course it comes with a sweeping 180 degree sea view and looking over to the Presidential Palace ground.
There are many free amenities came with the Suite include a free and well stocked Mini-Bar (Non Alcoholic drinks) and 24 hour butler service. Our butler brought us welcome drink, tea/coffee and look after every request of ours.
We visited the Spa. As a spa lover and tried many hotels, I have to say, The Emirates Palace Spa is the BEST spa in the UAE. I have a Hammam and 30 minutes facial as part of the Summer Discount package. I was especially impressed by tucking into a plush duvet while enjoying the facial after the hammam,
Not only the nice decor and atmosphere, the Palace spa employed very experienced and skillful spa attendant that deliver truly delightful and professional spa experience.
The Palace has 2 pools, with one in the East wing with a lazy river and one in the West wing (more for adults). We only explored the West wing pool.
The Palace is just stunning everywhere, providing endless photo opportunities.
There is also a lounge for Suite guest in each wing. The lounge serve breakfast, afternoon tea and evening drinks with canapes. The selection is quite a disappointment actually but nevertheless, the service was very attentive and personal.
The next day we enjoyed our breakfast in the Ramadan tent, which is a huge air conditioned tent that can easily hold over 1,000 guest given it is the Eid Holiday peak season. What's better than breakfast with a view?
Then we went on a private tour that our host Gill, showed us the luxury 3 bedroom Palace Suite on the same floor where we stayed. We were speechless! A stay in the 3 bedroom Palace Suite will set you back 22,000 Dhs (6,000 USD)
Conclusion
An ethereal experience, Emirates Palace is an icon in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. We couldn't have it better way to sample the Palatial living than from the Palace Suite! I simply love the exclusive access to the Suite floor via private escalators and security which made you feel like a special guest. The decor is divine, there were 1,002 crystal chandeliers in the Palace and every corner represent a photo opportunity in the Palace. My 2 nights stay was simply too short to enjoy the massive ground and facilities the Palace has to offer. We were treated like royalty. Thank you Emirates Palace.
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