We have been for the third time at the Emirate Palace, usually during Christmas and New Year, this time after the Chinese New Year, which ment a great number of Chinese guests. The hotel is still top class, though it seems that they are saving somewhat on staff. A very unfortunate thing was the road constructions around the hotel, so that you cannot walk at the moment to the Corniche, but always have to take a taxi, which however is extremely cheap, considering prices in Europe. We have been upgraded, due to the fact that we have already been in the hotel three times, however had to ask for an upgrade, else we would have been placed as ordered. We appreciated however that we received a room already very early in the morning, as we arrived already at 06:30 at the Airport of Abu Dhabi. Take halfboard and you will enjoy the great buffet at the French Restaurant.
It is the first time we went with our grow-up daughter and found also for the first time, that we could not share one room (although it would have been big enough), but had to order two rooms. This is rather unusual, as for families it is quite common everywhere that a room may be shared by 3 or even 4 members of family.
Abu Dhabi is growing enourmously and contrary to Dubai they are building up cultural highlights such as a phantastic Opera House, a Louvre-type museum and more, but all of it will only be built in a few years time.
Generally we once again enjoyed our stay at the Emirates Palace, where they have a good nightlife for the young people, but also plenty of possibilities for families.

As you drive down the magnificent Abu Dhabi Corniche with the turquoise Arabian Gulf on your right, drawing nearer to the looming structure that is the Emirates Palace Hotel you can't fail to gasp. At the imposing entrance you will be greeted as royalty and led into the vast entrance hall. Your eyes will wander everywhere. This vast building has been designed with elegance of such a magnitude you simply don't know where to look first. Reception and check-in is handled with speed and dignity. You are taken through the central Atrium so high and imposing that your neck will hurt. That section of the hotel houses the Conference Centre below and the floors above the breathtaking suites. The top floor is exclusively for the GCC Leaders and can't be seen. The suites, however, are decorated so beautifully that you can't fail to draw breath. The public areas and corridors are decorated in soft beige's, honey onyx, glistening marble.Utterly elegant and in the finest of taste. The public WC's have tap fittings that you only dream of. The hotel is vast - the downside is it can take 10 minutes to get back to reception but when you see the rooms you don't care.
Huge comfortable beds, 42" (or larger) TV screens, touch pad controls for everything. The bathrooms .. oh, the bathrooms ... you could live in them. The service is exemplary - the choice of restaurants and quality of food is fantastic. Pools, 1km of beaches and the gentle quietness of the surroundings make this a perfect holiday destination.
Abu Dhabi is quite wonderful, although quiet. Hundreds of trees line the route from the airport, shops a plenty, restaurants a plenty. Dessert trips, camel rides - even a night under the stars can be arranged. The perfect place for a few days retreat. Not cheap but for a holiday of a lifetime spend 3-4 days here then fly off to my other dream hotel in Oman (The Al Bustan Palace) for more days of peace then end up in the bustle of Dubai. Wallow in the heat, swim in the warm seas and enjoy all that is the wonderful culture of the Gulf States.

We were running one day late to the hotel, but the hotel made sure we where taken care of even though.
They upgraded us to a suite, which was perhaps 100 square meter. And with direct beach access, it was great!
Abu Dhabi is a little dull, but the hotel makes up for it. The butlers are so attentive, and we really enjoyed our stay.
The chinese restaurant, 2 michelin stars, is beoynd words. The best food we might ever tasted. What a great place!
The only problem with the hotel is that is a little too big.

The romantic turn down service is amazing, with hot tub filled with rose leafs..

Emirates Palace, you really came through!

I am a consultant in the hotel industry and I am always disappointed when I stay at a Hotel on holiday as there is always something wrong with service, food or cleanliness and believe me I have stayed in a few - However, I have to say I have now found the perfect hotel in the Emirates Palace and all other hoteliers should stay here to see how it should be done.
From the moment we arrived the service excelled the staff are so attentive and polite nothing is too much for them, this includes all staff around the resort from front of House to housekeeping and F&B. The food and choice was excellent in all of the hotels many restaurants (only one that did let the property down was the Italian restaurant) I highly receommend the fish restaurant, the bedrooms are stunning and so clean and exceptionally roomy.
The pool side attendance is second to none and the hotel offers camel rides and bikes for free use should you want to take a ride around the whole reosrt which we did regularlyon bkes. In my view this is a very well run property and the General Manager should be very proud to achieve what he has - well done to you and your team we shall certainly return.
Sincerely Jackson-Hipkins Dept 4/2/2012