Emirates Palace

We've live in the Emirates for 9 years and have stayed in top end hotels all over the country and all over the world and Emirates Palace is hands down our favourite. From arrival to departure the service is top notch. You are made to feel welcome from the moment you step through the door and this feeling doesn't end until you sadly drive away. Every time we have gone we have requested early check in and late check out (the day of) and it has been honoured. The property, like it's title, is palatial. Despite it's incredible luxury and opulence it has a very approachable, relaxing and homey feeling. The rooms have all the luxuries one would expect of a hotel of this calibre; great toiletries, snug bathrobes and slippers, a snooze inducing bed and pillows, a well stocked Nespresso machine and tea selection and a lovely balcony with gorgeous views. All this said, the real reason we go is for the grounds and services. Emirates Palace sits on a beautiful 2 km white sand beach with crystal clear waters. All water sports are free of charge to guests as well as camel rides along the beach. For the pool peeps, there are huge grounds beautifully landscaped with shady flowering trees where you can camp out on your lounge chair barely aware that anyone else is staying at the hotel. There are two pools to choose from: a huge one with swim up pool bar, massage jets and in pool hammocks and another with waterfalls, a lazy river to float down and water slides (for the kid in all of us!). All lounge areas come with a bell system for ordering drinks and food to your slugging destination of choice. And they've even continued this service throughout the day during Ramadan!!! Unlike most hotels where water ends up costing a bomb to order, you never seem to run out here because it is always getting replenished. We've even been treated to sorbet and fresh fruit brought to our lounge chairs during peak hot times. Back inside there is a variety of dining choices and a fabulous cocktail and cigar lounge, Havana Club where on thursdays they have a mojito happy hour which we used to drive 30 minutes to get to on a regular basis. The beautiful breakfast buffet is served with breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. Anywhere else in the world this hotel would be totally out of our price range but at certain times of the year they provide promotions and we don't hesitate to make the journey from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. If we could afford it, and they allowed it, we'd move in!! If you've never been to Emirates Palace, go! Yallah now! Shokrun Jazeelan to all who work there for always making our stay there memorable and nothing short of superb. Read less

Undoubtedly the Palace is gorgeous. The sweeping gardens set amongst the beautiful pools provides ample opportunity to marvel at the magnificence of the Arab mentality - dare to be brilliant. However the hotel is let down by falling at the most basic of concepts ; a lack of quality to cost ratio. Let me explain - whilst booking here, i’m sure value for money will not feature high on the shopping list because any place that charges £7 for a can of coke will not be short of affluent individuals. However there is a principle. If the hotel intends to charge upwards of £15 for a milkshake, then I’m sure we can all agree, that it better be the best darn milkshake in the world. Unfortunately it falls far short of what you would expect - watered down milkshakes, sloppy food and arrogant customer service. In fact a guard told my two year old daughter to “sh” as she played in reception. Food isn’t allowed from outside due to security concerns - this includes bringing in your favourite snack to enjoy over a movie. I asked reception to explain this but all I received was “it’s due to security reasons”. Complete bollocks. Yes the grandeur is superb but scratch beneath the surface and the quality and indeed the humanity is missing. Read less