PROJECT: Emirates Palace Hotel
LOCATION: Abu Dhabi
ESTIMATED COST: US$ 490 million
ROOM COUNT: 440 rooms and suites
CONSTRUCTION START: ??
CONSTRUCTION END: ??

OTHER POSSIBLE NAMES: Bani Yas Palace Hotel, Conference Palace Hotel

KEY NOTES:
* Emirates Palace on completion will be the world's second seven-star hotel. The UAE is also host to the world's first seven-star hotel — the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.
* The hotel will include 12 restaurants and other entertainment facilities while it will house the Middle East's biggest auditorium with space for 1,200 people.
* The design blends traditional materials and motifs with the latest technology. Modern techniques of etching and casting allow traditional patterns to become an integral component of the facade design. From the audio visual facilties to the ventilation and cooling systems, to public safety and security systems, the world's best quality equipment was installed.
* There will be 755 plasma TVs in total at the hotel, including a 125 cm screen in each regular guest room and a 150 cm screen in each of the suites.
* Guests will be able to access the internet, wirelessly, from anywhere in the property, including the 1300 metre long beach, pools, marina and gardens.
* The project will be completed in time to host the 2004 GCC summit.
* The hotel will also house a separate wing built specifically for heads of state and the leaders of the GCC countries, comprising royal suites each measuring over 1,000 square metres on the top floor.
* The hotel will open to public only after the GCC summit.

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As of July 2004

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Picture of the dome taken in May and posted by Nizey

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tremendous!!! thanks for these great pictures!!!

I was lucky to get them! No one is allowed to go inside or take pictures but I know someone working for a sub contractor who was allowed to go inside and get these construction images for me!

Wow lucky us

Palace set for year-end opening




Work on one of the most advanced hotel and conference venues in the world – the Emirates Palace – is well under way and on target for its scheduled opening by the end of this year.

Previously known as the Bani Yas Palace, the project is being built to resemble a majestic palace rising from the sand along a 1.3 km stretch of a private beach in Abu Dhabi.
Combining opulence, luxury, state-of-the-art technology and first-class Arabian hospitality, the development showcases the beauty of Arabian culture, adhering to traditional themes and providing an affinity with the national identity of the UAE.
“Its elaborate design and unparalleled facilities were created with the sole purpose of whisking its guests into a world worthy of royalty where their every whim will be fulfilled and their every need catered to,” says a spokesman for Kempinski Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel group which will manage this unique property.
The site of the Emirates Palace is currently a hive of activity with gold leafing being applied to the ceilings, marble being laid, trees being planted and numerous other tasks taking place simultaneously by a multitude of workers.
Built in two wings – east and west – the hotel comprises 390 luxury rooms and suites equipped with advanced technology including extra-large plasma TVs in each room and a wireless Internet network that covers the entire property. A touchscreen control panel and fully interactive TV also allow guests full control of all room appliances including lights, air-conditioning and in-room entertainment.
The accommodation at the hotel includes 302 single rooms, 20 double suites, 20 three bay suites and 16 Presidential or Ministerial suites that can be converted into 48 normal suites.
The Emirates Palace will also house 16 restaurants (including cafes and bars) serving a variety of cuisines created by world-renowned chefs. It also features two stunning pool landscapes and two ultra-luxurious spas at the end of each of the east and west wings.
The conference centre houses the most luxurious and technologically-advanced meeting facilities in the region. These include an auditorium with fixed seating for 1,200 guests, a main ballroom that can seat up to 20,000 persons, an extensive range of 40 meeting rooms and a media centre with 12 press rooms. In addition, six large terraces and a variety of pre-function areas provide many possibilities for breaks, cocktail receptions and banquets.
A special meeting chamber has been designed specifically for Heads of State meetings and is a circular room with tiered seating and a rotating central section for the President and his delegation to sit and chair. Touchscreen voting technology and simultaneous eight language translation is used in the chamber along with wireless data systems.
Set on 100 hectares of beautifully landscaped park with several open lawns, Emirates Palace offers spectacular outdoor venues for gala dinners and creative events. The richly landscaped gardens surrounding the property provide a park-like setting with around 8,000 trees, extensive fountains, water features and beachfront landscaping.
The colours chosen for the façade of the Emirates Palace represent the different sand nuances found in the Arabian Desert. The Palace boasts a staggering 114 domes covered in mosaic glass tiles topped with gold finials.
The project has taken shape in less than three years – a feat achieved through the efforts of a huge construction team that at any one time, could number up to 12,000 men.
Emirates Palace is owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi and managed by Kempinski Hotels & Resorts as part of its prestigious portfolio, which comprises distinctively individual properties in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South America and Asia.

i'm sure this one will be a great hotel and a nice alternative to burj al arab! but finally i don't think that emirates palace will get such publicity as burj.

A peep into a palace – Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi’s latest five-star hotel, prepares for its December opening

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When Abu Dhabi's latest five-star hotel opens in December, it will bring back the romance and splendour associated with ancient Arabian palaces. Emirates Palace Hotel, as it is now known, is owned by the Abu Dhabi Government and run by one of Europe's oldest luxury hotel groups, the Kempinski Hotels and Resorts. Situated on the picturesque west end of the Corniche, near Marina Mall, it promises to provide an "experience of a lifetime”, say the hotel's operators.

The Emirates Palace structure ‘rising from the sands' is spread over one million square metres. The palace itself will be 700 metres long, while the rest consists of the 1.3 beach, the landscaped park, the marina and the 7,000 square metres conference centre. True to Oriental architectural style, the hotel's exterior is beautified with 114 distinctive domes and each dome is covered in blue mosaic tiles topped with gold-plated finials.

In the centre, like a large dinosaur egg lies the prominent grand dome. At nights, if face the strictly off-limits construction site of Emirates Palace from the Marina Mall side you will see lights beaming from the interiors of the completed structure. Tow rows of white lights from the rooms running all along the palace's lengthy front is topped with an electric blue light radiating from the central dome, making this structure an Arabian fantasy.

A USP of the hotel will be its hi-tech conference centre. Hotel operators say there will be an auditorium with fixed seating from 1,200 guests; a main ballroom with a seating capacity of 2,000; 40 meeting rooms and a hi-tech media and business centre. Additionally, six large terraces and a number of pre-function areas will provide plenty of possibilities for cocktail receptions and banquets.

The meeting rooms will boast of equipment such as plasma screen, wireless microphones, portable touch screens, wireless and fixed Internet access, plus portable equipment. The ballroom alone features 12 plasma screens, projectors, special stage with sub-woofer and special sound systems, broadcast connectivity, camera connectivity and special lighting.

The hotel's 302 luxury rooms and 92 suites will also come equipped with modern technology such as extra large plasma TVs in each room, a wireless Internet network that covers the entire property, a fully interactive TV system and electronic programming guides to mention a few. Royal presidential suites, an adventure and a leisure pool, internationally managed spas; beach facilities and huge landscaped parks are other highlights of the hotel, say hotel operators.

Twenty food and beverage outlets representing cuisines from around the world, such as Italian, Lebanese, Iranian, Japanese and Thai, are expected. The restaurants will be opened in a phased manner. More than 1,000 staff will be hired to run this spacious hotel when it opens in December. The hotel's website is up and bookings are already being made. The Emirates Palace operators are largely targeting the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) segment.

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thanks for these
finally some updates and looks close to being finsihed

has it's own homepage now

http://www.emiratespalace.com

some interior pics

how the suites may look like
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ballroom
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cigar room
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lobby cafe
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le brasserie
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meditarrenean restaurant
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seafood restaurant
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south american restaurant
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official opening is december 28!

This hotel is huge!
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Awesome picture! Thanks a lot Michiel! Looks like this is complete? Dubai-Lover change the status maybe?

Looks great but the name of this hotell is a bit dull!

Whoops! I thought the name was "CONFERENCE PALACE HOTEL".
Well anyway the name isnt very original.

Yeah i`lll have to agree with you on that , its kind of dull , they should call it

Thousands Hotel :/

1000s ?

1001 Night Hotel maybe?;)

Emirates Palace set to open doors next month

The Emirates Palace, which is a landmark conference and hotel venue in Abu Dhabi, is getting final touches and is scheduled for completion and commissioning next month.

Set to become a landmark in the region and the world and most impressive hotel and conference venue ever to be built in the UAE, Emirates Palace is a breathtaking Arabian palace redefining the concept of a luxury hotel.

Located on a 1.3 km stretch of Abu Dhabi's beautiful sandy beach, it will house 390 rooms and suites and the region's most sophisticated meeting and conference facilities.

The palace was formerly known as Bani Yas Palace but the Government of Abu Dhabi has renamed it Emirates Palace, to reflect the significance of the project for the country in general and in particular the capital city, which has become a world-class conference destination.

The palace showcases the beauty of Arabian culture, adhering to traditional themes and providing a national identity. Built in the style of a majestic Oriental palace rising from the sand, the colours of the facade of the Emirates Palace represent different nuances of the sands of the Arabian desert.

The conference centre houses the largest, most luxurious and technologically advanced meeting facilities, with total meeting and conference space exceeding 7,000 square metres, and including a state-of-the-art auditorium for 1,300 people, the country's largest ballroom, a high-tech media centre and 30 additional meeting rooms.

Situated on the picturesque west end of the Corniche, Emirates Palace will also offer superlative leisure facilities with two stunning pool landscapes and two luxurious spas at the end of the east and west wings.

True to Oriental architectural style, the hotel's exterior is beautified with 114 distinctive domes, each covered in blue mosaic tiles topped with gold-plated finials.

The palace is owned by the Abu Dhabi Government and run by one of Europe's oldest luxury hotel groups, the Kempinski Hotels and Resorts.

As the country is associated all over the world with hospitality and excellence in organising conferences, the Emirates Palace is set to superbly reflect these qualities and blend them with traditional Arabic culture, according to industry sources.

Quick facts


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• Work began on the Emirates Palace (previously called Bani Yas Palace) in December, 2001, and it took approximately 20,000 people to complete all phases of construction.

The overall project was managed by Turner Construction International.
• The multimedia sysem – being installed by Bond Communications under a Dh100 million contract – is believed to be the largest and most advanced hotel system.
• There will be a total of 755 plasma screens – a 125-cm screen will be available in each guest room, while the suites will feature 150-cm screens.
• 250,000 cu m of concrete was used to build the Palace.
• 110,000 cu m of top quality marble was used – 13 types from Italy, Spain, China and India.
• The palace’s arch rises 40-high and its width is 36 m. The Triumphant Arch is made of GRC fascia panelling and clad in Italian stone.
• There are 302 deluxe luxury rooms and 92 suites representing the ultimate in luxury.
• Ten food and beverage outlets representing the cuisine from across the globe will open in December with 10 additional outlets rolling out in 2005.
• The Palace will house 1,002 chandeliers made with Swarovski’s Strauss crystals.
• The ballroom will be one of the region’s largest with a capacity of up to 2,000.
• The Palace will have a selection of designer shops, a helipad, a large marina, two spas (one in each of the east and west wings) and two landscaped pools (one free-form pool and one adventure pool).
• There will be a total of 102 lifts.

When is the hotel's official opening?

• There will be a total of 102 lifts.
:eek:

When is the hotel's official opening?

last week of this year

This hotel is the sexiest and most beautiful masterpiece structure I have ever seen in my life. I go to the corniche to walk and watch it. Just watching it (especially at night) gives me a great pleasure.

On the way to the Palace there are signs saying "Presidential Palace". I don't know if that's the final official name.

The AGCC Summit has already taken place in Manama. What meeting is going to take place at the this hotel?

^I had the same thought running through my mind these past few days.

The initial plan was to have Abu Dhabi host the GCC meeting this December, but after Sheikh Zayed's death, plans changed, and Manama hosted it.

If Sheikh Zayed hadn't died, the conference would have been held in this hotel.

i will definitely go to abu d one day
pics guaranteed

D-L, Please change status to completed

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i especially love that pic of the corridor (2nd last)

status changed

Thanks DL

Great interiors!!
But I must say they're a bit pompous! ;)

Emirates Palace to be partially opened next Saturday

The Emirates Palace, one of the most luxurious hotels and convention centres in the region, will partially open its doors next Saturday. Amid preparations for opening, the Emirates Palace hosted the second annual meeting of Kempnsiki founder shareholders and executives. It has also hosted the conference which was held on the sidelines of Environment 2005 exhibition and conference, organised by the General Exhibitions Corporation.

The Emirates Palace, a landmark that that breathes the air of luxury, borrows its architecture designs from Arab palaces, reflecting the identity of the United Arab Emirates.
It has 302 superior rooms and 92 magnificent suites. The conference centre is the most technologically advanced meeting facility in the region.

It has an auditorium with seating for 1,200 guests, a main ballroom capable of accommodating 2,000 persons, 40 meeting rooms, a media centre and 12 press rooms. The Palace also boasts six large terraces and variety of pre-function areas, a landscape park with open lawns, a 1.3 kilometer private golden sands beach, two swimming pools, and two spas. It is managed by the Kempnski Hotels & Resorts.

why to be opened partially? does it make sense for a 7-star?

What a beautiful hotel, does anyone know how long it took them just to build the interior?

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Ultra-luxurious hotel: A technician puts finishing touches to the fountain of the new Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, which partially opens tomorrow.

Emirates Palace Hotel opens

Abu Dhabi : The capital's architectural wonder, the ultra-luxurious Emirates Palace, opens partially today after staging to two international events last week.

Kempinski Hotels and Resorts will manage the prestigious palace and introduce it to the global hotel alliances.

"We are delighted to have hosted the Kempinski second annual general managers' and owners' meeting and the meetings related to the Environment 2005 exhibition. We cannot think of a better way to open our doors and introduce ourselves to the world," said Abdo Kayali, the hotel's director of business development.

Built in the style of a palace rising majestically from the sand, the colours of the Emirates Palace façade represent the various sand nuances found in the Arabian desert. It boasts 114 domes decorated with mosaic glass tiles.

Owned by the Abu Dhabi government, the property has 302 luxury rooms and 92 luxurious suites equip-ped with "22nd century technology."

Set on one million square metres and surrounded by a beautifully landscaped park with several open lawns, the palace offers spectacular outdoor venues for events and is located on a 1.3 km stretch of Abu Dhabi's most beautiful beach.

The palace comprises two wings that will open late this year, in addition to the main palace.

Comparing it to one of the seven wonders of the modern world the Taj Mahal in India Reto Wittwer, President and Chief Executive of Kempinski Hotels and Resorts, told Gulf News, "The Emirates Palace is unique and joins the prestigious Kempinski collection of nearly 70 hotels worldwide. Each of the hotels we manage has its distinct, individual charm and this one in Abu Dhabi will be a monument."

He said that as the founding member (along with some others) of the Global Hotel Alliance, Kempinski will introduce this alliance to the Emirates Palace.

"The alliance unites some 235 luxury hotels and resorts across the world in a shared marketing partnership."

The international conference centre at the palace includes an auditorium with 1,200 seats, a main ballroom accommodating up to 2,000 guests, an extensive range of 40 meeting rooms, a media centre and a business centre.

The cost of the palace has not been disclosed.

Dh1b Emirates Palace to open partially today

5 February 2005

ABU DHABI - Emirates Palace, a billion dirham Arabian architecture masterpiece, is partially opening its doors today to exclusive customers who prefer extravaganza and style.

Emirates Palace showcases the beauty of Arabian culture, adhering to traditional themes and providing an affinity with the national identity the UAE. Built in the style of a majestic palace rising from the sand, the colours of the Emirates Palace facade represent the different sand nuances found in the Arabian deserts.

The palace is an architectural wonder and an international landmark boasting a staggering 114 domes all covered in mosaic glass tiles.

Prior to the Palace gates being open, Emirates Palace hosted the Kempinski Second annual General Managers's and Owners meeting and the GEC-organised Environment 2005. The Palace has 302 superior rooms and 92 magnificent suites each combining the ultimate in luxury with 22nd century technology.

The Palace Conference Centre will be the most luxurious and technologically advanced meeting facility in the region which include an auditorium for 1,200 persons, a main ballroom that can accommodate up to 2,000 persons and an extensive range of 40 meeting rooms including a media centre with 12 Press rooms.

In addition, six large terraces and a variety of pre-function areas provide many possibilities for breaks, cocktail receptions and banquets. Spread on 100-hectares of stunningly landscaped park with several open lawns, Emirates Palace offers spectacular outdoor venues for gala dinners and creative events.

i have been waitiing for this so long just like you guys

hope to visit it this summer

Emirates Palace gates open
Emirates Palace, the most impressive resort and conference venue ever to be built in the Middle East, opened partially on 5th February 2005.


Last week Emirates Palace hosted the Kempinski Second Annual General Manager's and Owners' meeting and guests of the GEC-organized 3rd international exhibition and conference on water, energy and environment, the Environment & Energy 2005 Exhibition.

'We were delighted to be hosting these two major events; I could not have thought of a better way to open our doors and introduce ourselves to the world,' commented Abdo Kayali, Director of Business Development.

Emirates Palace is fully booked in the next weeks with delegations for several international conferences taking place in Abu Dhabi and the Emirates Palace International Conference Centre. The Emirates Palace reservations department is currently accepting bookings starting from March.

Emirates Palace showcases the beauty of Arabian culture, adhering to traditional themes and providing an affinity with the national identity of the United Arab Emirates. Built in the style of a majestic palace rising from the sand, the colours of the Emirates Palace façade represent the different sand nuances found in the Arabian Desert. The Palace is an architectural wonder and an international landmark boasting a staggering 114 domes all covered in mosaic glass tiles. Its elaborate design and unparalleled facilities were created with the sole purpose of whisking its guests into a world worthy of royalty where their every whim will be fulfilled and their every need catered to.

The Emirates Palace International Conference Centre houses the most luxurious and technologically advanced meeting facilities in the region. The conference facilities include an auditorium with 1,200 seats, a main ballroom that can accommodate up to 2800 guests, an extensive range of over 40 meeting rooms, a Media Centre and a Business Centre. In addition, six large terraces and a variety of pre-function areas provide many possibilities for breaks, cocktail receptions and banquets.
Set on 1 million square metres and surrounded by a beautifully landscaped park with several open lawns, Emirates Palace offers spectacular outdoor venues for gala dinners and creative events.

Located on a 1.3 km stretch of Abu Dhabi's most beautiful sandy beach, Emirates Palace is a luxury retreat with superlative leisure facilities including two stunning pool landscapes and two ultra luxurious spas at the end of each of the East and West wings, opening in late 2005. The Palace will also house 20 food and beverage outlets serving a variety of cuisines created by world renowned chefs, all rolling by the end of 2005.

Emirates Palace comprises 302 luxury rooms and 92 stunning suites equipped with 22nd Century technology including extra large plasma TV's in each room, a wireless internet network that covers the Palace, pool and beach areas, a fully interactive TV system and electronic programming guides to provide instant rewind and pause of television programming.

Kempinski eyes key gateway cities in Mideast

Abu Dhabi : Having won the management contract for the ultra-luxurious Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi against tough competition, the Kempinski Hotels & Resorts is not going to rest on its laurels.

A number of luxury hotels and resorts in the Middle East are set join the Kempinski collection of prestigious properties in the near future, including some in the UAE. The group will soon sign its fourth management contract in the UAE and is on the lookout for more.

Regionally too, the company is bullish on pros-pects and is eyeing some top line properties.

Founded over 100 years ago, the Kempinski group is also the founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance together with the Pan-Pacific, Rydges and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. The alliance unites 235 upscale and luxury hotels and resorts worldwide in a shared marketing partnership.

With annual turnover topping $1 billion (Dh3.67 billion), the group has currently 70 hotels in its portfolio.

The Geneva-based Reto Wittwer, president and chief executive of the Kempinski group, was in Abu Dhabi for the Kempinski annual management and owners' meeting prior to the soft launch of the Emirates Palace.

He spoke to Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

Gulf News: What was the feeling after Kempinski won the deal to manage Emirates Palace?
Reto Wittwer: I did not realise the end product at that stage when it was still on paper because one did not visualise what it would be in reality. But I certainly realised the strategic importance and the desire of the government of Abu Dhabi to do something unique.

However, I do feel this palace is symbolic of what Abu Dhabi wants to be. It is the capital, the government seat where other government delegations come and you need to have adequate facilities of what the country wants to represent.

What factors, according to you, went in Kempinski's favour when competition was so intense?
Firstly, the Abu Dhabi Government knew us because we manage the Ciragan Palace in Istanbul which is owned by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia). They know how we manage that and other palaces because we do a great job.

It is a multitude of factors really our flexibility, the rapport we had because of Istanbul, they knew us and they knew me. We know the business of luxury, we know the operations of palaces.

You are well-positioned to comment on how Emirates Palace compares with Kempinski's other properties worldwide.
It does not, because it is not comparable to anything. Our hotels are like the Faberge eggs, each one is jewel, a collector's item and each hotel is the best of its kind. We have not one hotel that is like the other and so we cannot compare.

We are a collection of jewels, so you cannot compare a diamond to an emerald or to rubies.

Okay, what is your assessment of this unique jewel called Emirates Palace?
From the purely structural side the concept is very well-designed. First, it is a palace with hotel facilities. So what is it meant to be? It has a ruler's suite that is accessible only in one way and does not disrupt the normal operations because it comes up at a higher level which is very smartly done. Then you have the entrance at the palace that is self-contained with its magnificent dome. Then you have two wings that are basically the hotel wings.

From the architectural point of view it is very smartly designed. This palace has an arabesque design and belongs to this place and it will be here for many many years as a monument.

With this the Kempinski will be managing three properties in the UAE. This market seems attractive?
Yes, and we will soon be signing for the fourth, the Royal Falcon in Dubai, another spectacular property. We already manage the Ajman Kempenski and we will manage the Mall of the Emirates hotel too in Dubai.

This country is on the move because it has the financial resources to develop infrastructure. The Emirates Palace will be driven by protocol whether there is business or not because delegations and delegations will keep coming. So we are bullish about this market that is growing very fast.

Kempinski operates in this region through management contracts, not equity partnerships. Would we see a change in policy?
Basically there are two businesses here, one is to be the owner and the other the manager and I think there is a conflict of interest and in the past it has ruined some family-owned properties. Originally we owned all properties but that changed. We are a hotel company first and foremost and very clearly a hotel management company.

What is Kempinski's strategy for the Middle East in the next say five years?
In this region we are in Kuwait, we have signed an MoU in Doha and would like to be in Bahrain. We would like to be in key gateway cities in the Middle East and also with some pioneering spirit in places like Yemen where no international company would like to go. We are in Jordan, in Lebanon and have signed MoU's in Egypt.

I'd rather have hotels in growing markets. Beirut is booming and so is Jordan, Kuwait, the whole region is doing well. In this region there are plenty of cities where hotels are running 80 per cent occupancy levels and it is a good place to make money.

Has the hospitality industry recovered fully since 2001, Sars etc?
Our business is very cyclical and vulnerable. When you had the bombings in Istanbul our business there was wiped out.

When Sars happened our China hotels had zero occupancy. So we have to study whether it is a temporary problem or a permanent problem and find solutions accordingly.

The point is 9/11 has proven that one single incident can wipe out our business. So one lesson that all have learnt is that our businesses are vulnerable and in economic terms it means you must take precautions to protect your business, take measures to act quickly.

Kempinsky is conspicuously absent in the US, Australia.
We are not a mass consumer product. Anything linked to luxury has a certain degree of exclusivity. We don't want to be Mcdonalds in the hotels business. We will go where we think it is right for us, where we can add value.

The US is a uniform market, it is against our principle of each hotel being different, exclusive.

realy nice

Its finally opening :D

Emirates Palace Hotel designed for visiting dignitaries

Abu Dhabi : The city's "grand" conference palace, set to open March 7, has been designed with visiting dignitaries in mind, its chief architect said.

The UAE's leaders had a vision to build a combination conference palace hotel worthy of foreign heads of states, said John Elliott, chief architect of the Emirates Palace, during an exchange with reporters.

"My brief from my clients was to provide a conference-hosting platform for the UAE," Elliott said. The Emirates Palace is the "first grand civic design" in the UAE and the Gulf, he said.

Elliott also referred to the Emirates Palace as a "guest palace" for the government. "We want people to be overpowered, we want them to say, 'wow' [when they see the structure]," he told reporters during a press tour of the Emirates Palace.

A visitor to the hotel resort will have to pay a Dh100 fee to enter (redeemable inside for any service along with a tour of the palace), hotel officials said.

The Emirates Palace hoped to host the GCC summit in 2004, but the event in the end did not take place in the UAE. The Emirates Palace was completed over three years. The firm responsible for the design and construction was London-based Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG).

WATG in turn signed contracts with other engineering and construction companies to help build the Emirates Palace, Elliott said. He is WATG's senior vice-president and executive director.

Elliott enjoys a long association with the UAE, having been Abu Dhabi's first town planner in the late 1960s.

"Having lived here in the past, I know the UAE well. I have tried to infuse the elusive Arabic cultural identity into the Emirates Palace structure," Elliott said.

The Emirates Palace is a gold and silver Arabian-style palace. It is decorated with domes, recessed openings, decorative motifs, arcades and terraces set off with cast and etched glass windows.

The gold finials over the domes are ceramic pieces coated with a thin film of real gold, said Elliott.

"There is no truth to the rumour the gold finials are entirely made of gold," Elliott said. No costs were spared to make this structure a guest palace fit for kings and heads of state, he said.

a german tv channel called pro7 showed a docu on this hotel tonight
they presented the hotel during its last stages of construction and preparation.

i can assure this hotel is the most awesome place you'll ever be able to see!!!! :eek:

WOOOOOOOOOW

i can't describe it in words, but save some money and spend a night there! no matter what it costs, it's more than worth it!!!

the hotel is said to cost more than $3bn!!!!! it surely is more!

the hotel is said to cost more than $3bn!!!!! it surely is more!

Hmm, read in Khaleej Times that initial budget was US$ 400m. Add another 100m for delays, increase increase in commodity prices of steel and cement in 2004 and you reach US$ 0.5bn. still a lot, no doubt.

Has anyone stayed here yet who can tell me about it. I am looking to book a "special" holiday for my husband and I for next year(going to Royal Mirage in June) and this place looks unbelievable. I would probably stay there for about 4 nights,it is probably all we could afford! then stay 4 nights somewhere in Dubai. How long is it to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai? Does anyone know how you would get there from the UK? Those pictures are awesome! Wish I was going there instead of Royal Mirage Hotel. I think everyone has to try this hotel, even for one night. It is absolutely beautiful. Hope someone can tell me about their stay there, also which room or suite would you recommend booking? Look forward to reading more about this wonderful place.

my dad stayed there for one night last week to experience this product
he was deeply impressed
everything's new and still not working perfectly but what can you expect!

it's definitely worth a visit!

depends on how much money you want to spend. the smallest suites with 55sqm are great

dubai to abu dhabi is about 1 hour

An hour by what transport? Sorry my geography is not very good? Do you know if you can get flights direct from the UK to Abu Dhabi?

Yes, British Airways flies several times a week from Heathrow to Abu Dhabi.

And you should definitely stay at the Emirates Palace and then head over to Dubai and stay at Burj Al Arab or Madinat Jumeirah.

Dubai to Abu Dhabi is about 75 mins by road ant about 20 minutes by air.

Thanks for all the info! I think I am now hooked! Definately going to book Emirates Palace. Not sure if I should stay in Dubai first, then on to Abu Dhabi, or vice versa? Does anyone know if Emirates Airline flies to Abu Dhabi from the UK? Also does anyone know if it is worth the extra money to upgrade to a higher room category, although i suppose the lowest category will still be amazing!

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/images/lead_pix/leadpix1_22042005.jpg

AP: The Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi is seen from the VIP entrance arch. Emirates Palace, $3 billion hotel, billed as the world's most expensive and high-tech hotel.

Stayed there, great place, in fact like nothing I've experienced in any hotel I've been to worldwide, but one thing sucks: service. I got better service at a 4 star hotel in Dubai! and I mean overall as well!

But all in all, I think the whole world will need to catch up with this hotel. Its simply a place of dreams!

maybe we should give this another try . . . .

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=199126&page=1

vote for your fav.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/images/lead_pix/leadpix1_22042005.jpg

AP: The Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi is seen from the VIP entrance arch. Emirates Palace, $3 billion hotel, billed as the world's most expensive and high-tech hotel.
it didn't cost $3B the cost was $490m

the hotel costs more than $3bn
believe me! it's much more than $450m

the building is more than 1km long and the interiors are the best you can get on this planet!

490m????/ are u kidding me... i got the 3b figure from khaleej times, where did u get urs

Yet another proof that this hotel is infact more than 3 b dollars worth.

Emirates Palace a hi-tech dream

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/2005/04/23_bus_empalace.jpg
Saber Ali pours traditional Arabic coffee for guests under the dome of Emirates Palace.

Abu Dhabi : Forget that the Dh11 billion ($3 billion, 2.3 billion euros) Emirates Palace hotel, a gargantuan hall of marble slabs and riverine fountains, is probably the most expensive ever built.

Saber Ali pours traditional Arabic coffee for guests under the dome of Emirates Palace.
Forget also that the 60-acre (24-hectare) interior is an Arabian-motif pleasure palace gilded down to the baseboards and lit by a thousand shimmering chandeliers.

The unique aspects of the Emirates Palace are hidden inside its ductwork: nearly a thousand miles of blue, red and green fibre-optic and broadcast cable, and enough other advancements to have convinced the staff that this is the world's most high-tech hotel. They may even be right.

The government-owned hotel, which has a separate floor reserved for Gulf Arab royalty, boasts an unbroken bubble of wireless Internet access on its 250-acre (100-hectare) grounds. It works next to the two swimming pools, even on the private beach.

Guest rooms are larded with so many techie amenities that the seven remote controls required to operate them have been distilled into a portable touch-screen panel.

Hotel employees whisk themselves on two-wheeled Segway scooters to the physical plant, more than a half-mile away, where the hotel's massive air conditioners, emergency generators and underground reservoir of fresh water for the gardens are kept, leaving the hotel basking in silence.

The Emirates Palace looms over the beachfront of Abu Dhabi.

The unrestrained luxury of the Emirates Palace is perhaps its chief draw, luring a stream of Gulf royalty and illustrious guests including German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

"We've had a few kings and queens and princesses," said IT director Martin Coeshott.

More importantly, says Coeshott, Schroeder's trade-related address in the hotel's sumptuous theatere last month was simultaneously broadcast to every room in the palace and streamed worldwide over the Internet.

The hotel opened partially on February 5, but won't be fully up and running until year's end.

The German Kempinski chain, which manages the Emirates Palace, aims to use its technological infrastructure to attract government conferences, especially those needing tight network security.

That ability was a top draw for February's international arms trade show, where defence officials from several countries wanted secrecy and secure telephones for weapons deals, Coeshott said.

The hotel's network already has a full-time security officer who monitors its 16 firewalls and intrusion detection systems. The staff is working to win accreditation used by the British banking system, Coeshott said.

On special request, the computer and broadcast network and its 3.5 terabyte storage network can be cut off completely from the outside world, like the United States government's secure intranet, he said.

Guests in the hotel's 394 bedrooms, where nightly rates range from Dh2,200 ($600, 459.49 euros) to Dh44,000 ($12,000, 9,190 euros), get a handheld computer to interact with the television, stereo and 30 separate lights in each room. The Dh9,200 ($2,500, 1,915 euros) Linux-based AMX handheld, with an 8-inch colour screen, can also arrange a wake-up call, download a movie, record a TV show or call for maid service.

"You can lie in bed and adjust everything," said Rumyanka Tzolova, Kempinski's marketing manager. "You don't have to move. You don't have to pick up the phone." The hotel's 17-person technology department designed the interface, which is complex enough to require a butler to tutor guests in its use.

There are plenty of kinks to be worked out. This reporter was able to send an e-mail from his Web-based email account but only after frustrated fiddling with the clunky interface. Once the room's lights were turned off, it was difficult to turn them back on.

"We're still working on it," Coeshott said.

Hotel workers use similar tablets to control television programming, lighting, sound and cooling in the hotel.

The hotel is so huge that Coeshott's team is trying to spare guests the half-mile walk to the main swimming pool by setting up Web cameras there and in two dozen other hotspots, so guests or Internet voyeurs can monitor the crowds.

Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi select Rolls-Royce Phantoms and BMW 7 Series

Abu Dhabi's latest luxury seven-star hotel is the newest UAE-based fleet customer for BMW Group's Rolls-Royce Phantom and BMW 7 Series sedans, taking delivery of 18 of the premium models for its VIP chauffeur drive service.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/8/13898-empal.jpg
The deluxe hotel has taken delivery of two Rolls-Royce Phantoms and 16 BMW 745Li cars.
The deluxe hotel, that cost more than US $2 billion to construct, has taken delivery of two Rolls-Royce Phantoms and 16 BMW 745Li cars, supplied by Abu Dhabi Motors, the exclusive BMW Group importer in Abu Dhabi.

The contract includes after sales service and intensive driver training intended to familiarise Emirates Palace personnel with the state-of-the-art features and specifications of both models.

'No other car can offer the combination of performance and effortless power, with the ultimate in refinement, quietness and luxury, which the Phantom provides,' said Arno Husselmann, General Manager, Abu Dhabi Motors. 'Meanwhile, the 7 Series has set a new benchmark in the luxury sedan market, delivering superior performance, unmatched technology and uncompromising comfort.

'Emirates Palace's decision to select both the Rolls-Royce Phantom and the BMW 7 Series, as the cars of choice for its clients who want to travel in unrivalled opulence, underlines BMW Group's market leading position in the luxury car segment.'

The Middle East has traditionally been a strong market for Rolls-Royce, and this trend is continuing with the Phantom that has seen strong interest from customers in the region. Rolls-Royce has said that it intends to sell an average of 1000 cars per year worldwide, over the lifecycle of the car. Of these it is anticipated that around 15 per cent will be sold in the Middle East.

Entirely new from the ground up, the Rolls-Royce Phantom captures the essence of the world's most famous car brand, interpreted in an utterly modern way. Influenced by the guiding principles of Sir Henry Royce, 'Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it,' the design and engineering teams began with a blank sheet of paper.

The result is a motor car which incorporates cutting edge engineering technology, unparalleled quality and the finest in hand-built craftsmanship. The Phantom has a light-weight aluminium space frame body, a V12 engine which develops tremendous power and torque and a style, inside and out, which is every inch a Rolls-Royce.

Bigger than its predecessor the distinctively styled BMW 7 Series has ample rear seating legroom and headroom for the tallest passengers. It also features an electronic damping system that continually adjusts the ride between soft and firm, depending on road conditions. This enhances the luxury experience and ensures both driver and passengers travel in unrivalled comfort.

The 7 Series models provide superb performance through a combination of revolutionary engine technology and the world's first six speed automatic gearbox in a luxury car. This offers a greater spread of gear ratios, giving drivers more flexibility, improving acceleration and fuel consumption while reducing noise.

The transmission uses shift-by-wire technology to ensure the smoothest automatic changes while steering wheel mounted Steptronic buttons mean that even drivers who prefer more involvement in gear changes can do so without taking their hands off the wheel.

Special report by CNN/AP ... pretty much the same as before

A traveling geek's gilded dream

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/TRAVEL/04/22/bt.emirates.palace.ap/story.emirates.hotel.jpg
The hotel opened partially on February 5, but will not be fully up and running until year's end.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Forget that the $3 billion Emirates Palace hotel, a gargantuan hall of marble slabs and riverine fountains, is probably the most expensive ever built.

Forget also that the 60-acre (24-hectare) interior is an Arabian-motif pleasure palace gilded down to the baseboards and lit by a thousand shimmering chandeliers.

The unique aspects of the Emirates Palace are hidden inside its ductwork: nearly a thousand miles of blue, red and green fiber-optic and broadcast cable, and enough other advancements to have convinced the staff that this is the world's most high-tech hotel. They may even be right.

The government-owned hotel, which has a separate floor reserved for Gulf Arab royalty, boasts an unbroken bubble of wireless Internet access on its 250-acre (100-hectare) grounds. It works next to the two swimming pools, even on the private beach.

Guest rooms are larded with so many techie amenities that the seven remote controls required to operate them have been distilled into a portable touch-screen panel.

Hotel employees whisk themselves on two-wheeled Segway scooters to the physical plant, more than a half-mile away, where the hotel's massive air conditioners, emergency generators and underground reservoir of fresh water for the gardens are kept, leaving the hotel basking in silence.

The Emirates Palace looms over the beachfront of oil-rich Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Soaring oil revenues and the real estate boom in this Middle Eastern sheikdom have fueled pell-mell economic growth. Arab investors no longer plow their earnings into the United States-- viewed as increasingly anti-Arab after Sept. 11, 2001 -- so the proceeds are bankrolling ever more audacious local projects.

The Emirates Palace is the latest example. In neighboring Dubai, where the boom is even more dramatic, there is the sail-shaped Burj al-Arab hotel and enormous manmade islands shaped like palm trees.

The unrestrained luxury of the Emirates Palace is perhaps its chief draw, luring a stream of Gulf royalty and illustrious guests including German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

"We've had a few kings and queens and princesses," said IT director Martin Coeshott.

More importantly, says Coeshott, Schroeder's trade-related address in the hotel's sumptuous theater last month was simultaneously broadcast to every room in the palace and streamed worldwide over the Internet.

The hotel opened partially on February 5, but will not be fully up and running until year's end.

The German Kempinski chain, which manages the Emirates Palace, aims to use its technological infrastructure to attract government conferences, especially those needing tight network security.

That ability was a top draw for February's international arms trade show, where defense officials from several countries wanted secrecy and secure telephones for weapons deals, Coeshott said.

The hotel's network already has a full-time security officer who monitors its 16 firewalls and intrusion detection systems. The staff is working to win accreditation used by the British banking system, Coeshott said.

On special request, the computer and broadcast network -- and its 3.5 terabyte storage network -- can be cut off completely from the outside world, like the U.S. government's secure intranet, he said.

Guests in the hotel's 394 bedrooms, where nightly rates range from $600 to $12,000, get a handheld computer to interact with the television, stereo and 30 separate lights in each room. The $2,500 Linux-based AMX handheld, with an 8-inch color screen, can also arrange a wake-up call, download a movie, record a TV show or call for maid service.

"You can lie in bed and adjust everything," said Rumyanka Tzolova, Kempinski's marketing manager. "You don't have to move. You don't have to pick up the phone."

The hotel's 17-person technology department designed the interface, which is complex enough to require a butler to tutor guests in its use.

There are plenty of kinks to be worked out. This reporter was able to send an e-mail from his Web-based e-mail account but only after frustrated fiddling with the clunky interface. Once the room's lights were turned off, it was difficult to turn them back on.

"We're still working on it," Coeshott said.

Hotel workers use similar tablets to control television programming, lighting, sound and cooling in the hotel.

The hotel is so huge that Coeshott's team is trying to spare guests the half-mile walk to the main swimming pool by setting up Web cameras there and in two dozen other hotspots, so guests -- or Internet voyeurs -- can monitor the crowds.

Water is another issue. The hotel uses 200,000 gallons per day to water the 150 acres (60 hectares) of lush palm walks, emerald lawns and delicate gardens that would otherwise be scorched by the Arabian sun.

The hotel installed cisterns holding six million gallons, enough for 30 days of watering, in case of a breakdown at the local desalinization plant.

Too much technology can be a bad thing.

Sumptuous hotel rises on Abu Dhabi coast

http://us.news3.yimg.com/img.news.yahoo.com/util/anysize/345,http%3A%2F%2Fus.news2.yimg.com%2Fus.yimg.com%2Fp%2Fafp%2F20050511%2Fcapt.sge.oli70.110505155807.photo00.photo.default-278x382.jpg?v=2
The loby of the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The fairy tale-like hotel has 114 domes decorated with ceramic, huge marble pillars, 1,000-plus crystal chandeliers and halls as large as avenues(AFP/File/Rabih Moghrabi)

ABU DHABI (AFP) - Racing to catch up with bustling Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital of Abu Dhabi has adorned its Gulf coast with a sumptuous piece of architecture as part of moves to claim its share of tourists.

On March 7, the city inaugurated a fairy tale-like hotel which, with a massive arch at the entrance, 114 domes decorated with ceramic, huge marble pillars, 1,000-plus crystal chandeliers and halls as large as avenues, is more of a residence fit for royals than what would normally pass for a hotel.

Appropriately named "Emirates Palace," the establishment is owned by none other than the government of Abu Dhabi, whose emirate is the largest and wealthiest of the seven-member UAE, pumping some 90 percent of the country's crude.

The exact cost of this monument -- whose construction began more than three years ago, required 12,000 laborers and is still not totally over -- remains a secret.

But money, which has been flowing thanks to rising oil prices, was clearly not an issue.

"We took over a palace and we manage it as a hotel. It's a landmark of Abu Dhabi and the whole Middle East," said Stephan Kaminski, the proud German manager of the establishment run by Kempinski Hotels and Resorts, which specializes in luxury hotels.

"It's a challenge to manage it," he said, adding that the 1,100-strong staff would grow by another 300 by year's end.

Rising along the city's corniche with a 1.3-kilometer-long (4,200-foot) sandy beach, Emirates Palace has two identical wings built on either side of a central building featuring 92 suites, the cheapest of which goes for 2,500 dollars a night.

The top floor of the four-storey building is reserved for the rulers of the seven emirates, each of whom has his own suite.

Emirates Palace will also be home for foreign dignitaries visiting Abu Dhabi.

Combining tradition and hi-tech, the structure is dominated by colors reflecting various shades of desert sand -- yellow, gold and ochre -- even as each room gets its own interactive screen.

Even staff can get lost in the maze of halls. The distance from one end of the structure to the other is one kilometer, and a stroll through the entire place adds up to a 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) walk.

To help guests find their way, the management has put up road-like signs and 30 interactive screens with maps, in addition to deploying dozens of receptionists and ushers.

Though just two months old, the hotel already has fans.

"I loved it. It's like in a dream! Cinderella!," said Marlise Woodtli, a 45-year-old Swiss tourist, recalling her first sighting of the place back in December.

Woodtli, who saw the hotel from outside when she drove to Abu Dhabi from Dubai, said she thought there and then that she had to stay in it, even for just one night.

So she came back with her husband, and for five nights.

"We came to Abu Dhabi just because of this hotel," said Woodtli, though she confided she generally prefers this city to Dubai, some 150 kilometers (95 miles) away.

"It's more peaceful. Here you can see a more real Arabic life," she enthused.

It is precisely on its more quiet and authentic character that Abu Dhabi is partly counting to promote its tourist industry, which is lagging far behind Dubai's. In 2004, Abu Dhabi received 800,000 tourists while Dubai boasted 5.4 million.

For while Abu Dhabi controls the family's silver, Dubai is brimming with ambitions and ideas.

Good to see Abu Dhabi getting some coverage from AFP!

Emirates Palace to open in stages

By Stanley Carvalho, Staff Reporter

Abu Dhabi :
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi's landmark palace-hotel, refuted media reports it is shutting nearly half its rooms due to technical reasons, stating the palace has yet to be fully opened.

"The palace is still in the soft opening phase and so we have the right to accomplish our goals for the grand opening which is before December this year," said Abdo S. Kayali, the hotel's director of business development.

"The palace is not yet fully operational. It is opening phase by phase," he told Gulf News yesterday, reacting to a media report.

Bloomberg News yesterday reported Emirates Palace, the $1.1 billion (Dh4.05 billion) luxury hotel managed by Kempinski AG, said it closed half of its rooms to repair faulty finishings, plumbing and other fixtures just three months after opening.

"If there are some technical issues to be sorted out in some rooms, they will be completed soon.

"We will ensure that all the technical requirements of the rooms are met before we are ready to sell," said Kayali.

The 394-room palace with around 90 suites between the main palace and the two wings got off to a soft launch in February.

Work is still going on in some restaurants, the spa and the marina, and these will be opened gradually, he added.

Located opposite the breakwaters in the capital, Emirates Palace has over 12 restaurants and other entertainment facilities and contains the Middle East's largest auditorium with a capacity of 1,200 people.

(okay, maybe this should be in the Sky Majilis, but I'll stick it in here anyway) I visited EP for a tour a few weeks ago. I was a bit disappointed... too much of the same in my opinion... All the gold is impressive the first time you see it, but when you see it over and over again it just gets boring. I think it would have been better to split it into different 'themed' areas, like the Ibn Battuta Mall, or something like that (but of course a bit more luxurious). I'm sure some people won't agree with me... you could just go to the Burj al Arab if you want that kind of stuff... EP certainly isn't as ostentacious and over-whelming as you might think it would be, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

i've been there 3 days ago fur lunch and i think it's awesome
yeah, seems like everyhing is crystal and gold
it looks really heavy but is still nice
it also is very quiet, because the hotel is so spacious

i have some photos
will upload them asap

What is the purpouse of this hotel?
This hotel has not get much publicity at all around the world in mainstream media unlike Dubais "7 star" hotell.

I would have not heard about it without this forum :)

I think people are still trying to get over the kitschy feel of it! ;)

hear in germany i saw several reports on tv. but right, nothing like the BAA.

Indeed!
Las Vegas is full of these and difference compared to UAE seems to be that they use real gold instead of plastic in UAE :rofl:

But both are bad taste anyway :baeh3:

come to think about it, this is probably the kitchiest project in the uae to date but it had other contestants in the runner up to win that prize!

which are the follow ups?

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE FOTOS???

which are the follow ups?
the torch, palm deira, the business bay towers with the corniest new york-sounding names, thats what i can think of for now

Lots more photo's & Info @: http://www.emiratespalace.com/ :)

...Las Vegas is full of these and difference compared to UAE seems to be that they use real gold instead of plastic in UAE...

Are you saying the 'gold' in the Emirates Palace/Burj Al Arab is plastic? Where did you hear that?

here we go with the pics from august 19

one of the seating areas in the lobby
http://tinypic.com/b6zl7b.jpg


the dome above the lobby
http://tinypic.com/b6zlau.jpg


the cafe
http://tinypic.com/b6zlgx.jpg


restaurant level
http://tinypic.com/b6zmtk.jpg


the lobby
http://tinypic.com/b6zmzn.jpg


one of the many corridors
http://tinypic.com/b6zn2v.jpg


another seating area
http://tinypic.com/b6zn82.jpg


lobby for the auditorium and conference centre
http://tinypic.com/b6zndc.jpg

view from beachside
http://tinypic.com/b6znky.jpg


view to east wing
http://tinypic.com/b6znnd.jpg


beachside entrance close-up
http://tinypic.com/b6znt0.jpg


from the entrance road and garden in front
http://tinypic.com/b6znva.jpg


close-up of the stairs and waterplays in front of main entrance
http://tinypic.com/b6zo03.jpg


view from the huuuuuuuuuuuuuge garden
http://tinypic.com/b6zo5x.jpg

Excellent photo's D-L :okay:

When were the photo's taken as it appears a little deserted?

Have you or do you know anybody who has stayed there? It looks very nice indeed!

I have seen 5 night deals from the UK for £750 including Emirates flights. . . . just watch the price rise as it gets established!

photos taken friday last week
tried to avoid people on them
hotel is so big, 1km long that you almost don't see anybody

was there for lunch and to check it out, just to see it and get an impression

Are you saying the 'gold' in the Emirates Palace/Burj Al Arab is plastic? Where did you hear that?

Plastic in Las vegas
Gold in UAE

cleverly observed rcd!

very nice, thanks Dennis. Would love to see some night shots now.

Plastic in Las vegas
Gold in UAE
Ah right, got it.

I have seen 5 night deals from the UK for £750 including Emirates flights. . . . just watch the price rise as it gets established!
Is that all? For the world's 2nd 7* hotel I would have thought it would cost a hell of a lot more than that. I mean flights must cost a few hundred, say £350, that means it must cost about £400 for 5 nights, that's less than £100 a night, that's a bloody awesome deal for the poshest hotel in the world! You'd probably pay more than that for a nice room in a Hilton Hotel in London.

just because it is not fully operational etc.

yup
still soft-opened, what you see are promotional rates to make the hotel popular
prices will double and more soon i think

it definitely worth more
even the restaurants in there are very cheap.

remember, i was there last month for lunch at an italian restaurant
cuisine was awesome and a fair price for a 4-course lunch, 200aed, about 42 euros

comparison: al qasr at madinat jumeirah currently runs full occupancy at prices of $900 per night

that is a no-go for next season :D
people will recognize soon and BOOOOOOOM, nobody's coming anymore
i think they are aware of the fact there are too little hotels in dubai and demand is more than overwhelming. next year, more hotels have opened and mix up the game


eg: al habtoor grand, kempinski @ mall of the emirates, grosvenor (recently opened), park hyatt (brand new), chelsea tower (brand new), capital tower hotel, jumeirah beach residence (4 hotels, maybe 5), raffles hotel, shangri-la, radisson media city,...

dude price for a room there is $2,500 -$ 49,000 per night.

not really at the moment.

dude price for a room there is $2,500 -$ 49,000 per night.
WOW, if it's gonna go up to that price then I suggest everyone go and stay there now!

after they fired the first one, willi opdekamp, here's the new one


GM named for Emirates Palace

Staff Report

Abu Dhabi:
The Kempinski Hotels & Resorts has announced the appointment of Noel Massoud as general manager of the new UAE and Kempinski flagship, the Emirates Palace hotel.

Massoud joins Emirates Palace after eight years as general manager of the award winning InterContinental Abu Dhabi.

"I am honoured to be appointed as general manager of Emirates Palace. Since its opening earlier this year, this magnificent property has already been leading the way in creating a new awareness of Abu Dhabi as a destination," he said.

A Jordanian national, Massoud has over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry.

Emirates Palace opened last March and is operated by Kempinski, Europe's oldest luxury hotel group. The hotel has 390 luxury rooms and suites.

lol ,anyone got the reason why they sacked to others?

dude price for a room there is $2,500 -$ 49,000 per night.

it's in Dirhams not Dollars.

lol ,anyone got the reason why they sacked to others?

Yeah, I'm curious too :D

I think this is the best picture:

http://img498.imageshack.us/img498/795/transweb3ta.th.jpg (http://img498.imageshack.us/my.php?image=transweb3ta.jpg)

i am so happy i am going to stay there in apri most likely :happy:

for how many days??

3 or 4 not yet decided.

My hubby and I will be staying there on June 9th for 5 nights. Cannot wait to see the place "in the flesh". Anyone else be there at that time?anyone stayed there recently? How did they find it? Cheers,

i am going to stay there in april, 3 days, so happy it was confirmed some days ago.

This place is better at winter, because you can get a walk in the vast green areas around the palace in the morning. It is really refreshing.

Fahed what are you doing up so late :)

I cant get to sleep , have so much on my mind !! college + taking pictures of the city with my camera , projects i have to hand in

The weather has been terrible lately , so hazy :( couldnt get any decent photos yesterday

today from marina

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/vtalibaba/118775a0.jpg

just can't wait to see it in april :eek:

u gotta take pics from inside! and yea, practice well wit ur camera before u get here

i am already quite good , really.

but i am not sure maybe i'll buy a new camera, eos 350d maybe, but i wonder if it is worth the price, i have a kodak dx6490 at the moment.

just can't wait to see it in april :eek:
Don't forget to prepare yourself to pay Dhs. 18 for a small bottle of Al Ain water!

i won't pay so i don't care :D

Emirates Palace makes top spot on Robb Report's elite list of world's 100 most luxurious hotels

Emirates Palace, managed by Kempinski Hoteliers since 1897, landed a top spot in the world's 100 best luxury hotels, according to the Robb Report, the luxury lifestyle authority.

http://www.ameinfo.com/images/news/6/30686-empal.jpg
Emirates Palace.

The recent international citation comes on the heels of the Palace's triumphs at the World Travel Market, and a special commendation from Seven Stars and Stripes, another luxury lifestyle specialist.

Robb Report's Luxury Hotels list is the essential source for city travellers for whom price is no object. The magazine offers first-hand accounts of exclusive properties from around the world, all meeting or exceeding the highest standards for service, setting, architecture and amenities. Emirates Palace was chosen as the best in Abu Dhabi, and one of the 100 best in the world.

'The publication of Robb Report Luxury Hotels culminates a yearlong effort by its editorial staff members, who identified the best properties in each of nearly 100 cities worldwide,' explained Noel Massoud, General Manager, Emirates Palace.

'It's definitely an honour to be a part of the list. Combined with our two other recent international award, this citation from Robb Report affirms how spectacular the Palace is.'

Spanning 42 countries on six continents, the collection of exclusive properties showcased in Robb Report Luxury Hotels ranges from historic grand dames in Europe to contemporary boutiques in Asia. But each hotel shares at least one common trait: the ability to convey the absolute best of its respective city.

In selecting only one property for a given city, the editorial staff focused on determining which property represented the ultimate address for the luxury traveller. 'Our objective is to simplify the selection process for the Robb Report reader who is travelling to a city and wants to stay in the absolute best hotel,' said Bruce Wallin, Editor, Robb Report.

Publication of Robb Report Luxury Hotels comes only four months after the launch of Robb Report Luxury Resorts, an annual issue that offered first-hand accounts of the world's 100 most exclusive destination resorts. Robb Report is the international authority on the luxury lifestyle. Each month, the magazine reports on issues and trends affecting the affluent market, with coverage of exclusive events and features on exceptional automobiles, motorcycles, aircraft, art, jewellery, watches, fashion, travel, homes, wines, spirits, and cigars.

How is the publicity, now?

its been 2 years since i heard of it. Is it more recognisable now? like BAA

is there a second Emirates Palace being built across the waters from this one? I see there's something very similar being constructed at a distance but can't figure out what it is.. also haven't found anything on the forums here.

is there a second Emirates Palace being built across the waters from this one? I see there's something very similar being constructed at a distance but can't figure out what it is.. also haven't found anything on the forums here.

Royal palace