A magical location, a heavenly sanctuary, the Emirates Palace majestically stretches along a white sandy beach over a distance of 1.3km where families, newlyweds, and indeed, anyone, can experience this luxurious haven of tranquillity and opulence.
The refinement of its architecture, the royal services provided and the meticulous details present in the Palace provide its visitors with a unique experience, which should not be missed.
Upon our arrival, we are warmly greeted by the elegantly attired doormen who kindly smile and welcome us through the grand wide doors. Soon enough we are at the reception desk and we are gloriously attended to with meticulousness and thoroughness. While we enjoy a cup of Arabian coffee and fresh dates, I am presented with a bouquet of light pink roses and a greeting card. Our children are given a bag containing a stuffed camel, a polo shirt and colouring books. Our check in is well-organised and efficient. Then almost immediately we are guided by our pleasant butler to our lavish Khaleej Suite.
Meticulously furnished, the suite is composed of a wide hallway leading to the sitting area that has a dining table, a desk, and comfortable sofas. A huge 60 inch TV screen settles on a beautifully carved buffet table. Two sliding doors open to a vast bedroom with another 60 inch television set. Adjacent to the room, there is a walk-in closet with His and Hers bath robes and slippers. To the right you can find the grand bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath and a shower as well. Opening the door to the balcony, we are welcomed by a breath-taking view of the azure sea, the murmuring sounds of the waves caressing the white sandy shore and the uplifting chirping of birds. Just the tranquillity we yearned for!
Our well-informed butler patiently explains and goes through all the details we need to know about during our stay at the Palace. He explicitly enquired about the quantity of towels we use per day, drinking water bottles needed, the activities our children could participate in, number of extra beds needed, and any reservations we required. It is simply magnificent to have all of our needs taken care of.
Looking for an easy escape from hot busy city life this Summer, but don’t want to go far?
Transport yourself to a palatial paradise without even leaving the city with the new Summer Rates at Emirates Palace from May 16th – September 30th 2016. Enjoy 25% off room and suite rates with complimentary breakfast as Le Vendome Brasserie. Lose yourself in luxury this Summer and indulge in all Emirates Palace has to offer; soulful spa escapes, recreational activities, world-class restaurants, cafes and bars… and don’t forget there’s plenty for to keep the kids entertained too!
The publically available summer rates will start from AED 1012.5
For more information or to book your stay at Emirates Palace, call + 971 (0) 2690 8888
or email: reservations@emiratespalace.ae.
Website: www.kempinski.com/abudhabi
Accommodation:At the Emirates Palace there are 302 Grand Rooms ranging from Coral, which is a standard room, to Pearl and Diamond, which are wider and more spacious. In addition there are 20 Khaleej Suites, 20 Khaleej Deluxe Suites, 4 Royal Suites, and 48 Palace Suites. All suites and rooms are richly designed with silk fabrics, marbled bathrooms, and refined veneer wood panelling. Last but not least, every room has a 24 hour butler service.
Food and Beverage:
Known for its exquisiteness and perfection in which the food is presented, the Emirates Palace bestows fourteen world-class restaurants and bars to choose from. With a unique familiarity to the cuisine they serve, each offers a variety of appetising nutritious food with an abundance of healthy choices as well. Cuisines on offer include; International, Italian, Lebanese, Emirati, Seafood, and Chinese. These are some of our favourite restaurants:
Mezlai Restaurant:
Mezlai’s warm setting and atmosphere provides a calm and relaxing ambiance. The interior’s subtle colours add warmth and serenity to the whole atmosphere. For an even more tranquil ambiance one can choose to lunch or dine in one of the tents located on its terrace. The local food served is sensational, where the melange of spices along with crispness of the dishes provided is heavenly. Our must-have dishes include Mughrab Scallops, Rabbit Thigh, Prawns Makbous, and Lamb Madfoun. The Farni and The Chocolate Fondant made of camel milk are sensationally mouth-watering.
Le Vendome:
We savoured our breakfast at Le Vendome, which is characterised by its International European style buffet. Particularly noteworthy is the healthy variety a mother can select to provide her children with nutritious nourishment. To complete this sensational gastronomic experience one would be lost in choosing amongst the live cooking stations and nourishing juice bars. The outdoor terrace extends over the same breath-taking view of the white sandy beach and the azure sea below, which provides a haven to dwell in at any time of the day.
Cascades:
Les Cascades is mainly located in the west wing next to the pool area and water slides where children can enjoy hours of fun splashing into the pool as parents relax in the lazy river nearby. Les Cascades offers freshly prepared salads, grills, cocktails, and juices.
It is evident how much effort has been put in to establish a detailed and healthy menu. Even the colouring crayons that come with the Kid’s Menu are non-toxic.
Hakkasan:
If you are a lover of Chinese cuisine, then Hakkasan is your location. Having a luxurious design along with a Contemporary ambience, Hakkasan offers Cantonese cuisine using modern techniques. Allow the expert waiter to help you select several sets of appetizers, salads, and main courses and savour the sweet and spicy combinations. We were treated to the following dishes; Grilled Shanghai dumpling, Crispy duck salad, Wok-fry tomato wild prawn along with Vegetable fried rice, and Singapore vermicelli noodles. Its terrace, which stretches across the Grand Towers in Abu Dhabi, creates a romantic destination for an intimate dinner. The lively music enhances the whole ambiance allowing you to drift into a dreamy and faraway realm.
The Spa Service:
This luxurious service should not be missed! The dimly lit spacious areas with cherry like wooden arches engulf you with warmness. Upon entering, you quickly notice the Moroccan style furniture, which transports you on a magical journey. The spa offers astonishingly considered services from a Moroccan Bath to International massage therapies. I chose Stress Relief Massage, which is perfect for a fatigued mother of five.
After a cool refreshing drink and answering a questionnaire for any health issues, I was led by my masseuse into one of the treatment rooms which is exquisitely furnished and cosy. After the ritual floral feet cleansing, I lay face down as my therapist work on releasing the knots and tension within. She could swiftly control her grasp by either applying more pressure or freeing it just to have me drift into a world of relaxation and well-being.
The Emirates Palace is an ideal family getaway since it offers parents and children of different age groups the luxury of indulging in many complimentary sports activities. One can enjoy an afternoon practicing chess, or playing ping pong along with water sports activities such as kayaking. The Kids Club offers toddlers and young children a wide space of fun, creativity and play. In addition to all of this, there is a six kilometre path for cycling where you can grab a bicycle any time you feel like it. Children and adults can spend hours riding a bike while taking in the beauty of the surroundings. There is also a park and green fields where sports activities like badminton and soccer can be played at ease. The exquisite beach with its white sand and astounding view by itself is a sanctuary for freedom, peace and calmness. We were even lucky enough to see dolphins chasing a shoal of fish. It was incredibly beautiful!
The Bedouin Tent:
On one side of the beautiful sandy beach lies the Bedouin Tent where we were sincerely greeted and offered a warm cup of hot tea. The ambiance quickly takes you back to the picturesque Bedouin lifestyle. With dark brick red carpets lying next to each other and gigantic red and black cushions and mattresses suitably arranged to host as many guests as possible, the tent proudly perches in the sand. Old pots and plates are set aside with huge rustic trunks that add the final touches to the tent. Camels peacefully rest beside the tent waiting patiently for customers to try a camel ride on their backs.
The Emirates Palace cordially and genuinely receives everyone with hospitality and respect. The staff are extremely friendly, kind, and always smiling spreading positive vibes around us. I would like to thank each one of them as it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to run such a place at such a high standard. It goes without saying, this is one family staycation we highly recommend.
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