It was 20 years ago that Emirates Palace opened, helping set the standard for luxury in Abu Dhabi.
Set over 84 hectares on the capital’s corniche, the five-star property was designed by WATG Architects, the team who would also go on to later design Atlantis, the Palm and the Abu Dhabi Edition. Construction on the project began in December 2001 and it cost about $3 billion to build.
“Abu Dhabi had been chosen to host the next GCC summit… There was a massive ambition to get it done as quickly as possible. With a team of 80 design professionals, including architects, interior designers and engineers, working on-site, WATG diligently ensured that every detail of the design was meticulously executed,” says Jeremy Heyes, managing principal of WATG, on the company’s website.
The hotel opened its doors in February 2005, just in time for the GCC summit. There were 394 guest rooms, including 94 suites and 22 residential suites for heads of states. It was built with water features, palm trees and an awe-inspiring exterior that pays homage to Abu Dhabi’s cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, the interiors featured a balance of gold, marble and intricate mosaics, showcasing the essence of Arabian luxury. The lobby had towering gold-drenched columns and glittering chandeliers, with walls intricately detailed and often highlighting Arabic calligraphy and geometric patterns.
When the hotel first opened, it was also used as a venue for top concerts coming to Abu Dhabi and hosted acts such as Fairouz in 2006, Justin Timberlake in 2007 and Coldplay in 2009.
Over the years, Emirates Palace has become well-known thanks to several films that have also been shot on location. This includes Michael Bay’s 6 Underground starring Ryan Reynolds, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One with Tom Cruise and Furious 7 with Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.
In 2020, the hotel was handed over to a new management, switching from Kempinski to Mandarin Oriental and rebranding as the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. To mark its inclusion into the brand's portfolio, the property has undergone an extensive renovation that covers rooms and dining experiences. The hotel is also home to a new spa and sports facilities.
