Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi

★★★★★West Corniche, Abu DhabiSpecialist pick

Overview

Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is the government-built palace hotel on Abu Dhabi's West Corniche, run by Mandarin Oriental since 2020. It's the address residents reach for when an occasion needs some weight behind it - an anniversary, a milestone birthday, a proposal - rather than a routine beach weekend. Families come for the sheer scale of the grounds; couples come for the two Michelin-starred restaurants.

The 1.3km private beach is real sand and stays quiet even on a Friday, and the two outdoor pools include a lazy river and slides that keep children occupied for hours. Kids Palace runs supervised sessions from ten months to twelve years, freeing parents for the hammam and heated marble caves at the spa. Service is formal throughout - butlers, marble corridors, gold leaf everywhere - so it never quite reads as a casual beach club.

Booking here isn't about value - it's the most ceremonial stay in the capital, and some families find the formality a bit much for a relaxed weekend away. Summer (June to September) brings serious heat, so plan around the pools and the indoor Kids Palace rather than the beach itself. The property is genuinely vast, so budget real walking time between your room, the beach club and dinner.

1.3km private beach
two outdoor pools with lazy river
kids palace for ages 10 months to 12
12 restaurants and bars
two michelin-starred restaurants
moroccan hammam spa
water sports centre
tennis and padel courts
no pets permitted
walking distance to marina mall

Rooms

Good to know

Meal plans: Room only · Bed & breakfast · Half board
Paid at the hotel: The tourism dirham fee and any security deposit
Cancelling: Each room shows its own terms; cancel online from My trips while they allow

Eating and drinking

Talea by Antonio Guida — A Michelin-starred Italian restaurant serving family-style classic dishes rather than tasting-menu formality, which makes it more workable with children than the star rating suggests. Good for a proper dinner without the stiffness some fine-dining rooms have.
Hakkasan — The Abu Dhabi outpost of the well-known Cantonese brand, also holding a Michelin star. Dim sum lunches work reasonably well with older children; evenings lean more towards a grown-up night out given the low lighting and cocktail-driven atmosphere.
Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi — Contemporary Indian fine dining from chef Hemant Oberoi, with a strong vegetarian selection alongside grills and biryanis. Considered one of the more accessible price points on the property, and workable for families who want proper flavour without excessive formality.
Strawfire by Ross Shonhan — A Japanese warayaki restaurant built around open-fire cooking, with theatrical grill-side seating and a dramatic dining room. Better suited to an adult evening out or older children who'll enjoy watching the flames than to a quick family dinner.
Sand & Koal — Open-fire seafood and steaks served beachside, with sunset views over the water towards Qasr Al Watan. Geared more towards a romantic evening than a family meal, though the setting alone is worth the visit.
Lebanese Terrace — Levantine cuisine served in the palace gardens, with mezze, grills and seafood platters built for sharing. The relaxed, family-style format and outdoor setting make it one of the easier choices for a group with children.
Vendôme — The all-day dining restaurant, covering buffet breakfast and multi-national dinner options. This is the default venue for half-board guests and the most practical choice for a family that doesn't want to commit to a formal booking every night.
ALMA — A poolside Mexican restaurant with ocean views, popular for sunset drinks and a lighter dinner. Casual enough for families in the early evening before it shifts towards more of an adult sunset spot.

Getting there

It's roughly a 90 to 100 minute drive from Dubai depending on traffic, and about 30 to 40 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Valet parking is available at the entrance, and given the ceremony of the arrival - domes, marble, the sheer approach road - a private transfer or driver is worth it over a self-drive rental for a special-occasion trip.

Ask about Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi

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