
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental sits on the West Corniche in Abu Dhabi, one of the most recognizable luxury properties in the Gulf, now operated by Mandarin Oriental. It's built around expansive grounds with a private beach, an Oriental Wing pool, multiple fine-dining restaurants including Hakkasan, and a scale that guests describe as feeling like a small city rather than a hotel. The property carries a reputation for exceptional attentiveness even in unusual circumstances.
What people praise
- Staff singled out by name for exceptional service and calm under pressure
- Expansive grounds, pool and private beach guests call unmatched
- High-end dining including Hakkasan, with attentive sommelier recommendations
- Rooms and facilities described as spotless and beautifully maintained
Worth knowing
- Minibar pricing isn't listed upfront, so ask before you use it
- A premium price point compared to the rest of this list
Our take: It leads by a wide margin, 32,154 reviews against the next closest at under 13,000, and the 4.8 rating holds up across all that volume, which is a genuinely rare combination.


