Emirates Palace

The super-metropolis is built on black gold but still retains monuments from its millennia old history, from stunning mosques to enigmatic deserts. It’s hard to believe that just fifty years ago Abu Dhabi was little more than a pearl trading village – it’s metamorphosis into a global city, complete with gleaming skyscrapers, multi-starred hotels and world-class dining, ensures couples will have a getaway to treasure for years to come.

What’s the palace like?
The sprawling Emirates Palace sits on 85 hectacres of beautifully maintained gardens and lawns and boasts its own 1.3km beach and private marina. The drive to the Palace doors should give you plenty of time to absorb the sheer extravagance of this seven-star hotel – which at an eyewatering £3.9 billion is the second most expensive ever built. Marble walls soar into majestic gilded domes (there are an incredible 114), gold-plated fittings adorn some suites and sparkling custom-made Swarovski chandeliers give the vast spaces inside an elegant glow. Even the clocks are Rolex.

Does it live up to exrectations?
You’ll certainly feel like royalty staying here. An army of 2000 staff are on hand to guide you through the monumental spaces and attend to your every need, serving something as simple as a cup of coffee with the utmost levels of service. Emirates Palace manager Holger Schroth explains: "We serve coffee on a silver tray with rose petals, crystallized sugar, a linen napkin, marzipan croissants, a bottle of imported water and the coffee. The ladies get a rose."

What are the rooms like?
There’s more than 300 luxury rooms and 92 ornately decorated suites so couples will be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing their newlywed hideaway. There’s three rooms, each with a terrace or balcony with views over tranquil gardens and pools, the Arabian Gulf or the stunning cityscape. Contemporary décor with typically Arab touches, vast beds topped with silks and satin and a majestic bathroom complete with a spacious tub offer paramount levels of grandeur and comfort.

Which is the best option for honeymooners?
For a truly regal experience, check into one of Emirates Palace's awe-inspiring suites. The lavish interiors –  expect marble, gold leaf and silks - will transport you to a private world, while a personal butler will attend to your every need. Leave your expectations at the door, because the suites will easily surpass them. For example during turndown service, maids lay a sachet of lavender between sheets to perfume them before placing them under pillows to allow the soothing scent to help you unwind in the evening. The Palace even offers bath butlers who can run one of the seven baths listed on a specially created ‘Bath Menu’ - you can even get your tub filled with champagne! Think of it as the definitive bubble bath.

The Khush Verdict
Emirates Palace opens the doors to unfathomable levels of luxury, incomparable to any other hotel in the world. Newlyweds will experience the very best in service, food, entertainment and rest and relaxation. Honeymoons really don’t get any more glamorous than with a stay at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.

Honeymoon Checklist
• Try the 24 carat gold camel burger at Le Cafe -  the sumptuous camel mince patty is infused with local spices topped with truffle mayonnaise on a gold-dusted bun.
• Book a camel ride on the white sandy beaches of the gulf. You’ll enjoy delicious Arabian coffee, tea and dates in a traditional Bedouin Tent before climbing onto a camel.
• Emirates Palace is a mere 25 minutes from Abu Dhabi International, making it simultaneously within easy reach of the city and shielded away in its own private world.

www.emiratespalace.ae