EMIRATES PALACE

Managed by the German Mandarin Oriental chain, the proud, self-proclaimed seven-star palace is in fact an Emirati public building, partly used as a residence for official guests, a meeting venue, a concert hall and a sports center. At the center of an 80-hectare park, it hosts permanent exhibitions and is home to fifteen restaurants. It is therefore virtually free to the public. In reality, things are more complicated, and you may be asked at the door why you're there. Properly dressed, i.e. without flip-flops or Bermuda shorts, you'll be able to pass, unless an official summit complicates matters. The ideal time to visit is around 6-7 p.m., after which you can enjoy a drink at the Al Qasr BBQ, less than a kilometre from the hotel. But if the barbecue doesn't tempt you, you'll find other restaurants and several cafés or bars, all of high quality, in this grand palace. We have listed several of these establishments in the relevant sections (Hakkasan...). Alternatively, you can opt for a guided tour, organized daily with advance booking. You'll be able to ask all your questions, learn all about the construction, get the inside scoop on the hotel's evolution and visit one of the suites. At the end of the tour, you'll be offered a cappuccino in the tea room. A great way to enter this mythical capital palace, which is intriguing from the outside!