Travel + Leisure - India & South Asia
A Royal Affair
The picture-perfect Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi makes for a regal setting for magnificent marriage festivities or a romantic honeymoon in the desert capital.
IF YOU’VE ALWAYS dreamed of saying “I Do” in a royal setting, this is the one-stop destination for you. With all its shimmer and sparkle, Emirates Palace is a new-age palace hotel. From award-winning dining options to an array of magical venues combined with traditional Arab and world-class hospitality, you and your guests will be spoilt like true blue royalty. It is no wonder that it has played host to some of the world’s most rich and famous celebrities, royalty and a host of dignitaries.
The team at the Emirates Palace pulls out all the stops, when it comes to pampering you for your special day. Luxurious accommodation, intimate settings, lavish theme parties—they will honour your requests by executing them exquisitely. You can literally see your dreams take shape while you lay back and enjoy it all. Did we mention that the bridal couple have a 24x7 personal butler to cater to their demands? A memorable beachside wedding under the starry sky or a royal soirée at the palatial Ballroom, Emirates Palace’s Wedding specialists are famous for recreating fairy-tales. From setting up a romantic gazebo in the lush gardens to creating the right vibe for a glittering pool party, they offer a selection of options that are better than anything your whimsical imagination can come up with. The beautiful Ballroom is laden with ornate marble and gold, blending timeless architectural features with modern design, enriched by three Swarovski crystal chandeliers. Spread over 2,183 square metres, it can accommodate up to 2,400 guests or be divided into three smaller spaces, if so needed. Then there are elegant terraces and 1.3 km of pristine private beach, where a beautiful alfresco ambience is matched by superlative service and delectable food. Customised menus and bespoke flower arrangements ensure that your wedding is a one-of-a-kind event. To top it all, the team is well-acquainted with wedding customs from the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian Gulf region and beyond, enabling them to cater to finer details.
The accommodation is equally opulent from the ultra luxurious royal suite to two- and three-bedroom palace suites. The latter includes three interconnected suites and a magnificent majlis for a small group wanting privacy amidst all the ceremonies and rituals. There are also beachfront suites offering a panoramic view of the palm-fringed Gulf.
After all the hectic partying, the newlyweds are indulged with the ultimate romantic treats. A personal butler to attend to them—drawing up a leisurely, milky bath strewn with rose petals or laying out amorous candle-lit dinners and, of course, giving them ample privacy for newly-wed bliss. The spa offers a range of signature treatments, and the top-of-the-line royal couples’ treatments are especially designed to treat you like a king or queen. mandarinoriental.com