Journeys Far and Wide: Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi

Friday, February 25, 2011

Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi

This being my last weekend in Abu Dhabi, today (Friday) I went to Emirates Palace Hotel to see the lobby and take pictures. I have taken pictures of the hotel from the outside before. Emirates Palace Hotel is a luxury hotel and the second most expensive hotel ever built. This past Christmas season, the hotel lobby was home to a $11,000 fake evergreen tree with $11 million worth of decorations (jewels). The lobby is also home to a vending machine selling gold bars. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about this hotel.

As I drove towards the hotel entrance driveway, the gate attendant somehow noticed that I was wearing shorts. I was turned away. I dress fairly casually, and I take every opportunity to wear short pants when I can. I was not deterred. I went back to my apartment, put on a pair of jeans instead, and headed back to the hotel. I was allowed to enter the hotel grounds the second time. Obviously, I can not afford to stay at this hotel, and even if I could afford it, I would not spend my money in such a way. So I was not able to see the luxurious suites and rooms, some furnished in gold and marble. Emirates Palace Hotel is set in over 100 hectares landscaped gardens. It has an exclusive beach, a marina, and a helipad. It has several restaurants that always get glowing reviews. The topmost floor has six suites which are reserved solely for Emirati royalty and dignitaries.

I got to see the front part of the hotel with its gardens and fountains. I went in to see the lobby and adjoining shops. A lot of the hotel grounds in the back part are open to hotel guests only. The place was grand, but I thought that some of the interior decor was a bit gaudy. The following are a few photos:

4 comments:

Chuck Boyd25 February, 2011 20:21
One would assume you are wearing expensive designer jeans...

What a great exit to your stay in country. Safe travel!
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Anonymous27 February, 2011 02:37
He might have let you in if you didn't have such girlie legs!

TK
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Elvin27 February, 2011 05:55
Chuck - Designer jeans they are not. They are my most comfortable jeans. I have had it for more than six years now. It has multiple patches in the inside to cover up holes and tears.

Tony - If you want to call fat and scar-filled legs girlie ... They actually had quite a bit of tourists (walking around the Corniche beach area) at the gate with shorts on that were all turned back.

- Elvin
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caramoan07 April, 2011 00:49
"WOW. amazing its really like a palace. I guess when somebody stay here they would really feel that they are like a King And Queen. The facilities were nice. Its a warm place to stay."
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WELCOME

"A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it." -- George Moore.

I have always enjoyed traveling – seeing new places and meeting new people. Some have said that travel broadens the mind. I sometime think that during my journeys, I will uncover something deep and profound. I am again back overseas, in Germany, after 14 months in Seattle from March 2011 thru May 2012. I had been away from Seattle from February 2005 to March 2011 – in Iraq for one year, in Bosnia for 18 months, in Germany for 2 1/2+ years, and one year in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I was born in the Philippines, and have lived in Seattle, WA; Washington DC; Southern California; and Portland, Oregon. I have traveled in the US, Canada, Europe, and the Philippines. I have spent most of my life in Seattle.

Seattle is my home. It is where most of my family and friends live. My visits back home,when I am overseas, always invigorate me. I have discovered that it is in Seattle, my home, where I will find what I need. I don’t know how much longer this journey will continue; I do know that it will finish in Seattle.

Places Where I Have Lived

*** I decided to list all the places that I have lived at. I can't believe the number of times I have moved. My true nomadic spirit becomes especially apparent by the number of times I have changed residence. ***
Tagtagumbao, Cuyapo, Philippines - My place of birth; located in the province of Nueva Ecija. Tagtagumbao, a small rural village, will always hold a special place in my heart. It's the type of place where everyone knows each other. The are not many places like that anymore.
Bainbridge Island, WA - The first place I lived at after moving to the US. I lived there for two years, plus the countless summers spent there helping out at my sister's strawberry and raspberry farm.
Seattle, WA - I have lived there for almost twenty years total. I call this town my home.
Chevy Chase, MD - Just outside Washington, D.C. I spent six months there late 1984 thru early 1985 while I interned at US Nuclear Regulatory Agency.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in 1985. Finished school at UW.
Pomona, California - After college, I moved there for work in 1988. It was close to my workplace, but I did not realize it was in the middle of gang country. The apartment was nice and new, but...
Rancho Cucamonga, CA - After six months in Pomona, this is where I moved to. Formerly, the town consisted mostly of vineyards. It was a growing community when I moved there. It's located in the foothills of San Gabriel mountains. I lived there for more than 6 years (1988 thru 1995).
Gresham, OR - A suburb of Portland. I lived there for about 5 years (1995 thru 1999). Portland is similar to Seattle, but without the congestion. It still has the small town feel. I enjoyed my time in the Portland area.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in 1999 to live with my father after my mother passed away.
Green Zone, Baghdad, Iraq - I lived in the confines of the Green Zone my first two months in Iraq (Feb-Mar 2005). It was located in the heart of the city, where most of the former Iraqi regime's palaces and government buildings were located.
Camp Taji, Iraq - Located northwest of Baghdad, just outside the city. My Resident Office was located inside the base. The Resident Office served as the work area for 7-9 people. It also served as our living quarters. I was there for 9 months. (Apr 2005 - Dec 2005)
Eagle Base, Tuzla, Bosnia - Spent 18 memorable months in Bosnia (Jan 2006 - Jun 2007). I enjoyed my work and stay over there.
Wiesbaden, Germany - I was in Germany from Jul 2007 thru Feb 2010. I had a ball here. I took advantage of my stay here by exploring other parts of Germany and the rest of Europe every chance I got.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Moved here for a new job in mid-March 2010. I moved back to the US in March 2011.
Seattle, WA - Moved back to Seattle in March 2011.
Wiesbaden, Germany - Back again in Deutschland, in early May 2012