NOEL Massoud, general manager of the iconic Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi says it’s been a remarkable year the hotel that he says has re-defined the hospitality industry’s concept of elegance and luxury.
Only in its first year of operations, the Emirates Palace has already hosted high profile dignitaries and celebrities, as well as prestigious international events and exhibitions, paving the way for a landmark year that saw the luxury hotel become the crowning glory of Abu Dhabi.
Some of the world’s eminent leaders who have set foot on the Emirates Palace include UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; all the GCC heads of state; Jordan’s charismatic King Abdullah and Queen Rania and former US president Bill Clinton, among others. Entertainment and sports celebrities were also guests at the Emirates Palace, including top Hollywood actors Robert de Niro, Lawrence Fishburne and Will Smith; the king of pop Michael Jackson, FIFA World Cup Champions Brazil, and golf superstars Colin Montgomerie and Vijay Singh to name a few.
“We have been privileged to host these important celebrities and expect to welcome more in the future as the Emirates Palace becomes the resort and conference destination of choice in the Middle East,” adds Massoud.
The Emirates Palace International Conference Centre has hosted prestigious and historic international conferences and exhibitions, including the GCC Leaders Summit, The World Leadership Summit, the Young Arab Leaders conference and The Woman as Global Leaders Conference. Emirates Palace boasts the most luxurious and technologically advanced meeting facilities in the region, including an auditorium that seats 1,100 people, a main ballroom that accommodates up to 2500 guests, as well as an extensive range of over 40 meeting rooms, a Media Centre and a Business Centre all of which make the Palace a truly exceptional venue for prestigious events and exhibitions.
This month, the hotel will host the Masters of Excellence, four special nights of glamour and glitz featuring chic haute couture collections, elegant jewellery pieces, exquisite tableware and luxurious yachts. Europe’s elite fashion designers, including Valentine, Ungaro, Christian Lacroix, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Givenchy, Giles Deacon, Mathew Williamson and Vivienne Westwood will be at the Emirates Palace to showcase their latest ensemble collection.
In addition to its luxurious suites and amenities, the Emirates Palace offers guests palatial gourmet restaurants that bring the world’s finest cuisines to life. The fine dining restaurant Sayad offers exquisite seafood and gives diners a magnificent view of the Gulf. Guests who take pleasure in a variety of international cuisines can enjoy the hotel’s other equally sumptuous delights offered by Mezzaluna, Le Vendôme Brasserie, Diwan L’Auberge and Anar Restaurant.
“With the opening of our Marina later this year the hotel will offer world-class sports and recreational facilities. Also, due to open in 2006 a luxurious new spa managed by the prestigious Mandara Group of Thailand, a haven of serenity that will offer the most revitalising treatments for complete rejuvenation of mind, body and soul,” ended Massoud.