Mandarin Oriental to manage hotel in Abu Dhabi

Mandarin Oriental has signed a contract to manage the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

The property sits on a 1.3-kilometre private beachfront and features 394 guestrooms and suites, 12 restaurants and bars, 40 meeting rooms and two swimming pools.

The hotel group will take over management of the property from January 1, 2020 and will rebrand it as a Mandarin Oriental property during a phased renovation project over two years, during which time the hotel will remain open.

The refurbishment will include “significant” upgrades to guestrooms and recreational facilities, as well as new food and beverage options.

It marks Mandarin Oriental’s second hotel in the United Arab Emirates following the opening of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai in early 2019.

“This is a unique opportunity to manage one of the most high-profile properties in the Middle East and will be an excellent addition to our portfolio in the region,” said James Riley, group chief executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

“We look forward to bringing the Group’s exemplary service standards to Abu Dhabi and to introducing the brand to a new audience.”