The stunning five-star resort boasts 391 rooms, 8 restaurants, a Cinq Mondes spa, 80-seater cinema and the city’s largest indoor pool…

When a hotel has ‘palace’ in its name, you know you’re in for a treat and Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai, due to open on Thursday November 29, could well be the city’s boldest hotel launch this year.

The glittering 391 room hotel, on the western crescent of Palm Jumeirah, makes a strong first impression with a chandelier boasting 28,000 Swarovski crystals, itself beneath 24 carat gold-plated designs.

But beyond the dazzling classical showpieces are plenty of contemporary restaurant, bar and leisure touches; think 18th century France meets 21st Century Dubai hospitality.

Of the eight restaurants, the highlight is undoubtedly set to be Mix by Alain Ducasse, on level six, which appropriately, combines classical and modern influences. It contains seven bars (up to 15 signature cocktails with table interaction) and five kitchens. It’s large enough for 400 seating and 1,900 standing and its uppermost chef’s table, in the dome with its own bar and kitchen and accessed by a private elevator, will serve the best Michelin-grade dishes from Dhs1,500 per person.

Ducasse – whose restaurants have chalked up an impressive 21 Michelin stars – will officially open Mix mid-December, his first Middle East outlet, and a pastry shop is planned in the new year.

Other venues include all-day dining restaurant Le Jardin, Mediterranean Villamore, Matagi, a modern Asian restaurant, All’onda, which will serve Italian food, ‘boho chic’ Skorpeus bar and Sablanc, for poolside or beachfront drinks.

The scale of the swanky new hotel allows entertainment options that few hotels could consider. Classical music concerts are planned for the Blüthner Hall lobby lounge (themed with afternoon teas) and the boldest attraction is an 80-seat private cinema with reclining leather seats, which can be hired for events. The Grand Lawn can hold up to 2,800 for cocktails. Just in case you were planning on getting that many friends together over Christmas…

The 3,000sqm Cinq Mondes spa contains a 25-metre indoor pool, complete with cabanas, 23 treatments rooms (four of them couples) and there are even leather chairs by the footwash bowls. The gym is similarly spacious, complemented by clubs for kids and teenagers. There is room for a squash court, but that’s been replaced by an Asian-themed yoga studio.

Rooms are decked in platinum and gold themes and Deluxe starts from Dhs2,800, while a night in an Emerald One Bedroom Suite Skyline View room will cost around Dhs5,350.

Emerald Palace Kempinski Dubai, West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah, from Thursday November 29. Tel: (04) 248 8888. Kempinski.com/EmeraldPalace

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Words: Dominic Ellis, Business Traveller Middle East