Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi is luxury personified. It’s set on an 84‑hectare beachfront site, but the real luxury is on entry. Picture 1,002 crystal chandeliers, ornate fountains and over 26 km of 22‑carat gold leaf placed all around the place, plus several Michelin‑starred restaurants on site. It cost around US$3 billion to build, making it one of the world’s most expensive hotels ever.
This season, the open-air terrace at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental is hosting the popular Candlelight concert series. Thousands of twinkling candles light up the outdoor space as classically trained musicians put their own spin on a range of artists and genres.
Background on Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental
This place is all about Arabian luxury, from indigenous wellness treatments to vast gardens spread over 85 hectares. Its Arabesque design, set among pristine landscaping, is crowned by a striking gold‑patterned dome created by architect John Elliott, making it one of the city’s most iconic sights. And it has serious star power: UAE royalty and celebrities like Orlando Bloom, Will Smith, Naomi Watts and Dwayne Johnson have all stayed here, so you never quite know who you’ll see wandering the halls.
What can you do at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental?
Emirates Palace is huge, so just wandering around feels like a workout, with the property stretching across a vast estate. Even if you’re not staying there, you can drop in for its restaurants, book spa treatments or arrange a private tour. It’s very family‑friendly, with paddle boarding, a dedicated kids’ zone and plenty of space to explore together. And if you want to mix it up beyond the hotel, you’re close to big Abu Dhabi highlights like Louvre Abu Dhabi, the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the adrenaline‑filled Ferrari World.
Candlelight concerts at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental turn the hotel’s outdoor palace‑like setting into a glowing, intimate music venue, with live tributes ranging from ABBA and Vivaldi to Imagine Dragons and Coldplay. Held in the terrace and lit by thousands of LED candles, these 60‑minute shows feel more like an atmospheric night out than a formal recital.
26 September 2026 19:00 + more dates
26 September 2026 21:00 + more dates
7 November 2026 19:00 + more dates
Where is the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental and how to get there
It’s about 35–40 minutes by car from Zayed International Airport (AUH), and you can reach it easily by taxi, private transfer, or hotel car service. There’s also a public bus (line 034) that stops near the palace on Corniche Street.
Address: West Corniche Road – Al Ras Al Akhdar – Abu Dhabi – United Arab Emirates
Is Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental open to non‑guests?
Yes. You can enter for free to see selected public areas, dine at the restaurants or visit the cafés.
Is the hotel family‑friendly?
Yes. There are kids’ pools and play areas, a kids’ club and water activities.
What facilities does the venue offer for events?
The palace has over 40 meeting rooms and a grand ballroom for around 2,500 guests, plus outdoor spaces on the beach and gardens for receptions or gala events.
Nearby venues in Abu Dhabi
Beyond Emirates Palace, Candlelight concerts in Abu Dhabi also light up venues like New York University Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi at the Grand Canal, where the series uses their dramatic architecture and refined acoustics to create a cinematic, candlelit backdrop for live music.
