The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is taking over the management of the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi from 1 January, 2020. 

It will be completely rebranded in a phased renovation over two years, during which the hotel will remain open.

The palace – formerly a Kempinski property – sits on a 1.3-kilometre private beachfront and has 394 rooms and suites, 12 restaurants and bars, 40 meeting rooms, a concert grade auditorium, a ballroom for up to 2,500 people, a marina, two swimming pools, a spa and two fitness centres.

“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.

It is Mandarin Oriental’s second hotel in the United Arab Emirates, alongside Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai, which opened in early 2019.

Sultan Dhahi Sultan Al Humairi, managing director of Emirates Palace Company, said: “The partnership with Mandarin Oriental represents an important milestone and aims to propel the property’s profile into a new era.

“We look forward to a mutually prosperous and fruitful relationship with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.”