Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Emirate Palace hotel

Emirates Palace is an opulent luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi that cost $3 billion to build.  Here are some of the ridiculous statistics:  1000 Swarovski crystal chandeliers, 150,000 cubic yards of imported marble, 114 domes, 102 elevators.  More than 1000 employees work here and they were all decked out in what appeared to be satin lame uniforms.  The women wore long flowing jackets in a black and gold jacquard and men wore black Nehru jackets with gold trim.  It is not an overstatement to say gold was clearly the theme of the hotel.  They apparently serve cappuccino sprinkled with gold in the lounge area for somewhere around $10 US.  I'll let the photos speak for themselves....

Main dome, look close in lower left and
you can see a crystal chandelier

Marble banister

Lounge area, not the gold foil ceiling

Fancy-schmancy lights

View to private beach and Persian Gulf

Ritesh (India) contemplating whether
he should stay in the royal suite or dignitary suite

And if all this isn't enough, you'll be relieved to know that when your funds get tight in Abu Dhabi, you simply visit the Gold ATM right in your hotel!  #ibmcsc uae

It gives you gold coins, really.
I can't make this stuff up!  ;-P