Room Service (IV).

An ongoing collection of domestic and international hotel reviews.

Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palace

This was my third stay at Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palace and my first visit to the recently opened EP Club. To start, check-in was a slightly inept (and entirely avoidable) experience. After yet another awkward luggage scanning situation at the entrance, our group first went to the main check-in desk, only to be redirected to the lounge (via golf cart…on the other side of the property). While this is very much a first-world problem, let’s say it wasn’t the textbook seamless arrival of the Raffles Doha. Our experience could have easily been circumvented by informing guests where to precisely park or check-in rather than moving around a lot.

Fortunately, once in the newly opened lounge, we were well looked after. Given the property’s size, I did not relish walking around/getting lost and felt quite at home for breakfast or work in the lounge, which was relatively close to our room. Alcohol and snacks are available throughout the day, although drinks ma…