Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi vs ?

"Abu Dhabi's landmark hotel is unsubtle evidence of the city's wealth and grandiosity." Full review

"Fit for a king (or for that matter an empress, an emir or a sultan), which is just as well because that is principally what this regal, super-luxurious hotel was built for."

"Perhaps the best way to express the grandeur of the newly built, Kempinski-operated Emirates Palace—reportedly the most expensive hotel ever built—is to break it down by numbers." Full review

"All the rooms feature wide plasma TVs and extras such as welcome cocktails, flowers and fruit in the room, butler service, complimentary minibar and Internet access."

"Abu Dhabi’s landmark hotel (see opposite) is the favoured residence of visiting heads of state and assorted celebrities, with every luxury you could think of."