Emirates Palace Hotel -- Abu Dhabi Island: The domed atrium of the Emirates Palace Hotel is the largest in the world. Inside the interiors are adorned with 86,000 square feet of 22-carat gold leaf.

Abercrombie & Kent (abercrombiekent.co.uk; 0330 173 4712) offers a five-night stay at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi from £2,899 pp based on two people sharing a deluxe room on a ...