For the discerning traveller seeking a stay that blends European heritage with Dubai’s flair for the extraordinary, the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates offers a compelling proposition.

Opened in 2006 as the brand’s inaugural and bold foray into the United Arab Emirates, this five-star property is anything but conventional. Connected to one of the show-stopping city’s most iconic shopping destinations, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates delivers a rare juxtaposition, aside from this connection to the mall: Alpine-inspired ski chalets in the middle of the desert, complete with views of real snow and even real penguins.

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Directly connect to one of Dubai’s most iconic retail landmarks, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates offers guests a rare and whimsical juxtaposition: beyond its enviable direct access to a world-class shopping destination, guests can retreat to Alpine-inspired ski chalets overlooking a snow-covered slope — complete with real snowfall and waddling penguins — all in the heart of the desert.

Located just 25 kilometres (approximately 19 minutes by taxi) from Dubai International Airport (DXB), the hotel is ideally positioned for both business and leisure travellers. With the aforementioned direct access to the Mall of the Emirates and the adjacent metro station, it offers seamless connectivity to Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and beyond.

In Short

A pioneering and relatively historic fixture on Dubai’s hospitality scene, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is both a retail sanctuary and a surreal escape, where some rooms (for those in the know) invite guests to experience an unexpected escape into another world entirely.

The Location

Still one of the city’s most popular shopping destinations, the Mall of the Emirates is the surrounding Al Barsha district’s defining tourist attraction (with the mall even lending its name to the nearest metro station, a five-minute walk from the hotel’s doors). Alongside Ski Dubai, guests can peruse hundreds of shops and restaurants. Though there’s little else of immediate interest in the vicinity, the Dubai Marina and JBR area is easily accessible by metro or taxi.

The Background

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With roots stretching back to the 19th century, European hotel group Kempinski typically operated bona-fide converted Germanic palaces and the like before debuting in the UAE in 2006 with this uncharacteristically bold and sometimes misunderstood property. That curiosity and confusion centred around an attribute that remains unique in the region to this day: integrated into the Mall of the Emirates, a number of the hotel’s accommodations look directly into Ski Dubai, where skiers shimmy down an artificial slope within a winter wonderland that’s kept at a chilly -4c. Though the views won’t quite convince you you’re in the Dolomites rather than the desert – the real-life penguins shuffling below are another giveaway – that audacious opening solidified Dubai’s standing as an anything-goes city.

So while this Kempinski might now be an occasionally overlooked option in Dubai, the many trailblazing mega-resorts that have opened in its wake owe a debt of gratitude to this comparatively humble property.

The Guests

Considering the hotel lobby leads directly into the Mall of the Emirates, it’s no surprise serious shoppers have always loved the Kempinski, but this long-standing hotel also draws plenty of European Kempinski loyalists and regular guests who have been staying here for close to two decades. With younger tourists and influencers gravitating towards Dubai’s most new-fangled and flashy hotels, expect a more mature and mellow crowd than you might find elsewhere in the city.

The Rooms

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You’ll find lots of variety among the Kempinski’s 350-plus rooms and suites, all of them comfy, spacious and, depending on your taste, either classically minded or a bit dated (my take veered towards the latter).

Standard rooms are gifted some glitz through sparkling chandeliers, mirrored dressing tables and swish artworks with gleaming gold detailing, but the real wow factor comes if you splurge on the pricier room categories.

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Entering the hotel from the incessant heat of the city, it feels surreal to then, minutes later, encounter a wintry snowscape after checking into an Aspen Ski Chalet (from AED4,551). The views are brilliantly incongruous and totally hypnotising: a captivating collision of climates that feels disorienting and dazzling all at once.

Just moments after escaping Dubai’s blazing summer heat and humidity, you’ll find yourself inside a cosy indoor chalet, gazing out at a snow-covered slope where skiers glide effortlessly by and penguins shuffle beneath soft, ambient lighting. This entire experience is a visual contradiction that manages to be both whimsical and hypnotic, and it’s this element of the unexpected — Alpine serenity staged within a baking desert metropolis — that makes the experience so uniquely memorable.

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While they may not steal the spotlight like their slope-facing counterparts, the hotel’s Aspen Pool Chalets are an understated gem. Bathed in natural light, these spacious accommodations feature whitewashed wood finishes, private patios, and serene views of the outdoor pool deck, evoking the effortless charm akin to that of a Hamptons beach house. Offering a stylish, resort-like escape in the heart of urban Dubai, they are arguably the chicest rooms on property — perfect for guests craving both quiet luxury and a touch of coastal calm amid the city's buzz.

The Dining

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With the mall’s innumerable restaurants just steps away, the hotel works hard to keep gourmands on site.

Inspired by greenhouses and European market halls, French restaurant Eugène Eugène is shaded by palm and olive trees and scented with laurel, sage and rosemary. Whilst, the newly launched and lantern-lit Asian restaurant Xu, looks striking with its cherry-red walls and flashes of neon – you’ll likely hear it before you see it if you drop by for brunch on Saturday, when Cantonese dishes come with a side of loud karaoke. All perfect for sharing, hefty pans of lobster paella and earthy truffle croquestas are on the menu at Salero Tapas & Bodega – enjoyable performances from the restaurant’s Flamenco dancer and guitarist on certain nights make the space very date-friendly, though our visit was marred by slow service, the team’s unfamiliarity with the menu and dishes that were adequate rather than impressive.

Wellness & Spa

There’s a small, straightforward gym and externally managed spa, SENSASIA Spa, offers Asian-inspired wellness treatments, but it’s the outdoor pool area that draws the most attention. On a low-slung rooftop parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road, the outdoor pool area offers a quiet contrast to the energy of the adjacent mall. Fringed with palms and thoughtfully spaced seating, the pool area is the perfect place to unwind after a morning of shopping or skiing, and is the recreational hub of the property.

The Staff

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Kempinski hotels skew towards a sense of formality so guests can expect polite, professional service. Though I encountered occasional delays, team members were keen to engage and helpful.

Sustainability

The hotel is a proud certified member of Green Globe, a global benchmark for sustainability in the hospitality industry, underscoring its ongoing commitment to responsible and eco-conscious operations. As part of this pledge, the property has eliminated single-use plastics and earned the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp, awarded by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). In the kitchens, the culinary team maintains a strong focus on sustainable sourcing and partnerships with local suppliers. Meanwhile, in-room amenities—developed in collaboration with Italian designer Salvatore Ferragamo—are now elegantly packaged in recyclable boxes rather than plastic wraps. Even the room key cards have undergone an eco-upgrade, with traditional plastic swapped out for chic bamboo alternatives.

Accessibility

While valet service is available for added convenience, guests who prefer to self-park will find accessible parking options both at the Mall of the Emirates and directly through the Kempinski Hotel. The property also offers a selection of accessible rooms and suites, thoughtfully designed to accommodate guests with mobility needs.

How would you describe this hotel to a friend?

The Kempinski is like that snug jumper you dig out of the closet occasionally: it isn’t flashy or necessarily fashionable, but it feels comforting, familiar and cosy.

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates,
Prices from Dhs 1490 per night
Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Rd, Al Barsha, Al Barsha 1 Dubai, UAE
Book your stay here
@kempinskidubai

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