Studs of Arabia
When the word stud comes to mind, very few automatically think of Qatar. But there is every award-winning reason why you should make that association as Warren Singh-Bartlett discovers at Al Shaqab farm just outside of Doha.
Stone gold
Derived from the Greek marmaros, marble or ‘shining stone’ has been used as a status symbol for emperors, kings and queens. There are still some exclusive marbles that can set you back in the thousands of dollars per square metre discovers Makram Salha.
Reserve for the Wild
Abu Dhabi’s forthcoming project, Desert Islands, promises to be anything but uninhabited by creatures of all species. The UAE’s capital plans to create an eco-tourism destination from eight natural islands including the 87 square metre reserve of Sir Bani Yas Island which in itself is home
Best Spreads
Buying yourself some fine linens sounds easy enough but knowing the great from the good is not so simple. Bespoke sorts out the best luxury linen and home bedding brands, leaving you to lie back and imagine floating in the clouds.
Audio alfresco
At any good outdoor party of if you just want to lounge by the pool, music is key to your enjoyment. There are better ways of hearing your indoor sound system than by just turning the volume up. As Ken Kessler discovers, some speakers can weather the harshest conditions and still sing a go
A tale of two canvases
Two artists with two very different approaches to their craft offer a vivid indication of the rising young female talent in the region. Carole Corm talks to Summer Alireza and Sally Khoury about their work, styles and inspirations.
Energy catchers
Ever had a bed you can’t get to sleep in, a new home that just feels wrong or an office where you can somehow never get down to work? Insomnia, unfamiliarity or laziness could be the cause…or perhaps you have a case of bad Feng Shui, writes Lucy Fielder.
The concierge king
American-based Bluefish concierge service has mastered the art of the ultimate experience and travel. Nothing seems too exclusive or difficult for the company. And that’s why they needed to be set a challenge in the Middle East, writes Rana Ballout.
The Chedi Hotel in Oman Captures the Seductive Mystique of Muscat
Simple elegance meets local charm at The Chedi Hotel in Oman. Located along the clear waters of the Boushar beachfront, this 115-room hotel is the perfect Middle Eastern getaway from which to discover underwater wildlife, relax at the spa or simply unwind, reveals Myrna Ayad. Large terr…
Egypt’s Remote Luxury Eco-Lodge Adrere Amellal Hotel is the Perfect Escape
A nine-hour drive into the desert from Cairo, and deep within the Berber village of Siwa is located the Adrere Amellal hotel. A secret getaway for nature-lovers and the jet-set alike, its untouched beauty allows you to surrender to the peacefulness of the moment. As the vast carpet of d…
Vantage point
Living in modern spaces does not always entail advanced synthetics and robotic housemaids. Often the simplest designs in collusion with a respect for the environment can give you the feeling of being progressive as Rana Ballout discovers about award-winning architect Nabil Gholam’s F-House
Space cowboys
Space travel will open up to paying adventurers in the next few years. Long the preserve of government scientists, astronauts and cosmonauts, a new space race has touched off between hotel tycoons and dot.com billionaires, Lucy Fielder finds.