HYPERLINK "http://www.tdic.ae" www.tdic.ae
A Rider’s Resort
The latest luxury resort to hit UAE’s shore is the Desert Palm. Built on a private estate – polo field – of business mogul Ali Albwardy’s, the complex is an equestrian’s haven located only 20 minutes outside of Dubai. The expansive property features four polo fields, a riding school and stabling facilities for over 300 thoroughbreds as well as 90 villas set within gorgeous grounds which include gardens, water features and four restaurants. Desert Palm is scheduled to open by the end of summer 2007.
Picking up on the Polo theme, there are 24 rooms guest rooms, thirteen of which are Polo Rooms which a view onto the fields. There are also four single bedroom Pool Villas with private pool and six three-bedroom pool residences. Opt though, for the presidential suite Villa Layali for ultimate privacy and opulence. A collaboration with the Maldives spas, resorts and residences management company, Per Aquum, wouldn’t be complete without a spa experience which combines the resorts deeply Arabian context with therapies inspired by the orient.
Tel +9714 323 8888
HYPERLINK "http://www.desertpalm.ae" www.desertpalm.ae
Ship Ahoy!
Dubai World has just purchased one of the UK’s living maritime legends. For no less than 100 million USD, the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise-liner (or QE2), second in infamy only to the Titanic, will be docking in the UAE. Built in the early 1960s and officially launched by H.R.H Queen Elizabeth II in 1967, her namesake has clocked several million miles as well witness some peculiar events – in 1972 it survived a ransom demand as it sailed the mid-Atlantic only to circumnavigate the world for its first time three years later. Dubai World plans to retire it from the high seas and transform it into a hotel resort anchored just off Palm Islands. The new proprietors are to recreate its original décor and found an honorary on-board museum. The new QE2 is scheduled to open in 2009.
HYPERLINK "http://www.dubaiworld.ae" www.dubaiworld.ae
