DUBAI HOTELS AND REAL ESTATE

Dubai Project world

2008-01-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

The World - Dubai

Dubai in 2009

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates

2007-11-16T23:14:00.000-08:00

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is the world’s third largest indoor ski resort with one of the world’s longest indoor ski slopes and the biggest covered snow park. Also attached to the biggest shopping mall outside North America, the truly unique five star deluxe hotel is set to be a destination in itself offering a complete leisure experience with state-of-the-art health club, Ayurveda wellness centre, swimming pool and tennis court.

Rooms: 393. Hotel Chain: Kempinski.

General Restaurant, Bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Terrace, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled, Elevator, Express Check-In/Check-Out, Safety Deposit Box, Soundproofed Rooms, Design Hotel, Luggage Storage, Ski Storage.

Activities : Tennis Court, Sauna, Fitness Centre, Golf Course (within 3 km), Skiing, Spa & Wellness Centre, Massage, Ski School, Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Services Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Airport Shuttle, Business Centre, Babysitting/Child Services, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Barber/Beauty Shop, VIP Room Facilities, Breakfast in the Room, Ironing Service, Currency Exchange, Shoe Shine, Car Rental, Tour Desk, Fax/Photocopying.

Location City Centre, Shopping Centre.

Internet Wireless Internet Hotspot is available in the entire hotel and costs AED 25.00 per hour.

Guest ParkingFree Private parking is possible on site.

Hotel information

Beach facilities and water sports are available at our sister property, Kempinski Hotel Ajman at an additional cost. Alternatively Jumeirah Beach is only a few minutes from the hotel. Transportation can be arranged upon request.
Food & beverage24 Seven: Casual all day dining restaurant, offering international cuisine with a hint of Mediterranean flavour of Provencal and Tuscany flairs with Asian fusion. Located on the second floor with windows open to the pool deck, the restaurant offers a choice of Buffet or a la Carte for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Aspen Café: The interactive and casual spirit of this lobby café ads up to the freshness of the place, which serve special Kempinski deli offerings among other menu items. For either eat-in or take away, in addition to a wide array of beverages and coffee and tea delicacies.

1897 Bar: The elegant wood and dim light complement the rich atmosphere at this clubby lounge which offers a wide variety of drinks, cocktails, liquors and light meals, combined with live entertainment.

Mosaic Bar: Located on the pool deck, partially in the overflowing swimming pool with views over Jumeirah skyline and the Arabian Gulf, offering a variety of freshly squeezed fruit cocktails, smoothies, selective alcoholic beverages and light snacks.

Vitamins Bar: Located next to the Health and Fitness Centre, it is the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing drink or guilt free snack to boost your energy after rigorous exercise.

Sezzam Dining: The true showstopper with a unique restaurant concept; located at the pulsing interconnection between the shopping mall, Ski Dubai and the Hotel. The 935 seat restaurant features three cooking methods as opposed to ethnic cuisines.

Evory Lounge: Trendy bar, functioning as a quiet escape during the afternoon and early evening; gradually transforming into a comfortable bar with live entertainment.

In Room Dining: Not so conventional room service concept offers the facility of organizing in-room parties, events, private gatherings, small scale bashes and much more.
Room informationAll the 393 rooms and suites are exquisitely appointed with a contemporary decor exuding a warm and residential feel. The guestrooms are the largest in the city and showcase stunning views of the city or the indoor ski slope.

Area informationAt the forefront of Mall of the Emirates mega complex, Kempinski Hotel takes pride of its prime location on Sheikh Zayed Road, 4th Interchange, Al Barsha, at the heart of newly developed modern Dubai, a few minutes from Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the Jumeirah beach stretch, and just 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport and downtown.

Important informationWi-Fi internet access is free of charge in all suites.

The Deluxe Rooms (35 sqm) do not interconnect and cannot accommodate extra beds.

The Grand Deluxe Rooms (60 sqm) feature connecting doors upon request as well as a sofa bed in the living area.

Pets are not allowed with the exception of seeing-eye dogs.

The hotel features four handicapped rooms, which are available upon request. Most public areas feature ramps and are accessible by wheelchair.

A security deposit or pre-authorization on the guest credit card is taken upon arrival. Full payment of the stay is required upon departure or during the stay. Late check-out fees apply after 12:00 noon.
Hotel PoliciesThese are general hotel policies. As they may vary per room type; please also check the room description.
Check-In15:00 hours

Check-Out07:00 - 12:00 hours

CancellationIf cancelled up to 2 days before date of arrival, no fee will be charged.

If cancelled later or in case of no-show, the first night will be charged.

Children and extra bedsAll children under 12 years stay free of charge when using existing bedding.

All children under 2 years stay free of charge for cots.

All older children or adults are charged AED 180.00 per night and person for extra beds.

Maximum capacity of extra beds/babycots in a room is 1.

Extra beds and baby cots are upon request and need to be confirmed by the hotel.

Supplements will not be calculated automatically in the total costs and have to be paid separately in the hotel.

PetsPets are not allowed.

Accepted credit cardsAmerican Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club

The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Dubai Attractions

2007-10-01T03:31:00.000-07:00

Having expanded along both banks of the Creek, Dubai is divided into two parts - Deira on the northern side and Bur Dubai to the south. Each has its share of fine mosques and busy souks, of public buildings, shopping malls, hotels, office towers, banks, hospitals, schools, apartments and villas. Dubai is blessed with golden sunshine and silvery beaches, world-class golf facilities and an upcoming Sports City.

From the timeless tranquillity of the desert to the lively bustle of the souk, Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors.

Below listed are a few of the attractions:

Aerogulf Services
Al Boom Tourist Village
Archaeological Sites
Bait Al Wakeel
Bastakiya
Bedouin Village
Burj Nahar
Deira Covered Souk (District)
Dubai Creek
Dubai Museum
Dubai World Trade Centre
Gold Souk
Grand Mosque
Hatta
Hatta Mountains
Heritage and Diving Village
Jumeirah Mosque
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (Museum)
Shindagha
Spice Souk

Aerogulf Services is located at Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates and in as November 2003 Aerogulf moved into our new purpose built helicopter operations and maintenance facility located on Dubai International Airport, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Contact: Aerogulf Services - Tel: 2200331

Al Boom Tourist Village
Adjacent to Creekside Park, the village consists of a 2,000 seat banquet hall, a coffee shop, restaurant, amusement park, ornamental lake and a marina with five cruise boats. Its traditional architecture forms a stately city landmark. Located next to Wonderland Family Fun Park. It is open 7 days. Timings: 9am-1am. Entertainment includes evening boat cruises with dinner served.

Contact: Al Boom Tourist Village - Tel: 3243000

Archaeological Sites
There are three main archaeological sites in Dubai. They are located in Al Ghusals, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah. Al Ghusals and Al Sufooh have over 2000 years old graveyards. You can visit the excavation sites at Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah where you will find artifacts from the 7th to 15th century.

Contact: Off Road Adventures - Tel: 04 3432288

Bait Al Wakeel
Built in 1934 by the late Sheikh Rashid, Bait Al Wakeel was Dubai's first office building. At the edge of the Creek near the abra landing, the building has been completely restored and now houses a museum devoted to Dubai's fishing and maritime traditions.

Bastakiya
The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers gives a tantalizing glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately to the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses with windtowers.

In the past, the city was famous for a mass of windtowers which lined the Creek on either side. These were not merely decorative; they were the only means of cooling houses in the days before electricity.

Bedouin Village
For those who are adventurous by nature, trip to Bedouin Village would be quite exciting! Experience the traditional way of living in a desert! Enjoy the camel riding lessons from the inhabitants of Bedouin Village. Looking for more excitement? Then plan for accommodation at Al Maha! It is one of the most popular and unique luxury resorts and is spread over 3,300 acres of sun kissed dunes. Staying here would enable you to experience the thrill of desert safari.

Burj Nahar
Year 1870 marked the foundation of Burj Nahar. Three watchtowers are guarding this beautiful city. Burj Nahar is one of the three-watch towers, positioned in Deira. Picturesque gardens and exotic locales provide the perfect backdrop for photographers and tourists. People from all over the world come to visit this magnificent and beautiful tower.

Deira Covered Souk (District)
The Deira Covered Souq has more of an Indian feel than an Arabic one, with folks hawking textiles, spices, kitchen wares, clothes and henna. It?s a perfect place for a housewife to feel home! The aromas, the sights and the flavours of this place is quite intoxicating!!!

Dubai Creek
The Dubai Creek is considered to be one of the most significant and safe harbor for all the ships. It has a very beautiful, calm and serene atmosphere. Abras are serving as water-taxis for crossing from Deira side to Bur Side.

Dubai Museum
Year 1799 marked the building of Al Fahidi Fort. It was built against foreign invasion. This splendid fort is now Dubai Museum. Thus, allowing the visitors to peep into the rich culture and heritage of Dubai. Entrance of Dubai Museum is marked with a great collection of old maps exhibiting urban expansion of Dubai in the year 1960 to 1980.

Dubai Museum offers a unique trip to desert life, traditional Arabian homes, mosques, fishing, pearl diving and trade. Major highlights of Dubai Museum are artefacts from excavated graves, musical instruments. Deadly weapons also form the major part of Dubai Museum, such as swords, spears, bows, arrows, shields, pistols and axes.

So, what are you waiting for? Get ready for an exciting trip to Dubai Museum and make your Dubai tour a remarkable experience!

Dubai World Trade Centre
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) was established to stimulate trade and commerce in the United Arab Emirates in 1979. Over the past two decades, the DWTC has become a symbol of economic growth and prosperity in the Middle East. It undertakes three core activities: organizing exhibitions, providing hospitality services and property leasing.

From humble beginning in 1979 to being a state-of-the-art complex today, the DWTC has recorded remarkable growth in all areas of its core activities. The Complex includes a 39-storey office tower, 492 serviced residential apartments with a sports club, seven international standard interconnected and purpose built exhibition halls, a 200-seat theatre, a congress center and a private member's business club.

Contact: Tel: 04 3321000

Gold Souk
Dubai boasts one of the largest retail gold markets in the world, selling everything from ingots to intricately worked jewellery at bargain prices. The street-front stores hide alleys of smaller shops with glittering show windows.

Grand Mosque
Situated on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek near the Ruler's Court, Grand Mosque was re-built in 1998 and now has, at 70 metres, the city's tallest minaret. It has 45 small domes in addition to nine large ones boasting stained glass panels, making it a distinguished landmark and important place of worship.

Address: Al Mussalla Road (near Ruler's Court)

Hatta
In the foothills of the majestic Hajjar mountains, Hatta is a comfortable resort, ideal for a weekend getaway. The historic Hatta fort overlooks the town. The area is a much frequented picnic spot, and is about one hour drive from Dubai.

Contact: Alpha Tours Tel: 04 2949888

Hatta Mountains
From Jurassic Park to Hatta in one swoop. Larger than life: The 30 metre long Dinosaur dwarfed by the Hatta Mountains. Stairs under its tail will lead to a room built in its stomach where replics of the stone Age will be kept.

A white prancing horse adorns a hill on top at the farm. Visitors to the farm are greeted by a cannon. The driveway, internal roads and walkways are made of stone with pictures created from different coloured stones.

Heritage and Diving Village
A traditional heritage village, located in the Shindagah area has been created where potters and weavers display their crafts. The Diving village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire area into a cultural microcosm, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by. Located near the mouth of the creek, this area is also popular in the evenings as a venue for its open-air cafeterias and live entertainment. Several shops also sell handicrafts. No entrance fees.

Contact: Tel: 04 3937151

Jumeirah Mosque
Located on Al Jumeira Road this mosque, one of the most beautiful of all, and a fine example of modern Islamic architecture. The beauty of the mosque, the city's largest, is seen at its very best particularly when floodlit after sundown, when the subtle lighting throws its artistry into relief. The mosque is one of the most visited and photographed sights. Tours are at 10am every Sunday and Thursday mornings. For tour information, contact the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, which is open 8am - 3pm, Sat-Wed.

Contact: Tel: 04 3447755

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House (Museum)
Port Rashid, Dubai
Shaikh Saeed was the grandfather of the present ruler and his house has been restored as a museum. Dating from the late 1800s, Sheikh Saeed's House was built in a commanding position near the sea so the Ruler could observe shipping activity from its balconies. With its windtowers and layers of rooms built around a central courtyard, it is a fine example of regional architecture. An ambitious restoration project has returned the house to its former glory and makes it a showcase for the history and development of Dubai.

Sheikh Saeed's house can be visited as part of the Big Bus Company's tour of Dubai. The ticket price of Dhs 75 includes the entrance to Sheikh Saeed's House and Dubai museum as well.

Contact: Tel: 04 3937139

Shindagha
At the mouth of the Creek, Shindagha is the original site from which Dubai grew. Sheikh Saeed's house, the former home of the ruling Maktoum family, has been carefully restored here. Open daily from 8:30am - 8:30pm, except Fridays: 3pm - 8:30pm.

Timings: Open daily from 8:30am - 8:30pm, except Fridays: 3pm - 8:30pm

Spice Souk
The narrow lanes of the spice souk are redolent with cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, incense, dried fruit and nuts. Imported from all over the Middle East, they are sold straight out of open sacks that surround the shop keepers.

K- Porte Inn Hotel

2007-05-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hotel Facilities General Parking (fee required), Restaurant, Bar, 24-Hour Front Desk, Non-Smoking Rooms, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled, Safety Deposit Box, Valet Parking, Luggage Storage.

Activities Sauna, Fitness Centre, Massage, Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Services Room Service, Airport Shuttle, Business Centre, Laundry, Ironing Service, Currency Exchange, Car Rental, Tour Desk, Wi-Fi/Wireless LAN.

Location Near Airport.

Hotel information Formerly known as Gulf Inn Hotel, this three star property is in operation for the past ten years.
Food & BeverageCasablanca Cafe: Celebrates the culinary influences of Arabic and Moroccan traditional specialties at the lobby level with full view of Rigga Road. Be it a business lunch or you just want to while away your time, sitting and enjoying your hubbly bubbly, you are sure to enjoy your time in here.

Raqs, the Arabic night club with live entertainment, has a whole lot of excitement.

Ghungroo, our authentic Indian restaurant: For those who want to enjoy the Indian food over the dinner complimented with Indian Music and live entertainment.

Saxophone Bar: A perfect place to unwind your day over a drink. It's the coolest pub in town.

Hina's cafe: 24 hrs coffee shop at the lobby level.

Mermaid pool bar: Our roof top pool side bar for you to enjoy a drink while taking a plunge in the pool.

Area information We are conveniently located in the heart of Deira, a few paces from the Dubai creek, and just a few minutes from the Dubai International Airport. Traditional and modern business and shopping spots are just a stones throw away and so are some of the popular fun places in Dubai. From K Porte Inn you'll never be far from the interesting hot spots in Dubai.
Travel informationWe offer an airport shuttle to the hotel, available 24/7. This service is free of charge. The shuttle has to be reserved at least 48 hours before arrival. You can do this by means of the booking confirmation.

By public transport:
The nearest bus stop/station is at Al Rigga Road, at 5 minutes walking distance from the hotel.

Our hotel is located opposite the Pizza Hut on Al-Rigga Road.

We have our own parking facilities, free of charge for inhouse guests. It is an underground parking, which is 24 hrs manned and CCTV monitored. It needs to be reserved at least 48 hours before arrival.
Important informationWe require payment at check-in time. Personal cheques are not accepted.

An extra bed can be added to the Double Rooms, on request.
It costs AED 100 per night, without breakfast, including taxes.

Our hotel offers internet access in the main lobby. We have a wired and a wireless connection available. The costs are AED 20 per hour. The guest needs a laptop to connect to the internet.

Our whole hotel is accesible for wheelchairs; the hotel entrance has a ramp. We have special rooms for the disabled, with an adequate bathroom or/and bed, on request. Two people can stay in the room.

Pets are not allowed.
Hotel PoliciesCheck In24/24 hours

Check Out07:00 - 12:00 hours

Cancellation At least 24 hours before date of arrival. Reservations must be cancelled at least 1 day prior to arrival date to avoid a penalty of 1 night stay including tax. Early arrivals or late departures will not be charged.

The cancellation policy may vary per room type; please check the room description as well.

Child policy Children up to six years old can stay free of charge, including breakfast. Between the age of 6-12, children can stay for half the price in the existing bedding. A maximum of 2 children per room is allowed. Our hotel doesn't provide a baby cot or crib.

Accepted credit cards American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB

The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Tiara Residence

2007-04-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

Tiara Residence and Anantara Resort, which was previously entitled 'Jewel of the Palm', is a beachfront community that will be located along the upper-right side (north-eastern side) of the trunk of the man-made Palm Jumeirah island. The AED 2.1 billion (US$ 572 million) development will consist of seven 15-storey low-rise buildings built in a V shape and themed after different gemstones (Emerald, Aquamarine, Ruby, Sapphire, Tanzanite, Amber and Diamond).

Tiara Residence
It will occupy five of the seven buildings and each of the buildings will have 1 promenade level, 1 garden level, 1 deck level, 12 typical floors and a penthouse level. Each typical floor will contain two 1-bedroom, two 2-bedroom and two 3-bedroom apartments. The 1-bedroom apartments will range from 85 to 178 square meters (915 to 1,916 square feet), the 2-bedroom apartments will range from 159 to 229 square meters (1,711 to 2,465 square feet) and the 3-bedroom apartments will range from 212 to 228 square meters (2,282 to 2,454 square feet). Tiara Residence will contain a total of 644 one, two and three bedroom apartments and 14 penthouses.

The Palm Anantara Hotel Resort & Spa
Two of the buildings will be occupied by the Anantara Resort Palm Jumeirah, a 244 room hotel with an additional 132 furnished apartments. The Anantara Spa is the focal point of the resort and will provide a full range of eastern and western treatments and therapies.

Amenities in the development will include CCTV monitored public areas, 24-hour security guards, elevators with panoramic views, underground car parking, health club and recreational facilities, Jasper Club (gymnasium, sauna, steam rooms, outdoor pool, children's pool and play area), 230 meter sandy beach, 2 km running track. Tiara Residence and Anantara Resort will be surrounded on 3 sides by water and its apartments and hotel rooms will either a sea or pool view. Home finance is available through Amlak Finance for up to 90% over a maximum of 25 years (Ijarah Finance).

Expected Completion Date - End 2007
Real Estate Developer - Zabeel Investments
Location - The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The Palm Golden Mile

2007-04-07T14:12:00.000-07:00

The Palm Golden Mile will be situtated along the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah as an exclusive residential and retail boulevard. The Golden Mile Retail will be a unique shopping experience, with over 200 of the world's most upscale stores and restaurants from designer boutiques to formal dining and outdoor cafes. The Gold Mile Residences will contain 10 waterfront buildings with approximately 780 freehold apartments from 1 bedroom to penthouses and town homes. It is a joint venture between Al Nakheel and IFA Hotels & Resorts.

Expected Completion Date - Unknown
Real Estate Developer - Al Nakheel Properties
Location - Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Palm Trump Hotel and Tower

2007-04-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

The Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower, also referred to as Trump Tower Dubai, will be the luxury centerpiece building of the Palm Golden Mile, located on the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah. Initially the tower was shaped like an opening golden tulip, but in April 2006 its design was changed to feature a split linked tower with an innovative open core design.

The Palm Trump International Hotel and Tower will be a 48-storey mixed-use condo-hotel and residence with a 300 room five-star hotel and 360 freehold residential apartments. Some of the amentities include exclusive access to a private beach and yacht club with tennis courts, gymnasium and fitness centre, stylized pools and gardens. The AED 2.2 billion (US$ 600 million) development will be the first joint venture between Al Nakheel and The Trump Organization, who's president and chairman is Donald Trump.

Expected Completion Date - In 2009
Real Estate Developer
Al Nakheel Properties [Al Nakheel Projects]
Location - The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Property Developments: Dubai: Dubai Waterfront

2007-04-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

Dubai Waterfront is a stunning new development comprised of canals and islands containing luxury hotels and homes. Its 70 kilometer (42 miles) Arabian Canal runs through the desert, while its arc shaped man-made islands produce a shelter around the Palm Jebel Ali. The harbour provides sea access for trade and entertainment, while its surroundings are divided into a series of commercial, residential, resort and amenity areas.

Dubai Waterfront will extend Dubai coastal line by 820 kilometers (492 miles), which is 12 times the current length of Dubai's coastline, and will cover an area of over 81 million squared meters (266 million squared feet). It is intended to be the world's largest beachfront development and the largest man-made development. It will be larger than Manhattan or Beirut and is being built to be Dubai's premium luxury district. The development will feature over 100 different waterfront developments and over 150 planned communities. The various key development areas of Dubai Waterfront can be seen the aerial map below.

The Madinat Al Arab area will be the central area of the project and it have a 750 meter (2.46 thousand feet) skyscraper at its center, which has been named Al Burj (translated from Arabic as "The Tower").
1. Al Ras
2. Courniche
3. The Riviera
4. The Palm Boulevard
5. Madinat Al Arab
6. The Peninsula
7. Uptown
8. Downtown
9. Boulevard
10. The Exchange

Expected Completion Date - Unknown
Real Estate Developer - Al Nakheel Properties [Al Nakheel Projects]
Location - Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dream Palace Hotel

2007-04-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

Boasting a central spot in Deira and enjoying close proximity to the shopping and commercial district, this hotel
also offers easy access to the transport network and the rest of the city.

The comfortably spacious accommodation offers 154 fully equipped and tastefully decorated rooms. Get active in the gym, dip into the pool, bake in the sauna and dine in the elegant restaurant.

Hotel Facilities

General Parking (fee required), Restaurant, 24-hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Non-smoking Rooms, Free Parking, Elevator, Express Check-in/Check-out, Safety Deposit Box, Luggage Storage, Breakfast Buffet.

Activities Sauna, Fitness Centre, Billiards, Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Services

Room Service, Business Centre, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Internet Services, Currency Exchange, Fax/Photocopying, Wi-Fi / Wireless LAN.

Location Beach, City Centre, Shopping Centre, Near Subway.

Hotel information

We have a beautiful top floor swimming pool. Furthermore you can enjoy our snooker & billiard clubs with world`s finest tables, along with a sitting room lobby.

Food & Beverage

Food and beverage outlets:
- Round the clock coffee shop
- Road faced dining hall

Room information

The Hotel offers 154 elegantly furnished rooms. All equipped with modern facilities, including mini-bar, satellite TV channels, individually controlled air-conditioning, built-in safe.
Safety boxes are available at the reception; laundry, dry cleaning and room service are also available.

Area information

Ideally located in the heart of Deira, on Al Muraqqabat Road, next to Al Reef Mall and minutes away from Al Rigga Street with the famous Landmark: The Clock Tower. It is only a few minutes away from Dubai International Airport and major shopping areas.
The Dream Palace offers the most convenient location for business or leisure travelers.

Travel information

From Dubai International Airport:
A taxi from the airport to the hotel will take about 15 minutes. If you wish to take public transport take a bus to Deira Bus Station. Walk along Al Rigga St. for 5 minutes and you will come to Al Muraqqabat Rd.
Hotel PoliciesCheck In13:00 - 23:00 hours

Check Out12:00 - 14:00 hours

Cancellation

At least 24 hours before date of arrival.

The cancellation policy may vary per room type; please check the room description as well.

Child policy

Below eight years old we are not charging for one child. Any child above 8 years old will be charged AED 50 a night. If there are two children below eight years old we are charging AED 50 per night for one child.

Accepted credit cards

American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard

The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Dusit Dubai

2007-04-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

Ideally situated in the prime business district, the Dusit Dubai's iconic architecture is a distinctive landmark in the vibrant city of Dubai. This five star hotel combines the latest in luxury amenities with traditional Thai hospitality. The hotel is a five minute drive to the World Trade Centre and Dubai International Centre and a fifteen minute drive to the Dubai International Airport and major shopping malls proving its location to be perfect for the business traveller.

Rooms: 321. Hotel Chain: Dusit Hotels and Resorts

Hotel Facilities General Parking (fee required), Restaurant, Bar, 24-hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Non-smoking Rooms, Continental Breakfast, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled, Family Rooms, Elevator, Express Check-in/Check-out, Safety Deposit Box, Valet Parking, Shops in Hotel, Breakfast Buffet.

Activities Fitness Centre, Solarium, Jacuzzi, Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Services Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Barber/Beauty Shop, VIP Room Facilities, Ironing Service, Internet Services, Souvenirs/Gift Shop, Fax/Photocopying, Wi-Fi / Wireless LAN, Free Wi-Fi Internet Access Included.

Location City Centre, Near Exhibition Centre.

Hotel information

Hotel Facilities & Services
Dusit Dubai has a fully equipped gymnasium on the 36th floor with breath-taking views of Dubai, a jacuzzi and a rooftop swimming pool. Other facilities include a business centre, hair salon, florist, and a Dusit Boutique.

Facilities Overview

Swimming Pool
Outdoor swimming pool with sun deck, fountain and Splash Pool Bar. A perfect place to see the panoramic view of Dubai and the Gulf.

Location: 36th floor
Fee: N/A

Open:
Daily - 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Fitness Centre
For the more active, the Fitness Centre offers a complete selection of state-of-the-art fitness equipment. It overlooks the Dubai skyline and Sheikh Zayed Road.

Location: 36th floor
Fee: N/A

Open:
Daily - 6:00 am to 11:00 pm

Dusit Beauty
Dusit Beauty offers a wide range of hair treatments for hotel guests and residents in Dubai. Located just off the hotel lobby, Dusit Beauty provides complete hairdressing services for men, women and children including restyling, cut and blow-dry, colouring, perming and hair creations. Christopher John, the Salon Manager, promises a warm welcome and a thoroughly professional service.
Location: Lobby

Open:
Daily - 11:00 am to 9:00 pm

Dusit Dubai has the perfect combination of venues to guarantee that every function is always a success. Our meeting facilities include the 545-square-metre Al Wasl Ballroom, which is capable of hosting events for up to 700 delegates, and four high-tech 'smart' rooms, especially designed for smaller meetings. Tailored menus and banqueting packages can be created to suit every occasion.

Food & Beverage

The hotel provides a superb choice of dining options, including Benjarong, the first speciality restaurant to bring Royal Thai cuisine to Dubai. Alternatively, you can choose from the Dusit Delicatessen, Californian International restuarant or Pax Italian restaurant. For a more relaxed atmosphere, guests can enjoy the Champagne Lounge or MyBar, our Asian themed bar.

Room information

Dusit Dubai provides a combination of 321 hotel rooms, suites and fully furnished and serviced one- and two-bedroom apartments. Every room is superbly furnished, offering all the comforts expected of a luxury hotel. Notable among the standard features is access to a high-speed Internet service in the guest rooms and a wireless facility in the hotel's public area. The hotel's top three floors are dedicated to the Executive rooms and suites, supported by the Executive Lounge that offers the business traveller additional services.

Area information

The emirate of Dubai is synonymous with glitz and glamour, and at the Dusit Dubai, situated among the futuristic skyscrapers of the Sheikh Zayed Road, guests can experience this first-hand. The Dusit Dubai hotel is only five minutes from Dubai's World Trade Centre and Exhibition Halls and is a 20 minute drive from Dubai International Airport. The hotel is also located only ten minutes from Jumeirah Beach and within easy access of Dubai's shopping districts.

Hotel Policies

Check In15:00 - 15:00 hours

Check Out12:00 - 12:00 hours

Cancellation

Before 12.00 o'clock on the date of arrival.

The cancellation policy may vary per room type; please check the room description as well.

Accepted credit cards

American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, Maestro

The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Chelsea Tower Suites & Apartments

2007-04-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

Calling it a modern apartment tower would be underselling this exceptionally designed, futuristic tower. Standing tall and overlooking most of its peers, the Chelsea Tower is situated opposite the finance hub, the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), on Dubai’s ultra-chic Sheikh Zayed Road.
The first impression of the tower is its’ awe-inspiring architectural eccentricity, which sets it apart from the mundane and the ordinary. And once you enter the Chelsea Tower, we promise you that your mood will be elevated, as your senses get immersed in pure luxury.
Standing 49 stories tall, the Chelsea Tower has some of the best views of Dubai. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf and the Jumeirah beaches on one side and the sparkling city on the other, you’re bound to be mesmerised by the view, whichever window you might look out of.

Rooms: 281.

Hotel Facilities General Parking (fee required), Restaurant, 24-hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Terrace, Non-smoking Rooms, Continental Breakfast, Family Rooms, Free Parking, Elevator, Express Check-in/Check-out, Safety Deposit Box, Valet Parking, Soundproofed Rooms, Heating, Gay Friendly, Breakfast Buffet.

Activities Sauna, Fitness Centre, Massage, Walking, Turkish/Steam Bath, Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Services

Room Service, Airport Shuttle, Business Centre, Babysitting/Child Services, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, VIP Room Facilities, Breakfast in the Room, Ironing Service, Internet Services, Currency Exchange, Shoe Shine, Packed Lunches, Car Rental, Tour Desk, Fax/Photocopying, Ticket Service, Wi-Fi / Wireless LAN.

Location Beach, City Centre, Shopping Centre, Near Highway, Near Airport, Panoramic View.

Hotel information

The Chelsea Tower houses all facilities that any discerning guest could demand from a modern living environment:
- Shuttle service to popular beaches and malls
- Chelsea Group Privilege Card for discounts in our restaurant Limelight and all F&B outlets at the Chelsea Hotel
- 24-Hours security
- Housekeeping: daily for short stay and bi-weekly for long stay
- Fully ‘Nautilus’-equipped gym with sauna and steam room facilities
- 25 Metre swimming pool overlooking the city, with 2 children pools

Food & Beverage

Limelite, the building’s very own restaurant, takes it’s inspiration from the city itself. Just like the mix of all cultures in the city, our chefs cook up the finest wonders in food. Step down for a multi-cuisine experience at the lunch buffet. Or choose the a-la-carte menu for breakfast, lunch or dinner. For in betweens, you are always welcome to indulge your sweet-tooth with the widest array scrumptious desserts or enjoy one of the specialty coffees or teas from the coffee bar. For the more healthy amongst us, the juice bar will be a welcome break in the day.
Limelite also provides 24-hour room-service to the apartments.

Room information

The Chelsea Tower has 281 dreams waiting to be realised: They come in 1, 2 and 3 room apartment options. Besides boasting a stunning view, each apartment is completely furnished, creating an aura of understated style and taste. The contemporary furniture and interiors blend extremely well with anything you may wish to add in order to customise the apartment to your taste. The living room also is equipped with your personal “home-entertainment” centre including a television and a DVD player and a pre-fitted cable connection.
The kitchen comes completely fitted with all modern appliances that one needs. With plenty of pantry room, the kitchen is designed to withstand any party you might host.
The living space varies from 800 square feet to 1636 square feet.
Area informationThe Sheikh Zayed Road is a statement of the direction in which the city is headed. It houses the ultra-chic and the powerful, The top executives and the upwardly mobile. They all call this strip of reaching-for-the-sky-high-rises…home. The defining skyline of the city, Sheikh Zayed Road is the place to be when it comes to business or leisure.

The Chelsea Tower is located at:
- 15 minutes from the International Airport
- 10 minutes from all big malls
- 10 minutes from Jumeirah beach
- walking distance from many international restaurants
Hotel PoliciesCheck In14:00 - 24/24 hours

Check Out12:00 - 14:00 hours

Cancellation

Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the arrival date. If booking is not cancelled outside of this notice period, your credit card will be charged with the amount of one night's stay.

The cancellation policy may vary per room type; please check the room description as well.

Child policy

No charge for children under 6 years.

Accepted credit cardsVisa, Euro/Mastercard

The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Grand Moov Hotel

2007-04-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

Grand Moov Hotel is a haven of tranquil elegance amidst the vibrant city of Dubai. We offer a warm and sophisticated atmosphere, derived from a unique blend of internationally recognized facilities and amenities. We ensure you are looked after by the people who respect and value the word 'hospitality', allowing you to enjoy your stay with a wonderful feeling of total relaxation, whether your visit on business or pleasure.

Rooms: 170.

Hotel Facilities General Restaurant, Bar, 24-hour Front Desk, Non-smoking Rooms, Continental Breakfast, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled, Free Parking, Elevator, Safety Deposit Box, Valet Parking, Luggage Storage.

Activities

Sauna, Fitness Centre, Massage, Turkish/Steam Bath, Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Services

Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Airport Shuttle, Business Centre, Laundry, Breakfast in the Room, Ironing Service, Currency Exchange, Souvenirs/Gift Shop, Tour Desk, Fax/Photocopying, Ticket Service, Wi-Fi / Wireless LAN.

Location City Centre.

Hotel information

We have a state of the art business centre on the first floor for exclusive use of in-house guests fitted with latest definition PCs. We offer secretarial services. Exclusive meeting areas can be arranged on request.
Food & BeverageThai Restaurant: Sophisticated fine dining restaurant that offers authentic Thai cuisine. Elegant bamboowood decor; spacious but warm and inviting. Operating hours: Lunch: 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm,
Dinner: 7:00 pm to 12:00 midnight.

Grand Café: International, 24-hour restaurant offering both buffet and à la carte menus; an ideal place for a quick bite or a lingering meal. Located adjacent to the hotel lobby.

Pool Bar: Swim-up bar and ample poolside seating area, serving coffees, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks together with a wide selection of salads, sandwiches, burgers and ice creams.

Area information

We are located at 7 kms from the airport and in close proximity to all the down-town shopping and business districts. It will take you 15 minutes to reach the city centre, airport and Maktoum bridge by taxi. It's just a 5 minutes drive from the Clock Tower.

Travel information

We offer complimentary transport service to/from Dubai International Airport, on request. You can choose to take a taxi for AED 10; the limo fare is AED 100. We have a complimentary daily shuttle service to shopping centers, beaches and exhibition centers during Gitex, ATM, Big 5 and Index.

The nearest railway and subway station is Al Riqqa Station, at 0.6 kms from the hotel. The taxi fare to there is approximately AED 4; the limo fare AED 25.

We have an underground car parking space for around 50 cars and dedicated valet service for our guests' convenience, with 24-hour security. This service is free of charge.

Important information

We offer wireless internet access in public areas in the hotel like the Lobby and the coffee shop. Inside the rooms we offer the guests a cable to connect to the internet (which supports all the PC's and Laptops). The charge to connect to the internet is AED 20/ hour and AED 150/ day.

The Business Centre is open from 08:00 - 18:00 each day.

An extra bed is available at the cost of AED 125 p.n.
We have a 24-7 doctor on call.
Hotel Policies Check In13:00 - 00:00 hours

Check Out 07:00 - 12:00 hours

Cancellation

At least 24 hours before date of arrival. In case of a late cancellation or no-show one night stay will be charged.

The cancellation policy may vary per room type; please check the room description as well.

Child policy

Children up to six years old can stay free of charge. Between the age of 6-12, children can stay for half the price in the existing bedding. Our hotel doesn't provide a baby cot or crib.

Accepted credit cards

American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, Maestro, Discover, Solo, Switch, Bankcard

The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Arabian Park Hotel

2007-04-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

Arabian Park Hotel is extremely affordable, while offering outstanding value for money to the business, corporate and leisure markets. This positioning is comprehensively supported by the standard of the rooms, which is exceptional within the category, and by facilities that are certain to exceed all expectations of a ‘budget’ hotel. Additional features include a gracious lounge with wireless internet access on every floor, a business centre, meeting rooms, a well-equipped gym and a large saltwater swimming pool.

Rooms: 318.

Hotel Facilities

General Parking (fee required), Restaurant, Bar, 24-hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Garden, Non-smoking Rooms, Free Parking, Elevator, Express Check-in/Check-out, Safety Deposit Box, Valet Parking, Luggage Storage, Shops in Hotel, Breakfast Buffet.

Activities

Fitness Centre, Library, Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Services

Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Airport Shuttle, Business Centre, Babysitting/Child Services, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Breakfast in the Room, Ironing Service, Internet Services, Currency Exchange, Packed Lunches, Car Rental, Tour Desk, Fax/Photocopying, Wi-Fi / Wireless LAN.

Location City Centre, Shopping Centre, Near Airport, Near Exhibition Centre.

Hotel information- A library and lounge area on each floor with wireless internet access and 42” plasma screen satellite television
- Well-equipped Nautilus gymnasium
- Large infinity swimming pool with state-of-the-art salt water system
- Spacious pool terrace with wireless internet access
- 24-hour service by The Deli – offering ‘made today’ sandwiches, salads, fresh juices, guest amenities and souvenirs
- Business centre with work stations, meeting rooms, conference call and projector facilities
- Discounts at numerous award-winning restaurants and bars, all within five minutes’ drive

Business Centre:
Located on the first floor offering two meeting rooms with capacity for 8 to 20 people, equipped with presentation projectors and conference call facilities. Independant work stations, internet access and a secretary to cover all administrational requirements are also available.

Food & Beverage
The Brasserie Bright, understated and very modern, our all-day dining restaurant is designed with the international traveler in mind. The menu offers a broad spectrum of international cuisine that has been showcased in award-winning restaurants at Wafi City. Far East fusion dishes - best sellers at Thai-Chi – are featured, along with popular pasta dishes from Medzo and Biella. Our steaks rival the best in Dubai – at a much lower price – and tempting tiramisu and New York-style cheesecake are freshly prepared at our in-house patisserie. This is the place for business breakfasts, power lunches or late night suppers.

The Oasis Lounge & Bar With its natural light by day and exciting lighting by night, this venue offers the perfect combination of cocktail lounge and wine bar. The top mixologist at Ginseng has been responsible for creating a cutting edge selection of cocktails and we have enlisted the knowledge and experience of our team at Vintage to recommend a comprehensive wine selection from around the world - with many wines available by the glass. Tapas, a concept successfully introduced to Dubai by Seville’s, takes on a global feel with diverse and tantalizing dishes. From shallow-fried quail eggs, baked whole Camembert laced with truffle honey and served with oven-fresh baguette to meltingly tender calamari accompanied by aioli, these are ideal dishes to share amongst friends.

The Pool Accessed via The Oasis Lounge & Bar, the menu at The Pool offers a selection of lighter dishes, salads and sandwiches from The Brasserie and The Oasis menus. Special attention has been given to the refreshing cocktail selection that features long, cool and frozen drinks that are absolutely right for enjoying poolside.

The Deli Made today…served today! Located next to the main reception, The Deli takes its theme from the delicatessens of New York and offers a range of freshly made sandwiches with healthy, organic and vegetarian choices plus salads, sushi and a selection of fresh juices and smoothies. It’s great for a quick snack or take-away and mini-bar goods can be enjoyed by guests in the privacy of their rooms. With 24/7 service, The Deli also offers a range of guest amenities and souvenirs that can be purchased around the clock.

Room informationRoom amenities include:
- Satellite TV
- High speed internet access
- Tea/coffee making facilities
- Hairdryer
- IDD telephone
- Mini fridge
- Safe deposit box
- Non-smoking rooms available on request

Area informationArabian Park Hotel is perfectly located in the city centre, just 10 minutes from Dubai International Airport & Dubai Convention Centre exhibition halls and 5 minutes from Wafi City - a world class shopping and entertainment complex with extensive health & leisure facilities and a host of restaurants, cafés and bars.
Travel informationTo Wafi City via a complimentary shuttle bus service, to the Airport via our shuttle service or taxi (limousine facilities available on request). Dubai World Trade Centre can be accessed via back roads avoiding traffic jams in just 10 minutes.

If you are NOT a passport holder of one of the following countries, please arrange your VISA before arrival. This hotel can NOT arrange a VISA for you.
• AGCC country visa holders (certain designations only)
• France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore South Korea and Malaysia.
Hotel PoliciesCheck In14:00 - 24/24 hours

Check Out12:00 - 12:00 hours

CancellationAt least 72 hours before date of arrival. One night charge will apply in case of late cancellation or no show.

The cancellation policy may vary per room type; please check the room description as well.

Accepted credit cardsAmerican Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club

The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Property Developments: Dubai: Dubailand

2007-03-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

Dubailand is a tourism, real estate, hospitality, entertainment, leisure and retail mega project under development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It will cover an area of 3 billion square feet (279 million square meters) and its initial infrastructure will be built at a cost of AED 3 billion (US$ 814 million). Dubailand is being managed by Dubai Government's Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA) and is being built to secure Dubai as the premier tourist destination for the Middle East.

Dubailand themepark will contain 45 mega projects and over 200 sub projects, making it the most ambitious tourist destination ever created. Dubai land is being created to appeal to the widest audience of tourists, covering all age groups, nationalities and activities. On completion, Dubailand will be twice the size of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, making it the biggest theme/amusement park in the world. Dubailand is being built in 4 phases, each of which will last for 5 years. The first phase of development, from 2005 to 2010, will include the development of initial roads and infrastructure. This will follow with concentrating on the unique leisure and entertainment products until its completed in 2020.

The various projects being built in Dubailand have been categorized into six themed zones, which focus on a different aspect of the Dubai land experience. Each of the zones, referred to as worlds, within Dubailand has been planned to offer an unforgettable experience for both children and adults.

Attractions and Experience World
A family World of theme and water parks, roller coasters and adventure, the Attractions and Experience World will feature a critical mass of themed, large-scale attractions, using the latest technology for thrills and safety. Based on the example of successful destinations worldwide, its largest theme park will act as an anchor, attracting visitors and encouraging the growth of visits to other attractions within the World, and Dubailand as a whole.

The Attractions and Experience World will cover 150 million square feet (13.9 million square meters), and will contain a total of 16 projects (Aqua Dubai, Astrolab Resort, Aviation World, Snowdome (Dubai Sunny Mountain Ski Dome), Great Dubai Wheel, Dubailand Theme Park, Falcon City of Wonders, Fantasia, Giants World, The Global Village, The Islamic Culture and Science World, Kids World, Legends-Dubailand, Planetarium, Space and Science World, Tourism Park).

Sports and Outdoor World
A high energy world of heroes and champions, the Sports and Outdoor World will include a mix of sporting venues that will incorporate a dynamic program of international rugby, cricket and other sports tournaments as well as extreme sports activities. When completed, it will be ideally positioned to become a prime warm weather training facility for professional sports teams and will appeal to a broad mix of markets.

The Sports and Outdoor World will cover approximately 354 million square feet (32.9 million square meters), and will contain a total of 5 projects (Dubai Autodrome and Business Park, Dubai Sports City, Extreme Sports World, Golf World, The Plantation Equestrian & Polo Club).

Eco-Tourism World
A natural world marvelling at the beauty of our planet, the Eco-Tourism World will comprise a series of nature and desert-based attractions integrated within their desert parkland surrounds. Its experiential and cultural activities will have broad appeal and its vast number of exquisite and unique offerings will no doubt encourage long-stays and repeat visits.

The Eco-Tourism World will cover approximately 1.4 billion square feet (130 million square meters) and will contain a total of 7 projects (Al Barari, Dubai Heritage Village, Life World, Pet Land, Safari Park, Sand Dune Hotel, Tropical Village)

Themed Leisure and Vacation World
A relaxing world of spas, health and well-being, the Themed Leisure and Vacation World will consist of appealing retreats designed to respond to the growing international demand for quality vacation village residences, resort hotels and wellness retreats. It will include several fitness and stress-management focused facilities and will offer unique creative concepts, such as themed resorts, providing visitors a chance to experience faraway exotic locales without leaving Dubailand.

The Themed Leisure and Vacation World will cover approximately 320 million square feet (29.7 million square meters) and will contain a total of 6 projects (Andalusian Resort & Spa, The Indian Theme Resort, LEMNOS Women’s World, The Nubian Village, The Silver Street Resort, Thai Express Resort)

Downtown, Retail and Entertainment World
A vibrant mix of entertainment, shopping and eating out, the Downtown, Retail & Entertainment World will be a mixed destination offering a variety of retail, dining and entertainment facilities. It will feature popular family entertainment components with cross-generational appeal such as cinemas, bowling, street entertainment, computer-based games centres, themed restaurants and nightclubs. Downtown, Retail & Entertainment World’s multitude of day and night activities will encourage overnight stays and spending at Dubailand. As shopping is one of the essential activities undertaken by tourists on vacation, Downtown, Retail & Entertainment World will provide a critical mass of retail facilities providing a wide variety of global brands but also unique boutiques and discount stores, all within the biggest mall in the world - the Mall of Arabia.

The Downtown, Retail and Entertainment World will cover approximately 53 million square feet (4.9 million square meters) and will contain a total of 5 projects (City of Arabia, Dubai Bazaar, Dubai Outlet City, Restaurant Complex, Teen World, Virtual Games World)

Dubailand will ideally be located along the Emirates Road and the Dubai-Al Ain Road, which will provide easy access to it from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah. It will be located 60 minutes from Abu Dhabi, 10 minutes from the Dubai Airport, and 20 minutes from Sharjah.

For more information about Dubailand, please watch the 24-minute video clip below.

Expected Completion Date - 2015 to 2018
Managed by - Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA)
Location - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Property Developments: Dubai: Burj Dubai (Downtown Dubai)

2007-03-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

Burj Dubai is set to be the world's tallest building and the centerpiece of the Gulf regions most prestigious urban development, entitled Downtown Dubai. The Arabic meaning for the word Burj is 'tower', which gives Burj Dubai a meaning of 'Dubai Tower' or 'Tower of Dubai'. Its exact height hasn't been disclosed but it has been confirmed that it will be over 700 meters tall and its design was influenced by the six petal desert flower.

Burj Dubai is being constructed on Sheikh Zayed Road, just after the first interchange (Defense Roundabout) and it will be surrounded by a man-made lake. It will also be surrounded by a combination of residential, commercial, hotel, entertainment and leisure outlets, along with open green spaces, water features, and pedestrian boulevards.

Burj Residence (The Residence)
The Burj Dubai Residence will be one the residential area of Downtown Dubai containing nine luxury freehold apartment towers with open water, calming greenery, state-of-the-art gyms, pools and spas. These towers will contain 1, 2 and 3 bedroom suites, penthouses, or villas.

Old Town
This development is located at the foot of Burj Dubai and will contain a variety of freehold properties, from low-rise three storey apartment buildings to exclusive mid-rise towers with penthouses. It will have traditional architecture and will have comfortable outdoor living areas like terraces and balconies. The development will also contain restaurant from five-star dining to outdoor cafes overlooking parks and waterways.

The Lofts (Loft Living)
The Lofts will be a series of double-storey freehold apartments along the 3.5 km (2.2 miles) long, 73 meter (240 feet) wide Burj Dubai Boulevard. It will be situated within an exclusive 3-tower complex of 27 to 30 storeys and raised from a 6-storey podium. The Lofts tower complex will offer one and two bedroom units with a maximum of 6 suites per floor, each with panoramic windows and outdoor balconies.

Dubai Mall
Downtown Dubai's major retail outlet will also be the world's largest shopping mall, which will cover 9 million square feet (836 thousand square meters). Burj Dubai Mall will have areas for leisure pursuits, including a world-class aquarium, fashion show arena, gold souk and an ice rink, as it intends to revolutionize the modern shopping experience.

Expected Completion Date - In 2008
Real Estate Developer - Emaar Properties
Location - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Property Developments: Dubai: Business Bay

2007-03-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Business Bay will be a freezone business, commercial and residential district that will cover an area of 64 million square feet (5.95 million square meters). It will be located next to Downtown Dubai (Burj Dubai), between interchange 2 and 3 of Sheikh Zayed Road and extend along a new creek from the edge of Dubai Creek (Ras Al Khor), all the way to Dubai's coast.

Dubai Business Bay is intended to maintain Dubai as the region's business capital and will be similar to New York's Manhattan and Toyko's Ginza business centers. It is intended to provide a conducive environment and infrastructure for businesses from around the world to set up their local, regional and international headquarters.

Dubai Business Bay Index
Business Bay will contain over 230 commercial and residential towers, which include The Executive Towers (residential), Vision Tower (office), Al Manara (office), and The Citadel (office).

Expected Completion Date - In 2010
Real Estate Developer - Dubai Properties [Dubai Properties Projects]
Location - Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

DUBAI MAPS

2007-03-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Royal Ascot Hotel

2007-03-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

From the palatial architecture to the poulent lobby that welcomes you into the hotel to the lavish, extra large rooms, everything at the Royal Ascot is a symbol of extravagance and grandeur. It is a hotel where guests come to experience first hand the very essence of royal treatment. Built in the heart of Dubai, the Royal Ascot is close to the airport as well as to the major business and shopping areas of the city. Royal Ascot has 181 tastefully designed rooms.

Rooms: 181.

Hotel Facilities

General Restaurant, Bar, 24-hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Garden, Non-smoking Rooms, Family Rooms, Elevator, Safety Deposit Box, Valet Parking, Luggage Storage.

Activities

Sauna, Fitness Centre, Massage, Turkish/Steam Bath, Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Services

Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Laundry, VIP Room Facilities, Internet Services, Currency Exchange, Shoe Shine, Wi-Fi / Wireless LAN, Free Wi-Fi Internet Access Included.

Location City Centre, Near Exhibition Centre.

Hotel information

Take a trip to our Theatrium, which is an amphitheatre with two daily performances.
Food & BeverageWhen it comes to food, guests at the Royal Ascot are spoiled for choice. Take your pick from among eleven bars, coffee shops and restaurants at the Royal Ascot or the affiliate hotel next door - The Ascot. The wide variety of restaurants serving authentic European and Asian cuisine will take you on a Eurasian culinary adventure that you will savor for a long time to come.
Room informationThe Royal Ascot has beautiful rooms with high ceilings and tasteful design. The rooms are among the most spacious of all hotels of comparable class. You can choose from superior deluxe rooms, executive rooms, 1 or 2 bedroom suites, and the presidential suite.

Area information

The Royal Ascot is situated in the heart of Dubai, close to the airport as well as to the major business and shopping areas of the city. Sheikh Zayed Road is just a seven minutes drive, and Burjuman - one of the city's finest malls - is only five minutes away.

Travel information

An airport shuttle is available. It costs AED 50 per way. It has to be booked in advance. We need to be informed with the exact flight details 48 hours before checkin.
Complimentary transfers are also available to and from our beach facilities, on request.

The nearest bus station is Al Gubaiba Bus station, at just 1 km
from the Hotel.

Our hotel offers 2 basement parkings. Guests can make use of this facility, free of charge. We also have an open parking.

If you are NOT a passport holder of one of the following countries, please arrange your VISA before arrival. This hotel can NOT arrange a VISA for you.

* AGCC country visa holders (certain designations only)
* France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore South Korea and Malaysia.
Important informationThe hotel offers free Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel.

An extra bed can be added in the Superior Deluxe Rooms and the One Bedroom Suites. The service of an extra bed depends upon availability. It costs AED 250, including taxes and breakfast.
Hotel Policies

Check In14:00 hours

Check Out07:00 - 13:00 hours

CancellationAt least 48 hours before date of arrival. In case of a late cancellation or no-show one night stay will be charged.

The cancellation policy may vary per room type; please check the room description as well.

Child policy

Children aged 0-5 years old can stay free of charge if sharing with adults.

Accepted credit cards

Visa, Euro/Mastercard

The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Le Meridien Dubai

2007-03-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hotel Facilities

General Parking (fee required), Restaurant, Bar, 24-hour Front Desk, Newspapers, Garden, Terrace, Non-smoking Rooms, Continental Breakfast, Rooms/Facilities for Disabled, Free Parking, Elevator, Express Check-in/Check-out, Safety Deposit Box, Valet Parking, Luggage Storage, Breakfast Buffet.

Activities

Tennis Court, Fitness Centre, Golf Course (within 3km), Spa & Wellness Centre, Outdoor Swimming Pool.

Services

Room Service, Meeting/Banquet Facilities, Airport Shuttle, Business Centre, Babysitting/Child Services, Laundry, Dry Cleaning, Barber/Beauty Shop, VIP Room Facilities, Currency Exchange, Souvenirs/Gift Shop, Shoe Shine, Car Rental, Tour Desk, Fax/Photocopying, Ticket Service, Wi-Fi / Wireless LAN.

Location City Centre, Near Airport

Hotel information

The hotel offers numerous conference and meeting rooms that can accommodate a wide variety of requirements. From a boardroom with natural daylight to two grand ballrooms, our professional staff and dedicated event managers will ensure that any event held in Le Méridien Dubai is a memorable one. All of the function rooms are equipped with the latest audio-visual facilities and technical support is always on hand. For that ideal outdoor venue for a private dinner or elegant cocktail reception, our lush poolside gardens and open-air terraces can seat up to 400 guests.

Food & Beverage

Le Méridien Dubai is host to a myriad of exceptional restaurants and bars. They are located in three areas of the hotel complex; namely, the elegant main Lobby area, La Promenade and the piazza styled Meridien Village. From a lively Irish pub showing the latest sporting events to a fine dining French Cuisine, there is definitely something for everyone.

- Al Mijana Cuisine: Lebanese (a la carte)
- Meridien Village Terrace Cuisine: Barbeque (buffet)
- Café Chic Cuisine: French (a la carte)
- M's Beef Bistro Cuisine: Steak (a la carte)
- Casa Mia Cuisine: Italian (a la carte)
- Seafood Market Cuisine: Seafood (a la carte)
- Pool Bar Cuisine: International (cocktails/snacks)
- Yalumba Cuisine: Australian (a la carte/buffet)
- Gourmandises Cuisine: Deli (casual)
- Kiku Cuisine: Japanese (a la carte)
- Jules Bar Cuisine: Mexican (night club)
- Long Yin Cuisine: Cantonese (a la carte)
- Sukhothai Cuisine: Thai (a la carte)
- Dubliner's Cuisine: Irish (casual)
- Pearl Bar Cuisine: International (cocktails/snacks)

Room informationAll of the guest bedrooms in Le Meridien Dubai are luxuriously furnished and feature all the modern facilities & amenities that a discerning traveller might require. Some of these room facilities include a 32" LCD television, DVD player as well as Highspeed wireless Internet access.

For those guests seeking the ultimate in personalised service and luxury, Royal Club rooms and suites offer guests a variety of complimentary benefits that include a daily fresh fruit platter of the guests choice; In-room tea, coffee and fresh juices service; evening canapés and "Night Cap" as well as housekeeping and turndown services at guests own convenience.
Area informationLe Méridien offers the opportunity to discover unique cultural experiences both within the hotel as well as across the local community. Le Méridien is dedicated to providing these experiences as well as recommending the most enriching art, musical, fashion and design events that the destination has to offer.
A short distance from the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club (1.2 mi/2.0 km), the Gold Souk (3.1 mi/5.0 km), and Mumzar Park (5.0 mi/8.0 km), the hotel puts the city’s unique experiences in reach.
Other local attractions: Dubai Zoo (6.2 mi/10.0 km); Nadal Sheba Golf and Race Track (9.3 mi/15.0 km); Sharjah Souk (15.5 mi/25.0 km); Emirates Golf Club (15.5 mi/25.0 km).
Travel informationComplimentary airport transfers are provided to all guests arriving at Dubai International Airport - Terminal 1.

Upon arrival at the airport, please proceed to the Le Meridien kiosk, located on the right side of the exit gate after the luggage clearence, where the representative will arrange your transportation to the hotel.

Please note that it is imperative that you provide the hotel with your flight details in order to arrange for these complimentary transfers.

Please note that guests may experience some delays in the transfer time to the hotel due to the construction of the Metro line that is taking place outside the Airport arrivals hall.

Terminal 2 transfers can be arranged on request at a nominal charge of AED 60 net per transfer.

If you are NOT a passport holder of one of the following countries, please arrange your VISA before arrival. This hotel can arrange a VISA for you after your reservation is made. Please contact the hotel directly for further information on documents required to process visas.

• AGCC country visa holders (certain designations only)
• France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore South Korea and Malaysia.
Important informationRenovation Advisory
We at Le Meridien Dubai are constantly striving to offer our customers the latest and most luxurious product offering and in doing so, please note that there is some refurbishment work on-going in various areas of the hotel grounds which may cause minor noise disturbances during the day. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Hotel Policies

Check In14:00 hours

Check Out12:00 hours

CancellationCancellation 24 hours prior to arrival: No charge. Cancellation less than 24 hrs prior to arrival, or in the event of a no-show: 1 night's stay.

The cancellation policy may vary per room type; please check the room description as well.

Child policy

Two children under the age of 12 years old can share the same room with adults without any additional cost. Only one extra bed can be placed in the same room with adults at an additional charge of Dhs120 nett per night. This extra bed is a roll away bed and only suitable for a child below the age of 12 years old. Please note that two extra beds cannot be placed in one room. A cot will be provided free of charge for a child. Please note that children under the age of 12 years old are not allowed in the Royal Club Lounge and Royal Club Business Centre.

Accepted credit cards

American Express, Visa, Euro/Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB

The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

Transport

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Roads

Dubai has a very large bus system run by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The bus system has 193 routes on weekdays and transports over 30 million people weekly. The Public Transport bus system is large and advanced but not large enough to accommodate the volume of people who use it. This means that in busy areas it is common that at the end of the day commuters may have to wait more than an hour before they can board a bus. Unfortunately the amount of buses does not increase with the same rate as the amount of passengers, which makes this problem worse as time progresses. The (RTA) has announced that Dubai roads will see 620 new buses costing more than one billion dirhams by next year, the new fleet includes 170 double decker buses.

Dubai also has an extensive taxi system, by far the most frequently used means of public transport within the Emirate. There are both government-operated and private cab companies. The Dubai Transport Corporation operates cream-coloured taxis. Some of the private cab companies are Cars Taxi, National Taxi, Cititaxi and Metro Taxi. The meter generally begins as Dhs. 3.80 and is generally charged by distance at 50 fils/km. There are approximately 7500 taxis located in the city.

Metro

There is currently a $3.89 billion Dubai Metro project under construction for the emirate. The Metro system is expected to be partially operational by 2009 and fully operational by 2012. The construction contract for the project was given to Dubai Rapid Link (DURL),[10] a consortium led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Also involved are two other Japanese corporations, Obayashi and Kajima, and a Turkish company, Yapi Merkezi. The metro will comprise two lines: the Green Line from Rashidiya to the main city center and the Red Line from the airport to Jebel Ali. The Dubai Metro (Green and Blue Lines) will have 70 kilometers of track and 43 stations, 33 above ground and ten underground. Trains are expected to run every 90 seconds when the project is completed. Recently, the Blue Line connecting Dubai International Airport to the new Jebel Ali Port and Dubai World Central International Airport was announced. The route will run 47 km through Dubailand, but the exact number of stations is unknown. Dubai is building this train system to ease congestion on its road network and to meet the transportation demands of its growing population. Seven monorails are also slated to be constructed to help feed the Metro system, connecting various places such as Dubailand, Palm Jumeirah, et al, to the main track.

A water taxi (Abra) in Dubai.

Ports and water travel

Dubai is serviced by several commercial ports and Dubai Creek is still used by local traders in Dhows:

Mina' Rashid (Port Rashid)
Jebel Ali
One of the more traditional methods of getting across Bur Dubai to Deira is through abras, small boats that ferry passengers across the Dubai creek, between abra stations in Bastakiya and Bani Yas Road, for a nominal charge of 1 Dirham (AED).

Air travel

The Dubai International Airport is a hub for Emirates Airline and has a large Duty Free shopping center. The airport has won numerous awards for its excellence in design and services. A third terminal is currently under construction and is due to open in 2007. The new terminal will be dedicated to Emirates Airline and will fully support the new Airbus A380. When completed this will double the capacity of the airport.

Dubai World Central International Airport, currently under construction, will make a new free trade area within Dubai and will be the centerpiece of the Jebel Ali Airport City. The airport was announced in 2004 and construction began in January 2005. The first part is expected to be completed by 2008. Although initially intended as a predominantly cargo airport, plans are afoot for the new Jebel Ali airport to handle some 120 million passengers per annum within 20 years, and would likely surpass Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, as the world's busiest airport.

Dubai is investing heavily in developing the reach of its airline, Emirates. The idea is to develop Dubai's air transportation ability so that passengers from any city can fly direct to Dubai. When Emirates Airline receives the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner series aircraft, it will be able to offer direct access to virtually any major city in the world. The airline has placed an order of 45 of Airbus's A-380 'superjumbo' double decker aircraft, the largest of which has a capacity of 641 passengers. The A380 aircraft have already been charted to fly from 2007 onwards. In addition, Emirates has placed an order of 42 of the new Boeing 777 aircraft in November 2005.

Real estate and property

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The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based but oil-reliant economy to one that is service- and tourism-oriented has made real estate more valuable, resulting in the property boom from 2004-2006. Construction on a large scale has turned Dubai into one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

The property boom is largely driven by megaprojects — these are just some of many projects planned for Dubai:

Off-shore:
Palm Islands
The World
Inland:
Dubai Marina
The Burj Dubai Complex
Dubai Waterfront
Business Bay
Dubailand
Jumeirah Village

The aspirations of the ruling sheikh are reflected by the ultra-modern architecture of the city; home to iconic skyscrapers such as Emirates Towers, which are the 12th and 24th tallest buildings in the world,[7] and the Burj al-Arab located on its very own island in the Persian Gulf and currently the tallest hotel in the world.

Emaar Properties is currently constructing what will become the world's tallest structure, the Burj Dubai. The final height of the skyscraper is a closely guarded secret — an indication of the developer's resolve to attain the title of the world's tallest building and its intention to hold on to it for as long as possible — but estimates so far point to a height upwards of 810m. Burj Dubai is expected to be completed in 2008. By 17 Jan 2007 it had reached 100 floors. Burj Dubai's neighbour is another behemoth under construction: the world's largest shopping mall — the Dubai Mall.

Also under construction is what is planned to become Dubai's new Central Business District, named Business Bay. The project, when completed, will feature a phenomenal 500 skyscrapers built around an artificial extension of the existing Dubai Creek.

In February 2005, the construction of Dubai Waterfront was announced,[7] it will be 2½ times the size of Washington D.C., roughly seven times the size of the island of Manhattan. Dubai Waterfront will be a mix of canals and islands full of hotels and residential areas that will add 800 km (500 miles) of man-made waterfront. It will also contain Al Burj, another one of the tallest buildings in the world.

Dubai has also launched Dubiotech. This is a new park to be targeted at Biotech companies working in pharma, medical fields, genetic research and even biodefense. The aim of this park is to foster the growth of this sector in Dubai and to utilize the region's talent in addressing this rapidly growing sector.

One of Dubai's recent groundbreaking plans is for a 30-story, 200 apartment skyscraper that will slowly rotate at its base, making a 360 degree revolution once a week. The world's first rotating skyscraper is to be in the center of the Dubailand complex and should be completed by 2009.

There are over 300 stores in the Gold Souk.The International Media Production Zone is a project targeted at creating a hub for printers, publishers, media production companies, and related industry segments. Launched in 2003, the project is scheduled to be completed in 2006.

A new project was announced on May 1, 2006 by the authorities. It is named Bawadi and will consist of a 27 billion US-dollar investment intended to increase Dubai's number of hotel rooms by 29,000, doubling it from the current figure offers now. The largest complex will be called "Asia, Asia" and will be the largest hotel in the world with more than 6,500 rooms.

The first villa freehold properties that were occupied by non-UAE nationals were The Meadows, The Springs, and The Lakes (high-end neighbourhoods designed by Emaar Properties, collectively called Emirates Hills).

Expatriates of various nationalities have been pouring capital into Dubai in the past several years, greatly contributing to the city's prosperity. Iranian expatriates alone are estimated to have invested up to $200 billion in Dubai. [8]

Dubai interests have also purchased large amounts of real estate in foreign countries, in particular snapping up trophy properties in global centers like New York and London. Purchases in 2005 included New York's 230 Park Avenue (formerly known as the New York Central Building or the Helmsley Building) and Essex House on Central Park South.

See the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing's list of developments in Dubai for more information.

Construction

Since 2000, Dubai's municipality has initiated a plethora of construction phases and plans across the entire city of Dubai, predominantly in the Mina Seyahi area, located further from Jumeirah, towards Jebel Ali. Many areas of Dubai are dominated by the large number of construction cranes. Construction in Dubai and the UAE in general is a much faster process than in any Western country. This is partly because Dubai construction companies employ many low wage labourers from the Asian subcontinent for up to 12 hours a day, six or seven days a week.

One of the main reasons for the boom in construction in Dubai is its drive to diversify the economy. The Dubai government does not want to depend on its oil reserves which are largely believed to become exhausted by 2010 and, as such, has diversified its economy to attract revenues in the form of expanding commercial and corporate activity. Tourism is also being promoted at a staggering rate with the construction of Dubailand and other projects that include the making of mammoth shopping malls, theme parks, resorts, stadiums and various other tourist attractions.

Another reason for the construction boom is the recent reversal of a law in 2002 that allows non-nationals of the UAE to own property (not land) in Dubai (albeit freehold and 99 year leases are actually sold to people with ownership still remaining with private companies). The larger of the property tycoons are Nakheel Properties and Emaar Properties. In Dubai, demand is currently outstripping supply by a significant margin and is showing no signs of slowing in the near future. Rents have skyrocketed with the recent inflow of professionals and companies from around the world who are attracted by Dubai's no-tax benefits although rises have recently been capped to 7% per annum up to 2007 under a directive from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Legislation in this area is still developing as the property market for foreigners is relatively new.

Economy od Dubai

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Oil reserves in Dubai are less than one-twentieth those of Abu Dhabi, and oil income represents a small proportion of the emirate's income.

Dubai and its twin across the Dubai creek, Deira (independent at that time), became important ports of call for Western manufacturers. Most of the new city's banking and financial centres were headquartered in the port area. Dubai maintained its importance as a trade route through the 1970s and 1980s. The city of Dubai has a free trade in gold and until the 1990s was the hub of a "brisk smuggling trade" of gold ingots to India, where gold import was restricted.

Today, Dubai is an important tourist destination and port (Jebel Ali, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbour in the world), but is also increasingly developing as a hub for service industries such as IT and finance, with the new Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Transport links are bolstered by its rapidly-expanding Emirates Airline, founded by the government in 1985 and still state-owned; based at Dubai International Airport, it carried over 24 million passengers in fiscal year 2005.

Burj Dubai (under construction) is scheduled to be the world's tallest buildingThe government has set up industry-specific free zones throughout the city. Dubai Internet City, now combined with Dubai Media City as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority) is one such enclave whose members include IT firms such as EMC Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft, and IBM, and media organisations such as MBC, CNN, Reuters, ARY and AP. Dubai Knowledge Village (KV),an education and training hub, is also set up to complement the Free Zone's other two clusters, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, by providing the facilities to train the clusters' future knowledge workers. Dubai Outsourcing Zone is for companies who are involved in outsourcing activities can set up their offices with concessions provided by Dubai Government. Internet access is restricted in most areas of Dubai with a proxy server filtering out sites deemed to be against cultural and religious values of the UAE - this includes any .il (Israeli) domains, and VoIP services are also illegal and usually blocked. However, areas served by TECOM (an internet service provider) are currently not filtered. This is expected to change early in 2007 according to the TRA (Telecom Regulatory Authority).

Demographics

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Dubai is unusual, in that its population comprises mainly expatriates, with UAE nationals (Emiratis) constituting the minority. The majority of these expatriates come from South Asia and South East Asia. A quarter of the population reportedly traces their origins to neighboring Iran.[5] Dubai is also home to some 100,000 British and other Western expatriates. The UAE government does not offer any form of naturalization or permanent residence to expatriates. However, foreigners are permitted to purchase and own specifically-designated property without a local partner or sponsor ("freeholds," as described below).

People born in the United Arab Emirates receive the same nationality as their father. Thus those born in the UAE to expatriates are also considered expatriates.

Nearly all of the commercial establishments are run by expatriates with a silent local partner who merely "rents" the business license for a negotiated annual fee without taking part in any capital investment. The numerous free trade zones allow for full expatriate ownership.

There are an increasing number of villas and apartments in areas which allow expatriate property ownership such as the Palm Islands, The Greens, Dubai Marina, and International City). Ownership is either permanent or on a 99-year lease, depending on the area; freehold areas were announced in the press in July.2006.[6] Ownership or lease of a completed residence allows the owner to apply for (but not guarantee) a residency visa on a three-year renewable basis. The Federal Government does not state whether foreigners may or may not own property and has left individual emirates to formulate their own property laws.

Language and religion

The official language is Arabic but English, German, Hindi/Urdu, Malayalam, Tamil, Persian, Russian and Tagalog are also widely spoken.

Article 7 of the UAE's Provisional Constitution declares Islam the official state religion of the Union. The Government funds or subsidizes almost 95 percent of Sunni mosques and employs all Sunni imams; approximately 5 percent of Sunni mosques are entirely private, and several large mosques have large private endowments. The government distributes guidance on religious sermons to mosques and imams, whether Sunni or Shi'a, and monitors all sermons for political content.

The Shi'a minority is free to worship and maintain its own mosques. All Shi'a mosques are considered private and receive no funds from the government. Within the UAE, Shi'a imams are government-appointed only in Dubai. Shi'a Muslims in Dubai may pursue Shi'a family law cases through a special Shi'a council rather than the Shari'a courts.

There are also large numbers of expatriate Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians. Non-Muslim groups can own their own houses of worship, wherein they can practice their religion freely, by requesting a land grant and permission to build a compound. Groups that do not have their own buildings must use the facilities of other religious organizations or worship in private homes. While the UAE doesn't offer any federal-level method of granting official status to religious groups, the individual emirates may exercise autonomy in officially recognizing a particular religious denomination. For instance, Dubai granted legal status to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1993. Dubai is also the only emirate that has Hindu temples and a Sikh Gurdwara.

Burj Al-Arab behind Al-JumairahIn early 2001, ground was broken for the construction of several additional churches on a parcel of land in Jebel Ali donated by the government of Dubai to four Protestant congregations and a Roman Catholic congregation. Construction on the first Greek Orthodox Church in Dubai (to be called St. Mary's) began at the end of 2005. The land for the construction of the church was also donated by the government to the Greek Orthodox community of Dubai.

Financial support to non-Muslim groups from the Dubai government is limited to donated land for the construction of churches and other religious facilities, including cemeteries. They are permitted to raise money from among their congregates and to receive financial support from abroad. Non-Muslim religious groups are permitted to openly advertise group functions, however, proselytizing or distributing religious literature is strictly prohibited under penalty of criminal prosecution, imprisonment, and deportation for engaging in behavior offensive to Islam.

Property Developments: Dubai: The Palm Deira

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The Palm Deira is the largest of the three Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira). It is located on the Deirah coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The unique man-made palm-shaped island will consist of a trunk, a crown with 41 fronds, and a surrounding crescent island that will form a water-breaker.

The Deira Palm island was not initially intended to be developed, but on October 2004, the annoucement of its development was issued. The Palm Deira will cover 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) in length and 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) in width and have an area of 80 square kilometers (861 million square feet). It will consist of residential property, marinas, shopping malls, sports facilities, and clubs. The residential area will be located on the fronds and will contain 8,000 two-storey town houses in three distinct styles - Premier Villas, Grand Villas and Vista Town Homes.

Learn more about The Palm Islands by watching the video.

Expected Completion Date - In 2015
Real Estate Developer - Al Nakheel Properties [Al Nakheel Projects]
Location - Deirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Property Developments: Dubai: The Palm Jebel Ali

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The Palm Jebel Ali is the middle-sized island of the three Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira). It is located on the Jebel Ali coastal area of the emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The unique man-made palm-shaped island will consist of a trunk, a crown with 17 fronds, and a surrounding crescent island that will form a water-breaker.
The Jebel Ali Palm is more of an entertainment destination for both adults and children, which caters to both residents and tourists. The island will also be 50% larger than the Palm Jumeirah, and will include six marinas, a 'Sea Village', a water theme park and water homes built on stilts between the fronds and the crescent. Construction began on the Palm Jebel Ali in October 2002.

Learn more about The Palm Islands by watching the video.

Expected Completion Date - Mid 2008

Real Estate Developer - Al Nakheel Properties [Al Nakheel Projects]

Location - Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates