Abu Dhabi

Rolls-Royce Flagship Showroom Debuts in Abu Dhabi

Rolls-Royce has 82 dealerships around the world. But the largest of them isn't at its factory in Goodwood. It's not in London, either, nor is it in Manhattan or Beverly Hills. It's in Abu Dhabi.

The latest of eight dealerships in the Middle East, the new Abu Dhabi showroom encompasses some 10,000 square feet of floorspace, including uncluttered display for five cars (Rolls currently only makes four model variants) plus a coffee bar, customer configuration lounge and adjacent service center.

Tags: abu dhabi, emirates, luxury car, rolls-royce, uae, united arab emirates

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Battle for Polo Championship

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports, Wealth

Dubai and Abu Dhabi Battle for Polo Championship

The Dubai Falcons and Abu Dhabi Polo will battle it out in the final of the Threadneedle Polo Gold Cup to be played at the Dubai Polo and Equestrian Club today. The UAE's moneyed elite are divided in their support for the two area teams, both strong contenders for the championship with four wins each going into the contest. "We are up against a very strong team in the final and we just hope to continue with our winning streak in this tournament," Dubai Falcons' star player Tommy Iriarte tells the Gulf News. "We have managed to keep a clean slate in this tournament so far," notes undefeated Abu Dhabi Polo captain Fares Al Yabhouni, "so there is nothing like going for an all-out victory and making this a terrific debut participation for us." The Threadneedle Polo Gold Cup is the latest in a series of high-profile equestrian events taking place in Dubai this season.

Gallery: Polo in Dubai

Tags: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Equestrian, horses, polo, sports, UAE, wealth

Texas Cancer Center Receives $150 Million Gift From United Arab Emirates

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Big Givers

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, is giving a huge donation to a U.S. hospital. The Houston Chronicle reports that the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center will receive $150 million. the largest donation ever given to an institution in the Texas Medical Center. The gift will fund a building and research for M.D. Anderson's Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy. Outgoing hospital President Dr. John Mendelsohn will co-lead the institute. He says that the gift was a response to M.D. Anderson's treatment of many patients from the United Arab Emirates.

The donation honors the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates for more than 30 years and the father of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The personalized cancer therapy institute building will be named after the late president and the institute itself after the current president. A pancreatic cancer research center will be be created with the gift after another son, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Tags: abu dhabi, philanthropy, united arab emirates

Continue reading “Texas Cancer Center Receives $150 Million Gift From United Arab Emirates”

Emirates Hotel has Second Thoughts on $11 Million Christmas Tree

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

In keeping with the holiday spirit or making a mockery of it? Those are the questions being asked by observers of the $11 million Christmas Tree at the Emirates Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

As you may recall, the 42-foot tall artificial tree – worth about ten grand on its own – was decorated with all manner of gold, silver and precious jewels (some 180 pieces of jewelry in all) to bring its value up to $11 million, making it the most lavishly adorned tree on record. But with many people asking if the Emirates didn't go overboard this time, the hotel is reportedly distancing itself from the display. Which is pretty hard to do considering it's sitting inescapably in the hotel's main lobby.

Is this an early sign that the Gulf Emirates are beginning to tone down their famous opulence? Possibly, but in a hotel that features a gold bar vending machine and a million-dollar vacation package, we wouldn't take too much stock in the reports just yet.

[Source: The Huffington Post]

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Tags: abu dhabi, christmas three, emirates, emirates hotel, tree, uae, united arab emirates

Emirates Hotel In Abu Dhabi Unveils $11 Million Christmas Tree

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Christmas is being celebrated with extravagance at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The hotel, which is one of the world's most expensive, has unveiled an $11 million Christmas tree. The artificial tree is over 42 feet tall and is decorated with silver and gold bows, ball-shaped ornaments and small white lights.

Christmas is being celebrated with extravagance at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The hotel, which is one of the world's most expensive, has unvieled an $11 million Christmas tree. The artificial tree is over 42 feet tall and is decorated with silver and gold bows, ball-shaped ornaments and small white lights.

Tags: abu dhabi, christmas tree, emirates hotel, most expensive

Continue reading “Emirates Hotel In Abu Dhabi Unveils $11 Million Christmas Tree”

Cipriani Plans Abu Dhabi Project

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Yachts & Sailing

The Cipriani family is expanding its empire, announcing a new project in Abu Dhabi as part of the multibillion dollar Yas Island Project. The partnership will bring Cipriani to the Yas Yacht Club, Abu Dhabi's first official yacht club. Cipriani, the four generation family that operates in New York, Los Angeles, London, Venice, Hong Kong, Istanbul and Porto Cervo Sardinia, will open their signature Italian restaurant, a Wine and Bellini Room, "Yotto" their first and only Japanese restaurant, a cigar lounge, "Allure" a nightclub, a private member's yacht club and catering facilities.

The Yas Yacht Club, whose interior is designed by celebrated Italian architect Michele Bonan, is set to open November 12-14, which coincides with the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Yas Island. Earlier this week, Dilbar, one of the world's largest yachts arrived in the marina as part of the build up to the upcoming Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Measuring in at an overall length of over 360 feet, Dilbar is one of the largest yachts in the world. She was custom built in 2008 by Lurssen Yachts with exterior designing by Tim Heywood and interiors by Alberto Pinto.

Tags: abu dhabi, cipriani, yas island, yas island circuit, yas island marina circuit

Diamond-Studded Falcon Hoods to Debut in Abu Dhabi

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Sports

Italian jewelry house Tiroler Goldschmied is planning to debut a collection of fairly unique products at this year's Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex): diamond studded falcon hoods. Used to calm the birds, falcon hoods can be one of the most important pieces of equipment a falconer owns and Tiroler Goldschmied is betting that at least a few falconers at the show will be interested in decking their birds out in custom made bejeweled glory. Made of exceptionally thin leather the process of placing gems and shaping each hood is a painstaking one, taking up to a month to complete. "Every hood is a one-of-a-kind piece," the company's press manager says, "It is unique."

So far they've only sold one hood to a buyer in the Netherlands but hopes are high that the Middle Eastern market will be a good one, especially with these 5 new designs. €5,000 - €40,000

Via LuxuryLaunches

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Tags: abu dhabi, falcon hoods, falconry

Shiekh Wheels: Rolls-Royce Debuts Bespoke Editions for Abu Dhabi

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Wealth

A regular old Rolls-Royce? Strictly for peasants, my friend. No filthy rich oil sheikh would be caught dead in one. Hence the new bespoke Phantom editions built specially for Abu Dhabi, which as we all know has the actual cash, as opposed to Dubai which thrives on flash and debt thanks to Abu Dhabi's indulgence. Inspired by the emirate's "rich culture and landscape" emphasis on rich – the new models are of course extremely vulgar and insanely expensive. The special edition Phantom Drophead Coupe (above) is called Shaheen, after the local word for the prestigious peregrine falcon used for hunting. It features a marquise-white exterior with Tudor red lines and a red and seashell leather interior, brass falcon inlays and falcon embroidered head-rests. The Phantom sedan meanwhile is named Baynunah after Abu Dhabi's sand dune covered western region. Fittingly finished in shades of brown and tan, it features hand-crafted inlay and marquetry, some of it applied with tweezers to ensure maximum precision, and a solid gold Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood. Better bring a solid gold bucket.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Abu Dhabi Editions

Tags: Abu Dhabi, bespoke, custom cars, Dubai, hunting, oil, Rolls Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom, sheikh, UAE, wealth

Masdar, Abu Dhabi's Green City Prepares For First Residents

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Green, Real Estate Developments

Masdar, a green city in Abu Dhabi designed by the British architecture firm Foster + Partners planned to be the world's first zero-carbon and zero-waste city in the world is nearing first stage completion after a three year journey. This car-free zone is being driven by Abu Dhabi's Future Energy Company and will be home to the company's headquarters and a new university. The project was unveiled at the Cityscape conference in Abu Dhabi back in 2007.

The land around the city will be home to wind and photovoltaic farms as well as research fields and plantations so that the city is completely self-sustaining but skepticism about Masdar's ability to succeed have trailed the project. The Masdar Institute is due to welcome its first residents this September but it has been no easy road. The project is currently facing its first review. The project was rebranded from "zero carbon" to "carbon neutral" and the parent company recently cut its work force. A piece on Greentech chronicles some of the difficulties which have included sandstorms that limited the solar capacity.

The $22 billion carbon neutral Masdar City project is still planned to provide seven percent of the United Arab Emirates' power with renewable energy sources by 2020 even though the project is behind schedule. In a statement Lord Forster of Foster + Partners said that "Masdar has far reaching significance as a test-bed and an integrated urban research project of unprecedented scale and ambition." Whatever happens with the project is a learning experience not just for Abu Dhabi but for a world trying to go green. It has captured global attention, above, German chancellor Angela Merkel checks out the model of the project.

Tags: abu dhabi, carbon neutral, green, masdar, Masdar city, MasdarCity

The Waldorf-Astoria's New Sex and the City Package

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

I would rather gouge my eyes out with the heel of a mold-encrusted Manolo than see Sex and the City 2 , set to be unleashed in theaters on May 27th.

(For the record, I liked the HBO series, but was appalled by the first movie, which apparently makes me a lonely heretic, since it did very well in the box office.)

Still, I cannot ignore the buzz that's building around the sequel, and Manhattan's Waldorf Astoria's The Waldorf Towers is offering a Sex and The City Movie package, which is actually a pretty good deal. Stay for two nights at $300, double occupancy, eat cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery, drink two Cosmos at the hotel's Bull & Bear restaurant, get two 60-minute spa treatments (one per person), and... two tickets to see the blessed movie itself. You can also take the Sex and the City NYC tour.

Nota bene, these activities probably won't have anything to do with the new movie, which centers around a trip to Abu Dhabi (filmed in Morocco). And it has to be said that these Manhattan-based activities are starting to feel a little retro, since let's face it, it's been 12 years since the series started airing and six years since it stopped -- but hey, nothing's wrong with a little nostalgia. Other hotels in the city are also offering similar packages.

The package runs May 1st to August 30th, but movie tickets are only available when the movie is in theaters. And if history's any indication, given the track-record of these sort of sequels, the run could be short -- so if this package intrigues, book earlier rather than later.

Tags: abu dhabi, hotel deals, hotels, manhattan, movies, SexAndTheCity, WaldorfAstoria

The United Arab Emirates Welcomes Two Anantara Resorts, Special Deals Welcome You

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort and the Desert Islands Resort and Spa in Abu Dhabi aren't exactly new, but they are Antara establishments and therefore it's probably wise to know about them. The 206-room Qasr Al Sarab was opened in November of last year in the Liwa desert, said to be "designed to leave visitors with a sense of the romance of Arabia." Think, Lawrence of Arabia – the compound is a 90-minute drive from Abu Dhabi proper in an area called the Liwa Empty Quarter, and the Liwa is already a desert to begin with.

The last of that drive is 7 miles of unpaved road, but the reward is a completely self-contained retreat worthy of Zenobia, with poolside villas, three restaurants including a rooftop bar and grill, museum installations of desert and Bedouin artifacts, Desert Excursion Centre to set up camel trekking, desert hiking, and archery, and even a pillow menu with your choice of fluffy things to sleep on. Your failsafe when you need to turn away from the desert is the heated-marble-hammam-equipped Anantara Spa.

The Desert Islands Resort & Spa (pictured) is at the other pole of terrain, built atop one of Abu Dhabi's complex of islands just off the coast. Sir Bani Yas Island is a reserve for endangered Arabian animals, and that was taken as inspiration for Desert Island Resort's safari decor. Outside you'll find hubara birds, oryx and sand gazelles, including the "Dhabi" variety of gazelle that gave the city its name. And again, when the game drives, kayaking among mangrove fields, mountain biking and falconry have got the best of you, there's that rather famous spa with its signature Thai treatments to replenish you.

Tags: abu dhabi, anantara, desert islands resort, dubai, hotel, qasr al sarab desert resort, resort, uae, united arab emirates

Odd 'Sofa Boat' Makes Debut at Abu Dhabi Yacht Show

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Described as a 'floating fun platform,' the above Sofa Boat made its debut at the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show last week and was apparently quite the hit with guests. Powered entirely by an electric engine and touted as a more glamorous way to travel around crowded marinas and to and from private yachts, the Sofa Boat features a retractable sun canopy, joystick steering, a refrigerator for refreshments, and even laptop docking stations (although I can't imagine seriously having your laptop out on that thing). The craft charges via electric socket and boasts an eco-friendly 0% carbon emissions. This oddity can be yours for a mere AED59,000 (or about $16,000).

Via Dvice

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Tags: abu dhabi, abu dhabi yacht show, AbuDhabi, AbuDhabiYachtShow, boat, electric boats, ElectricBoats, sofa boat, SofaBoat, yacht, yachts

Royal Drive Supercar Rally in the UAE

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events, Wealth

As Luxist readers well know the UAE and in particular Dubai and Abu Dhabi are home to some of the most spectacularly ostentatious collections of supercars, often customized within an inch of their lives. Now a new event has been inaugurated in order for the local sheikhs and such to show them off to best advantage. The Royal Drive is a three-day exotic auto orgy featuring an armada of 60 Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Bentleys, Mercedes-McLaren SLRs, Gemballa Mirage GTs and more, kicking off on March 18. The event will begin at the 5-star Yas Hotel on Yas Island, home to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and upcoming Ferrari World theme park. From there the cavalcade will continue to circuit the Abu Dhabi Corniche beach boulevard winding up at the 5-star Intercontinental Hotel at Dubai Creek. That night participants will enjoy VIP treatment at the Elements Music Concert in Dubai Festival City before proceeding on to the Dubai Marina and a wrap party at the Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residences. And yes, you need a gold-plated invitation.

Tags: Abu Dhabi, AbuDhabi, Dubai, rally, supercar, UAE

Yas Eagle Phantom by Rolls-Royce for Abu Dhabi

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

When you're the one drilling the oil, you can have all the Rolls-Royces you want. That's why the Persian Gulf has been getting what seems like an endless procession of special Phantoms, created exclusively for the sheikhs and emirs.

The latest has just made its way online. Called the Yas Eagle, it was released to commemorate the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix a few months ago. It could be ordered on either the Phantom saloon, Phantom Coupe or Drophead Coupe, and features a series of special touches: the exterior has been painted two-tone blue and white, the interior in blue with red accents and blue wood veneers. Even the hood ornament is illuminated.

If we've said it once, we've bemoaned it a thousand times: money and taste, to our eternal chagrin, don't automatically go hand in hand.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Yas Eagle

[Source: Automotive Design Corner]

Tags: abu dhabi, AbuDhabi, persian gulf, PersianGulf, phantom, rolls-royce, rolls-royce phantom, Rolls-roycePhantom, yas eagle, YasEagle

Maserati Launches Exclusive GranTurismo S Special Editions in Abu Dhabi

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

A stock Maserati may be special enough for most of us, but apparently not for the highly lucrative Middle East market. So to answer the call for exclusivity, the Trident marque has announced a new limited edition of its top-of-the-line GranTurismo S coupe.

Decked out in special matte white paint scheme and items from the company's bespoke MC Sport Line, Maserati will only make twelve examples of this special edition: one for each of its dealers in the region, simultaneously commemorating the twelve drivers', constructors' and teams' titles which the Maserati MC12 has accumulated in the FIA GT Championship.

A second run of 11 coupes, with pearl white paint, is planned for the Italian market as well. Unfortunately that's about the extent of the details Maserati has provided. If you have the means and live in the right place, we're sure your local dealership will be glad to provide more, and if you don't, well it's really not applicable anyway, so the rest of us can just sit back and stare.

Tags: abu dhabi, AbuDhabi, maserati, maserati gran turismo s, maserati granturismo, maserati mc sport line, MaseratiGranturismo, MaseratiGranTurismoS, MaseratiMcSportLine, mc sport line, McSportLine, middle east, middle east limited edition, MiddleEast, MiddleEastLimitedEdition, yas island, yas island circuit, yas island marina circuit, yas marina, yas marina circuit, YasIsland, YasIslandCircuit, YasIslandMarinaCircuit, YasMarina, YasMarinaCircuit

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