The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre

Another ultra-luxury property has just opened in Dubai – The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre.

The incredible Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre features a 341-room hotel along with 124 executive residences. This new property also includes the largest ballroom in the entire Dubai financial district, in addition to a stunning ten-story waterfall.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre now becomes the second Ritz-Carlton in Dubai and the sixth property in the region for the luxury hotel company.

The Ritz-Carlton is the only hotel that is directly linked to the complex of buildings in Dubai International Financial Centre. To offer the ultimate social hub, the The Ritz-Carlton will feature No. 5, which is the hotel bar located in the prime welcoming position at the end of this pathway.

The center piece of the luxury bar No. 5 is an unbelievable 30 meter (100 feet) wine wall that will hold up to 3,000 bottles of the finest varietals in the world.

The No. 5 wine wall will truly be a focal point for both gourmands and wine connoisseurs.

The The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre also provides several fine dining restaurants that all boast an expansive outdoor terrace, including:
– Blue Rain, the signature Thai fine-dining restaurant
– Can Can, a French all-day dining brasserie
– Center Cut steakhouse, providing multiple settings for the enjoyment of the cuisine made famous by The Ritz-Carlton chefs
– The Lobby Lounge & Terrace offers a casual elegance for the enjoyment of afternoon tea

The sensational 10-story outdoor waterfall cascades down the building directly into the courtyard facing the lobby. It is an incredible sight!

The luxurious Ritz-Carlton also features a total of eight striking water features found throughout the hotel. Designed not just for an aesthetically and aurally pleasing look, the water features also proudly represent the “feng shui” belief that the constant flow of water signifies wealth and prosperity.

For those looking to exercise or just be pampered, the The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre also offers a fully equipped health club in addition to a luxurious Ritz-Carlton Spa, which provides 13 luxury treatment rooms.

To learn more about this elegant new property in Dubai, contact The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre at www.ritzcarlton.com/dubaiifc or by calling +9714 372 2555.

Dubai Fountain

The incredible Dubai Fountain is one of the world’s tallest fountains.

Dubai Fountain is located on downtown Burj Dubai, in front of the ultra-luxury Burj Dubai hotel. The Dubai Fountain is about 25% larger than the stunning Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas.

At 902.275 feet (275 meters) long, the Dubai Fountains is more than the size of two football fields.

Designed by WET Design (designers of Fountains of Bellagio) and developed by Emaar, the Dubai fountain can spray up to 22,000 gallons (83,000 liters) of water up into the air at a time.

In addition, the Dubai Fountain water jets can shoot water as high as 150 meters – about the same as a 50-story high-rise building.

The fountains present an array of color and sound. There are greater than 6,600 lights in addition to 25 color projectors.

Enjoyed by millions of people a year, the stunning Dubai Fountain presents one of the favorites performances to the music “Time To Say Goodbye”, performed by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli.

The Jacht was originally a lightweight Dutch naval vessel used to pursue pirates in shallow waters. When King Charles II chose to sail in one on his return to England in what would later be known as the English Restoration, the Jacht became a symbol of important and, eventually, wealth and luxury.

Today, that tradition is still quite alive and nothing demonstrates that fact better than the most expensive yacht in the world.

The most expensive yacht has gone by three names since its inception—Platinum 525, Golden Star and, most recently, Dubai. The Platinum 525 was commissioned by Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei in 1996, but a lack of funds caused the project to be abandoned a scant couple of years later.

In 2001, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then Crown Prince and now ruler of Dubai, took over the project and renamed it the Golden Star. Since its recent completion, it has reportedly been sold and rechristened once again.

Dubai, as it is now called, is as expansive as it is expensive. The 525 foot yacht features an owner’s suite, five VIP suites and a number of guest bedrooms. The bridge features the captain’s quarters, an office and a lounge. The foyer and atrium connects each deck while lighting them from above via skylight. The luxury yacht is powered by four diesel engines with over 9,000 horsepower altogether.

Dubai’s $300 million price tag not only lives up to the boat’s namesake, where many of the world’s most expensive projects have taken place, but also ensures its place as the world’s most expensive yacht.

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Burj al Arab hotel – Dubai

Dubai is a well known vacation destination. The beaches in Dubai are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

The impressive Buji Al Arab hotel in Dubai is considered to be one of the most luxurious hotels in all of the world.

The amazing city of Dubai in United Arab Emirates, has already established many architectural records.

Now the Middle Eastern city lays claim and wants to be known as the place for the most expensive cocktail in the world.

On the 27th floor of what is billed as the world’s most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab, is a glass cabinet holding what is said to be the world’s most expensive cocktail.

So far, its noted that only two people have paid the 27,321 dirham (U.S. $7,438.13) for the drink.

How did the price tag get established? Well the number 27 marks the number of floors in Dubai’s lavish Burj Al Arab, and 321 is the building’s height in meters

That’s a lot of money just to sip one glass of this 55-year-old Macallan single malt scotch whisky.  But in Dubai, money is almost never an object. Enjoy a glass of expensive Macallan Scotch Whisky.

Breaking property records is one thing, but when the property happens to be in Dubai, it’s another ball game entirely.

The AED contract for the construction of the spectacular 62 storey tall Trump International Hotel & Tower on Palm Jumeirah was announced earlier this month and with pre-sales of some properties fetching as much as $3000USD.

Real estate developer Nakheel and the Trump Organization expect that the tower’s exclusive penthouse will break property records in Dubai.

The 270 meter tall design which features two towers that merge at the 40th floor will include 378 hotel rooms and suites, 385 condominiums, 12 townhouses, 45,000 square feet of retail and 60,000 square feet of office space along with a private beach and super-marina.

Public sales of the residences began on June 23 and Donald J. Trump himself has already reserved an apartment in the Tower which is expected to be completed in May 2011.

To be constructed in a joint venture between Al Habtoor / Murray & Roberts, the Tower will be the centerpiece of the 560 hectare Palm Jumeirah which is among the world’s largest man-made islands (the nearby The Palm Jebel Ali and The Palm Deira the only bigger ones).

To put the scale of this construction in perspective, the amount of sand and rock used is enough to build a two meter high, half meter wide wall that would circle the globe three times!

The stainless steel and glass Trump International Hotel & Tower will straddle the center line of Palm Jumeirah, offering residents and guests panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf in an ultra-luxurious setting.

The jewel in this crown will be the two expansive penthouse residences designed by renowned architect Kelly Hoppen. The Tower total of 399 freehold residential apartments will range in size from 890 to 7,500 square feet with options in one, two, three and four bedrooms.

The long list of high-end features includes interior design by BBG – BBGM, Norman Foster bathtubs, Boffi kitchens, Gaggenau appliances and complete home automation…. not to mention the three-story private Beach Club and adjacent super-yacht marina offering 70 slips with provisions for 30-150 meter vessels. Source: Gizmag

The idea that Dubai will soon boast the most expensive real estate in the world is not as absurd as it sounds.

All it takes is a modest extrapolation of growth trends for rentals in the Dubai International Financial Centre, and a continuation of the current cooling off in markets like London Prime and this is a fact.

Dubai’s office market continues to suffer from an acute shortage of space, with 98 per cent occupancy in the new financial zone, the Dubai International Financial Centre, which has been hugely successful in attracting global financial firms to the emirate.

The latest recruit this week is Thames River Capital, a boutique fund-of-funds investment manager based in Berkeley Square.

The latter told AME Info that rents in this prime London location had fallen by around 30 per cent and that the rent it had just agreed in Dubai was not far off the rent it had just paid for additional space in Mayfair.  Full article

Tired of the same old, boring luxury hotels and resorts? Well you love what is under development.  I’ve listed the Top 10 futuristic, luxury hotels and what a list it is. Amazing architecture, ambiance and decor. Sit back and make your vacation plans for the ultimate in luxury hotels. And now …. the Top 10 !

10. The Apeiron Island Hotel

Designer: Sybarite
Status: Concept
Estimated project cost: $500million

The ‘Apeiron’ island hotel is a seven star resort with a total floor area of 200,000m². It is 185-m high and boasts of over 350 luxury apartment suites. The hi-tech futuristic hotel screams of luxury and comfort with its own private lagoon, beaches, restaurants, cinemas, retail shopping, art gallery, spas and conference facilities. It’s out of the world design is magnetic enough to deliver a spell-bounded experience to visitors.

9. Foldable Hotel Pods

Designer: M3 Architects, London
Estimated project cost: $72 to $104 million

The foldable and fully transportable pods are for those traveling geeks who find it hard to shun all the amenities of their luxurious life. You can move the pods to exotic locations around the world and the amazing concept abodes will come with ‘Active’ walls and floors where guests can focus images of their choice and a disposable unit to care of all waste.

8. The Hotel Burj al-Arab

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Designer: Tom Wright (WS Atkins PLC), Khuan Chew
Status: Complete
Estimated project cost: $650 million
Cost per person: $1,000 to over $28,000 per night, $75 to have a glimpse from inside

Considered, unofficially, the world’s first and only 7-star hotel, the Burj al-Arab is a truly the most luxurious hotel imaginable and hence we couldn’t help including it in this list of futuristic hotels, which also perhaps triggered architects around the world to look beyond the fence.

The tallest, 321-metres (1,053 ft), hotel, designed as a sail of a dhow, is constructed on an artificial island 280-metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach. The hotel boasts of the world’s tallest atrium, which is 180-meters (590 feet) tall.

The suspended helipad on the top adds to the grandeur of the hotel. The lavish interior skillfully mingles the best of design ethics from both the east and the west. The 8,000 square meters of 22-carat gold leaf and 24,000 square meters of 30 different types of marbles give the hotel an enigmatic touch.

The 28 double-story floors of the hotel accommodate 202 luxury suites with prices ranging from $1,000 to over $28,000 per night (for the Royal Suite). The hotel also features 8 restaurants, including bars and lounges, latest business, conferencing, fitness and recreational facilities. Carved in the midst of white beaches and the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Burj Al Arab is a dream come true.

7. Waterworld

Location: Songjiang, China
Designer: Atkin’s Architecture Group
Status: Concept

This spectacular design by Atkin’s Architecture Group deservedly won the first prize award last year in an international design competition. The 400-bed resort hotel features underwater public areas, guest rooms, cafes, and restaurants. The major attraction is the extreme sporting facilities including a luxurious swimming pool, rock climbing and bungee jumping.

What more to say, the pictures are screaming BLISS. (Photo Credit: TheCoolHunter)

6. The Poseidon Undersea Resort

Location: Fiji, The Poseidon Mystery Island
Designer: Bruce Jones
Status: Under construction, will be completed by September 2008
Estimated project cost: $105 million
Cost per person: $15,000 per week

Our pursuit of unique spaces now goes straight 1,200-square feet under the sea in the lap of Poseidon undersea resort. The world’s first underwater resort will be ready by the end of next year with breathtaking coral reefs where you can literally immerse yourself.

Surrounded by 5,000-acre lagoon, the Bruce Jones’ Poseidon Mystery Island offers luxurious 550 square feet large suites.

Not only this, the Poseidon Resorts website says, “the first 1,000 guests will have their names permanently inscribed on two monuments one on the island, and one on the floor of the lagoon.” Now, that’s incredible!

Tourists can indulge in submarine piloting, deep reef excursions, scuba diving, sea track on the sea floor, water sports, para-sailing, cave exploration, and much more.

5. The Hydropolis: A self-acclaimed 10-Star Underwater Hotel

Location: Dubai
Designer: Joachim Hauser, Crescent Hydropolis Resorts
Estimated project cost: $500-million

The Hydropolis Undersea Resort, especially designed keeping in mind that we’re around 60% water, endeavors to deliver the serene beauty of the ocean in its true colors. The one of its kind resort will encompass a whopping 1.1-million-square-foot of area offering shopping mall, ballroom, island villas, restaurant, high-tech cinema and surprisingly, a missile-defense system for your security 60-feet underwater.

Tourists can enjoy their stay in 220 theme suites within the submarine leisure complex. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 260 hectares, about the size of London’s Hyde Park.

The resort is designed with a petal-like retracting roof to organize open-sky events.

Around 150 firms are involved in the project, which is expected to complete this year if all technical, land, and financial challenges are met, but it’s delayed as per the latest reports. Following the line and determined of the success of the Hydropolis, Crescent-Hydropolis is now planning a chain of underwater hotels around the world.

4. The Lunatic Hotel: Hotel on the Moon

Designer: Hans-Jurgen Rombaut, Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG)
Status: Blueprint ready, will take real shape by 2050

Orbiting in space seems more thrilling but Moon brings in a nostalgic aura. Perhaps, the Lunatic Hotel concept will serve it all with spectacular views sprinkled with joys of low gravity and an alien feeling. Designer Hans-Jurgen Rombaut of the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture in the Netherlands is quite optimistic to complete the dream project by 2050.

The ‘sensation engine’, as the designer calls it, will allow tourists to indulge in low-gravity games with the help of two 160-meters high slanting towers. The towers will be equipped with teardrop-shaped ‘habitation capsules’ which will serve as spaceship like suits for tourists.

The 50-cms thick hull made of Moon rock and layers holding water will protect inhabitants from the harsh lunar environment including extreme temperatures and lethal cosmic rays and solar particles. If the whole concept comes out successful, we can expect a real lunar village too. (Photo Credit: NASA)

3. Aeroscraft: The flying luxury hotel of tomorrow

Designer: Igor Pasternak (Worldwide Aeros Corporation), Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WATG)
Status: Prototype under development

The ‘Aeroscraft’ is a gigantic 400-ton blimp designed to carry passengers in its spacious luxury cosmos onboard. The flying hotel with an area equal to two football fields hangs in air with 14 million cubic feet of helium, huge electric and hydrogen fuel cell powered propellers and six turbofan jet engines. The hotel can accommodate 250 passengers driving them at a speed of 174 miles per hour up to 6, 000 miles.

Flying 8,000 feet above in the air, the 165×244×647 feet airship will provide tourists hi-tech amenities including casino, restaurants and staterooms.

Designer Igor Pasternak has also plans to float a cargo-carrying version too once the project takes off. (Photo Credit: WATG)

2. Galactic Suite

Designer: Xavier Claramunt of ADD+ARQUITECTURA
Status: On hold, prototype is ready

Designer Xavier Claramunt has tried to imbibe things especially to whet a adventurer’s dream with the Galactic Suite which will have around 22 rooms, measuring 7X4 meters, free of straight lines or angles and huge windows. It is termed as the first global project of its kind, next to Robert Bigelow’s space hotel. Different capsules will act as bars, restaurants, reception, and more.

The prototype is still waiting for investors to shell out their fortunes to make this project a reality.

1. Commercial Space Station Skywalker: The inflatable space hotel

Designer: Bigelow Aerospace, Las Vegas
Location: 515-kms above Earth
Status: The human space complex will be accessible by 2015
Estimated project cost: $500 million
Cost per person: $1 million a night

Certainly, we’ll have to stop this constant to and fro journey and make space our permanent base. And to make this a reality, the assembling of ‘CSS Skywalker’ kicked off with the launch of ‘Genesis I’ from Russia mid last year. Solar cells will power the inhabitable complex made of various sections that will inflate to take their real form in space. The sections or rooms of the CSS will allow rockets to dock. In future, the modules will be used as basis for space yachts and moon cruisers.

With a volume of 1,500.00 m3 and mass of 100,000 kg, the CSS Skywalker will have a maximum diameter of 30.00 m (98.00 ft).

The concept is a big challenge while it tests inflatable technology and fights to survive in hazardous conditions. Hope it’s made to face the wrath of the meteorites, though the hull of each module is made of three protective layers with an outer 18-inch-thick shield made of alternating woven graphite composite and foam to protect against orbital debris. (Photo Credit: CNet)

Watch List: The Diamond Ring Hotel

Location: Abu Dhabi

The Diamond Ring hotel is just a concept right now, but looks to be an amazing resort.  We’ll keep you updated as new information about this hotel becomes available.

Imagine going back 100 million years or more, to feel the mighty power of the cosmic forces that helped shape our planet, and come face to face with giant life-like dinosaurs. In Dubai, “Restless Planet” is a unique electronic media and natural history experience … where visitors enter a prehistoric world.  If you sat biting your nails while the edge of your seat while watching the famous movie “Jurassic Park,” then wait till you get to real Jurassic Park that will soon come alive in Dubai.

Restless Planet offers the world’s ultimate theme ride back into the mists of time – through the state-of-the-art electronics of today. Here, in the glittering new City of Arabia, you are transported back millions of years into the prehistoric kingdom of the dinosaurs. The world-renowned Natural History Museum of London has drawn on the elite of science, entertainment and technology expertise to realise the dream of bringing these giant creatures and the mysteries of the nature of our planet to life.

Along with the acclaimed dinosaur authority Jack Horner, Tokyo-based animatronics team Kokoro have recreated the real life creatures of the Jurassic era, the visitor experience is designed by international theme park specialists Jack Rouse Associates and is enclosed by a 75-metre dome, designed by international specialists firm RH Architects.

Gathered from the latest research available, the creators of the Restless Planet transport you into an age where earth-shattering events impacted the world. From earthquakes, eruptions and meteor strikes, the evolving shape of our planet will come alive before your eyes.

Step back in time to when our Earth was young. Feel your heart race as you travel through a Jurassic landscape alongside gigantic dinosaurs. Restless Planet is a unique, world-class natural history phenomenon, designed to draw tourists and investment and put Dubai into the scientific spotlight on the international stage.

A first of its kind in the world, Restless Planet will respond to breaking dinosaur discoveries through an ongoing programme of exhibits, announcements and events. No visit to Dubai will be complete without the thrill of stepping into our primitive world. Real natural history and entertainment – more exciting and authentic than ever before, and an attraction for all ages.

Restless Planet’s animatronic dinosaurs have been created by combining the latest scientific research and cutting edge design.  Click here for a Video