In Brief

New heights of luxury in Doha

The new Royal Villa at the Sharq Village and Spa is possibly the most expensive accommodation in the Middle East. Known as Beit Al Shyoukh, this new villa offers luxurious furnishings and facilities from around the world. The 2,099 sq m viilla ornately modelled on a sheikh’s palace is divided into two distinct wings. Guest accommodation includes the royal suite, guest suite, a pair of two bedroom suites and a pair of king suites, along with majlis seating areas, study and dining room. The inner majlis and private dining room are separated by double wooden sliding doors. The large iron studded wood door of the Royal Suite opens into a palatial room, where an imperial four poster, canopied bed sits on a polished marble platform. Bed linens include 1050 thread count sheets by the Italian house of Frette. There is an en-suite walk in wardrobe and a bath tiled by Brazilian blue marble. The Jacuzzi tub is studded with indigo hued mosaic tiles and veined with 18 karat gold to add the regal touch. 

Premier Inn set to dominate in UAE

Premier Inn, has announced that it has secured sites in Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Qawain lending further weight to its commitment to be the dominant brand in the region’s budget hotel sector. These properties added to the four sites already secured thus far in Dubai at Dubai Investments Park (Now Open), Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai International Airport and Dubai Al Jadaf and in Abu Dhabi, at Capital Centre, demonstrates that Premier Inn are serious about achieving their objectives of operating 6000+ rooms across the GCC by 2012. In Ras Al Khaimah the hotel will be located on the corner of Bridge Road and Bin Dahir Road near the Creek and will boast 232 rooms. The property in Umm Al Qawain will be situated on the Ajman/Ras Al Khaimah Road and comprise some 186 rooms, all of the same high standard that the Premier Inn brand has become associated with.

Beach Rotana officially five stars

Following the recent launch of the unique, sustainable hotel accommodation classification system by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and after 15 years of hospitality legacy and luxury, the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi has been officially classified as 5 star hotel. This classification came as a result of the hotel’s prestigious services covering 565 explicitly furnished rooms with state-of-the-art amenities, 10 world class Food and Beverage outlets combining Eastern meticulousness and Western finesse, besides its exalted Zen the spa at Rotana, which is the Beach Rotana’s Urban Oasis that offers an extended dimension of comfort, innovation and style.

Six Senses replaces water menus

Six Senses Resorts & Spas will discontinue offering a range of trendy imported drinking waters at all their resorts. As from this month the choice will be Six Senses sparkling or still, or local water. This groundbreaking initiative is in recognition of the considerable and unnecessary carbon emissions resulting from the shipping of drinking water great distances – often by air - and supports Six Senses’ move towards a greater use of local and seasonal produce to reduce carbon footprints whilst adding value to community partnerships.