DUBAI: Luxury Hotels
DESERT SANCTUARY AT AL MAHA BY DAVE RICHARDSON
The pace of development in Dubai is so frantic that construction work can be a nuisance almost anywhere you go. But there is certainly one exception – and that is the most exclusive hotel in Dubai’s desert, Al Maha. I arrived there straight off a flight from Australia and found it the most wonderful place to relax. There’s no construction, no shopping malls, no theme parks and no night-clubs, as Al Maha is in a Desert Conservation Reserve, about 40 miles from the city. Oryx (a kind of antelope) and gazelles roam free, and two activities (I chose a wildlife safari) are included in room prices for each night. These include archery, a falconry display, camel trekking, horse-riding and guided nature walks. Each of the 37 suites is luxurious, made from natural materials, and eco-friendly. When going to dinner we found an oryx right outside our door – so it’s just as well they’re harmless!
Premier Holidays’ Head of Middle
East, Nikki Hain, says: “Emirates already has huge airlift from the UK, including regional fl ights, but the addition of Qantas has opened up capacity quite a lot.” Emirates has built up a vast
network to Australia, Asia, the Indian Ocean and Africa, so a wide range of two-centre options is available. Sheena Paton, Kuoni Commercial
and Product Manager, says: “We have seen a strong trend towards multi-centre holidays, combining Dubai with destinations in the Indian Ocean such as the Maldives and Mauritius. Dubai offers some fantastic accommodation to suit the family market.” Many operators now concentrate on the luxury market, and this is the niche targeted by Emirates Holidays. Senior Product and Marketing
executive, Clare O’Hara, says: “With a high number of repeat visitors each year and more luxury resorts opening, our high-end guests are spoilt for choice. Dubai is always receiving new visitors, with two- or three-night stopovers becoming more popular for honeymooners.” After a few years when projects
Clockwise from top left: JA Resorts’ family-friendly Ocean View Hotel; Palm Tree Court; Atlantis, The Palm’s Ronda Locatelli Italian restaurant.
were put on hold due to the global slump, investment in Dubai is picking up again. And it is not just confi ned to hotels, as many
32 September 2013
global brands continue to arrive or expand including bars, restaurants, night-clubs, spas, golf clubs, theme attractions and shops. The Dubai to Abu Dhabi rail link is under construction, while the Dubai metro, Green Line is also expanding. But despite the endless list of things to do, for many Brits Dubai is still simply a beach holiday – but a holiday they seem increasingly determined to do in style. Travel 2 Product Manager Carolina
Svensson says: “More and more customers are choosing Dubai as a ‘fl y and fl op’ destination and as their main holiday of the year. Hotels on The Palm and ones with direct access to Jumeirah Beach are where demand is increasing the most.”
What’s new
Hotels: Major hotel openings due in 2013 include the Oberoi, Sofi tel The Palm, Anantara Dubai Palm Jumeirah Resort and Spa, Oceana Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Al
Barsha, Habtoor Grand Palm Resort, Palazzo Versace, Novotel Al Barsha, Hilton Conrad Dubai, three properties by Landmark and
Waldorf Astoria’s hotel at The Palm. Also under development are Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah Beach, Damac Towers by Paramount and three hotels by Al Habtoor Group.
www.sellinglonghaul.com
“Visitors are increasingly drawn for short
shopping trips and
golfing breaks. Our most popular excursions are
the Desert Safari, ‘At the Top’ at Burj Khalifa and a Dubai City Tour” DEBORAH WADHAMS, ASSISTANT
PRODUCT MANAGER, GOLD MEDAL
SXC & GREENBOY
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