MIDE 4-6 26/5/09 17:24 Page 53
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middle east knowledge
Exotic accommodation
The Royal Suite at Dubai’s luxury Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa
Arabian nights,
are the two Lost Chambers suites at
Atlantis, The Palm. The two suites, Neptune
and Poseidon, have direct views of the
Ambassador Lagoon, a huge marine habitat
hotel delights
with hundreds of species.
Emirates Tours charges from £10,215 for
three nights including flights, transfers and
breakfast.
Rather more modest – but also charming
– is Orient Guest House in the Bastakiya
The ubiquitous ultra-modern high-rise hotels will not heritage area of Dubai. This traditional
appeal to every client, but there are some much more
villa has 10 Arabian-style rooms. A
unusual and exciting accommodation options in the
three-night package by Travel 2 costs £499
including flights, transfers and breakfast.
Middle East, says Dave Richardson The QE2 arrived in Dubai last November
after being retired by Cunard, but isn’t yet
ready to take up its role as a floating hotel.
DUBAI. Gold Medal offers three nights’ full-board Restoration plans will be finalised this
If you think it’s all glitz and high-rise you’re at Al Maha for £1,499 including flights and year and a timetable set for restoration.
largely right, but there are a few exceptions. transfers. Owner Nakheel aims to recreate an
Emirates-owned Al Maha Desert Resort & Also very luxurious and highly unusual authentic luxury liner ambience, and is also
Spa is the first true eco-resort in the Gulf. considering opening the QE2 to visitors in
It is part of an 86-square-mile conservation its current condition before refurbishment
reserve where species including the begins.
arabian oryx and domani gazelle have been
reintroduced. OMAN.
Traditional falconry displays and camel Desert Nights is the first luxury tented
rides are available, and the resort has more camp in Oman and is in Wahiba Sands, a
than 2,000 antiques including traditional 100-mile, two-hour journey from Muscat.
weaponry and jewellery. It has 30 air-conditioned cabins with
The setting may be remote and unusual, private bathrooms surrounded by sand
but the accommodation is as luxurious as dunes, in a setting reminiscent of Lawrence
any in Dubai, with 42 individual villas each of Arabia films.
with its own pool. The Poseidon Suite at Atlantis, The Palm, has direct view of a lagoon There are several far more simple desert
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