Category: Middle East
Eid ul-Fitr celebrations in Qatar
By Paul Johnson on Oct 12, 2007 in Accommodation, Events, Going Out, Hotels, Middle East, Qatar, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany
The end of Ramadan is nearing which means it’s time for Muslims to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr. Luxury hotels in Qatar are getting in on the act, and offering lavish meals and entertainment programmes for those looking to enjoy the holiday to the full. Here’s just a selection of what’s on offer: Sharq Village & Spa: 
Middle East International Film Festival
By Paul Johnson on Oct 08, 2007 in Accommodation, Events, Hotels, Middle East, Regions, Travel Miscellany, United Arab Emirates
The inaugural Middle East International Film Festival is to be held later this month (14th-19th) at Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel. This festival will screen more than 50 regional and international films. The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) hopes that the event will further position the capital as the cultural hub of 
Progress report on The World
By Paul Johnson on Oct 05, 2007 in Accommodation, Middle East, Regions, Resorts, United Arab Emirates
The World is a lavish development 4 kilometres out from Dubai’s coast, consisting of 300 man-made islands depicting a world map. The initial phase of the project has been the reclamation of the land: some 320 million cubic metres of sand have been used, adding 232 kilometres of highly exclusive beachfront to the ever-growing 
Progress report on The Palm Jumeirah
By Paul Johnson on Oct 04, 2007 in Accommodation, Attractions, Going Out, Hotels, Middle East, Real Estate, Regions, Resorts, United Arab Emirates
The Palm Jumeirah – which was announced back in 2001 – has now become the largest man-made island in the world. Like the Great Wall of China, it too can be viewed from outer space. It’s so vast that its construction will require some 94 million cubic metres of sand and a mere 7 million 
Another 7 star hotel in Dubai?
By Paul Johnson on Sep 18, 2007 in Accommodation, Hotels, Middle East, Regions, United Arab Emirates
Imagine a funnel-shaped, 7-star hotel 300m off Dubai’s coast, accessible only by boat or helicopter, complete with temperature-controlled butterfly jungle on the top two floors… Sounds more like fantasy than reality, huh? Apparently, such a hotel could be on the cards, though. The 28-floor Aperiron building has been designed by Sybarite Architects and is 
Next destination for Silverjet: Dubai
By Paul Johnson on Sep 18, 2007 in Air Travel, Business Travel, Middle East, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Arab Emirates
The all-business airline Silverjet has chosen Dubai as its next destination, with services from Luton starting in November. They will be the first and only commercial airline to use the executive terminal at Dubai International Airport. This will be the first time a business class-only airline has covered a non-transatlantic route. 
The Island Resort and Residencies at Grand Cayman
By Paul Johnson on Sep 08, 2007 in Accommodation, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Middle East, Real Estate, Regions, Resorts, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, United Arab Emirates
Construction is due to commence early next year on The Island Resort and Residencies, an upscale resort at Spotters Bay, Grand Cayman, designed by Rafael Amuchastegui, one of the architects behind the Burj Al Arab in Dubai. It will occupy some 800 ft of beachfront and will feature four inter-connected swimming pools, a pool bar Oil money heading for Vietnam's luxury hotel industry?
By Paul Johnson on Aug 19, 2007 in Accommodation, Asia, Hotels, Middle East, Regions, Resorts, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam
Middle Eastern companies from Saudia Arabia and UAE are said to be investing in Vietnam’s luxury hotel sector. Saudi’s Jehan Holding Group is expected to invest US$1 billion in a high-end resort in Da Lat, whilst Dubai’s Kingdom Hotels Investments has made an agreement with the central Da Nang government to develop a $60-million resort 
More limos from Gulf Air
By Paul Johnson on Aug 17, 2007 in Air Travel, Bahrain, Middle East, Regions, Speciality Travel, Worldwide
Gulf Air, which already offers a free chauffeured limousine service to its first- and business-class passengers in Abu Dhabi (AUH), Dubai (DXB), Muscat (MCT) and London (LHR), is extending the service to five more countries. Gulf Air premium passengers in Bangkok (BKK), Frankfurt (FRA), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Manila (MNL) and Paris (CDG) can also now 
Luxury travel links of the week
By Paul Johnson on Aug 05, 2007 in Accommodation, Africa, Air Travel, Bed & Breakfasts, Belgium, Europe, Going Out, Kenya, Middle East, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Spain, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Arab Emirates, Websites, Western Europe
A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal… Helicopter rides in the Canaries from Blue Canarias Cosy Kenyan homestay courtesy of Ngong House Dine at Peter Goossens’ Hof van Cleve in Belgium Where one great experience leads to another: Dubai 
World Airline Awards 2007
By Paul Johnson on Aug 01, 2007 in Air Travel, Asia, Austria, Europe, Malaysia, Middle East, Qatar, Regions, Singapore, Speciality Travel, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Western Europe, Worldwide
The World Airline Awards are based on the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax and the results are just out. Among the 2007 winners are: Singapore Airlines (Airline of the Year and Best Business Class Award) Qatar Airways (Best First Class, and Best Airline and Best Cabin Staff in the Middle East) Malaysia Airlines (World’s 
World's sexiest beaches
By Paul Johnson on Jul 30, 2007 in Africa, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Bahamas, Brazil, Cape Verde, Caribbean, Europe, Florida, Indonesia, Italy, Middle East, North America, Regions, Seychelles, South America, Spain, Turkey, USA, Western Europe
Concierge.com, the online home for inspired travel from Conde Nast has posted its picks for the third annual World’s Sexiest Beaches list. Beaches are both on and off the beaten path and are chosen for their beauty, buzz factor and overall steamy appeal. Here’s their top ten: Caprera Island, Sardinia, Italy Salvador, Bahia, 
Etihad Airways to launch flights to Dublin
By Paul Johnson on Jul 27, 2007 in Air Travel, Europe, Ireland, Middle East, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Arab Emirates, Western Europe
Etihad Airways – the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates – will begin non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and the Irish capital Dublin next month. The move will give Irish travellers their first one-stop travel option to Australia, as well as giving them convenient transfers for Asian destinations. The service will begin on 3rd 
News from The Palm Jumeirah
By Paul Johnson on Jul 16, 2007 in Accommodation, Middle East, Real Estate, Regions, Resorts, United Arab Emirates
There was an interesting article in last month’s Daily Mail about developments at Dubai’s various island projects. Andrew Dukes’ property on Palm Jumeirah has doubled in value in just a year whilst developments at The World interestingly haven’t fared anything like as well. Are the residents of these island resorts going to be left 
Suite of the week: Executive Suite at the Sheraton Bahrain
By Paul Johnson on Jul 16, 2007 in Accommodation, Bahrain, Hotels, Middle East, Regions, Suite of the Week
Suite name: Executive Suite Hotel: Sheraton Bahrain, Manama, Bahrain Size of accommodation: 91 sq ft Cost per night: BD500++ What makes it special? Tasteful design that offers a timeless yet contemporary feel. With breath-taking views of the Arabian Gulf and the city, the suite is 
