Friday 28 November 2008

Burj Dubai Construction Progress

Burj Dubai (Arabic: برج دبي‎ "Dubai Tower") is a supertall skyscraper under construction in the Business Bay district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is the tallest man-made structure ever built, despite being incomplete. Construction began on September 21, 2004 and is expected to be completed and ready for occupation in September 2009.[1]

The building is part of the 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi) development called "Downtown Dubai", at the "First Interchange" (aka "Defence Roundabout") along Sheikh Zayed Road at Doha Street. The tower's architect is Adrian Smith[4] who worked with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) until 2006.[5] The architecture and engineering firm SOM is in charge of the project.[4] The primary builders are Samsung Engineering & Construction and Besix along with Arabtec.[6] Turner Construction Company was chosen as the construction manager.[7]

The total budget for the Burj Dubai project is about US$4.1 billion[8] and for the entire new 'Downtown Dubai', US$20 billion. Mohamed Ali Alabbar, the CEO of Emaar Properties, speaking at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat 8th World Congress, said that the price of office space at Burj Dubai had reached $4,000 per sq ft (over $43,000 per sq m) and that the Armani Residences, also in Burj Dubai, were selling for $3,500 per sq ft (over $37,500 per sq m)


























































Maids: just because you sponsor them, it doesn't mean you own them.

domestic worker in Dubai, "Jane", has given a testimony of her job and life. It's republished below, slightly edited for punctuation:

"Hi.. I worked in JUMEIRA as a DH.. for 4 years and 5 months.. to a good arab family.. I dont have any comments for them because they are so good to me. They don't look at me as a maid but as a sister to them.. but some of the agencies are taking for granted about the salary.. they get some extra.. which is.. that extra is a big help for our family.

"The problem is... some of the employers.. same my employer are abusing me, like they don't even tell me, if I eat or no? Because they want me to stay all the time with the kids, or tell me to go and sleep just for 30 minutes. You know 5 minutes closing my eyes it's like 1 day of sleeping for me, or I can't even go to the bathroom leaving the children because they are just very busy of talking the phone from morning until evening. Instead, I would find way, how to go and make a release.

"Or I went to some places which is so class or social places without changing my clothes for the reason that she forget to tell me, while I'm so shy and felt embarassed with my kabayan. You know, just uttering those simple words without action is very hard for them while they're doing nothing. Working from 6:00am to 11:pm, sometimes 2:00am or 3:00am is optional when have parties or weddings. Tell me, who is not tired of working and can't have even a nap just for a minutes.

"They know that I am good and I do all the works and taking care of children is really important which is the big factor for them. And they don't even want to find another until I become old. I'm talking about my efforts, they took out from me because they think I'm always ok even they saw me with their eyes that I'm tired everytime.

"They don't mind me because they think they gave me good salaries which is 700Dhs. for 4 years and 5 months without day-off. And I spent with my own money buying those necessary things even they knew that it is their obligations to buy for us. What you expect from it? How much is left from my salary? As long as they can get benefits from me.. they don't mind me at all.. just because I'm so good to them while they are taking for granted.

"Mostly, the problem with arab people are being a LAZY. Machines will sometimes not function or shutdown reading all the datas, how much more the human?"

Paris Hilton is going to settle in Dubai


Dubai: Paris Hilton could be the latest in a constellation of stars to light up Dubai's property sector, in a possible $2 million (Dh7.3 million) deal with Abu Dhabi-based developer, Hydra Properties.

Hilton, who was famous before she was even born, will add a dash of desert glam to Dubai's celebrity skyline.

"Mr Hilton is having a lawyer look over a million-dollar agreement between a property company in the UAE and Paris Hilton. The deal would give the company 'naming rights' for three years to call a set of twin towers Paris Hilton Towers. The deal currently stands at around $1.5-2million," said celebrity booking agent, Mike Esterman.

Officials at Hydra Properties were not immediately available for comment.

Although Hilton's roots are firmly entrenched in the hotel business, branding a property is just a hop, skip and a jump away.

And there is perhaps nowhere more fitting for a celebrity to flash a smile and name a building than in Dubai, where real estate is very much the name of the game.

As a recent wave of celebrities-turned-real-estate-professionals have found, investors in Dubai real estate are cashing in on a booming economy.

If agreed, Hilton would follow in the impressive footsteps of tennis great, Boris Becker, Formula One champion Michael Schumacher and golf-pro, Tiger Woods.

But if it's glamour you're after, you'd be hard pushed to find a star more focused on glam than Paris.

Of course, aside from those celebrities who want to see their name on a tower, there are other stars here working with local developers who know the bigger the name, the bigger the interest.

There's property heavyweight, Donald Trump with Nakheel, fashion legend Giorgio Armani and Emaar and most recently, bona fide Hollywood superstar, Brad Pitt, working with Zaabeel Properties.

Thursday 27 November 2008

Ras al-Khaimah

Ras Al-Khaimah (Arabic: رأس الخيمة, transliteration: rās al-Khaymah, literally "The Top of the Tent") is one of the emirates of the United Arab Emirates. It covers an area of 656 square miles (1700 km²). Ras Al Khaimah is in the northern part of the Persian gulf.

The emirate is ruled by Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad al-Qassimi. It is in the northern part of the UAE bordering Oman. The emirate has a population of about 250,000 inhabitants.

The city has a population of 219,897 as of 2008.[1] It is served by the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in Al Jazirah Al Hamra.

The city has two main sections, Old Ras Al Khaimah and Nakheel, on either side of the creek which flows through Ras Al Khaimah.

UAE - short information

The United Arab Emirates is a federation which consists of seven emirates. The largest emirate is Abu Dhabi which contains the nation's capital city Abu Dhabi. Five emirates have one or more exclaves, in addition to the main territory. The seven emirates:

* Abu Dhabi
* Ajman: 1 exclave
* Dubai: 1 exclave
* Fujairah: 2 exclaves
* Ras al-Khaimah: 1 exclave
* Sharjah: 3 exclaves
* Umm al-Quwain


Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Sharjah
Al Ain
Ajman
RAK
Al Fujairah
UAQ
Major cities of the United Arab Emirates

There are two areas under joint control. One is jointly controlled by Oman and Ajman, the other by Fujairah and Sharjah.

There is an Omani enclave surrounded by UAE territory, known as Wadi Madha. It is located halfway between the Musandam peninsula and the rest of Oman, on the Dubai-Hatta road in the Emirate of Sharjah. It covers approximately 75 square kilometres (29 sq mi) and the boundary was settled in 1589. The north-east corner of Madha is closest to the Khor Fakkan-Fujairah road, barely 10 metres (33 ft) away. Within the enclave is a UAE exclave called Nahwa, also belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. It is about 8 kilometres (5 mi) on a dirt track west of the town of New Madha. It consists of about forty houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange.

Monday 24 November 2008

Cost of living in Dubai

COST OF LIVING IN DUBAI

Dubai is generally a very expensive city. Some of the goods provided in Dubai, such as vegetables, computers and cars, are cheaper in the UEA than elsewhere due to the tax free zones. Visits to the doctor (especially those which are state run) and gas are also inexpensive. Prices for groceries are about the same as in Canada, Australia and European members like the UK. To rent a house or an apartment can be more expensive than it would be in another country, so is a visit to the hairdresser.

Those who come to Dubai to live and work should try and get an employment package that includes a housing allowance. For a fully furnished studio you have to calculate 6.250 Dh per month (approximately 1.350 €), for an unfurnished two bedroom apartment 6.700 Dh per month (1.400 €), for an unfurnished three bedroom apartment 7.900 Dh per month (1.700 €) and for a villa in the region around Midriff 8.400 Dh per month (1.800 €). On top of this there is an amount of approximately 420 € per person needed for maintenance.

A three course meal with drinks is around 110 Dh or 24 € and a bottle of beer (which is only available in hotel bars and restaurants) costs 18 Dh or nearly 4 €.

Will falling Dubai house prices ever outpace rental increases?

The International Monetary Fund recently published an interesting study of housing markets in emerging economies which pointed out that the average decline in house prices in a downturn was 30 per cent spread over four years. This contrasted with much sharper but short-lived plunges in emerging market equities.

Now the first thing to note in the context of the Dubai property market is that we have not reached the top of the cycle yet. House prices and rentals are still going up. And even the moderately pessimistic Asteco real estate company thinks this will last for another 12-18 months.

Therefore, anybody buying a house will save on rising rentals for up to two years. Perhaps then they will additionally save somewhat less in the succeeding three to four years. Given that property yields are around eight per cent in Dubai, we might reasonably assume that in five years the buyer will have saved about 40 per cent of the cost of their home in rent that they would have otherwise paid.

Capital loss versus rental loss
Now what of the capital value of the same home? Let us assume an average annual gain of 10 per cent for the next two years, followed by an IMF-study average decline in three and not four years. Then you would have to figure in roughly a 10 per cent loss in capital over that five-year period.

On this calculation the savings in rent that would otherwise be paid out on comparable property clearly more than outweigh the risk of losing capital in a market downturn. Indeed the margin is quite wide, and this means that the capital loss on a home could be significantly bigger and it would still be better to buy than rent over a five year period.

This really comes down to what everybody knows who lives in Dubai. Rents are high and landlords are making an excellent return on their investment. Meanwhile, the cost of buying homes is cheap by international standards.

Comfort zone
Therefore, buying makes sense to avoid high rentals. But the additional comfort of this calculation is that even in a falling housing market the money saved from rents can more than offset a fall in capital value.

And buyers should also note that high inflation in the UAE will tend to protect the nominal value of homes. In such an environment buying now instead of renting makes good sense even if you see a property crash on the horizon; and waiting for a crash could prove an expensive error of judgment.

For one thing, paying rent is certain to loose you money while at least buying gives you a chance to win on the upside.

Dubai property fall is unavoidable

The rapid deterioration in sentiment in the UAE has caught even the most pessimistic of observers by surprise.

Predictions that the once unshakable real estate market in the emirates, particularly Dubai, was set for a slowdown have come to fruition even more quickly than anticipated, despite the repeated assurances of senior Dubai officials that the market's onward march would not be deterred.

Reports have put the fall in property prices at 4 per cent in Dubai, and 5 per cent in Abu Dhabi, in August alone. Falls in September and October are likely to be even greater.

The first wave of redundancies at developers is now under way and project work is already slowing on some of Dubai's signature developments. By pulling credit lines to employees at some of Dubai's biggest companies, Emirates NBD, the region's biggest bank by assets, has signalled that it expects the market will continue to fall.

As the emirate's economic growth slows, more lay-offs will undoubtedly be announced.

The number of new workers arriving in the emirate will also dwindle, putting further down-ward pressure on real estate in the emirate.

Other banks in the country now face the choice of whether to try to attract the customers Emirates NBD is passing up, or also view them as too risky. Given that confidence in Dubai's real estate sector is now so low, they will be tempted to steer clear of customers who may quickly find themselves unemployed.

The Central Bank of the UAE says it is looking at ways to prop up the real estate sector, but it is difficult to see what it can do to persuade people to buy in a market that could be on the edge of freefall.

The best it can do is to allow the market to quickly find its floor, so the recovery can begin, and avoid falling into the trap of using government intervention to take on the impossible task of stopping a sharp correction in an overvalued market.

Dubai Property Prices Falling

It’s not news that Dubai’s property market is expected to experience corrections next year and according to Morgan Stanley gradually decline by up to 10 percent by 2010. However, a real bombshell was dropped last Thursday when Arabian Business reported that Palm Jebel Ali’s island prices have depreciated some 40 percent in the last two months.

After all the hype and excitement about Dubai’s market, this news is certainly a wake up call for many would be investors who are standing on the brink of making a decision right now.

This fall in property values has been pinned on the global crisis and current investors who liquidate their assets in Dubai in order to keep their cash flow going.

This turn of events puts the development (and more to follow for sure) back to where they were some two years ago. To make matters worse, local Dubai mortgage providers acted and reduced home financing loan-to-value (LTV) to about 70 percent down from 90 in October. Of course this isn’t helpful for those looking to finance a property loan right now.

Five and six bedroom villas on the island used to be valued at around 16 million Dirham (approximately $4.35 million). In the last couple of months however these prices were depreciated to 9 million Dirham instead - a huge loss for current property owners.

Despite this, they didn’t really lose out on a bargain since overall the value of properties on the island increased by as much as 80 percent from the original launch buying price.

As reported from various realtors in Dubai, sales have dried up and making them seems harder these days, unless they accept a significant drop in property prices.

It will be interesting to see whether those predictions will come true in the near future. As for now, it is probably a wise move to hold on the investment for existing property owners while new buyers can snap up a bargain.

Saturday 22 November 2008

Dubai Marina at Dusk


This is a photo of Dubai Marina at Dusk - look at the details and colors of the farthest buildings on the view... Dubai skyscrapers on the left and on the right. Perfect reason to visit Dubai for a holiday break.

Burj Dubai Street (photo)

Here is a photo of Burj Dubai and the buildings across the street. Magnificient view of Dubai high street in the night...

Friday 21 November 2008

Dubai Tower named as one of the Best 50 inventions of the Year

The worlds first rotating skyscraper, 'The Dynamic Tower', has been named as one among the "Best 50 inventions of the Year" by the TIME Magazine, due to its revolutionary design and innovation.

Created by David Fisher, the renowned Italian architect, the tower was one of the first choices in a list of ground-breaking inventions. Every floor of the tower rotates independently so as to form a building that constantly changes its shape and appearance, resulting in a unique and evolving architectural landmark.

The environment-friendly tower is the first building to be completely self-powered with wind turbines, positioned horizontally between each floor. The photovoltaic cells on the roof of each rotating floor, produces solar energy.

The Dynamic Tower in Dubai will also be the first high-rise to be built completely from prefabricated parts that are custom-built in a workshop and then installed on site.

This method comes with several benefits, including environmentally clean on-site construction, reduced time and cost of construction, less onsite accidents. Residents of the tower can park their cars at the entrance of the apartments with voice activated systems.

The residents can get a glimpse of the world rotating around them when looking through the glass wall of the buildings. These buildings will also be the first wherein construction begins at the top, with each floor mechanically installed from top to bottom.

Property agents optimistic about Dubai property market

Several property agents in Dubai predict a bright property market, with the sector expected to pick-up within next six months.

The CEO of Dubai Properties, Mohammed Binbrek, said that the current issue is more due to public sentiment, than due to liquidity or resource availability. Once the fears and concerns of the people are addressed, the business would return to normal.

The same optimism was seen among the respondents of a survey, involving 170 Dubai-based property agents, out of which 77 percent felt that the issues currently plaguing the Dubai real estate sector would vanish in six months time.

Pointing out to other markets, the Managing Director of Better Homes, Ryan Mahoney, said that the markets had a slow phase for a couple of months, and then improved in terms of transactions, depending on the availability of financial lending.

But Mahoney predicts that although the transactions may not rise to previous levels within next six months, the prices would stop falling, and then grow again, which may take about a year.

Key Questions From the G-20 Summit

There are (at least) five fundamental questions that went unanswered at this past weekend's G-20 summit in Washington. In their attempt to show solidarity, the world leaders skipped over the complicated and contentious questions. But that's no long-term solution. Once they go home to their respective capitals, the finance ministers and other officials who met in Washington are going to be forced to make some tough decisions. Here are five puzzlers that will demand to be sorted out in the months ahead:

1. What is protectionism? The gathered ministers roundly condemned protectionism in all its forms and even agreed to take another stab at reviving the moribund Doha Round of global trade talks—if possible, by the end of this year. But it's hard to see how much progress they will be able to make when many of the efforts to revive national economies could be regarded as protectionism. For example, wouldn't extensive aid to the Big Three Detroit automakers constitute an illegal subsidy under the World Trade Organization's terms? For that matter, don't the massive aid packages flowing to banks, brokerage firms, and insurers in the U.S. and elsewhere constitute subsidies that are prohibited by the free-trade rules?

2. Should we be encouraging consumers to spend more, or not? There are two schools of thought on this central question. Many economists and ordinary people argue that a sharp drop-off in consumer spending is extremely dangerous, so government needs to help consumers find ways to keep spending. That's one of the reasons U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson revised the government's $700 billion troubled-asset relief program to support credit card borrowing, auto loans, and student loans. Yet other people, including some economists, say that excessive spending and borrowing got us into this mess in the first place—and that cutting back is exactly what Americans must do to restore balance to the global economy.

3. Is it important to put a floor under the prices of homes? There are two sides to this question as well. Treasury's Paulson has repeatedly argued that the financial crisis won't end until the decline in home prices reaches a bottom. So a lot of people want to stop them from falling further by providing financial incentives to buyers and by preventing more foreclosures. But other experts say that trying to prop prices above the level they naturally seek would merely delay the necessary market adjustment—keeping prices unaffordably high and making buyers afraid to step in because they anticipate further declines. It's hard to sort this one out because no one can reliably say what the "correct" level of home prices ought to be.

4. Should world leaders try to ensure that a financial crisis such as this one never occurs again? This seems like a no-brainer, but it's not. Sure, long-term reforms are needed. But there's a risk that clamping down on risky lending practices now could make matters worse in the short term. The G-20's communiqué instructs the various nations to report back by the end of March about the progress they've made on restructuring financial regulation. The danger is that in their zeal to show progress by then, government officials around the world will push lenders to tighten up, offsetting the elaborate efforts to provide fiscal and monetary support.

5. Do we need global coordination? This seems like another obvious yes. In the first paragraph of their declaration, the G-20 leaders said: "We are determined to enhance our cooperation and work together." Some cooperation is a good thing, of course. But notice that the leaders were quite vague about what they would do together in the short run. Most of their agreements were about long-term reform. This vagueness may be healthy. Each country's situation is unique. What the U.S. needs to do (consume less and save more) is precisely the opposite of what China needs to do (consume more and save less).

All in all, it's great that world leaders came together in an atmosphere of relative good will. Their intentions are good. But as someone once said, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Hard thinking remains to be done.

Tuesday 18 November 2008

Top hotels for luxury traveller in Dubai

1. Jumeirah Emirate Towers
Jumeirah Emirates Towers located on Sheikh Zayed Road is in the centre of Dubai's commercial business district and a highly visible statement of the region's corporate success. Two equilateral triangles are architectural icons one of their kind in Dubai. Jumeirah Emirates Towers consists of a 350-metre office tower and a 305-metre 400-bedroom hotel tower joined by a central podium containing a Shopping Boulevard. A sleek architectural masterpiece of steel and glass, Jumeirah Emirates Towers redefines the business hotel category, seamlessly combining form with function, high technology with unparalleled luxury and elegance with efficiency. With supreme attention to the requirement of the corporate individual, even standard rooms at Jumeirah Emirates Towers come with a business workplace along with IT amenities, interactive television and 24-hour technical assistance.

2. Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Reinventing the hotel experience, The Award Winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel introduces a new lifestyle that integrates all the excitement and exhilaration designed for couples, families and friends. All 600 Hotel Rooms And Suites Enjoy A Uninterrupted Spectacular Panoramic View Of The Arabian Gulf, Some With Private Balconies. Luxuriously Appointed And Exquisitely Furnished, At 50 Square Metres Each Room Exceeds The Proportions Of Most International Hotels. The Resort Facilities Include 20 Restaurants And Bars, Conference Centre for Up To 1,600 People, Business Centre, Sinbads Kids Club and VIBES Teens Club, 4 Swimming Pools, 7 Tennis Courts, Golf Driving Range And Putting Green, Marina And Sports Club, Watersports, 900 Metres Of Private Beach, Pavilion Dive Centre And A Purpose-Built Coral Reef 2 Km Offshore. All Guests Also Receive Complimentary Access to Wild Wadi Water Park. Guests Who Prefer A More Secluded Retreat Can Enjoy The Tranquility Of Beit Al Bahar, a Luxury 19 Villa Complex Located A Short Walk Or Buggy Ride From The Jumeirah Beach Hotel. A Combination Of One And Two Bedroom Villas Each Featuring An Outdoor Dining Area And A Tranquil Terrace Offer Beautiful Views Of Either The Arabian Gulf Or The Spectacular Resort Facilities Of The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Each Villa Also Has A Private Plunge Pool Tucked Away For Guests To Unwind In Peace.

3. Burj Al Arab
A Billowing Sail-shaped Structure Soaring 321 Metres Above The Arabian Gulf Burj Al Arab Is A Dramatic Tribute To The Regions Seafaring Heritage. Combining The Latest Technology With A Long-standing Reputation Of Arabian Hospitality The Hotel Symbolizes The Very Essence Of Dubai Embracing The Best Of New Alongside Traditions Of The Past. Guests Can Transfer From Dubai International Airport By Rolls Royce Silver Seraph Limousines. 202 Suites Have Been Exquisitely Crafted And Appointed To Achieve A Degree Of Comfortable Luxury To Satisfy The Senses Of Every Guest From All Corners Of The World. Individual Service And Attention To Detail Are Paramount With A Private Reception On Each Floor As Well As Butler Service For Every Suite. Within Each Suite Lies Sophisticated Technology Providing The Largest Selection Of Satellite Television Channels Available In The Middle East. Every Suite Features Its Own Laptop Notebook Computer, Fax Machine And Printer.


4. Raffles Dubai
Inspired by the great pyramids of Egypt, Raffles Dubai radiates an opulent blend of Middle Eastern and Asian decor. Under the apex of the pyramid, 11 distinctive restaurants and bars feature culinary delights from all over the world. For successful meetings and events Raffles Dubai offers a choice of 11 private rooms with state-of-the-art audio visual equipment and the latest wireless technology. The one-hectare masterpiece Raffles Sky Garden is Dubai's most luxurious venue for outdoor celebrations and events. From the extravagance of a SPA Pool to the pampering of the body and soul, the Raffles Amrita SPA with its 6 treatment rooms and gym is a unique and exquisite haven perfect for relaxation, rejuvenation and indulgence.


5. Mina A' Salam at Madinat Jumeirah
Nestled on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, Mina A' Salam is the 'harbour of peace' - and getaway at Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort of Dubai. Offering a unique escape into a world rich in culture and faithful to time honoured values, Mina A' Salam is a grand boutique hotel of exquisite style. Whether you choose to dine alfresco around the enchanting harbour, or enjoy the enviable views of the neighbouring Burj Al Arab, your experience will be unrivalled in the region. The region is a sanctuary of Arabian essence, warm welcomes and endless fascination, where families, the discerning business traveller and small groups can retreat in sun-drenched splendour. The Madinat Jumeirah translates into the 'City of Jumeirah', so named because of the sheer variety of this magnificent Resort, located in the heart of fashionable Jumeirah. The concept is one of 'old Arabia' in a totally luxurious context. This combination of authentic Arabian themes has created a destination of unique qualities and outstanding beauty. Madinat Jumeirah is a city of contrasts - from the sublimely relaxing to the vibrant and exotic. A place of meandering waterways and wide open sea-scapes, it is a luxurious oasis in which to relax, experience and interact. The Resort is a recreation of old Arabia and a place where historic beauty meets new-fashioned luxury. The gateway property to Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort - Dubai. Opened in September 2003, this low rise, 292 rooms and suites grand boutique hotel is designed in the authentic style of 'old Arabia'. It is built alongside an enchanting harbour - around which much of the hotel experience is based. All rooms and suites have views of the sea and enjoy individual balconies. All restaurants, bars and lounges have extensive terraces which overlook the harbour and adjacent beach.

6. Al Qasr at Madinat Jumeirah
Al Qasr is one of the three properties of the Madinat Jumeirah Resort. Elevated as if to emphasise its splendour, Al Qasr is the 'palace' at the heart of Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort - Dubai. Approached via a ceremonial causeway, this majestic mansion style hotel rises up to form the jewel in the crown of the world's most sublime Resort and authentic recreation of 'old Arabia'. Surrounded by water, Al Qasr forms a virtual island looking down upon a multitude of fascinating aspects: ancient windtowers, pools, meandering waterways and the superb two kilometre wide private beach. Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort - Dubai, is a magnificent tribute to Dubai's heritage and is styled to resemble an ancient Arabian citadel. Luxurious and ornate, combining the height of opulence with an overwhelming sense of tradition. Meandering waterways transport guests to all parts of this intricate city of senses. Two grand boutique hotels, courtyard summer houses, a traditional souk, the Six Senses Spa, the region's leading conference and banqueting centre, unlimited recreational facilities and the superlative Quay Healthclub - all this and more combine to make Madinat Jumeirah the most fascinating Resort in the world.


7. Dar Al Masyaf at Madinat Jumeirah
Dar Masyaf is one of the three properties of the Madinat Jumeirah Resort. It is where guests are welcomed into sun-drenched solace, and rooms and suites are arranged in the style of exquisite Arabian summer courtyard houses. Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort is located on the waterfront in Dubai. Representing the premium accommodation within a Resort of magnificent qualities and nestled within the waterways and gardens - Dar Al Masyaf buildings are havens of seclusion interwoven with splendid irregularity into the world's most inspired destination. Literally translated, Dar Al Masyaf means summer houses. Authentically recreated, they are designed to provide sun-drenched spaciousness in the style of elegant residential retreats. The Madinat Jumeirah translates into the 'City of Jumeirah', so named because of the sheer variety of this magnificent Resort, located in the heart of fashionable Jumeirah. The concept is one of 'old Arabia' in a totally luxurious context. This combination of authentic Arabian themes has created a destination of unique qualities and outstanding beauty. Madinat Jumeirah is a city of contrasts - from the sublimely relaxing to the vibrant and exotic. A place of meandering waterways and wide open sea-scapes, it is a luxurious oasis in which to relax, experience and interact. The Resort is a recreation of old Arabia and a place where historic beauty meets new-fashioned luxury.

8. Traders Hotel Dubai

Opened In Early 2004, The Deluxe Traders Hotel Dubai Offers Quality Business Accommodation Combined With World-renowned Standards Of Personalised Service. The Hotel Is Near The Traditional Deira Business District And Is Only 10 Minutes From Dubai International Airport. The Guest Rooms Offer Contemporary Design Combined With Up-To-the-minute Amenities Including Broadband And Wireless Internet Access. Discerning Executives Can Reserve "Traders Club" Rooms Featuring Upgraded Amenities And Services Including Complimentary Breakfast And Evening Cocktails. Guests Can Enjoy International And Local Favourites At The Junction Or Relax Over A Cocktail With Business Associates And Friends In The Lobby Lounge And Chameleon Bar. The Fully-equipped Business Centre Provides A Comprehensive Range Of Professional Secretarial Services And Facilities. When Relaxation Is Required, the Recreational Facilities Include An Indoor Plunge Pool, sauna, Jacuzzis And A Full Range Of Massage Services.

9. Al Maha Desert Resort And Spa

You Cant Help Feeling A Little Like Lawrence Of Arabia On The Journey To The Al Maha Resort And Spa In The Heart Of Dubais Desert. Al Maha Is Located 45 Minutes Away From Dubai City Of Gold. Though 4-wheel Drive Jeeps Have Long Since Replaced Camels As The Most Common Form Of Transport The Sense Of Adventure Privacy And Isolation Remains. The Al Maha Was The First Ecotourism Resort Built In The United Arab Emirates. Home Of The Indigenous Species Such As The Arabian Oryx And Gazelles Have Been Re-introduced And Wander Freely. Al Maha Has Added 10 More Top Rated Luxury Suites Totaling To 40 To Further Accommodate Our World Class Guests. Al Maha Is The First Ecotourism Resort In The United Arab Emirates. The First Desert Resort In The United Arab Emirates.


10. Desert Palm Retreat Dubai
Due to unforeseen local construction issues and delays in the arrival of the imported furnishings, the property will not be opening until the 2nd quarter of 2008. ** Arabia avant-garde. Lush green of the polo fields. Sunset chukkas from a rooftop terrace. Sunrise over the dunes. Sensual Per Aquum design. Rare dining experiences. Spa addictions

Mina A Salam Madinat Jumeirah



Madinat Jumeirah is one the most beautiful hotel in Dubai, and probably in UAE. Look at this picture - it is really gorgeous...
Here is couple of recent feedbacks from TripAdvisor:
It's fabulous and is everything others have said. Large comfortable rooms, great bathrooms, great views and friendly staff with transport to other Jumeira hotels by boat or buggy.The only thing all this luxury comes at at great cost, especially the food and drinks, allow at least £200 per day per couple and thats a minimum...

Another one:
I've got to say that this was one of the best, if not best hotels i have ever stayed at, we went from the Jumeirah beach Hotel, to the Madinat Jumeirah and then the Mina A Salaam. My 3 year old daughter enjoyed it so much that I had to book in a few extra days. You get free access to the Wild Wadi Park if you stay at either the Jumeirah beach Hotel, Madinat or the Mina Salaam, the view from the balcony was beautiful and the staff made an extra effort to entertain my daughter by creating animals from the bath sheets and leaving them on the bed, something they learn at a course they are sent to. There are loads of restaurants on the hotel grounds, and you can be ferried around by guys driving buggies around the resort. you can also take little boats which take you around the resort....This is all free if you are staying at the hotel. If you are doing research and want to choose a hotel, then just to let you know, this resort has approx 3 hotels in them, Mina A Salaam, Madinat Jumeirah & Dar Al Masyaf and the little boats and buggies take you from one to the other.

Ann another GOOD review:

As people have felt the need to write bad reviews from a year ago I thought I'd add my year old GOOD review. My husband and I had such a good time at MAS last year that we are returning in two weeks time (at which point I'll probably write another review). It has to be the best holiday we have ever been on (except our honeymoon). I find it so hard to believe that people felt the staff were unfriendly. Everywhere we went from check in to the pool to the restaurants to the bars - all the staff were more than happy to help us. My husband tried to go to the bar to get a drink at the pool and was sent back to the sun loungers because they didn't want us to do anything ourselves. We didn't feel the need to tip at all. I may have picked up towels one day by myself but that really doesn't bother me! We were in an Executive Club Room but the only time staff would have known this was during check in and when we used the club room in the morning at breakfast and evening for drinks. The Arbas are great fun. We have booked a restaurant in another part of the hotel on the first night of our up coming trip just so we have an excuse to use them straight away. The only very slight annoyance was we decided to go half board but felt this didn't give us a lot of options and didn't feel brilliant value for money. We are only going B&B this time. One tip - pre book your restaurants because they get fully booked very quickly. We were unable to get reservations for a lot of the restaurants we wanted last year. We have already made reservations this year and we go on 14th November.

Thursday 13 November 2008

Dubai property market slowdown may be short-lived: Real Estate Experts

With the ongoing speculation in the property market, coupled with the liquidity squeeze which gripped the local banking sector, the Dubai property sector has come to a halt, and fewer people are seen investing on new properties.

A "dramatic slowdown" is likely in the short-term, as property developers such as Nakheel and Emaar will find it difficult in securing new financing, reports the Gulf News.

However, the projects that have already commenced and have already made commitments with financial institutions will continue, despite the financial turmoil, as the local banking system in the UAE has already been injected with liquidity.

According to industry sources, the current drop in real estate does not seem long-lasting. Although at present the property prices have eased a bit, the forthcoming slowdown in construction will reduce supply, which in turn, would drive up the prices again.

The Chief Executive of Rasmala Investments, a networking event with Dubai Property Sector, Ali Al Shihabi, agrees that there is little demand for real estate at present, as the investors are cautious and are awaiting prices to drop further. The Banks also do not have much capital to finance the development of new properties.

However, for an investor, this would be the best time to buy. Existing projects would continue. Major developers would continue their work, although at a reduced level. Dubai already has solid work for the next three years, and the current slowdown in supply would once again generate demand and increase in prices, during the next few years, Al Shihabi said.

The Resident Partner of Property Consultancy firm Cluttons, Ronald Hinchey, said that the slump in real estate activity may be due to the lack of liquidity in Banks and the reduction in loan-to-value ratios.

People are finding it difficult to borrow money for property as the mortgage providers have lowered their loan-to-value ratios to 50 to 70 percent from the earlier 80 to 90 percent. The lending institutions too have committed funds on properties that are under construction.

Al Shihabi pointed out that Dubai has been hit by its own financial turmoil this year, due to the downfall of major financial institutions such as the Lehman Brothers in the US. During the first six months of the year, an influx of several billion dollars from global financial institutions has been common.

Monday 10 November 2008

Dynamic Architecture in Dubai - Video #2

Wonderful concept by David Fischer!

The first World Dynamic Architecture in DuBai project

Dynamic Architecture in Dubai


Italian experimental architecture company Dynamic Architecture has proposed a revolving sustainable skyscraper for Dubai powered by wind turbines placed between each floor.
















Monday 3 November 2008

List of 50 Recruitment Agencies in Dubai

Name Phone Number Email
Adecco +971 4 351 8596 sivakumar.st@adeccome.com
Altaayeen Management Consultants +971 4 324 4933 info@al-taayeen.com
Amrop Middle East +971 4 332 8830 mail@amrop-me.com
Appointments +971 50 474 2648 mercy@appointments.ae
BAC Executive Recruitment +971 4 337 5747 recruit@bacme.com
Beresford Blake Thomas +971 4 390 0375 techinfo@bbtuae.com
Carmichael Fisher +971 4 430 9309 dubai@carmichaelfisher.com
Charterhouse +971 4 372 3500 info@charterhouse.ae
Clarendon Parker +971 4 391 0460 info@clarendonparker.com
Concur Consultants +971 4 813 5200 careers@concurme.com
Connected Group +971 4 311 6530 infoME@connectedgroup.com
Dulsco +971 4 347 7500 careers@dulscojobs.com
Duneden M.E. Recruitment +971 4 321 8742 info@dunedenme.com
Edge Executive +971 4 368 9460 edge@edgeexecutive.com
Embed HR +971 4 362 4748 admin@emedhr.com
EuroJobs Middle East +971 4 609 1500 info@eurojobs-me.com
Executive Solutions, ME +971 4 338 9766 info@executivesolutionsme.com
First Select International +971 4 334 3461 info@firstselectuae.com
Focus Direct +971 4 355 4134 candidates@focusdirect.net
Future Focus +971 4 321 7222 info@futurefocusdubai.com
Gulf Bankers +971 4 332 1716 dubai@gulfbankers.com
Gulf Connexions +971 4 311 7178 jobs@gulfconnexions.com
Hays +971 4 361 2882 dubai@hays.com
Headway +971 4 398 7369 enquiries@headway.ae
Hill McGlynn +971 4 299 0070 dubai@hillmcglynn.com
Horizon International +971 4 435 0999 info@horizonintl.com
Ibtikar +971 4 343 8380 luwellyn@imsgulf.com
IQ Selection +971 4 329 7770 cv@iqselection.com
Job Track Middle East +971 4 397 7751 Jobtrack@emirates.net.ae
Jobscan +971 4 355 9113 jobscan2@eim.ae
Jobtrack Middle East +971 4 397 7751 technical@jobtrackme.com
Lobo +971 4 331 3223 lobo@lms.ae
Ma Foi +971 4 273 7427 rajkumar@mafoi.com
McArthur Murray +971 4 409 8100 director@mcarthurmurray.com
Michael Page +971 4 709 0300 contactmiddleeast@michaelpage.ae
Millennium Solutions +971 4 338 4944 info@millenniumsolutions.biz
MIR Recruitment +971 4 390 2238 mir@medicointernational.net
mrl-financial +971 4 425 8100 dubai@mrl-group.com
People Source Management +971 4 351 4567 resume@peoplesource-me.com
Principal Search Dubai +971 4 420 3767 psl@principalsearch.com
Real Recruitment & HR Consultancy +971 4 399 7606 info@realhrconsult.com
RP International +971 4 391 0300 dubai@rpint.com
SOS Recruitment +971 4 396 5600 sosdubai@sosrecruitment.net
Standon Chase +971 4 369 3529 dubai@stantonchase.com
Swisslinx +971 4 509 6762 info@swisslinx.com
Ultimate Management Consultants +971 4 343 3737 umc@emirates.net.ae
United Media Entertainment +971 4 433 4244 info@umegroup.net
WoodHamill Ingram +971 4 324 2797 profile@woodhamillingram.com
Xperts HR Consultancy +971 4 334 4421 jobsdxb@xpertshr.com
Apple Search & Selection LLC +971 4 329 8220 apple@appleselection.com

Dubai Photo - Burj Dubai

One of the most magnificient buildings in Dubai is a Burj Dubai skyscrapre. I really liked this photo of Burj Dubai made in the night which shows beautiful picture of Dubai and neon lights of this amazing city.