Executive Life - June/July 2016

June – July 2016

The best luxury destinations to choose from this summer New art hotel in the emirate?

Checking into Rove Downtown Dubai Luxury property on the Palm Jumeirah and a look at Marasi Business Bay

The Travel Issue

EXCLUSIVE

GORDON CA M P B E L L G R AY The hotelier changing the face of hospitality in the Middle East

T

EDITOR’S NOTE

hroughout my career, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing some of the world’s most exciting and interesting celebrities, politicians and industry shakers. I’ve also had to sit through some difficult one-on-ones where you can tell the interviewee would rather be elsewhere (some were tired, some were jet lagged, some were just being a diva). But every so often, along comes an individual who is so mysterious you’re just not sure how the interview is going to turn out. That was my experience with this issue’s cover star, Gordon Campbell Gray. I met the Glasgow-born hotelier – who’s behind awardwinning properties including Le Gray in Beirut, London’s One Aldwych and Carlisle Bay in Antigua – during his quick stopover in Dubai to promote his latest project, Campbell Gray Living in Amman.

On the one hand, GCG is known for his luxury hotels and residences, his meticulous attention to detail and ‘no nonsense’ attitude in the hospitality industry. On the other, he leaves it all behind every few months to work on charity projects for Save the Children in places such as Bangladesh and Morocco. So I was really curious to get to know the personality behind the brand. I’ll be very honest; prior to our interview I assumed he was just another hotelier who was going to give me the usual ‘media-trained’ answers.

But I turned out to be very wrong. What was meant to be a 10minute chat turned into an hour-long conversation about everything from marmalade to bad customer service (turn over to page 12 for our exclusive interview). When the topic of smartphones came up, he proudly produced his little Nokia phone that he admits he doesn’t want to change.

He also admitted that he criticises himself for getting so worked up over a bad flower arrangement in one of his properties when later on in the same day there was a bombing in Beirut, for instance.

It was refreshing to meet someone who was so comfortable with discussing anything and everything, because it so rarely happens. So if you ever find yourself at an event where he is attendance, head over for a chat. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.

On a separate note, welcome to our June-July issue! If you’re reading this in June, then Ramadan Kareem, and if you’re picking this issue up in July, then Eid Mubarak. With summer coming up, it really was a nobrainer for our latest edition to be themed around all things travel, so from the latest Business Class deals to where to jet away to this season, we’ve got you covered.

Enjoy the Executive Life...

Rachel McArthur

THE TRAVEL ISSUE June - July 2016 Chief Executive Sandeep Sehgal Vice President Ravi Raman

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Rachel McArthur rachel@digitalinkdubai.com Contributors Ivy Chiou Alina Christy Guest Columnist Michelle Karam, Founder, Travel Junkie Diary

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY Art Director Steven Castelluccia Senior Designer Nadia Mendez Designer Jack Strand

MARKETING AND SALES Assistant General Manager Poonam Chawla Advertising Manager Neema Sajnani Circulation Executive Rex Emmanuel

EL is a special supplement for Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East subscribers. Not to be sold separately.

UMS International FZ LLC P.O Box 503048, Building no 10, Office 346, Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 432 9467 Fax: +971 4 432 9534 Printed at Emirates Printing Press LLC, Dubai

For sales and marketing enquiries, please contact Poonam Chawla on +971 50 144 7656 or email poonam@businessweekme.com

THE TRAVEL ISSUE 4 4 TRENDING

CONTENTS

Fresh off the runway and the latest check suits

6 THE LUXE LIST

Key looks, accessories and items for him and her

8 MY FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS

With Darren Darwin, General Manager of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar

10 SUMMER LOVING

Where to jet away to this season

12 ON THE COVER: GORDON CAMPBELL GRAY

The hotelier on his latest venture in Jordan, business in the Middle East and the state of the industry

16 EL GUEST COLUMNIST

Michelle Karam, Founder of Travel Junkie Diary

18 MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

Top ten destinations according to currency value

ABOUT TOWN 20 20 WEARABLE TECH

The latest must-have pieces on the market

22 FRESH NEW SCENTS

The newest perfumes for her and the latest colognes for him

AT THE OFFICE 24 24 GREAT GADGETS

This month’s top tech gizmos

26 MY WORKPLACE

A day in the life of Omar Kadrie, Director of Skelmore Hospitality

THE COMMUTE 28 28 LUXE LUGGAGE

Handy bags and suitcases shopping guide

30 MAGNIFICENT MOTORS

The latest luxury cars for the modern-day CEO

32 ME & MY MOTOR

With Dany Bahar, co-founder and CEO of ARES

34 TRIED & TESTED

The latest Porsche models

AT HOME 36 36 MARINA LIFE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN

First look at Marasi Business Bay

38 ON THE MARKET

The Alef Residences serviced by W Dubai

SELF 40 40 SUMMER BODY PREP

Can a liquid diet work? We put a product to the test

TIME OUT 42 42 RAMADAN DINING

The top iftar and suhour offerings this holy month

45 EL PROMOTION

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara

BUSINESS CLASS 46 46 AROUND THE WORLD

A round up of the latest travel news and offerings

48 CHECK IN: ROVE DOWNTOWN DUBAI

Is 2016 the year of the art hotel in the emirate?

50 CHECK-IN: THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE, MUMBAI

Exploring one of India’s fabled hotels

JET SETTER 52 52 EID GETAWAYS

Where to go for that last-minute vacation

54 CHECK-IN: HOTEL BELLEVE PALACE, BERN

One of Switzerland’s iconic five-star properties

56 HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU, KID...

Jetting off to Casablanca, Morocco

WEALTH 58 58 THE MEGAYACHT LIFE

New and upcoming marinas around the world

THE FINAL PAGE 60

THE

TRAVEL TRAVELISSUE

TRENDING | THE LUXE LIST | MY FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS | SUMMER LOVING | INTREVIEW: GORDON CAMPBELL GRAY | EL GUEST COLUMNIST | MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

TRENDING

SUIT UP: Check mate

Key pieces for this month

Latest looks from the runway

BOSS

JKT NEW YORK

Trim fit check wool suit

Seersucker check sport coat

THEORY

TODD SNYDER WHITE LABEL

Wellar trim fit windowpane check sport coat

Trim fit check linen sport coat

AED 3,540

AED 1,770

ALEXANDER WANG - AUTUMN 2016

AED 2,550

AED 2,350

All looks are available at nordstrom.com

SUNNING IN STYLE GIVENCHY - AUTUMN WINTER 2016 DUNHILL LONDON NEW EYEWEAR

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

From AED 1,150

LANVIN - WINTER 2016

The quintessential British brand recently unveiled its new eyewear collection for men, featuring pieces that combine luxury and everyday comfort to create an understated elegant style. Sleek and sophisticated frames paired with dark lenses will be all the rage this summer, so pick up yours before setting out on holiday.

Available at Dunhill stores at The Dubai Mall and Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

6

THE LUXE LIST Key looks and stylish items for the summer

� MULBERRY’S ICONIC BAYSWATER GETS A FACELIFT More than a decade after it was first introduced, the Bayswater has been redesigned by Mulberry England’s creative director Johnny Coca, enhancing its features, adapting its silhouette and taking it to a new level of practicality for customers’ modern lives. The new design is lighter to carry – yet inherently more structured – and can even carry a laptop or tablet. From AED 5,670. Available at The Dubai Mall and Boutique 1.

� DAZZLING DINNERWARE Abu Issa Holding is bringing Richard Ginori to the GCC. The high-end porcelain and china brand is set to arrive in one of the group’s own concept stores, Nest Home Living. Established in 1735, Richard Ginori is known for its sophisticated and contemporary style which fuses both modern and classic design philosophies. Prices available on request. Nest Home Living is located at The Galleria Mall, Dubai.

� JEANS TO MOVE IN FC Barcelona superstar Neymar is fronting Replay’s new Hyperfree campaign, a range of jeans where “being cool goes hand in hand with being comfortable,” says the brand. Made of natural fibres, which make it the smoothest denim in the world, Hyperfree is also 100% elastic and available in three cuts for men. Prices vary. Available at The Dubai Mall.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

� GET SPORTY The Lanvin Signature for Sportswear pre-autumn collection has been inspired by the urban nomad, who transits between cities and airport lounges, his look moving between ‘jogging’ and ‘evening’ with exceptional ease. Explained style director Lucas Ossendrijver: “I enjoy mixing the genres and codes of tailored clothing and the casual, sporty look. For me it’s a more modern attitude, less formal, in line with today’s world, it’s the lifestyle of today’s men, whether young or not-so-young.” Prices vary. Available at The Dubai Mall.

7

BEAUTY BUYS

� OFF THE SHOULDER

M I H FOR

Fun, flirty and flattering… this summer is all about the sexy off-the-shoulder look, and we’re loving these pieces from Intropia’s Spring-Summer 2016 collection. Pair with this chic black-beige carry-on. Prices start from AED 479. Available at Intropia boutique, Mall of the Emirates.

Sea 2 Skin’s Active Hydration Mask – created from rich sea botanicals and marine collagen – is great for giving dull and tired skin a boost. It works by gently exfoliating the skin and restoring essential moisture. AED 100. sea2skin.com.au

Le Labo’s vegan-friendly Jasmin 17 shower gel is paraben-free and cruelty-free, enriched with vitamin E, olive leaf, aloe vera and flaxseed extracts. Other notes include bitter orange and jasmine sambac.

AED 200. lelabofragrances.com

� TRENDY LACE-UPS Inspired by the Riviera, with nautical influences, the Lacoste Marice lace-up is a contemporary take on the classic espadrille, with the iconic crocodile print on the upper. Pair with a solid colour t-shirt and denim shorts for the perfect summer look. AED 320. lacoste.com

Protect your smartphone in style this summer with one of these charming options.

Vesel Wood Bumper, AED 490. veselcase.com MAC has released a limited-edition eyeshadow palette featuring nine colour-coordinated, smoky metallic hues that offers countless combinations.

Textures vary from matte to satin to frost, creating looks for both day and night. AED 204. Available exclusively at MAC stores.

Kiehl’s Smoothing Oil-Infused Haircare range is superb for protecting hair in this summer heat.

We’re big fans of the Superbly Smoothing Argan Oil Conditioner that smoothes and fights frizz. AED 110. Available at select shopping malls.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

Urban Armor Gear, AED 130. urbanarmorgear.com

R E H FOR A light and cooling body gel that leaves skin feeling smooth, firm and moisturised, Shiseido’s Aromatic Sculpting Gel helps activate fat breakdown and fat burn, while reducing the orange peel appearance of cellulite. AED 320. Available at Sephora, Wojooh, Paris Gallery and select department stores.

� THREE TO TRY: IPHONE CASES

Lullu Leather Case, AED 180.

Virgin Megastores, Mall of Emirates

For a light, oil-free moisturiser that’s suitable for everyday use, Clean Break by Jack Black is made with organic ingredients, including white tea, sea kelp and niacinamide, which help deliver antioxidant protection and improve skin tone and texture.

AED 120. getjackblack.com

8

MY FAVOURITE DESTINATIONS Darren Darwin, General Manager, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar

Thailand: Less than six hours from Oman, Thailand is a firm favourite of mine for many reasons. Firstly, I love the delicious food, stunning landscape and fascinating culture. It is also the birthplace of Anantara and home to some of the group’s most stunning resorts. Thai hospitality is world-renowned and the reason I return again and again.

Oman: There are many reasons why I love Oman, which is why I’ve chosen to move there to oversee the launch of one of the most iconic resorts in the country, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, which will open this summer. I’m lucky enough to live up in the mountains on Al Jabal Al Akhdar, otherwise known as the Green Mountain, giving me the chance to immerse myself into the breathtaking landscape and rich culture, as well as getting to know the local community who are welcoming and friendly.

There is so much to discover and I’ll never get bored of opening my front door every morning to breathe in the fresh mountain air and take in the magnificent views.

Spain: A country steeped in culture, with beautiful beaches and fantastic tapas – there is nothing not to like about Spain!

I have fond memories of holidaying in the south, surrounded by golden sandy beaches and warm Mediterranean waters. I’ve also spent many weekends in Barcelona, enjoying authentic tapas on the cobbled, quaint back streets of the city.

Sri Lanka: This is the perfect short-haul holiday destination, and as a result I visit frequently. I love the beauty of the tea plantations and rolling hills in the north contrasted with fantastic sunsets and surfing spots in the south.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

Dubai: A city like no other! The buzz, architecture and multicultural existence not only make it an exciting destination, but also a very interesting one! As much as I love Oman, sometimes you need to feel the grip of a fast-paced, ever-changing city, and Dubai definitely ticks all the boxes.

Germany: When the desert heat gets too much to handle, it’s great to pop over to Europe to feel the seasons. Germany is a country I have long admired for its history, food and architecture – and there is nothing better than kicking back with a Weißwurst on a cold winter’s day in Berlin, whilst taking a stroll down the Spree [river in Berlin].

DRIVEN BY GIVING THIS RAMADAN

Jaguar is offering you an exhilarating driving experience and incredible benefits during the month of Ramadan.

XJ - 10% Cash Back or 5 years’ Interest Free Finance - 5 years’ Service and Warranty - 1 year's complimentary insurance and registration XE, XF & F-TYPE - 10% Cash Back or 5 years’ Interest Free Finance - 5 years’ Service and Warranty Owning a Jaguar has never been this easy.

366898

515915

Terms and Conditions apply

Al Tayer Motors (Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah) | Premier Motors (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain) Jaguar-me.com/altayermotors | 800 MOTORS (800 668677) | Jaguar-me.com/premiermotors THE ART OF PERFORMANCE

10

LONDON, UK

SUMMER LOVING

Looking for a break with a special someone? Here are this season’s top five most romantic city getaways and honeymoon locations across Europe and North America

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

A

ccording to statistics by the WeddingWire WedInsights Series, while nearly 40% of engagements occur between November and February, an estimated 76% of weddings take place during the summer and autumn months. In fact, weddings are so popular during that time that 50% of all ceremonies in 2015 occurred on only 25 days that year.

Whether you are scouting for a romantic wedding location, or just looking for ideas for your next getaway with a loved one, there are plenty of destinations to choose from.

So we turned to British Airways’ team of experts to scour the globe for the top five most romantic city getaways and honeymoon locations across Europe and North America.

They also give us their insider tips on some of the best things to see and do in each location.

Which one will you be heading to this year?

The challenge in a big, happening city is to find a bit of peace and quiet – and despite all its busy tourist attractions, London has many romantic spots. Try renting a rowboat and sharing an afternoon watching the swans on the Serpentine before taking a stroll through Hyde Park. If you really want to impress, pick up all the ingredients at Fortnum and Mason for a luxury picnic on Hampstead Heath. To add an element of unexpected fun, take along a kite or just enjoy people-watching.

There are plenty of great walks in London, but one of the most romantic is along the houseboat-lined Grand Union Canal, a quiet stroll just off the busy Edgware Road.

PA R I S , F R A N C E The Eiffel Tower offers exceptional views of Paris, but the insider’s advice is that Montmartre, a hill in the northern part of the city, is a wonderful place to take in the City of Light. After you’ve taken in the sights, wander through the narrow streets and stop at one of the many small cafés.

The Pont des Arts is another must-do. The pedestrian bridge spans the Seine and provides picture-postcard views of the Île de la Cité, one of the two remaining natural islands on the river, with street musicians adding to the atmosphere. Take a stroll through the gardens of the Luxembourg Palace and you’ll be in good company. Napoleon and Josephine, as well as

11

coin into the fountain will ensure a return visit to Rome. When you’ve posed for your selfies, take a walk along the three tiny streets [the tre vie] from which it takes its name.

If the Trevi is the Rome of Hollywood, the Trastevere prides itself on being the real thing.

Take a passeggiata [leisurely stroll] through its narrow streets, taking in the roof gardens and spacious piazzas. During the day it is a quiet neighbourhood – but it comes to life in the evening and is one of the best places to experience authentic Roman dining.

Finally, head up the Via Giacinto Carini and you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views of the Seven Hills – and the Villa Lante al Gianicolo is one of the best vantage points from which to see The Eternal City.

� BOOKING INFO Return fares start from AED 2,229 from Dubai to the UK, and AED 3,064 to North America via London across World Traveller cabins.

Return fares from Abu Dhabi to the UK start from AED 2,210 and to North America via London from AED 3,068 across World Traveller cabins.

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS Famous for its flowers and canals, explore the wonders of this enchanted city like the locals by hiring a bicycle.

Cycle the paths beside the canal, taking in the beautiful sights, stopping along the way to visit the fascinating Canal House Museums.

R O M E , I TA LY The Trevi Fountain has featured in so many romantic films that it simply has to be the first place you visit. Legend has it the throwing a

There is so much to do in the Big Apple – walks in Central Park, carriage rides, a Broadway show – that the choices are endless. Go stargazing at the Lincoln Center, where the high-powered telescopes will give you an exceptional view of the constellations. Take a trip on the bright red aerial tram to Roosevelt Island. All it takes is a swipe of your MetroCard and the two of you will be hundreds of feet in the air waving goodbye to the East Side skyscrapers and looking forward to an afternoon of kite-flying in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park.

And what better way to see the city than by kayaking on the Hudson? Get a double kayak so you can take turns to paddle.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

N E W YO R K , U S A Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, frequented the gardens, which are still popular with couples.

12

ON THE COVER

“LESS IS MORE. PARTICULARLY IN HOTELS”

In this EL exclusive, Gordon Campbell Gray of Campbell Gray Living, talks hotels, new residences and his plans for the Middle East | Rachel McArthur

W

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

hen it comes to the Middle East, what some hoteliers may see as an unstable region to launch properties in, Gordon Campbell Gray sees as a challenge. The British businessman – who’s behind brands including London’s One Aldwych and Carlisle Bay in Antigua – surprised the industry by deciding to debut in the Middle East at a time when nearly everyone else was avoiding doing so.

During the development of the now renowned Le Gray Beirut, Lebanon’s former prime minister Rafic Hariri was assassinated in 2005. This incident was followed by the 2006 Lebanon War. “We couldn’t, at one stage, get to the building,” Campbell Gray recalled in an interview.

“It’s been a stormy path, and I think a lot of big companies see it as a bit of risky market.

When you’re planning a budget for Beirut, it’s extremely difficult because you don’t know what will happen next week. But we just look at it philosophically and go, this too will pass.”

Now, GCG is ready to work on his next project in the region – in Amman. Located in Abdali, Campbell Gray Living will include residences, offices, boutiques and a five-star hotel upon completion.

“I want it to be one of the most exciting focal points for both business and social life in Amman,” he says.

First of all, how did Campbell Gray Living Residences Amman come about?

Life’s always been about opportunities that come along, and it started when I was in Beirut one time and was told that someone called Saad Audeh wanted to say hello. I asked, “Who is he?” I went to see him and he said, “Look, I’m doing a hotel in Amman.

It’s my family’s first venture into hotels. I love it here so much at Le Gray [Beirut] – would you ever think of coming and doing something like this in Amman?” I said that I hadn’t been to Amman for ages, so he asked

13

me to come see the site. [When I visited], I thought it was exciting, so much so that we decided to do it. Now we’re partners, which has been lovely. So, it was just an accident, because I had not put it in my plan. I realised there was more to Amman that initially meets the eye.

What is Campbell Gray Living bringing to Amman?

I want to make it sexy, and I certainly want to make it fun. Going to hotels are all about fun: fun to work in and fun to visit. There has already been a huge interest in the apartments so it’s quite encouraging. I mean, like anything, anything I do always comes with a risk. But so far, it has always paid off. I want Campbell Gray Living in Amman to be accessible, fun, quite stylistic. Where you walk in and go, “Wow, the art is great looking.”

You’re well known for keeping things simple.

Do you think there’s a need for that in the region?

Well, I believe that there are a lot of people

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

Did you have any reservations about creating another project in the Middle East, what with the current political instability in the region?

With Lebanon, I kind of became an unofficial tourist board, because I would say, “You must come to Beirut,” and people would listen [because I am a foreigner]. If I were a Lebanese businessman, people would say: “Yeah yeah, of course you’re going to say that.” The question I always got was “Is it safe?” Lebanon is Lebanon – we’re having tricky times because of the war in Syria; it affects us terribly. We can be 100% full, then 40% and then 90%. But the restaurants carry on and life goes on, because it’s kind of impossible to break the Lebanese spirit. Jordan has got a lot to offer, and it’s quite a safe place within the Middle East region. I thought, let’s just do it.

14

you’re in. They’re just big and brassy, and I think there are enough people with really nice taste who would really appreciate something that was beautiful and understated.

Have you looked at launching anywhere else in the region? Egypt, for instance?

No, definitely not Egypt, definitely not Morocco. I used to live in Morocco – I used to run Signature in Morocco – so I’ve been and done Morocco. I would like to go to Iraq, and I’d love to go to Iran. It’s just that danger – I don’t know why part of me thinks that’s quite exciting. The other country I have been looking hard at, and I think we need to be in, is Oman. I love Oman. We tried really hard to get the site that now belongs to the Shangri La Barr Al Jissah. We’ve been offered other sites in Muscat, but I said, “No, it needs to be on the beach.”

who like simplicity. I’m staying at the Four Seasons DIFC and it’s very shiny. It’s not quite my taste, but it’s beautifully executed.

Did you hear the story about the curtains?

It’s absolutely hilarious. I’m lying in bed and you can’t see the signs are in bronze and so I wake up this morning and I pressed a button and suddenly discovered that the curtains were opening. Now everyone in the office in front of the building can see me in my boxers!

And I’m scrambling to get the curtains closed again. That drives me bonkers. Less is more.

Particularly in hotels.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

“I ALWAYS THINK, ‘AM I A CLIENT FROM HEAVEN OR A CLIENT FROM HELL?’”

Do you plan on launching in Dubai?

You know, I think we should. And I think we’d certainly do our Campbell Gray brand, but I also think the Feathers plan would go well here. Something that’s more upscale than Rove – Rove’s a little basic for my personal taste – but I quite like the cheap and cheerful price. It’s all about finding the right site and the right partner, but I think it could work very well.

What, in your opinion, is lacking in the hotel industry at the moment?

I think what I’m tired of is that you can check in to ten hotels and not know which one

Since you are excited by unconventional destinations, have you ever thought about Havana?

I’ve been three times and I have met with the Cuban tourism board. We have been offered three hotels that are pretty rough and need a lot of work. But I would love to have one in Havana. I love the idea of putting one at the old resorts.

You have a lot of little side projects, including a book. What’s happening with that?

It’s a fun book – it’s ultimately all about marmalade. I feel if you care about marmalade, you care about everything – you know in Britain how we love our marmalade. I want to change the title to ‘We Are All Bonkers’, where I’m just writing about all the things that drive me bonkers.

What drives you bonkers about hotel service?

The last time I was in Amman, I was staying at the Four Seasons. I go to my room; the sheets are all beautiful, the pillows are beautiful and on it are two velvet cushions, which are never used. I always put them away in the wardrobe. I come back the next day and they’re back on the bed! It drives me crazy and hotels do that everywhere. Another hotel experience involved turning on the tap in the morning and it taking four to five minutes for the water to get hot. I thought, look at the water I just wasted because they put in

15

CAMPBELLGRAY HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD the cheap system. The lack of environmental consideration is annoying.

One more thing: at breakfast the first thing I ever want is just coffee and hot milk. I don’t understand when that basic service takes forever and guests are just waiting and waiting.

Would you say you were difficult to work with as a client?

No. Genuinely, I’ve thought about this a lot.

I always think, “Am I a client from heaven or a client from hell?” and they say, “Well, it’s a lot easier to work with someone who knows what they want.” If you were the designer, I would say that I can design a hotel, but I would want you to make it better than I could because you’re a professional. I don’t think I’m difficult but I’m quite exact.

What’s the most important feature that a hotel should have?

Efficiency, obviously, but also authenticity.

Service which is authentic; to me that has to work. You can be all ‘lovey dovey’ but it has to work.

If you could remove one piece of tech from hotels, what would it be?

One piece of tech? Tablets. I remember at a conference in New York several years ago, there was a man speaking who said that we should never worry about technology taking over our lives. He said, “I have an apartment in Manhattan. I’ve got a $80,000 kitchen with all the latest equipment. But in the morning, I go to the coffee shop for my coffee. Why? Because I love people.” I believe we will always want that human contact.

If you could have one famous individual – dead or alive – stay at one of your hotels, who would it be?

What a great question. [Pauses to think] I think I’ll just say [Marcus Tullius] Cicero.

Yes, that’s my final answer. I think he was fascinating. I think the way he humbly just took a back seat and recorded everything, and then kept his diaries, is fascinating. He was a very interesting man, because he was highly intelligent, but the success kind of went to his head and he became a bit of a monster. And then there was his secretary who went with him everywhere – Tiro – who created shorthand.

Finally, these days everyone is a hotel reviewer thanks to websites such as TripAdvisor and Booking.com. What do you make of these reviews, blogging and social media?

It’s very dangerous and it’s so subjective. I think it’s terrible that people come in and photograph your food and put it online. I think it’s kind of mindless and it’s got no control. It’s got no authenticity. But it’s [become] very big; blogging is very big. Le Gray came up with a campaign called ‘52 Shades of Le Gray’ on Instagram, and I rejected it for a long time. But we started a new Sunday brunch [by promoting it the Thursday before] and it was full by that evening. I couldn’t believe the power of it.

But if you overdo it, you will get sick of it.

LE GRAY BEIRUT Though it is now one of the best-known hotels in Beirut, the opening of Le Gray in 2009 certainly wasn’t easy an easy task. During the project’s development, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafic Hariri, was assassinated.

“We couldn’t, at one stage, get to the building,” he recalls. “It’s been the best adventure I ever had, because the hotel has been really successful.”

THE PHOENICIA HOTEL, MALTA Currently undergoing renovation, this 1920s-style hotel – located next to the Triton Fountain in Valletta's City Gate Square – is surrounded by gardens, and features spacious rooms, plus a heated outdoor pool overlooking the harbour.

LE GRAY AMMAN Scheduled to open in 2017, the 180-room Le Gray Amman will be part of CampbellGray Living residence.

“All of this will be under the banner of Le Gray Lifestyle, and we’re working on the concept for other Middle Eastern locations,” says Campbell Gray. “We chose to work with Martin Brudnizki for the first time because he excels in restaurant design, which for us is essential as our hotels are going to focus very strongly on our restaurants, bars and terraces.”

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

Do hotel managers recognise you when you check-in?

I’m afraid they do. I hate it, I really do because I believe that while you should feel expected and welcomed to a hotel, you should walk into a sense of anonymity and privacy, because it’s where you go to get away. I don’t want my name shouted out; I don’t think any guest would want their name shouted out.

16

EL GUEST COLUMNIST

“I’VE TURNED MY PASSION INTO A CAREER”

Writing for us this month is Michelle Karam, founder of Travel Junkie Diary (TJD), the UAE’s first online travel platform

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

A

bout me: Although I am officially referred to as the founder of TJD, I want to be known as someone who has channeled my love into a viable business model. Turning my passion into a career of my own. I am a mother, a bohemian traveler, a business owner, and a marketer at heart.

TJD was created three years ago after 15 years of experience in the events and travel industry. Our business model has three different segments, our first of which is ‘Travel with TJD’, where I invite 7-8 followers of TJD on a trip of a lifetime. We partner up with great brands and work hand in hand together to deliver something magical!

The second part of TJD is the development of digital content for hospitality-focused brands such as hotels and tourism companies. The third segment of TJD can be considered somewhat personal. It’s about expressing my journey through different mediums, and involves a lot of one-to-one cater brands solutions. The core identity of TJD is a platform for travellers to share their story through interactive story-telling. We have created a beautiful community of travel inspiration!

THIS MONTH, I’M LOVING Everything 2016 is bringing so far. From wonderful brands I have worked with, to new destinations such as Cinque Terre in Italy and

Chiang Rai, the north part of Thailand. My travels this year are also including a lot more solo journeys to remote areas – which is so rewarding. As for products, my Rimowa [suitcase] is always my hero, going everywhere with me! I recently got different colours and the new Salsa Air carry-on which I am in love with!

M Y 5 B U S I N E S S M U S T- H A V E S

① Snapseed on my phone: For editing images.

Editing on the go has never been so easy! ② My laptop: I can never travel without it!

It is the core of my business for writing and researching new travel destinations. ③ Docusign: Another application you must have if you are on the go! You can sign contracts from your phone! ④ My partner: It’s so important to have that one person you can go to when all things fail. ⑤ My Leica camera: When all words fail, images speak.

B E YO N D B U S I N E S S Running my own business is challenging as it takes a great deal of concentration, so I’m an avid yogi and I try to practice as much as I can. I’ve been practicing since 2009 and it is the only time in the world that I am not distracted. I focus on just my mind and myself and my practice is my own.

For more info, visit traveljunkiediary.com.

A DAY IN MY LIFE 5:00 AM: Wake up for my Yoga practice. At times, I hit the snooze button when I stayed up late at work but when I go to bed by 9:30pm, I am good to start my practice at 5am.

6:30 AM: Head home to prepare breakfast for the family.

7:30 AM: School drop-off.

8:30 AM: At the office to start working on my to-do list for the day. It consists of client meetings, brainstorming sessions, site management, content management, calendar organising , social media, travel planning, creative content research, business development, writing articles, editing and cropping, and answering calls and scheduling events. It is also a great time for photoshoots because of the perfect light, so we schedule shoots during this time.

1:00 PM: Pick up my daughter from school and rush home to make lunch.

2:30 PM: I usually schedule meetings or lunch meetings at this time, otherwise, I would be taking Chloe to her after-school activities, ballet, swimming, or gymnastics.

4:00 PM: Back to the office to catch up on emails and continue my to-do list.

5:30 PM: Meeting with brands and hotels.

6:30 PM: Home to make dinner, and family time.

Chloe is in bed by 7:30 pm. We make it a point for the three of us to sit at the dinner table every night and talk about our day.

8:00 PM: I work a little bit from home and finish up what deadlines I have left.

10:00 PM: Bed!

18

CURRENCIES WHICH THE DIRHAM HAS STRENGTHENED AGAINST, COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR 20% Namibian dollar

MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK Travelex lists its top destinations, as weak currencies abroad bring value to summer escapes

20% South African rand

16% Brazilian real

12% Mexican peso

10%

Tanzanian shilling

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Travel Issue

T

he strength of the dollar in destinations abroad means those earning their money in the GCC, where their currency is pegged to the greenback, can reap the benefits when deciding which holiday destination to escape the summer heat at.

To help the decision, currency exchange company Travelex has compiled a top ten list of popular destinations where residents can currently get more ‘bang for their buck’ compared with the same time last year. Topping the list is the Namibian dollar as the number one currency to buy, since Gulf currencies have edged up 20 per cent relative to the dollar at this time last year.

If exchanging AED 5,000, a traveller will now get an extra NA$3,063 (equivalent to AED 830) compared to last year if travelling to the African nation, which provides beautiful and largely untouched landscapes.

Just in at second position, also at 20 per cent higher, the South African rand continues to offer more clement climes, with average maximum temperatures of around 19 degrees Celsius and plenty of rainfall from May to August.

Mexico, Tanzania and Brazil complete the top five, with all offering 10 per cent or more in exchange for Gulf currencies, compared

with the same time last year.

Malaysia (10%), New Zealand (8%), Poland (5%), Thailand (6%) and the Philippines (5%) complete the top ten, all offering significantly more return for the amount you exchange.

Errol Fonseca, Travelex’s head of retail, provides some additional travel money tips for those planning their vacation.

He said: “Ensure you take multiple payment methods so you don’t get stranded – hold a mixture of cash and cards to cover all eventualities and split up your payment methods, leaving a back-up in your accommodation. In certain locations, ATMs are few and far between and can be out of action, so it’s important to take at least a small amount of the local currency, so you can pay for small incidentals such as a taxi from the airport or a bottle of water.

“It’s also worthwhile researching tipping and bartering customs in your destination, which could save you some money – and embarrassment. Another good reason for taking the local currency is local vendors often provide a better price, even if they do accept euros or US dollars as an alternative.

“At travelexae.com you can order your currency at competitive rates, to collect in store at the airport just before you fly out.”

10%

Malaysian ringgit

6%

New Zealand dollar

6%

Polish zloty

9%

Thai baht

5%

Philippine peso

The same sun beams at more than 100 destinations around the world. And so will you.

Great hospitality and service are reflected in many ways at SWISS. To us, Swiss quality is more than just a promise – it’s a passion. We are committed to being there for you at all times, to fulfilling your dreams and making every flight an unforgettable experience. SWISS flies daily nonstop between Dubai and Zurich connecting conveniently to/from major destinations worldwide. For more information contact SWISS offices 04-3816111; 02-6225500, visit your travel agent or log on to swiss.com

Fly nonstop to the heart of Europe and beyond SWISS.COM

ABOUT TOWN WEARABLE TECH | FRESH NEW SCENTS

SAMSUNG GEAR S2

APPLE WATCH SPORT

This smartwatch receives texts, e-mails and notifications, and features S Health and Nike+ Running integration to track health and fitness. Powered by a 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A7 dual-core processor with 512MB of RAM, the Samsung Gear 2 is IP68-rated for water- and dust-resistance. samsung.com/ae

Kitted with a gold anodised aluminium case, Ion-X glass and Digital CrownRetina display with Force Touch, the Apple Watch Sport is built with speaker and microphone, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, plus heart rate sensor and accelerometer. The device can last up to 18 hours on a single charge. apple.com/ae

From AED 910

From AED 1,199

EXECUTIVE LIFE|About Town

WEARABLE TECH

HUAWEI WATCH

CASIO SMART OUTDOOR WATCH

Inspired by a classic luxury timepiece, the Huawei Watch combines elegance – sapphire crystal and a stainless steel case – with Android Wear and iOS compatibility. One highlight is that it tracks movement with built-in heart rate monitor and exercise pattern recognition. consumer.huawei.com

One of the best smartwatches for outdoor enthusiasts, this timepiece boasts a 50-metre water-resistant case and is tested to military standards to ensure that it can perform in rugged environments. It also offers applications for outdoor activities such as trekking, cycling and fishing. shopcasio.com

From AED 1,400

From AED 1,800

21

TAG HEUER CONNECTED

ASUS ZENWATCH 2

LG WATCH URBANE

For something that looks like a regular timpiece, the Tag Heuer Connected allows numerous display options and is equipped with weather monitoring, RaceChrono Pro capability and Google Fit. Android Wear allows connection to thousands of apps on the go. tagheuerconnected.com

Featuring a ‘Smart Assistant’, the Asus ZenWatch 2 allows you to view timely information at a glance and get things done with a simple touch or voice command. It also comes with a built-in pedometer, activity tracker and progress reports to help with fitness goals. asus.com/ae

Crafted in stainless steel with a gold or silver finish, the LG Watch Urbane comes with Android Wear, working with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage to ensure rapid processing. The watch’s 1.3-inch P-OLED display delivers stunning image clarity all day long, even in bright sunlight. lg.com

From AED 5,500

From AED 510

From AED 660

SONY SMARTWATCH

MOTOROLA MOTO 360

GARMIN VIVOACTIVE HR GPS SMART WATCH

Powered by Android Wear, the Sony Smartwatch also comes with impressive offline performance that you can use without your smartphone. Fill it with music to take with you while out on a run; sensors will track your activity and movements to sync back home. sony.com

Working with both Android and iPhone, the fully customisable Motorola Moto 360 comes with a battery life of 1.5 days, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionalities, ambient light sensor and optical heart rate monitor. The watch is also IP67 dust- and water-resistant. motorola.com

Arguably the best device out there at the moment for fitness freaks, the Vivoactive HR’s GPS-enabled built-in sports apps track high-impact activity and then continues to track activity throughout the day by counting steps and floors climbed, as well as monitoring sleep. buy.garmin.com

From AED 735

From AED 1,100

From AED 920

EXECUTIVE LIFE|About Town

Summer’s here, so it’s time to take a break from formal timepieces and get your hands on a fun watch to take on your next vacation. EL brings you the latest smartwatches available on the market right now

22

FOR HER

BLACK XS L.A.

BY PACO RABANNE

AMORE MIO BY ROJA PARFUMS

This new limited edition perfume has a solid and sensual base: gourmand vanilla, enchanting amber, earthy woods. pacorabanne.com

The freshness of bergamot and mandarine counterpoints a rich bouquet of rose, gardenia, neroli, orange blossom, jasmine and ylang ylang, enlivened by ginger, pink pepper, cinnamon, cumin and saffron.

Available exclusively at Paris Gallery

AED 306

AED 2,250

MANDARINE SULTANE BY ALEXANDRE J From AED 245

This citrus fragrance features top notes of mandarin orange, bergamot and lemon with middle notes of neroli, jasmine, orange blossom, peach and almond.

Base notes include sandalwood, amber, musk, saffron and cashmere wood. alexandre-j.com

FRESH NEW SCENTS From the newest perfumes for her to the latest colognes for him, we round up the best new fragrances around for the new season

OUDESIRE BY AJMAL

ETERNITY SUMMER FOR MEN BY CALVIN KLEIN

This Middle East-inspired fragrance blends oud and musk with lighter top notes of orange flower, rose, jasmine and bergamot, and a core of spicy and fruity ginger, raspberry and cassis. shop.ajmalperfume.com

Balancing the duality between earth and sky, Horizon starts off with airy top notes of energising grapefruit, rosemary and ginger that give a vibrant dimension of ascension and discovery. explore.calvinklein.com

From AED 270

EXECUTIVE LIFE|About Town

AED 750

FOR HIM SUPER CEDAR BY BYREDO From AED 610

Arguably one of the most easily recognisable scents, cedar evokes a sense of nostalgia for school days and simpler times.

Available at Paris Gallery

AT THE OFFICE 24

GREAT GADGETS | MY WORKPLACE

GREAT GADGETS

Looking to make your work life easier? Whether it’s for the office or while you’re on the go, these are the top tech gizmos worth getting your hands on this month

LENOVO YOGA 900 CONVERTIBLE TOUCH LAPTOP BERLUTI TABLE FOOTBALL SET

EXECUTIVE LIFE|At The Office

Definitely one for those looking to impress, this table football set has been created and designed

by Berluti in collaboration with games table manufacturer Bonzini. Covered in the company’s emblematic Venezia leather, the set also features a graphite grey playing surface, hand-polished players and tokens, and aluminium handles.

From AED 2,500 | Available on special order at Berluti stores at The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, and The Galleria, Abu Dhabi

With a starting weight of just 1.3 kg and a thickness of 1.5 cm – giving it the world’s thinnest Intel Core i convertible – the Yoga 900 is perfect for those constantly on the go.From AED 4,999 | AED 7,999 | sharafdg.com

SONY 4K HDR TV In need of a new television for your conference room? Opt for 4K. Sony has just introduced a new 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) television series that’s designed to deliver better brightness, contrast and resolution.

From AED 4,999 | Available at Sony’s flagship store at The Dubai Mall

DE’LONGHI PRIMADONNA S

HTC 10 Now available in stores, HTC’s flagship device features the world’s first optically stabilised, larger aperture f/1.8 lenses on both the front and rear cameras, and the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with enhanced 4G LTE. But best of all, it comes with a quick charge 3.0 Rapid Charger, which charges the battery up to 50 per cent in just 30 minutes.

AED 2,399 | htc.com

No need to leave the office for a good cup of joe – this snazzy machine allows you to create your own blend for the perfect tasting cup of coffee. Just add fresh beans and milk.

AED 6,495 | Available at all leading electronic goods stores, including Galeries Lafayette and Jashanmal

BLACK 6250 VINTAGE G This outstanding original vintage G Plan 6250 wing chair, available in black leather, has been restored by Florrie+Bill in the United Kingdom.

The good news is that the company ships globally. Just order online.

From AED 7,935 | florrieandbill.com

26

MY WORK PLACE EL meets Omar Kadrie, Director of Skelmore Hospitality, which is behind some of Dubai’s most successful F&B concepts, including Roberto’s and Urban Bistro. Here, he tells us more about his role and his take on Dubai’s current food scene

My weekdays start fairly early. 5:15 AM to be precise, when I join a group of friends for a Crossfit session. The adrenaline from an early morning session jump-starts your day and gets it started on the right foot. Once I am at the office, I spend the first part of the morning reviewing financials, organising for the day ahead and catching up on correspondence. Late morning to mid-afternoon is spent at our corporate offices reviewing/preparing reports, and meeting with our various internal teams on our current businesses, along with those under development. For the most part, afternoons are spent outside the office meeting with our restaurant managers, and visiting under-construction projects or external partners such as PR companies. It is common that our work day extends beyond typical working hours due to people’s schedules or events. That said, I try to make it a priority to get to bed at a reasonable time, to do it all again the next day.

Finding myself working in hospitality was a coincidence. Skelmore Group covers a number of sectors, and it was through them that hospitality found me – about 75% of my time is spent on related projects. As one of our youngest and fastest developing divisions, we mobilised to give the sector the support it required to grow. It is not an industry I would have envisioned working in, but it has certainly proved to be a dynamic one which is both challenging and rewarding on a daily basis.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|At The Office

Hospitality is a truly collaborative industry.

It requires a team effort in order to succeed as a restaurant and business. We will often discuss together ideas for the menu based on business objectives, industry trends and personal taste, but it’s up to the kitchen team to take those discussions and personalise ideas by making them their own. The end result is likely a menu which is influenced by a multitude of people and factors, but one which the Chef feels confident about delivering.

In terms of a favourite, it would be hard to choose between Roberto’s or Urban Bistro.

Particularly as they are both distinct – so it all comes down to the occasion. For a night out with friends, Roberto’s would be the natural choice given the food, location and environment. However, for a weekend brunch you can’t beat Urban Bistro with its terrace overlooking the Dubai Media City lake and healthy casual gourmet offering.

27

“IT REQUIRES A TEAM EFFORT IN ORDER TO SUCCEED AS A RESTAURANT AND BUSINESS”

If I could name three unique things about my workplace: the first thing is that you will often find me with music playing in the background to keep me concentrated on the project in hand. I often have healthy snacks lying around in most drawers – whether it’s nuts, fruit or protein bars. Given the nature of the job, it is not uncommon for me to work in one of our restaurants on any given day – which often means my snack drawer expands to a full kitchen!

My top three must-haves for business are: 1) Understanding – for individuals to understand the strategic objectives of their firm and their role within it. This lays out the blueprint for a successful career. 2) Passion – a passion to address your weaknesses, be it through education or mentorship; this demonstrates a confident person who seeks to broaden their horizons and become better-rounded. 3) Good old-fashioned dedication – be it rolling your sleeves and working hard or not being afraid to make a difficult decision.

couple of years. However, I believe there is still room for further development, particularly in the casual market segment. I believe that homegrown concepts uniquely reflect their cities and have the opportunity to contribute to the global gastronomic scene – and we will continue to see more concepts which do so in the future.

ROBERTO’S

URBAN BISTRO

If you need to contact me, I have a natural bias towards e-mail in everyday correspondence – it documents communication and loops-in various parties that are a part of the discussion. That said, following an e-mail with a phone call goes a long way in helping to cultivate a new relationship.

The growth of the independent F&B scene in Dubai has been great to see over the past

MERCATO

My take on 'gimmicky' concepts, such as Cereal Killer. As someone who understands the challenges of starting or creating concepts, I try not to pass judgement on any concept prior to experiencing it myself. The arrival has certainly garnered strong press and debate; their challenge will be to harness the spotlight and adapt the concept to the local market in a meaningful way, bring a superior offering, and in doing prove the sceptics wrong.

We’ve launched a new restaurant in DIFC...

Mercato is inspired by the traditional markets of Italy and its culinary traditions. We curated a casual gourmet concept using quality ingredients, traditional recipes and friendly service – we sought to be a refuge for people seeking a home-cooked meal in the corporate setting of DIFC. Uniquely, all our bread is baked from scratch on the premises and chefs will be preparing handmade pasta – both of which will be offered as part of our retail offering, giving you a helping hand in impressing the special someone in your life with a ‘home cooked’ meal from scratch!

If I wasn’t working in hospitality, I have a propensity to enjoy politics and policy work, so I would likely be working in a related role for an international organisation, government, or an advisory role with a public affairs consultancy.

For more information, visit skelmore.com.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|At The Office

However, if I could eat only one dish from one of the restaurants for the rest of my life, it would be: the Super Green salad from Urban Bistro, as it is a healthy offering which would provide me with required nutrients while simultaneously tasting great.

THE COMMUTE LUXE LUGGAGE | MARVELLOUS MOTORS | ME & MY MOTOR | TRIED & TESTED

ROBERU LEATHER TRAVEL BAG

BRX EXPLORE EXPANDABLE PACKING CASE Briggs & Riley | AED 1,580

Salvatore Ferragamo | AED 3,935

Available at Intersect by Lexus, this travel bag – masterminded by the Japanese design house of Roberu – pairs Italian leather with hemp canvas to create something that is light, durable and functional. lexus.ae

With a collection of pockets and the expandable build to help you stay organised, Briggs & Riley’s latest lightweight case is durable and water-resistant, making it perfect for those always on the go. briggs-riley.com

Crafted from premium leather and featuring a crisp Gancini print, this Italian-made duffel bag comes with top carry handles and adjustable shoulder strap, as well as interior zip pockets. ferragamo.com

Crafted for Lexus | Price on request

LEATHER DUFFEL BAG

LUXE LUGGAGE

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Commute

The latest bags and cases to keep you looking smart and stylish on the go

Rimowa | AED 2,199

SALSA AIR

Longchamp | Price on request

LONG DISTANCE CALL

TAHOE EDGEWOOD CONTINENTAL

The world’s first polycarbonate case, Salsa Air is now available in four matte varieties.

Carmona Red is a newcomer amongst the muted tones, and fits in well between black, blue and bronze. rimowa.com

Jeremy Scott has worked with Longchamp to reinvent the iconic Le Pliage bag in unique and colourful pop editions every season since 2006. His latest is an ‘80s-inspired graphic print creation. longchamp.com

Shaped from durable tech materials, this water-resistant carry-on offers a spacious main compartment, as well as exterior and interior zip pockets fitted onto smooth-rolling swivel wheels. tumi.com

Tumi | AED 2,670

How aligned is your offline and online communication?

The newly launched, dynamic and content-rich website of Oman’s leading luxury magazine will ensure that your online and offline marketing & communication initiatives are perfectly aligned to the right audience for maximum effectiveness and cost-efficiency.

And when it comes to keeping your audience engaged – online and offline – you can depend on the UMS team to support you with unmatched media & market knowledge, strategic depth and implementation experience.

Discover more. Contact Malvika Asher on 00968 93992676 or malvika@umsoman.com

theluxesignature.com /signatureoman /signatureoman

30

Magnificent Motors MINI SEVEN

The latest luxury cars for the modern-day CEO

Of course, it’s important to be able to customise a Mini.

Here, the car comes standard in a body finish of ‘Lapisluxury Blue’, along with three alternative paint finishes to choose from, as well as roof and exterior mirror caps in ‘Melting Silver’, 17-inch light alloy wheels in exclusive Mini Seven Spoke two-tone design and side scuttles with Mini Seven logo.

An optional equipment package includes LED headlights, white direction indicators, automatic air conditioning, on-board computer and sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons.

Available at AGMC showrooms or visit mini-dubai.com.

Mercedes-Benz has just launched its all-new E-Class range.

With a design characterised by hallmark sedan proportions, the elongated bonnet coupled with a coupé-esque stance creates an exciting silhouette, while its new extended body is characterised by short overhangs, a long wheelbase, large wheels and taut well-defined flanks that display a fresh and dynamic interpretation of the feature line. The muscular front end boasts a different look for each design and equipment line, with each of the radiator grill designs lending the E-Class a distinct character.

As for the interior, optional extras include the Widescreen Cockpit with two brilliant next-generation high-resolu-

tion displays, each with a 12.3-inch widescreen display – unique in this segment. As the entire cockpit is fully digital, the driver is free to configure the information and views of relevance for them and thus create their own personal cockpit. In a first for a car, the steering wheel features touch-sensitive Touch Controls that, like a smartphone interface, respond precisely to horizontal and vertical swiping movements. In keeping with the motto “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road”, this allows minimum driver distraction to be achieved.

Available at Gargash Enterprises showrooms across the UAE, or visit mercedesbenzme.com.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Commute

ALL-NEW MERCEDESBENZ E-CLASS

UAE price TBC

Mini has announced a new special edition of its twodoor and four-door Cooper and Cooper S models. The first design model of the current Mini generation, the new Mini Seven features brilliant exterior and interior design features as well as high-end equipment options.

Named after the Austin Seven, the model with which production of the classic Mini began in 1959, the model is available in four engine variants: as the Mini three-door Seven – with combined fuel consumption of 5.7–3.5 l/100 km – or the Mini five-door Seven – with combined fuel consumption of 5.9–3.6 l/100 km – and an output range from 116 hp to 192 hp.

Starting price: AED 283,550 for the E400 4MATIC (pictured)

31

plug-in hybrid system enables a range of up to 37 km in the EU test cycle and a top speed of 120 km/h on electric power alone.

The higher-output of the two power sources drives the rear wheels and uses the electric boost from the hybrid system to deliver a smooth drive while at the same time offering groundbreaking levels of efficiency. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 4.4 seconds, yet combined fuel consumption – as calculated in the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles – stands at 2.1 litres per 100 km.

This is matched to CO2 emissions of 49 g/km.

Available at AGMC showrooms across the UAE, or visit bmw-dubai.com.

The new Peugeot 3008 SUV is not only attractive to look at, it is also well thought-out, offering performance and features that are in line with the best in the segment.

Although it is 8 cm longer than the previous generation, this extra length can be found in the wheelbase – and thus in the passenger space – which at 2675 mm, increases by 62 mm compared to the previous 3008. The width of the new car is 1.84 m, while the height has been kept to 1.62 m – a key factor in offering remarkable aerodynamic efficiency while affording its occupants excellent head-room.

Similarly, its boot capacity has been greatly increased:

with 520 litres (210 under the luggage cover), it is almost 90 litres bigger than on the previous generation (432 l VDA). Its versatility allows the load capacity to be increased to 1580 litres.

Meanwhile, the new Peugeot i-Cockpit is higher in quality visually, more technical in its design, better connected and more intuitive. It can also be accompanied by the optional i-Cockpit Amplify that can adjust the brightness of the lighting, the sound system’s equaliser, multipoint massage system embedded in the seats and smell, via a fragrance diffuser.

Available at Swaidan Trading or visit peugeotdxb.com.

Starting price: AED 635,000

BMW i8

Following its overall victory and two class wins at last year’s International Engine of the Year Awards, the drive system powering the BMW i8 has once again triumphed in its class – the 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre displacement category – in this year’s competition.

The plug-in hybrid drive system powering the BMW i8 combines the performance of a sports car with the fuel economy of a far smaller model. Its three-cylinder combustion engine develops 231 hp and drives the rear wheels, while the 131 hp electric motor draws its energy from a lithium-ion battery, which can be charged from a conventional domestic power socket and sends its power to the front axle. This bespoke

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Commute

PEUGEOT 3008

UAE price TBC

32

ME AND MY MOTOR

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Commute

“PEOPLE AREN’T AFRAID TO SHOW THEIR PERSONALITIES THROUGH THEIR CARS”

� Name: Dany Bahar Role: Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, ARES Nationality: Swiss-Turkish

ABOUT MY MOTOR. My favourite of our current collection in the ARES Dubai showroom is the ARES Atelier Mercedes G63 with the black exterior and chocolate interior.

Overall, I love the simplicity of the G-Class. I have quite simple and classic taste, and I love the combination of elegance and substance that comes with this particular model. The contrast between the relatively stark and strong exterior and the soft luxurious interior really pleases me. It’s a car I feel very at home in and it ticks a lot of boxes: style, comfort, stability and incredible performance.

33

THE ONE FEATURE IN A CAR I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IS: Definitely GPS! I travel a lot and I would be lost without it.

RADIO, PLAYLISTS OR PODCASTS? I have no real favourites. I like old school and some more contemporary music. I have to confess to working a lot when I’m driving so I’m either conducting calls (hands-free of course) or making plans for the business.

A PERSON’S CAR SAYS A HUGE AMOUNT ABOUT THEIR PERSONALITY. It can be a reflection of who they are or even who they want to be. It’s one of the things I love most about the automotive world here in the UAE; people aren’t afraid to show their personalities through their cars. In fact, it’s quite the opposite; they value individualism and personalisation.

MY FAVOURITE ROAD TRIP SO FAR... Has to be the

drive from Dubai to Oman.

AS FOR ROAD TRIPS ABROAD... I love driving in the Italian and Swiss Alps and along the French Riviera – anywhere with dramatic landscapes and lots to see. I enjoy the sense of space and the beauty of the natural landscape.

IF I COULD CARPOOL WITH ANYONE, IT WOULD BE...

Heather Locklear. As a teenager I had the biggest crush on her, so for my inner teenager I’m going to go with her!

MY MOST MEMORABLE MOTORING SPORTING EVENT IS: A MotoGP race in Spain many years ago. For me it was the perfect combination for a motorsport event: plenty of action, not a dull moment, easily accessible, great people and the right kind of atmosphere. Such a great crowd and the racing was superb.

THERE ARE A FEW CARS I AM EXCITED FOR MOTORING FANS TO SEE IN OUR SHOWROOM. I can’t wait for our clients to see the ARES special projects like the X-Raid and the Brooklands when they come in the next couple of months. These cars are a true testimony to our design skills.

We have taken classic contemporary luxury cars and completely transformed them, and the results are incredible. I can’t wait to see the response people have to these.

The ARES Dubai flagship showroom. is located in the Curve Building on Sheikh Zayed Road. For more information, visit ares-performance.com.

DUBAI TO OMAN

FRENCH RIVIERA

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Commute

ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL: We have refreshed both the exterior and interior. Outside we have added a full carbon fibre face lift which includes both the bumpers, the rear diffuser, grille and side skirts. We also increased the aerodynamics with the addition of a front splitter.

Inside, the cockpit looks completely different – we’ve completely upgraded it from the standard model, giving it a state-of-the-art yet contemporary feel. Highlights for me are the custom-made sports steering wheel featuring precious metal inserts and the handcrafted interior panels. The artisan custommade Nappa leather interior offers a new level of comfort and refinement.

34

Tried Tested

The German car giant recently unveiled two new models at Yas Marina Circuit. EL takes a closer look

SPECIFICATIONS VEHICLE: 718 Boxster ENGINE: Flat-four turbocharged POWER: 300 hp ACCELERATION: 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds MAXIMUM SPEED: 320 km/h TRANSMISSION: Six-speed manual transmission with single-disc clutch

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Commute

� PORSCHE 718 BOXSTER1 Twenty years after the first Boxster made its debut, Porsche has introduced a generation change that also changes the model designation. Now known as the 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S, these two-seat convertibles are now more powerful and more fuel-efficient than ever.

So how do they fare on the road?

Impressive here are the power gains of 35 hp compared to the previous Boxster models, and the efficiency of the new turbo engines. As a result, the new 718 Boxster models have fuel economy improvements of up to 13 per cent.

ENGINE

With completely new chassis tuning and stronger brakes contributing to sporty driving pleasure, the design of the new Boxster model line has also been comprehensively advanced; apart from the luggage compartment lids, windscreen and soft-top, everything else is new.

A newly designed instrument panel redefines the cockpit, with the additon of the latest generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with touchscreen. Those who use an iPhone can connect their smartphone up to the system and have their display screen transformed into their own phone’s interface, all apps included.

TThe centrepiece of this model series is the newly developed four-cylinder flat engine with turbocharging. The 718 Boxster develops 300 hp of from 2.0 litres of engine displacement, while the 718 Boxster S produces 350 hp from 2.5 litres of displacement. In the S model, the German company uses a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry (VTG) – joining the 911 Turbo in using VTG technology – making Porsche the only manufacturer to use this technology in production vehicles with petrol engines.

PERFORMANCE

Starting price: AED 220,800

35

SPECIFICATIONS VEHICLE: 911 Turbo ENGINE: Flat-six, twin-turbocharged POWER: 540 hp ACCELERATION: 0-100 km/h in 3 seconds MAXIMUM SPEED: 320 km/h TRANSMISSION: Seven-speed dual clutch transmission

� PORSCHE 911

T

he top models of the 911 series – the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S – are now making their appearance with 20 hp more power, a sharper design and many improved features. Driving dynamics are further enhanced by innovative solutions like the new Dynamic Boost function and the new standard Sport Chrono Package, which improve responsiveness significantly.

ENGINE Available in Coupé and Cabriolet versions, versions, these 911s feature 3.8-litre six-cylinder engines with twin variable-geometry turbochargers. The Turbo has a power output of 540 hp, while the Turbo S has 580 hp – that’s 20 hp more than before.

Meanwhile, the new Dynamic Boost function maintains charge pressure during load changes, which improves responsiveness.

The fuel consumption figure for the coupés is now 9.1 litres per 100 km, while the convertibles consume 9.3l/100 km. This amounts to fuel savings of 0.6-l/100 km in all versions. The reason? The considerably higher fuel injection pressure.

PERFORMANCE Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package comes with four programmes, with a Sport Response button – for the best possible intermediate acceleration – as standard. The model also has new record sprint times: the Turbo Coupé sprints

from zero to 100 km/h in 3 seconds, while the 911 Turbo S reaches the speed in 2.9 seconds – making each 0.2 seconds faster than the previous model. In fact, this is the first 911 to achieve a 0-100-km/h time of under three seconds.

The cars’ top speeds are significantly higher as well: 330 km/h for the 911 Turbo S and 320 km/h for the 911 Turbo.

The PASM chassis offers an even larger spread between sportiness and comfort. Rear axle steering and a new automatic post-collision braking system are standard, while the optional lift system at the front axle offers 40 millimetres more ground clearance under the front lip at low speeds.

The 911 Turbo S also has a full complement of driving dynamic features, including PDCC roll compensation and PCCB ceramic brake system.

INFOTAINMENT As with the Boxster, the new PCM system with online navigation and touchscreen is as easy to operate as a smartphone and offers improved online capabilities, such as traffic information in real time, courtesy of Google Earth and Google Street View.

As mentioned before, the system can also be connected to an iPhone, providing access to many more apps.

Another highlight here is the fantastic media system and outstanding sound quality.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Commute

Starting price: AED 584,300

SELF AT HOME FIRST LOOK: MARASI BUSINESS BAY | ON THE MARKET

MARINA LIFE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN

EXECUTIVE LIFE|At Home

Dubai Holding has unveiled its AED 1-billion Marasi Business Bay, a breakthrough waterside development featuring the UAE’s first-ever water homes

It’s no longer a secret. Dubai Holding’s real estate arm, Dubai Properties Group has finally unveiled Marasi Business Bay, the waterfront destination that is being created as part of the creek space that’s currently in construction. Once complete, the development – estimated at exceeding AED 1 billion – will comprise the longest promenade in the UAE, spanning 12 kilometres of water homes, floating restaurants, shops and five palm tree-lined marinas, making it the region’s first purpose-built yachting destination.

All of Marasi Business Bay’s residential units will offer boat access, providing a unique new concept for Dubai’s real estate market.

“The new project will strengthen the historic relationship between Dubai and its creek through the addition of a new dimension to the residential, tourism and leisure offerings along the Dubai Creek,” said H.E. Mohammad Abdulla Al-Gergawi, Chairman of Dubai Holding. “Our objective is to create innovative and unique developments that accentuate the essence of Dubai’s culture and heritage, and present what the

AT A GLANCE ① Divided into three uniquely themed main areas, The Yacht Club, The Park and The Pier, Marasi Business Bay has been designed around entertainment and leisure experiences.

② The unique waterfront will host five palm tree-lined marinas with 1,250 berths, alongside onshore boutique shopping and a range of leisure and entertainment facilities. ③ The development’s water homes will be built on water with boat access, and provide unparalleled direct canal views. ④ Over 100 shops and outlets are expected to launch.

future of Dubai looks like; a city that enriches the lives of its residents and visitors alike through unparalleled lifestyle experiences, adding value for investors and Dubai’s economic diversification.”

Al-Gergawi added: “Located along the Dubai Water Canal, this waterfront destination embraces the longest water-side promenades, comprising a space rich with green spaces. Our goal is to build a way of life. Our approach to the real estate landscape has gone far beyond the construction of towers and buildings, to encompass innovation and creativity; a symbol of the civilisation of Dubai and the UAE and an essential instrument contributing to the happiness of the people, as envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.”

Marasi Business Bay will be developed in phases, with the first phase scheduled to be completed by September 2016 – in line with the opening of RTA’s Dubai Water Canal Project – followed by The Park and The Yacht Club. The remaining development will be completed by 2020, with overall works concluded by 2023.

From bean to gourmet pleasure Anyone who chooses an automatic coffee machine from JURA has a free choice of coffee beans and will be able to enjoy coffee to suit their own personal taste.

Solutions for your requirements: Small or Big Offices Villas or Appartments Restaurants or Hotels Available with or without coffee packages

GIGA X3 Professional

Coffema International General Trading LLC, PO Box 214292, Dubai, Phone +971 4 338 6401, Mobile +971 50 950 1374, info@coffema.net

38

ON THE MARKET

Every issue EL showcases one of the region’s must-watch real estate developments.

This month’s spotlight is on The Alef Residences serviced by W Dubai – The Palm

THE MUST KNOWS Property: The Alef Residences serviced

by W Dubai – The Palm Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Developers: ASI Real Estate Development Starting price: From AED 14,000,000 Showroom Available? Yes Info: thealef.com

EXECUTIVE LIFE|At Home

About the property With handover expected at the end of Q2 2017, The Alef Residences features 104 homes located across eight mansions featuring their own dedicated lobbies and private elevators, shared by only two apartments on each floor.

Setting Surrounded by the Gulf, The Alef Residences covers more than 46,000 sqm of the West Crescent of Palm Jumeirah.

The homes A selection of two, three, four and fivebedroom luxury homes offer from 446 to 1,394 sqm of spacious accommodation, with stunning floor-to-ceiling panoramic ocean and skyline views, large balconies and gardens.

The pinnacle is reserved for two ultraluxurious single penthouses and three duplex penthouses. The contemporary and sophisticated residences are surrounded by a tropical landscaped garden and a 475-metre-

The Features long white sandy beach – the largest private residential beachfront location in Dubai.

At the showroom Envisioned by design architect Deborah Berke, the 380-sqm model residence has three bedrooms, four full bathrooms – including double master baths – a powder room and a library.

Residences include an open living, dining and kitchen space of up to 420 sqm, as well as balcony/private terrace; bedrooms ranging from 36 to 100 sqm – with a master bedroom suite offering of up to 180 sqm, which includes a walk-in wardrobe – a study and back-of-house with kitchen. Master bathrooms are fitted in book-matched slabs of Italian statuario marble and contain freestanding soaking tubs, custom vanity

units and radiant-heated floors. Residents will also have the exclusive ability to purchase climate-controlled wine cellars, office suites, staff apartments and storage facilities as a complement to their residence.

Design

Facilities

The materials and finishes are world-class, with each residence coming with a Poggenpohl kitchen that includes Miele appliances; flooring and tiling by Spain’s Dekton – with additional flooring, tiling and a feature wall by Italian brand Marazzi – while bathrooms are fitted by Duravit and Hansgrohe parts, while the parquet flooring is courtesy of Italy’s Listone Giordano.

All owners of The Alef Residences will receive VIP access to W Hotel – The Palm’s many leisure facilities and fine-dining restaurants, which will include six world-class F&B outlets, a poolside restaurant and bar, shisha lounge and day/night club.

A stunning rooftop, which capitalises on the location’s incredible 360-degree vista, is set to become Dubai’s hottest late-night destination.

Another perk is access to CLUB 104, a private, members-only club designed to take well-being and relaxed living to another level. Stretching over three floors, every level offers a different experience, such as cinema, picnic and barbecue area, outdoor infinity pool, dining, gym, spa, yoga room and more.

39

EXECUTIVE LIFE|At Home

ON THE MARKET

SELF

SUMMER BODY PREP

Summer body prep

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Self

Nutridiet is the current liquid diet craze that’s taking the UAE by storm. But does it really work? EL puts it to the test.

Many people – myself included – are sceptical about the so-called ‘liquid only’ diet, where you consume only liquids for a few weeks in order to lose weight. I have a few friends who tried doing it, only to give up within a few days and then eat everything in sight.

However, I’ve always been keen to try it as a means to lose weight fast for a special event (a wedding, for instance). With summer here, we decided to put Nutridiet - the latest trend gripping the UAE - to the test. Established in the late eighties by a Norwegian/Danish physician, Nutridiet consists of a series of low calorie products, designed to kick-start weight loss.

According to the manufacturer, it has performed more than 20 clinical studies over a span of two decades, reportedly improving the wellbeing of patients suffering from weight-related conditions, including diabetes, arthritis and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

41

5 MINUTES WITH

DAY 1

DAY 3 So far so good. During Day 2, I did have a throbbing headache, but it passed thanks to a couple of Advil. But still, I’m not feeling hungry. The secret could be down to the product’s magic formula – the powders are made of soy protein, so you constantly feel full.

DAY 7 By now, I have established a routine and getting used to the quick preparation of all the drinks.

And best of all, I am down 5 pounds.

DAY 10 Oops, cheated today. One of my friends was hosting a birthday dinner, so I had a hearty meal of steak, mash potatoes and spinach.

But I’m not going to feel bad about it.

DAY 14

By Day 14, I’m definitely feeling lighter and enjoying how my jeans are fitting. I am down another 2 pounds from the previous week, bringing my total weight loss to 7 pounds.

DAY 18 By now, I have reduced the shakes/soups to breakfast and dinner only. And now I have a salad for lunch.

DAY 21 At the end of the experiment, I am down 10 pounds! Whether the weight will stay off remains to be seen, but I like the fact that I did not feel hungry throughout the whole experience.

Peter Ekstedt

CEO of Swedish Health & Nutridiet spokesperson

We’ve noticed that a day’s meal plan comes to about 60g carbs, which is quite a high ratio compared to the other macronutrients. Many nutritionists would recommend a very low carb – or ketogenic diet – of 25-35g of carbs per day for rapid weight loss. Can you explain Nutridiet’s reasoning behind this?

The answer is very simple – Nutridiet is not ketogenic diet or a low carb-high fat (LCHF) diet, and should therefore not be compared as such. Nutridiet is a low calorie diet. The rationale behind this [programme] is to keep calorie intake to a minimum while still obtaining your recommended daily intake of everything your body needs, such as vitamins minerals, proteins and carbohydrates.

As you can see, I’m not an advocate of LCHF diets, as I do not consider carbohydrates harmful in the right amount. On the contrary, they are needed in your body to function and it is especially important to help your muscles absorb proteins.

Why are you using fructose as a sweetener? Some dieters would question why something like Stevia isn’t being used instead.

Your question on fructose is very valid. Nutridiet uses some fructose as a sweetener to reach the required carbohydrates, and I think you would agree that fructose is not in any way a harmful substance, as it is found in every fruit on the planet.

It is rather the high concentration version of it that causes a problem. It has rightfully received lots of bad publicity as a driver of obesity, but I want to stress that these discussions are often centred around products such as sodas, soft drinks, juices and canned fruits, where the amount of fructose is very high – it can be towards 30g in just one can, for instance. This is a very high density of calories without providing any of the other important nutrients, therefore creating an unbalanced amount of specific macronutrients. We justify the use of fructose in Nutridiet as we use a balanced amount of the product, in combination with other nutrients, minerals, fibres and protein.

Your recommendation to use stevia is interesting; Nutridiet’s owners do have products with stevia in them but not in the shakes. I will talk to the developers about this when I meet them next time in Norway.

For more information, visit nutridiet.ae.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Self

I am assigned a 21-day Nutridiet programme, which has been designed for rapid weight loss. Consisting of low calorie shakes and soups, my plan consists of five meals – or sachets – and I can decide which flavours to go for everyday.

I receive five flavours in my package: vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, chicken soup and vegetable soup. To prepare, all you have to do is add water to the shaker (or hot water to a mug or bowl) and mix in a sachet.

Needless to say, it’s actually nice to be able to have all my meals sorted for the coming few days. No meal prep or cooking to worry about! Day 1 goes by quickly and I don’t feel hungry at all.

TIME OUT

RAMADAN DINING | EASTERN MANGROVES HOTEL & SPA

Ramadan dining EL chooses the top iftar and suhour offerings to invite your clients to this holy month

SUQ @ FOUR SEASONS RESORT DUBAI JUMEIRAH BEACH Best for: The outdoor atmosphere (when it’s not humid, of course).

Named after the traditional Arabian marketplace, Suq specialises in Levant-inspired cuisine with a twist, including kibbeh with quince, grilled organic lamb, fig and creamy custard maamoul and a fusion of konafa and Turkish delight.

How much? AED 225 per person (iftar) | AED 190 per person (suhour) Book: fourseasons.com/dubaijb or 04 270 7777

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Time Out

RAMADAN MENU @ CAFE BATEEL Best for: Fuss-free cuisine away from a hotel Available from iftar to 9 pm, Bateel’s menu – available across all of its outlets – includes a selection of hearty soups, salads, main courses and desserts. Highlights include the tortellini soup, a traditional Italian clear broth served with chicken tortellini and grated parmesan cheese, and the green burrata salad, served with warmed artichokes, fava beans, asparagus and lemon confit. For a wholesome main course dish, the grilled salmon and quinoa served on a light quinoa risotto featuring fresh coriander, asparagus, peas, zucchini and Iranian dry lemon zaatar sauce, is an exquisite offering.

How much? AED 119 per person Book: bateel.com

44

ASATEER TENT @ ATLANTIS, THE PALM Best for: Impressing guests Dubbed the most iconic Ramadan venue in Dubai, the exquisite 1000-person capacity beachfront Asateer tent delivers a full Ramadan experience, including traditional food, activities and entertainment, including Arabian oud music, card games, chess and backgammon.

For food, guests have a wide range of options at the buffet, including a shawerma fattah and chicken musakhan station. Also offered are classics including lamb ouzi, mixed grills and Umm Ali. How much? AED 205 per person (iftar) | AED 185 per person (suhour) Book: 04 426 0800

IFTAR @ FUME DOWNTOWN DUBAI Best for: An ultra cool evening Known for its unique take on dishes, Fümé has pulled out all the stops to come up with a super scrumptious iftar that includes ‘fumezze’ (a selection of hummus, labneh, smoked muhammara, and olives with pita and kubbus bread), as well as quinoa, okra and pomegranate molasses salad; cumin scented lentil soup; Fume mashawi, plus basbousa with lime curd and fresh berries.

How much? AED 139 per person Book: 04 456 8784

LEBANESE @ AL NAFOORAH Best for: A quieter, more formal setting Perfect for intimate gatherings, while away the Ramadan hours over authentic hot and cold mezzeh, aromatic mains and a wide selection of traditional desserts.

How much? AED 215 per person Book: 04 453 0444

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Time Out

LAYALI ZAMAN @ LE MERIDIEN DUBAI Best for: Big group bookings Featuring its own entrance, Layali Zaman promises to transfer guests to a quintessentially Arabesquestyle space, with an array of Middle Eastern specialties, including slow roasted lamb ouzi with oriental rice, Lebanese sweets and shisha.

How much? AED 149 per person Book: 04 702 2455

EL PROMOTION

45

EASTERN MANGROVES BUSINESS BENEFITS From the moment you arrive, and all day every day, exclusive Kasara benefits enrich your stay with an unparalleled level of exclusivity.

Enjoy an express in-lounge check-in, followed by an Anantara Spa foot ritual in the privacy of your Kasara Executive Club room. Check business emails effortlessly with complimentary highspeed internet, before making your way to the Kasara Executive Lounge for evening cocktails and canapés, and enlisting your private concierge to make dinner reservations. The next morning after your wake-up call, savour breakfast in your room or in the Kasara Executive Lounge with time to read the papers. With your two-piece suit dry cleaned and pressed to perfection, the Kasara meeting room is at your disposal for two hours. Throughout the day the Kasara Executive Lounge is your sanctuary, serving evolving culinary temptations.

Blending a convenient urban location with an inspirational waterfront setting, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara is located at Eastern Mangroves in Abu Dhabi, an integrated marina, retail and residential destination.

Offering a scenic urban escape, the luxury property provides the ideal location for business and leisure travelers alike, located 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport, 7 minutes from Al Bateen Executive Airport and 10 minutes from Abu Dhabi’s key business centre and downtown attractions.

Carefully designed to protect and enhance the precious natural mangrove setting, its celebration of Arabic architectural heritage is expressed in prestigious archways, mashrabiyas, intricate mosaics, solid timber and trellis work, as well as subtle touches of 18 carat gold.

Elegant grandeur is balanced by the warmth of traditional Arabic culture and Anantara’s renowned Asian hospitality. Rich Emirati influences preside from the moment of arrival, with guests greeted in the lobby by an offering of local dates and traditional coffee, as well as sensual scents wafting from a burning bakhoor.

Spread over five levels, 222 spacious guestrooms and suites are triple glazed to ensure a peaceful stay, and are designed to reflect the region’s regal opulence. Most impressive is The Royal Mangroves Residence, the largest suite in Abu Dhabi. Ideally suited to dignitaries and VIPs, this one-of-a-kind residence boasts up to ten bedrooms,

a private ten-metre rooftop pool with a swim-up bar and its own dedicated entrance. Guests of the Royal Mangroves Residence also have exclusive access to the executive Kasara lounge, a limousine service with WiFi, private chef, mixologist, and 24/7 butler service during their stay.

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara capitalises on its waterfront setting perfectly. Guests can relax by the pool and soak up tranquil mangrove views. The more energetic can take out a kayak and explore the lush mangrove reserve, or walk, jog and cycle along a promenade that borders the waterway all the way to central Abu Dhabi’s renowned Corniche area.

With a focus on indulgent relaxation, Anantara Spa pampers guests with journeys of therapeutic sensuality. Designed with separate lobby entrances for men and women, ten single and double treatment suites are joined by a traditional Turkish hammam with two private scrub rooms, three Vichy shower rooms, an LPG room for lipomassage and endermologie, as well as a hair and beauty salon. Choose from an extensive treatment menu which incorporates indigenous wellness wisdom, Asia’s timeless traditions and innovative contemporary techniques.

The Workout Room invites guests to enjoy yoga and various fitness classes at two state of the art gyms, accessible 24/7 for hotel guests, with one reserved exclusively for ladies. Personal training sessions are also available for those with a goal in mind.

PACKAGE INCLUDES: wTwo nights’ accommodation in a Deluxe Balcony or Deluxe Mangroves Balcony Room wDaily buffet breakfast for two people wHigh-speed internet wTwo pieces of laundry per day Available until December 31, 2016.

Terms and conditions apply.

For bookings, contact +971 2 656 1399 or email easternmangroves@ anantara.com.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Time Out

EASTERN MANGROVES HOTEL BY ANANTARA, AN URBAN SANCTUARY IN ABU DHABI

BUSINESS CLASS

AROUND THE WORLD | CHECK-IN: ROVE DOWNTOWN DUBAI | CHECK-IN: THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE, MUMBAI

ATLANTA BOUND

HOLIDAY ISLAND

Qatar Airways launched its long-awaited, first commercial flight to Atlanta, commencing a daily non-stop service between Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Hamad International Airport in Doha. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, commented: “We are giving seasoned travellers convenient access to many new and important destinations around the world. Atlanta is home to dozens of Fortune 500 companies that conduct business globally – businesses that need the convenience only our flight, with connections in Doha, can provide.”

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced the launch of Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll – the first private island in the company’s portfolio and the world’s only exclusive-use UNESCO hideaway located in a World Biosphere Reserve. Opening in late 2016, this secluded two-hectre oasis transcends the private island experience. “Entirely yours” from the moment of booking, the island’s seven bedrooms, Beach House, Dive Centre, Oceans of Consciousness Spa and 18.9-metre yacht are available for reservation for up to 22 guests.

qatarairways.com

fourseasons.com/maui

AROUND THE WORLD

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Business Class

A round-up of the latest high-end travel news and offerings

MEYDAN SITE REVAMP

CONRAD ARRIVES IN KSA

Corinthia Hotels has teamed up with Meydan Group to support the design development and operate the resort property currently being built on the site of the former Meydan Beach Club. Set for launch in 2019, The Corinthia at Meydan Beach will comprise 300 bedrooms and 60 high-end serviced apartments – offering views of the Palm Island and the Dubai Eye – as well as landscaped swimming pools and gardens cascading onto the beach.

The resort will also include indoor and outdoor leisure and dining facilities, a luxury spa and a club.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts has opened its first hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Set in the heart of the Holy City, – the 438-room Conrad Makkah overlooks the Al Masjid al Haram and the Holy Kaabah, making it an ideal location for those in the Kingdom on business but wanting to stop over in Makkah for Umrah. Conrad Makkah offers an on-site Masjid for up to 1,000 guests with audio connection to al-Haram. The hotel also has 12 elevators that go directly to al-Haram, providing quick direct access during peak prayer times.

corinthia.com | meydan.ae

conradhotels.com

GET A SMARTER TAKE OFF SUBSCRIBE NOW

to Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East, the region’s best business magazine

With two-year subscription, you could win* a ticket, courtesy of Singapore Airlines, or receive up to 100,000 KrisFlyer Miles valid for redemption on Singapore Airlines.

Experience the new Singapore Airlines Premium Economy Class with specially designed seats, book the cook menu, priority boarding and check-in, and an exclusive cabin of its own. Singapore Airlines New Premium Economy Class comes with enhanced comfort, additional choices, exclusive privileges, all with the same award winning service.

YES, START MY 48 ISSUES/ TWO YEAR SUBSCRIPTION FOR ONLY AED 340 *To win, complete the slogan below: BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK MIDDLE EAST IS MY VITAL READ BECAUSE􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀􀀀_ (answer shouldn’t exceed 160 characters)

Send your answers to +971 505455869 or rochelle@businessweekme.com

Bloomberg Businessweek Middle East provides the insight business leaders need www.businessweekme.com/Subscribe subscribe@businessweekme.com Fax: +9714 432 9534 +9714 432 9467

Terms & Conditions: The above offer has specific terms and conditions which apply. In order to qualify for the free ticket, you must be a first-time subscriber and be a resident of United Arab Emirates. This promotion is for a limited period only and can be withdrawn, amended without any notice. The Publisher and the Airline reserve the right of final decision in all matters related to this promotion. The airline may have additional terms and conditions relating to the free ticket. KF miles may be used for ticket redemption to many destinations across Singapore Airlines and Silk Air operated flights. KF miles may be used for flight upgrades on your commercially-booked flights. KF miles may be used in combination with cash to pay for your ticket airfare on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir. Copy of Passport along with the KrisFlyer member’s account number must be providedin order to award KF miles. The KF miles awarded are non-transferrable and may only be used by the prize winner, and cannot be converted into cash. The winner is responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses such as service charges and/or other charges levied by any government agency. All other expenses/charges outside of what the awarded KF miles can cover will be borne by the prize winner. Seat redemption booking class is subject to availability at the time of booking/ticketing. All others ticketing terms and conditions apply.

48

CHECK-IN: ROVE DOWNTOWN DUBAI

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Business Class

Is 2016 the year of the art hotel in Dubai? Rove launches its first property in the heart of the city. And it’s definitely a welcome change to the hospitality scene | Rachel McArthur

49

HIGHLIGHTS

Things to see and do

AT A G L A N C E Despite it being a three-star hotel, the Rove Downtown Dubai doesn’t feel out of place in the heart of the city – it is an Emaar brand after all, so you can expect the same level of customer service that you would experience at one of The Address properties, for instance. A word of caution though – the usual Dubai hotel perks aren’t available here. So don’t expect to find valet parking, for example, and if you’re able to handle all of your luggage you’ll be expected to find your way to your room without any assistance. But that’s going to appeal to a lot of business travellers. Personally, I want nothing more than prompt check-in at reception and then to just head to my room, without somebody showing me around.

ROOMS As expected, rooms are quite minimalist in décor, but they’re spruced up with some art created by local artists and designers. Which is a welcome change from the usual pictures, murals or ornaments. And this is a big standout feature at Rove – there are pieces of art everywhere. The lobby even has a bicycle mounted up on the wall. It’s great to see a hotel chain not only create a space that looks different, but also incorporates work created by local talent. That’s the beauty of art hotels; you really feel that you’re in that particular city you’re staying in.

Back to the rooms, there’s everything you need for business – the all-important strong WiFi connection with workstation, along with coffee- and tea-making facilities. The bathroom is small but clean, and features standard amenities such as soap, shower gel and shampoo. Rates do not differ much

� ESSENTIALS Getting there: This hotel, which is a 20-minute drive from Dubai International Airport, is in the heart of the Downtown Dubai area, popular with residents and tourists. Nearby landmarks include The Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.

Location: Financial Centre Road, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Prices: This month, rooms start from AED 250 per night Booking info: palazzoversace.ae

between the two room views on offer, so if you’re inviting someone to Dubai for the first time, then opt for the Burj view. The view of the Burj Khalifa is a definite highlight.

THE DAILY Open everyday from 6.30 am until 11.30 pm, The Daily Downtown Dubai is the perfect spot for a quick bite or takeaway, with a range of cuisine options, including Arabic, Western, Indian and Southeast Asian.

For those looking for coffee only, there’s a Starbucks next door.

BUSINESS FIRST It may be a quirky, art hotel, but doing business is at the core of the Rove experience. Creative spaces and flexi setups are available with Plan & Meet rates available 24 hours a day and suitable for every budget. Email events@rovehotels.com for more info.

LEISURE In keeping with the minimalistic approach, leisure facilities are basic, but all that you really need for this kind of stay. A fitness centre is open 24 hours – just use your room access card to enter – while an outdoor swimming pool is available until the early evening.

For a bite to eat, there’s one restaurant located on the ground floor, while there’s a Zoom convenience store and a Starbucks also available. While some might find it odd that there’s a supermarket in a hotel, you’ll actually be surprised at how handy it is to have one. Forgot your conditioner? No problem.

Want to buy a sandwich and some crisps?

You can do so any time of day or night.

Also available at the hotel are a number of meeting rooms, along with a handy selfservice launderette (more information on the right). All in all, it’s really hard to fault the Rove, because it offers everything you need for a fuss-free stay.

Needless to say, I’m looking forward to future launches of the Rove brand, as it is this type of mid-range hotel that is really needed in the emirate. And it’s great to see developers finally offering something different for the city’s frequent travellers.

RECHARGE But it’s not all work and no play. The hotel is home to a state-of-the-art fitness facility along with a relaxed outdoor swimming pool area that is open until the early evening. The lobby area also has comfy couches for an evening chill-out session with friends or colleagues.

THE LITTLE THINGS Where else in Dubai can you find cool local art in every area of the hotel, along with other quirky offerings including a laundrette? Here, you can do your washing yourself, and even a spot of ironing. Super useful if you’re in a hurry.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Business Class

Y

ou may be wondering why we’ve chosen Rove Downtown Dubai as our Business Class pick of the issue. Here’s why. Although it has been dubbed a more affordable option for leisure travellers, there’s no doubt that this brand new chain – more Rove hotels are expected to launch in the emirate by the end of the year – will also appeal to a large number of business travellers. Whether you’re looking to host clients in the emirate – or you travel frequently to Dubai for business – Rove is definitely changing up the hospitality game.

50

CHECK-IN: THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE, MUMBAI One of India’s fabled hotels offers the finest experience in hospitality when you visit Mumbai | EL Special

N

estled on the southern tip of Mumbai, The Taj Mahal Palace overlooks the tranquil azure waters of the Arabian Sea opposite the Gateway of India.

The eye-catching central dome that is built with the same steel used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower, the delicately arched windows, the grand central staircase and the breezy hallways of the hotel make it a historic landmark for the whole city.

Rooted in history while blending elements of modern hospitality, The Taj Mahal Palace is known for a number of firsts. From being the first hotel in India to have electricity to housing Mumbai’s first licensed bar, The Taj Mahal Palace is truly the foremost custodian of Indian hospitality. As you walk through the revolving doors and step into the plush lobby, the mix of a hundred year legacy and the luxurious warmth of modern-day service make for an unmistakeably ‘Taj’ experience.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Business Class

BLEND BUSINESS WITH LEISURE A brisk hour’s ride from the airport, The Taj Mahal Palace provides you with convenient access to the business areas of the city. The hotel’s concierge desk uses its centuryworth of local stories and knowledge to give you the best recommendations for dining, art, culture and music, as well as the best way to get from one place to another. The hotel offers a number of specially crafted signature experiences;

51

HIGHLIGHTS

Things to see and do

S P E C TA C U L A R S U I T E S The highlight of the hotel are the modern, luxurious suites that it houses. Request a room that overlooks the sea for a view that never ceases to amaze. The warm lights that dot the horizon of the inky blue waters at night are therapeutic after a long day at work. The facilities are second to none at The Taj Mahal Palace. If you’re in luck, you could stay in the Ravi Shankar Suite, the room that’s best known for the time when George Harrison of the Beatles studied the concepts of sitar from the Indian legend at the hotel. The Rajput Suite gives you a glimpse of the opulent culture of the royals from Rajasthan and is replete with arches, delicate marble flooring

� ESSENTIALS Getting there: This hotel, which is a 26 km drive from Mumbai International Airport, is located in the popular Colaba area and just a 10-minute walk from the National Gallery of Modern Art. Location: Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai, India Prices: This month, rooms start from AED 629 per night Booking info: taj.tajhotels.com and warm colours to soothe the soul. My favourite and the one that really stood out was the 5,000 sqft Tata Suite. Lined with exotic artefacts, incredible paintings and furniture that’s taken from the colonial era of the hotel, the suite acts as a time capsule that transports you to a golden era of history while remaining true to the latest gadgets of our time.

WASABI BY MORIMOTO One of Asia's best restaurants, Wasabi by Morimoto is the place to be for inspired Japanese cuisine, an eclectic sushi bar and a teppanyaki counter. Led by the talented Chef Morimoto, the fare here is a must-try.

GOLDEN DRAGON An old favourite at the Taj, the Golden Dragon offers succulent dim sums, exotic Sichuan and Cantonese preparations and authentic flavours like the Peking Duck.

THE COMMERCIAL HUB The Taj offers its guests plenty to do outside the walls of the hotel. As you go about your business through the day, break through the monotony by stepping onto the famed streets of Colaba Causeway for a dose of street shopping. Lined with shops that display an intricate arrangement of ethnic attire, artefacts and local cuisines, there’s an entire world outside the grandeur of the Taj to lose yourself in.

From the cobbled Gothic architecture employed by the British back in the day to the striking Gateway of India built to welcome the monarch into Mumbai, there’s a slice of history to soak in at every nook and corner of Colaba.

MASALA KRAFT For the very best in contemporary regional Indian cuisine at the hotel, Masala Kraft offers exotic preparations that entice the senses with its live cooking stations and an exquisite medley of flavours.

F I N A L N OT E The Taj Mahal Palace promises to be a luxurious escape from the rigours of everyday life and delivers in every respect. From the grand ballrooms to the carefully crafted rooms and the service that is always attentive but never intrusive, the hotel is the perfect backdrop to a business or relaxing leisure trip in the city.

The Taj continues to reinvent itself year after year, and the experience is only enriched as you visit this landmark hotel again.

SEA LOUNGE For an old colonial charm overlooking the sea, accompanied by live music, the Sea Lounge offers fine English delicacies and the famous Mumbai street food under one roof. Sundowners with live music is the icing on the cake.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Business Class

the heritage walk which takes you through the history of the hotel is a one-of-a-kind experience, or you can opt for a tour of Mumbai at dawn to see the city waking up – from the early morning catch coming in from the sea and the newspaper vendors rushing to set up for the first commuters to the cricket-crazy youths who take to the stumps before school.

Special facilities for business travellers are available on the Taj Club floor where rooms have an extended check-out and early check-in facility to cater to difficult flight times, as well as comfort features including 24-hour in-room dining and turndown services. All-day tea and coffee at the Palace Lounge and the personalised butler service that comes along with a conference room make for smooth meetings.

Health enthusiasts can make full use of the 24-hour fitness centre that houses all the latest equipment you need to stay in shape. If you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up or a session of utter relaxation, visit the Jiva Spa, where timetested rejuvenation therapies and old wellness secrets come to life. The traditional champi is a must-try as well-trained hands work tirelessly to release stress and stimulate nerves of the head, neck and shoulders.

If you’re yearning for a delectable meal, a world of tantalising cuisines awaits you in the many restaurants of the Taj. From authentic Japanese dishes to soulful Mediterranean cuisine, there’s something for your every whim and fancy when you’re at the hotel. The macaroons from La Patisserie were delightful, while the famed Golden Dragon whipped up spectacular Cantonese preparations that were infused with mouth-watering flavours.

JET-SETTER

52

LAST-MINUTE EID GETAWAYS | CHECK-IN: HOTEL BELLEVUE PALACE BERN | DESTINATION CASABLANCA

LAST-MINUTE EID GETAWAYS

Haven’t booked your vacation yet? Fret not, there are a host of holiday options still available

DUBAI, UAE Fairmont The Palm is offering a special Eid promotion for residents and visitors.

Guests opting for one of the five-star property’s contemporary suites will enjoy unrestricted views of the Dubai Marina skyline, a lavish buffet breakfast each morning at Flow Kitchen, a 30-minute massage for two people at Willow Stream Spa, two hours of play per child per day at Fairmont Falcons Kids’ Club and access to 800 metres of beautiful private beach and four temperature-controlled swimming pools.

Rates start from AED 2,150 per night. fairmont.com/palm-dubai

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Jet-setter

BANDOS ISLAND, MALDIVES Flight Centre is offering a number of fantastic deals this Eid Al Fitr, including a threenight getaway to Bandos Island Resort in the Maldives. Lay back and melt away into the serenity of the pristine beaches, or head out to explore the island though a number of water activities.

This package includes return economy class air fare, airport assistance, return transfer by speedboat and three nights’ accommodation, including breakfast.

Rates start from AED 4,499 per person. flightcentre.ae/holidays/maldives

53

FRANKFURT, GERMANY Villa Kennedy – a 5-star Rocco Forte hotel located on Kennedyallee, just off the south bank of the River Main – is offering a special Arabian package this summer that includes shisha, halal food and Arabianinspired drinks.

The hotel’s Middle East Family Package includes 50% off a similar interconnecting or adjacent room for two children, daily breakfast and complimentary meals for children under 3, and 50% discount on meals and beverages for 4-12 year-olds.

Rates available on request. roccofortehotels.com

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA A cultural melting pot, Kuala Lumpur boasts an array of award-winning restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, including Pan-Asian, French, Italian and even Halal options – making it the perfect destination for travellers looking to celebrate this holiday. The Fraser Residence offers the perfect balance of tranquillity and the hustle and bustle of city life.

This package includes return economy class air fare, return airport transfers, four nights’ accommodation including breakfast, and private return transfers to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park – including entrance ticket to all five parks.

Rates start from AED 3,799 per person. flightcentre.ae/holidays/kuala-lumpur

SWISSAIR: VIP ON BOARD

Want to fly in style this summer without going all out on a pricey flight? Then look no further than Swiss Air. Whether you’re looking for a non-stop fare to Zurich or a holiday at any of the other destinations within the Swiss network, the airline offers competitive business class rates, such as ‘SWISS Business’ to Barcelona from AED 11,785 or to Paris from AED 12,025.

Swiss Air’s new business offering includes a spacious workplace-style seat that converts into a roomy 2-metre flat bed at the touch of a button. The seat’s integrated massage function promises plenty of pampering en route.

Plus, as well as fantastic amenities and the latest in in-flight entertainment, Swiss also offers exquisite dining.

Look out for the Swiss ‘Taste of Switzerland’ promotion, which is served on all flights departing from Switzerland.

This award-winning gastronomic concept lets top Swiss chefs interpret the culinary variety of our country in their own unique ways. The results are seasonal dishes from Swiss regions that impress and delight. From now until August, business passengers on intercontinental flights departing from Switzerland will be able to enjoy savoury culinary delights from the Jura region.

For more information, visit swiss.com.

This Eid, Ritz-Carlton’s Al Bustan Palace is participating in a series of ‘Impact Experiences’, offering group guests the opportunity to participate in socially responsible activities that will leave a positive impact on Oman. Among the activities, guests can help design Eid greeting cards for orphans, while for those wanting to give back to Mother Nature, Oman’s Mangrove Nature Reserve experience will include an environmental clean-up, a mangrove planting session and a presentation conducted by a representative from the Ministry of Environment.

Rates available on request. ritzcarlton.com

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Jet-setter

MUSCAT, OMAN

54

CHECK-IN: HOTEL BELLEVUE PALACE BERN

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Jet-setter

Beautiful Bern can make for a fantastic summer getaway, and this stunning five-star property in the heart of the city occupies an elegant Art Nouveau building dating from 1913. | EL Special

55

W H E R E V I P S S TAY The Bellevue Palace is a grand hotel in the classic style and of great national, historical and cultural importance.

Over the past century, it has played host to many internationally eminent guests, ranging from monarchy and ministers to musicians, movie stars and even astronauts.

Emperor (then still just a Crown Prince) Akihito of Japan, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Herbert von Karajan and Johnny Cash – these are just a few of the visitors to Bern who have passed through its distinguished doors.

The hotel offers special facilities for business guests,

with a business floor that includes very comfortable rooms with a whole range of attractive features. These include extra-large desks, contemporary art, as well as modern and antique furniture. Additionally, the hotel's suites and Junior Suites also include well-known Boxspring beds, acclaimed for their superior sleeping comfort.

When it comes to the ultimate in luxury, guests have a choice of three beautiful Tower Suites, all with fine views of the distant Bernese Alps. Additionally, the 160 square metre Presidential Suite comprises one bedroom, a lounge, meeting room and attractive kitchen, assuring guests of maximum privacy and personal security.

The superior service, which the Bellevue Palace is proud to offer its privileged guests, is legendary. It includes a 24-hour floor service: ironing, laundry and drycleaning; babysitting; chauffeur-driven limousine and transfer services; and much more besides. Whatever guests' requests or requirements (from sightseeing excursions and cultural attractions to hair styling, translation or photographic services), there is one man who can always assist or advise – the Concierge of the Bellevue Palace.

DISTINCT DINING From its attractive Vue restaurant, guests have the most beautiful view extending over the River Aare as far as the distant Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau peaks. Pleasures for the palate and a feast for the eyes, so to speak. From April to October, this is one of Bern's most prestigious venues for dining of distinction.

The interior of Vue – with its fine wood panelling and impressive vaulted ceiling – can seat up to 80 people. Here, a delicious buffet breakfast, a tempting choice of lunches and evening dishes are served as well.

The culinary delights of the Bellevue Palace (Gault Millau awarded) are Swiss and international Cuisine d’aujourd’hui creations, prepared to perfection with the finest market-fresh ingredients. Attractive vegetarian and vegan dishes are also available, together with a selection of choice cheeses and delectable desserts.

MEETING POINT Be sure to check out the legendary Bellevue bar, which has long enjoyed being renowned as the meeting point in Bern for politicians, diplomats, executives and moviemakers. Down the decades, the hotel has become a setting of sophistication for screen epics about the world of espionage and intrigue. From femmes fatales to agents of elegance, the Bellevue Palace has played host to many fictional characters here in the heart of neutral Switzerland. The hotel was the setting in 1981 for John le Carré’s spy thriller Smiley’s People starring Sir Alec Guinness.

John le Carré himself was a student at Bern University in the late 1940s.

� ESSENTIALS Getting there: The best way of getting to Bern from Dubai is to take a direct flight to Zurich, followed by a short train ride (1 hour 10 minutes) to Bern. Swiss Air flies direct to Zurich.

Flight time: Approx. 6 hours 40 min.

Location: Kochergasse 3-5, Bern, Switzerland Prices: This month, rooms start from AED 1,855 per night Booking info: www.bellevue-palace.ch or www.victoria-jungfrau-collection.ch

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Jet-setter

T

he people of Switzerland have a love affair with Bern. It is more than merely their capital city – it is a unique architectural gem, listed since 1983 by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. Even the great and widely travelled German poet, Goethe (17491832), wrote about Bern’s old town as “the most beautiful we have seen.” A stroll along its cobbled streets is like taking an architectural journey back through time to the Middle Ages. To this day stately sandstone houses, historic towers and fountains, market squares, tiny tucked away alleys and cellars still dominate the centuries-old townscape. Six kilometres of attractive arcades make this one of the longest weather-protected shopping promenades in Europe, and its wealth of boutiques and bistros beckon you to linger longer.

Bern is also renowned for its Bundeshaus, the seat of Switzerland's federal government and parliament. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the leading hotel in the capital is the Bellevue Palace, which has been located right next to the government buildings since 1913. The hotel serves as the Swiss government's official ‘guesthouse’, extending a warm welcome to world leaders, members of the diplomatic corps and other visiting VIPs. The Bellevue Palace is located on a terrace above the rolling River Aare and offers some of the city's finest views of the distant Bernese Alps. Together with the adjacent buildings of the Bundeshaus, the hotel forms an imposing architectural ensemble on the southern edge of Bern's beautiful old town quarter. The hotel's location and eventful past are as unique as its interior design and superior service. Elegant event rooms, stylish restaurants, dining of distinction – for nearly a century the Bellevue Palace has enjoyed acclaim as the focal point of social life in Bern.

Built in neoclassic style, the hotel combines old world charm with the most modern comforts. In addition to welcoming many visiting political leaders and other eminent guests, it regularly plays host to top business leaders and discerning leisure travellers. The hotel comprises 128 newly renovated rooms and suites, as well as state-of-the-art conference facilities.

56

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Jet-setter

h e r e ’ s l o o k i ng at yo u , k i d ...

Casablanca’s Arab customs and western modern trends offer a kaleidoscope of contrasts within the walls of a city that essentially revolves around trade | Alina Christy

57

3

HOTELS TO TRY

� ESSENTIALS

Getting there: Emirates offers direct flights to Casablanca from Dubai.

Flight time: Approx. 8 hours Prices: For travel in June, Economy seats start from AED 2,770, while Business Class seats start from AED 14,275.

Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca Anfa Place Living Resort, Boulevard de la Corniche Price per night: From AED 1,078

Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche Rue Sidi Belyout Price per night: From AED 860

Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca Rond-Point Hassan II Price per night: From AED 340

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Jet-setter

J

ust across the Strait of Gibraltar, on the coast of North Africa facing the Atlantic Ocean, lies Casablanca. This cosmopolitan city blends the customs of the orient with the open ways of the Western world and is amongst the most fascinating cities to explore. With the wide range of packages and cheap tickets to Casablanca you can find nowadays, this city offers tourists fascinating cultural sites, natural spots and sparkling nightlife as well as an extensive choice of dining options.

All flights to Casablanca arrive at the Mohammed V Airport situated 30 km from the city centre.

The airport is currently undergoing a major expansion and will soon be offering topnotch facilities for all travellers and increased chances to find cheap tickets to Casablanca.

Casablanca is no doubt Morocco’s commercial capital, where Arab customs and western modern trends offer a kaleidoscope of contrasts within the walls of a city that essentially revolves around commerce and trade.

The Hassan II Mosque is Casablanca’s landmark with its monumental structure that can welcome up to 2,500 worshippers within its walls and 80,000 in the outside gardens. The Old and New Medina are also worth visiting;

notably the Old Medina with its two surviving gates through the old town walls where the tomb of Sidi Allal el-Kairouni lies as well as a fortress and a jewellery market.

The best markets and restaurants, as well as shopping centres, lie on the northeastern fringe of the city on the Atlantic Ocean.

Here you will also find the typical souks and street markets where magnificent carpets and leather goods can be bought at extremely good prices.

Here, hotel luxury and superior service makes for a truly relaxing beach vacation under the warm dry sun. The Corniche Beach is a good place to consider when planning to relax or go for a swim. The Ain Diab is the nearest to the city centre stretching for over a mile of white sand and dotted with beach clubs and dining facilities.

Casablanca offers international and delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, downtown Casablanca being the best area in which to find a good restaurant. You may also try the Medina, where you can get a typical dish for only a few dollars.

With cheap flights to Casablanca you can also find great bargains for accommodation. Hotels range from luxury to low budget, whose prices vary considerably according to the rating of the hotel.

WEALTH THE MEGAYACHT LIFE

THE MEGAYACHT LIFE

EL takes a look at the new and upcoming marinas around the world that every megayacht owner and captain can’t afford to miss | Ivy Chiou

Miami – Island Gardens Deep Harbour

W EXECUTIVE LIFE|Wealth

ith yachting taking off again – sales of megayachts were up 40% in 2015 from 2014, according to a wealth report by Knight Frank – the gates of Miami, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Rome are now open to the megayacht elite with the latest wave of new marina developments. Each one of these marinas is unique and reflects the culture and vibe of its surrounding area. Here, we take a look at each in more detail below.

Island Gardens Deep Harbour is North America’s first and only marina designed exclusively to cater to 50 of the world’s largest yachts, spanning up to 550 feet (168 metres). The marina recently hosted the inaugural Superyacht Miami, where 24 of the world’s most luxurious megayachts, worth in excess of $800 million were on display for the annual yachts and brokerage show.

Famous yachts that have already docked at Deep Harbour include Mark Cuban’s 288-foot Fountainhead and the 252-foot Silver Fast. Upon completion of the full Island Gardens project in 2018, the marina will also be complemented by two luxury hotels, curated waterfront dining and highend experiential retail.

59

Anguilla – Altamer Anguilla’s Altamer resort in Shoal Bay West is home to three spectacular beachside villas, and considered by many to be the Caribbean’s finest address. The resort will receive the island’s first megayacht marina, with 30 per cent of its berths designed to accept yachts up to 200 feet (61 metres) in length. The new facility is slated to include a 164-unit resort, in addition to duty-free retail shops and a restaurant promenade.

St. Kitts – Christophe Harbour Created by the developer of Kiawah Island, Charles Pinckney “Buddy” Darby III, The Marina at Christophe Harbour was built with the discerning yachtsman in mind, featuring 250 state-of-the-art berths – 50 of which will be able to accommodate yachts up to 250 feet (76 metres). A protected entrance, safe inner harbour, and a prime location between Antigua and St. Maarten in the heart of the Eastern Caribbean charter and cruising grounds make Christophe Harbour a prime destination marina.

The arrival of Roma Marina Yachting in October 2015 transformed this historic port into one of the world's most captivating megayacht destinations near a city that has witnessed 20 centuries of history. From Roma Marina Yachting, guests can reach the pearls of the Mediterranean, including Capri, Procida, Ischia Ponza, and the further-off islands of Sardinia, Corsica and Sicily. The yachting set can also adventure on dry land – in less than an hour they can be in Rome, or amongst the Etruscan ruins in the beautiful, ancient region of Tuscia.

EXECUTIVE LIFE|Wealth

Rome – Roma Marina Yachting

60

THE FINAL PAGE

EXECUTIVE LIFE|The Final Page

introducing the burj a l a r a b t e r r ac e

Located at Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab Terrace is a remarkable, oneof-a-kind restaurant, pool, beach and cabana space, offering hotel guests the finest in hospitality.

Constructed in Finland and transported in eight pieces by ship – in order to ensure minimal disruption to guests, as well as the seabed and marine life, says the hotel – the private 10,000 sqm outdoor luxury leisure facility seamlessly stretches 100 metres out into the sea. It’s home to Scape Restaurant & Bar, two stunning pools, dedicated butler-serviced cabanas, and a beach area with luxury day and sunbeds.

“As the world’s most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab continuously evolves and reinvents our guest experience through state-of-the-art facilities. Burj Al Arab Terrace is the ultimate destination for indulgence, socialising and relaxing, and is another initiative in our endeavour to delight our guests,” said Anthony McHale, General Manager of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. “Burj Al Arab Terrace is our most ambitious project since the hotel was created; it’s a global first in hotel construction with a breakthrough combination of creative marine design, ingenious engineering and guest-friendly planning. In January, we an-

nounced its arrival on a ship from Finland and, since then, our construction and design teams have brought our vision to life – and the result is simply spectacular.”

The architectural form of the terrace has been designed to reflect the shape of Burj Al Arab, creating a fusion of sophisticated, contemporary structures and tranquil stretches of water. Linked by a central walkway, flanked on either side by crystalline beaches and private cabanas, it gives an effect of a stylised tropical forest canopy, with contrasting areas of dappled light and shade.

A palette of earth tones and clean, sharp whites highlights the contrasting colours of nature, while the highest quality glass has been used extensively and creatively, from the panels throughout the interior spaces, to the specially commissioned handmade light installations in Scape Restaurant & Bar. The design also incorporates a 612 sqm freshwater pool and an 828 sqm saltwater infinity pool, which melts into the horizon to create the mirage of a continuous ebb of water. Ten million mosaic tiles in shades of azure and gold line the pools, while 1,000 tonnes of white sand creates the dazzling beach. Set within the pools are four Jacuzzis and a swim-up bar.

DISCOVER MESMERISING BEAUTY AMIDST AN URBAN ESCAPE.

Experience a luxurious getaway in the heart of Abu Dhabi, just minutes from the city’s business areas and major tourist attractions, surrounded by the beauty of the lush mangroves. Savour culinary delights at five dining venues, or relax at the award-winning Anantara Spa. Enjoy tranquillity, sophistication and magnificent service that will leave you inspired and invigorated.

Rates starting from AED 500* per room per night, including breakfast for two. *Rates are subject to 10% Service Charge, 6% Tourism Fee, 4% Municipality Fee and AED 15 Municipality Room Fees per room per night for each room. Subject to availability.

Email crome@minor.com or call from within the Middle East 800-MINOR Internationally +971 (0) 2 656 1399

LIFE IS A JOURNEY. Visit anantara.com CAMBODIA • CHINA • INDONESIA • MALDIVES • MOZAMBIQUE • THAILAND • QATAR • UNITED ARAB EMIRATES • VIETNAM • ZAMBIA • SRI LANKA OPENING SOON: OMAN