The Palm Jumeirah is set to get its first Sharia-compliant hotel.
R Hotels, the hospitality arm of Ajman-based R Holding, expects to open its 259-room four-star resort in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Earmarked for an investment of Dh500 million, the hotel will be the second four-star property after Byblos Hospitality said earlier this year it is building a 144-room, Dh180 million Byblos Palm Jumeirah Hotel on the trunk of the island.
The Ajman company’s property will be located on the East Crescent of Palm Jumeirah.
R Hotels owns and manages Ramada Hotel and Suites Ajman, Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman, Ramada Downtown Dubai, and Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham in Jumeirah Beach Residence.
As part of its Dh1.5 billion investment plan announced last year, R Hotels is also building its fifth hotel on Al Mina Road in Jumeirah that is expected to open in the second quarter of next year.
The average daily room rate in Dubai last month was Dh1,034.57 across luxury to economy segments, according to the monthly data from STR Global, even as supply outstripped demand. The rates, however, decreased by 1.6 per cent year-on-year.
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RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.
RESULTS FOR STAGE 4
Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
The Porpoise
By Mark Haddon
(Penguin Random House)
