The Royal Island Beach Club is now open for guests on Lebanon, the only island in use on Dubai's The World project. Alex Ritman grabs his trunks and passport for Stranded, the island's new Friday beach party
Seems like a long way to go for a day at the beach
Let's put a stop to this right now. No, it's not a long way. It's on the "Lebanon" island, the only sandy land mass currently in use in The World, Nakheel's huge man-made island project off the coast of Jumeirah.
I see. And which airlines fly there?
None, you get there by boat from the The Palm, Jumeirah. They go at various times on Fridays, cost Dh200 return per person and take roughly 20 minutes, a rather interesting journey which will see you sail past the deserted islands that make up South America, North Africa and Southern Europe.
So I don't need a visa?
Not at all. You're still in the UAE, silly. But you do need to email ahead for your boat as Stranded is strictly "guest-list only". Also, if you want to book one of the cosy private chalets (which feature their own bathroom and living room) or cabanas, you should book in advance.
And what is there to do on Lebanon? I hear Byblos is a must
Quit it. Well, it's a beach club, so expect beach clubby things. There's a pool, a volleyball net, table tennis, a few palm trees, changing rooms, a small stage with a DJ (playing the obligatory chilled-out beats), bean bags, plenty of sun loungers (with more arriving soon, apparently), restaurant, bar - oh, and some very nice stretches of sand. It's nothing new really, but its location on a man-made island in the middle of a miniaturised rendition of the world map makes the whole thing a rather unique experience.
What about the prices once you're there? I was once ripped off by a barman in Gemmayze
Are you going to keep this up all day? They're actually surprisingly reasonable, with drinks and food from the a la carte menu and barbecue no more expensive than beach clubs on the mainland. If you want a private chalet or cabana, things - obviously - get a bit more pricey, with a minimum spend on each (Dh5,000 for the chalet, Dh1,000 for the cabana).
Is there any trouble with the islands nearby?
Relations with Lebanon's neighbours are on the whole good, probably because all the other islands are completely empty.
So can I swim across and colonise these untouched lands for myself?
Sadly not. While they are tantalisingly close, Lebanon's life guards are on hand to blow on their little whistles should you venture into international waters. You'll actually be surprised how small the islands look from up close.
Finally, do they accept dirhams or will I have to change my money into Lebanese pounds?
I give up.
For more information, visit www.royalislandbeachclub.ae or email stranded@themusthavegroup.com. Prices range from Dh200 to Dh5,000
The specs: 2019 BMW i8 Roadster
Price, base: Dh708,750
Engine: 1.5L three-cylinder petrol, plus 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 374hp (total)
Torque: 570Nm (total)
Fuel economy, combined: 2.0L / 100km
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The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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The biog
Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children
She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career
She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence
Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
