There is no doubt that the UAE is home to some spectacular properties. From penthouse apartments to plush villas with sprawling gardens and incredible pools, it’s a real estate haven.
Each week, The National showcases some of the finest homes on offer in its Property of the Week. Here, we take a closer look at a Bentley Palace villa on Dubai's World Islands.
The key details
This seven-bedroom mansion is part of The Heart of Europe development at The World Islands off the coast of Dubai. It is one of nine villas on the Sweden Island, of which eight are sold. The villa comes with eight bathrooms, has a built up area of 25,000 square feet and sits on a plot of 34,500 square feet. It is being marketed by Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty at Dh125 million ($34m).
What's the story?
There's luxury homes, and there's Bentley Palace.
Aside from Abu Dhabi's Nurai Island, this is probably as close as you are going to get to living on a tropical island in the UAE.
And it's difficult to decide which feature of this property is most attractive. There's the privacy for a start – being five kilometres off the Dubai coast and having neighbours made up of regional royalty.
Then there's the private beach and outdoor space. You can fly in all your friends and family via helicopter (or boat) and utilise the vast rooftop terrace until the sun comes back up, or simply revel in the peace and quiet of living at sea. If you need a break from the water and sand, there is a private tropical forest consisting of 80 species of trees and thousands of plants.
As for the property's interior, it comes with Bentley-branded furniture, Scandinavian timber flooring, two kitchens, a master bedroom suite with his and hers changing rooms and stunning bathrooms.
Why buy a penthouse apartment or a spacious community villa when you can live on an island with an almost endless list of benefits?
What the broker says ...
Does anyone reside full-time at the Sweden Island?
Not yet, the handover certificate will be issued in December. The main reason for it is that the developer wants to assure a perfect experience for the residents in terms of transportation to and from the island, as well as access to amenities by the Monaco hotel which is opening next door by the end of this year.
The neighbours have to approve the new owner … What do you need to pass the test?
Yes correct, the main reason being that the neighbours are all VVIP (including royalty). The rule was put in place that the new buyer must be vetted by the authorities at first, and then be approved by all the neighbours at Sweden Island in order to be allowed to purchase, much like a housing co-op seen in major cities worldwide. Even though Sweden Island is a private island, it is still part of The Heart of Europe holiday destination, so Sweden residents have full access to all the other islands and its hotels, but nobody except the Sweden residents have access to Sweden Islands.
How is The Heart of Europe progressing?
It is in full swing and nearing completion. The developer made sure to utilise the time during the pandemic to push forward the construction progress. The first hotels are ready and will open during Expo 2020 Dubai. Germany Island, Sweden Island and the Honeymoon Island along with a set of Floating Seahorses will be handed over by the end of 2021. If one would visit the islands today, they would not believe their eyes.
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Is the Bentley Palace different to the other villas?
Yes indeed, Villa 1 is on a corner plot which is a far larger plot than the others, and it is facing west, enjoying a stunning sunset view. At the entertainment hall, which features a full glass roof, you have a 300º view across all of the islands and all the most famous buildings in Dubai, such as Burj Al Arab, Burj Khalifa and Atlantis, The Palm, to name a few.
How convenient is it living on the islands with necessities such as food etc?
The hotels at The Heart of Europe will offer a la carte services to all the residents at Sweden Island, including 24-hour room service. Groceries are located within the hotels that are easily accessible by the residents as well. A butler service is available as well to handle basically all the needs of the residents. Imagine living in your private beach palace, but with five-star hotel service at your fingertips.
Is this Dubai’s most extraordinary property?
Owning a palace on an island, with a la carte services by five-star hotels, your private beach, and a tropical forest surrounding it, it is like a dream come true for someone who can afford it. Extraordinary is just an understatement.
- Stephan Hirzel, Senior Global Property Consultant at Luxhabitat Sotheby's International Realty
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If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
liverpool youngsters
Ki-Jana Hoever
The only one of this squad to have scored for Liverpool, the versatile Dutchman impressed on his debut at Wolves in January. He can play right-back, centre-back or in midfield.
Herbie Kane
Not the most prominent H Kane in English football but a 21-year-old Bristolian who had a fine season on loan at Doncaster last year. He is an all-action midfielder.
Luis Longstaff
Signed from Newcastle but no relation to United’s brothers Sean and Matty, Luis is a winger. An England Under-16 international, he helped Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup last season.
Yasser Larouci
An 18-year-old Algerian-born winger who can also play as a left-back, Larouci did well on Liverpool’s pre-season tour until an awful tackle by a Sevilla player injured him.
Adam Lewis
Steven Gerrard is a fan of his fellow Scouser, who has been on Liverpool’s books since he was in the Under-6s, Lewis was a midfielder, but has been converted into a left-back.
Chelsea 2 Burnley 3
Chelsea Morata (69'), Luiz (88')
Burnley Vokes (24', 43'), Ward (39')
Red cards Cahill, Fabregas (Chelsea)
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
The biog
Family: He is the youngest of five brothers, of whom two are dentists.
Celebrities he worked on: Fabio Canavaro, Lojain Omran, RedOne, Saber Al Rabai.
Where he works: Liberty Dental Clinic
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Results
6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m; Winner: Ghaiyyath, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Cliffs Of Capri, Tadhg O’Shea, Jamie Osborne.
7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Zakouski, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: Waady, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.
How to vote
Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.
They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi
Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday)
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
