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 look at a podium villa at Al Zeina in the Al Raha Beach development in Abu Dhabi.
The key details
This corner property is located in a central position within the popular Al Zeina community. Unlike regular villas, it is set a few floors above ground level, yet it comes with a private outdoor space, including a pool.
With six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, it is spread across 7,765 square feet and is on the market for Dh10.6 million.
What's the story?
For those with a decent budget, one of the trickiest decisions to make when buying (or renting) property in the UAE is whether to go for an apartment with an amazing view, or the more grounded option of a villa that tends to provide more space.
But, in this unusual instance, you can have the best of both worlds.
The villa is being marketed as having the space and feel of a house, and yet comes with the benefits of living in a development.
And that means communal swimming pools (as well as your own), gyms, retail outlets and, best of all, a huge beach open only to residents.
Add to that the wide walkways popular for dog owners, palm trees galore and a holiday vibe and it's easy to see why it's a favourite among families.
The villa, meanwhile, is a fine example of tasteful customisation from its granite island and fresh cabinetry in the kitchen to the remote-controlled blinds and entertainment room with enviable views over Yas Island and along the channel towards the downtown area of the city.
It isn't flash, but instead is smart and welcoming and should quickly ease the question of "how would I live here?" that viewers ask themselves.
What the brokers say ...
Who would the property appeal to?
This home is every entertainer's dream. With an open floor plan centred around a designer gourmet kitchen, lovely private pool with large sun terraces and built-in entertainment systems on many levels, every corner of this unrivalled villa encapsulates the breathtaking views Al Raha Beach has to offer.
Centrally located in a quiet, exclusive section of an established and thriving community, this home offers the ultimate convenience and a family-friendly lifestyle.
Situated in a prime location, it is minutes away from Yas Island and the airport, only 20 minutes to downtown Abu Dhabi, and less than an hour from Dubai.
How much have the upgrades added to the price?
The podium villa is crafted by a world-renowned interior designer of five-star hotels (including the W Hotels in Dubai and Abu Dhabi) and the tasteful interior upgrades are evidently classic and sophisticated. This, in turn, has exponentially enhanced the property value with its unique features and will also save the potential buyer the headaches and fuss of doing the work themselves.
A property like this is rarely on the market and we expect a lot of interest from discerning buyers who desire something special.
Is this the pinnacle of living in the Al Raha Beach area?
Absolutely! While there are other villas in the area, most are situated at the ground level and thus are not afforded the same spectacular, sweeping views. From this property, you can see everything from the F1 grandstands and W Hotel on Yas Island to the Etihad Towers and WTC on the Corniche, and everything in between including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Bridge and the new Etihad Arena.
No other podium villas at Al Zeina have this view; it is truly one of a kind. The ample space of a villa paired with the benefits of townhouse living, gives you the best of both worlds.
Andrew Covill, director, Henry Wiltshire International
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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 Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
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Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets