Setting foot inside a giant pyramid-shaped structure, I settle on to a plush red velvet chair. Tranquil music wafts around as I sip on a cocoa-dusted cappuccino, taking in the highly polished marble and stone walls that lead out towards mammoth columns inscribed with hieroglyphics.
The sound of running water — something that was a crucial source of sustenance for ancient Egypt — offers a soothing hum while vases shaped like canopic jars line the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Perhaps surprisingly, I'm not in Egypt — I’m in the heart of Dubai, at Raffles Dubai. The hotel first opened on November 21, 2007 and was the first Raffles property outside of Asia. Today, it's marking 15 years of operations.
“The opening day was such a momentous occasion. Back then, it was seen as the new benchmark for ultra-luxury and it really set a new standard in the city at that time,” says Afif Salibi, the hotel's general manager.
“Raffles in Singapore is our flagship property and is more than a century old. We wanted to create the same, but in Dubai — a place that can last for another hundred years or more.”
Placing a giant pyramid designed on the same scale as Egypt's historic landmarks in the heart of a bustling city might not have been everyone’s vision for a new hotel, but it was the driving force of this property from the outset.
“The company wanted to build something just like the pyramids of Egypt that could last for thousands of years,” explains Salibi, who returned to the hotel last year after first joining during its pre-opening 15 years ago.
That’s something that Mohamed Mora, director of food and beverage, agrees with.
“Everything is very precise when it comes to the ancient Egyptian civilisation,” he says. “It's all done in the right way — the building is the same size as the pyramids, the drawings on the walls are real — the company brought a specialist from the Ministry of Tourism in Egypt to draw them, and if you can read the ancient language, you can read it.”
Hailing from Egypt himself and having been with the hotel since 2007, Mora says Raffles offers a nice touch of home, for himself and guests checking in.
“A lot of our visitors come to stay here because they’ve previously been to Egypt and it reminds them of their time there — it’s unique. To be honest, I did not know when I accepted the job that the hotel was a pyramid shape, so when I came here and saw it — I knew it was the perfect fit for me.”
The hotel has also been a constant for Salibi. He joined as assistant front office manager and has progressed through the ranks to be made general manager in March last year, taking the reins at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The major challenge when I returned after stints in Canada, Cambodia and Morocco was to navigate through the challenges that the pandemic brought in terms of operating in and providing guests with a safe environment,” he explains.
Having helped steer the hotel through the financial and business challenges that the travel industry faced during that time, the Lebanese-Canadian hotelier is now looking to the future.
“The hard part is done now, and we’re looking forward with a lot more confidence as we enter our 15th year of operations. The hotel has really matured, it's established and well known in the city, country and region.”
A Dubai landmark and the city's largest rooms
Not only close to many of Dubai’s best-loved landmarks, Raffles Dubai has almost become a landmark in its own right.
Its distinctive pyramid shape merges Asian style with an Egyptian aesthetic, and guests flock to it for its space — the hotel still has the biggest standard rooms in the city at an impressive 70 square metres — the impeccable service and its location as a quiet haven in the heart of bustling Dubai.
“Guests love this location. They can go to the old souqs, immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells there, or shop in some of the world’s busiest malls, but then come back and find this peaceful haven.”
Raffles Dubai must be doing something right. Today, it's entirely sold out. “You simply can’t find a room for tonight,” says Salibi.
It’s quite an achievement given Dubai’s ever-changing hospitality landscape. Today, there are nearly 800 hotels and apartments in the emirate, according to the latest figures from Dubai Statistics Centre. Back in 2007, it was another story.
“At that time, Dubai was very busy but there weren’t as many hotels as there are today. We opened our doors in November, typically high season — and on our first night we had more than 80 per cent occupancy.”
Nicki Minaj, Amr Diab and the president of Singapore check-in
To date, the hotel has welcomed more than 1.5 million overnight guests.
Among them have been some recognisable faces including pop’s Nicki Minaj, Egyptian legends Amr Diab and Mohamed Ramadan, and several heads of states and prime ministers, including the president of Singapore and many members of Dubai’s ruling family.
Nearly 45 per cent of guests checking in are repeat visitors, which, for Ronald Almazan, the hotel’s airport concierge, is something that has helped make his time with Raffles extra special.
There’s a team of six people working nearly 12 hours every day and their sole job is to polish marble in this hotel”
Afif Salibi,
Raffles Dubai general manager
“I’ve been here since the preopening and there are a lot of guests who came here then and they come back again. And when they see me they greet me by name, and I remember their names too, and they’re flattered,” he smiles.
Salibi says it’s the hyper-personalisation that Raffles Dubai offers guests that keeps people returning.
“Our mission statement is that at Raffles hotel, you arrive as a guest, you leave as a friend and you return as family. We’ve seen babies born in the hospitals in nearby [Dubai] Healthcare City, then come here and we see them grow up over the years. We’ve seen people getting married, they leave and then when they come back again, they have children in tow."
Despite its age, the property doesn’t feel old. The red chair I’m sitting on is apparently still the same piece of furniture from the opening day, but it looks almost brand new.
“The marble also gets polished every day. There’s so much marble in this hotel — even the walls are made out of marble and stone — and we polish it every day. There’s a team of six people working nearly 12 hours every day and their sole job is to polish marble in this hotel.” Salibi says.
Today, Raffles Dubai has a staff of more than 300, and several of the team have been there since day one. That includes Randy Munlawin, head of housekeeping, who says he has survived two crises during his time at Raffles — the first being the recession in 2008 and then the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’m from the Philippines but have been in the UAE for almost 20 years and most of it has been in Raffles. Working with Raffles is not like having a normal job — I’ve seen how the hotel has grown over the last 15 years, and the company has a lot of respect for their people, and all the different cultures. During the crisis nobody lost their job, they really care about us.”
Looking to the future
Raffles Dubai was instrumental in helping expand the footprint of Raffles hotels and recently the brand opened a second property in Dubai — the Middle East's first Raffles resort on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah. And there's more development in store.
“We have one hotel coming soon in Bahrain, another one in Jeddah, and there are now talks of one in Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh. There’s also one that recently opened in Istanbul that was heavily influenced by Raffles Dubai,” says Salibi.
When it opened 15 years ago, the hotel was very unique — and the good news, the general manager says, is that despite the city's development, “there’s still only one pyramid in Dubai”.
“As we move closer to 2022, there are some works going on behind the scenes in terms of renovations and introducing some exciting new food and beverage concepts. We’re also reopening our nightclub. That's all I can say now, but in a few months, I’ll be able to share more. In this city, you have to keep evolving.”
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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more from Janine di Giovanni
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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FA Cup quarter-final draw
The matches will be played across the weekend of 21 and 22 March
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Newcastle v Manchester City
Norwich v Derby/Manchester United
Leicester City v Chelsea
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 stats: 2017 Jaguar XJ
Price, base / as tested Dh326,700 / Dh342,700
Engine 3.0L V6
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 340hp @ 6,000pm
Torque 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.1L / 100km
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice.
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
Result
Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2
Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)
RESULTS
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group 1 (PA) Dh119,373 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Brraq, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Taamol, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Turf) 1,800m
Winner: Eqtiraan, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Soft Whisper, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
9.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Etisalat, Sando Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
More from Neighbourhood Watch
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Tentative schedule of 2017/18 Ashes series
1st Test November 23-27, The Gabba, Brisbane
2nd Test December 2-6, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
3rd Test Dcember 14-18, Waca, Perth
4th Test December 26-30, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
5th Test January 4-8, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
'Shakuntala Devi'
Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra
Director: Anu Menon
Rating: Three out of five stars
Company%20profile
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if you go
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
RESULTS
Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.
Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.
Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.
Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.
Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.
Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0
Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.
Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.
Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
