While Dubai is spoilt for choice in terms of sprawling beachfront resorts, there is always room for more boutique properties that offer personalised attention to guests.
Enter the new kid on the block, voco Dubai The Palm, which opened its doors on Palm Jumeirah’s shoreline promenade West Beach in January as a boutique sea-facing hotel with 138 rooms.
It’s the third voco hotel in Dubai, joining voco Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road and voco Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers Dubai.
The National checks in for two nights to experience the InterContinental Hotels Group's first beach property on Palm Jumeirah.
The welcome
The hotel is easy to get to. You drive past Palm Jumeirah’s Golden Mile buildings on your right and take the exit towards Palm West Beach, a 1.5km waterfront culinary hub, and voco Dubai The Palm is one of the first hotels you come across.
The valet personnel are very efficient and whisk away our luggage, which is promptly delivered to our room upon check-in. The valet service is operated using a QR code, a departure from the usual stamped cards.
The receptionist, Ever, is welcoming and briefs us well on the hotel’s facilities and restaurant timings, and the paperwork for check-in is completed relatively quickly.
The compact lobby exudes casual, relaxed vibes, and is decorated in pastel colours to match the oceanfront setting. There are comfortable couches in quiet nooks for guests to relax in until their check-in is complete or while they wait for their cars to be delivered by the valet.
The neighbourhood
The hotel is located on the beachfront promenade of Palm West Beach. It’s within a stone’s throw of the popular beachfront restaurants Koko Bay and February 30, a restaurant import from Beirut, and adjacent to the Radisson Beach Resort Palm Jumeirah and the sprawling Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah.
It is in an enviable location, with the hotel’s beach stretch offering great views of Ain Dubai, the Dubai Marina skyline, Dubai Harbour and Palm Jumeirah. The hotel also offers its guests a free shuttle bus ride to Nakheel Mall in the neighbourhood and Dubai Hills Mall.
As we visit in autumn, the weather is sultry, and the promenade and beach are quiet for most of the day. It looks more vibrant on weekend evenings, with joggers and beachgoers heading outdoors.
Noisy pool parties from the neighbouring Radisson hotel can be a dampener if you are craving some peace and quiet.
The room
We stay in a King Palm beachfront room on the eighth floor, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer incredible views of the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf.
The highlights of our staycation include lying in bed staring at the endless horizons of the sea, watching yachts bobbing up and down in the waters, and admiring daredevils indulging in different water sports.
With the room also offering panoramic views of Ain Dubai and Dubai Marina, guests who check in on New Year’s Eve would be treated to a spectacular view of fireworks.
The room, which is decorated in hues of green and blue to give off coastal vibes, is spacious (30 square metres, to be specific) for a couple and includes a work desk, a comfortable, well-sized bed and a sofa chair to take in those views.
It's refreshing to see refillable water bottles and toiletries in the room, as well as easy-to-work light switches.
The room includes a safe to keep your valuables, a hair dryer, coffee machine, ironing board and necessary storage space. A minor niggle: The wardrobe’s sliding doors are slightly hard to use.
The service
What sets this hotel apart is the service, with staff readily available to make you comfortable.
Gaurav, a staff member in the hotel’s concierge department, stands out for his willingness to help and recommendations for things to do in the neighbourhood. He also relieves us of our luggage when checking out and helps reclaim our car quickly from the valet.
The team at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, Maison Mathis, are also helpful, polite and make good recommendations, keeping in mind any dietary requirements. They are flexible and willing to tweak your half-board meal reservations, if necessary.
Of particular note there are Eric and Sam, two friendly restaurant staff, who make our dinners more entertaining.
However, staff at the private beach are slow to deliver our sundowner drinks, although we're assigned beach towels and sunbeds quickly.
The scene
The hotel features a rooftop infinity pool on the ninth floor with sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf. It is also a perfect spot to take a picture for Instagram against the Dubai Marina skyline. There are ample sun loungers scattered around the pool. By night, this space transforms into a rooftop lounge.
There is a gym that operates 24/7 and a meeting room that can accommodate 25 people, but no kids’ club, play area nor games room.
The hotel is pet-friendly, with four-legged friends allowed everywhere in the property, except the rooftop pool. Only one pet is allowed per room, its weight must not exceed 10kg and it must be vaccinated. Guests will be charged a fee of Dh200 in total per pet, per stay.
As for Maison Mathis, it offers an outdoor deck, which is likely to be a big draw for guests when the weather improves. A door to your left before the restaurant entrance takes you to the promenade and beach.
The food
Maison Mathis serves up popular Belgian classics in a casual and laid-back atmosphere. We sample dinner and the breakfast buffet at this outlet.
For our first meal, we try calamari (Dh65) and barbecue chicken wings (Dh55) for starters, and they are top-notch.
My husband then orders a succulent Angus beef steak with pepper sauce (Dh110) for his main course, while I go for a decadent Rigatoni Bolognese (Dh70).
We end the meal on a high note, with a lip-smacking cheesecake and chocolate ice cream.
For our dinner on day two, we love the mini cheese croquettes starters (Dh50). I devour the crispy skin on the salmon, which is accompanied by aubergine and courgette in chermoula sauce (Dh120), while my partner chooses the Diavola pizza (Dh82). The panna cotta (Dh35) for dessert is delightful.
The breakfast buffet includes a range of international and continental options, including pastries, muffins, sausages, bacon, juices, meze, a variety of cheeses, smoothies, waffles and more.
It is also good to see gluten-free bread available and the banana bread counter is a nice touch (I visit several times).
The one let-down here is a custom-made Eggs Benedict that isn't very tasty, but service is quick and attentive.
Highs and lows
The hotel’s biggest draws are its friendly and helpful staff, pristine sea views from the room and comfortable beds.
Minor drawbacks are weak Wi-Fi, loud music from the neighbouring hotel in the evening and no access to water sport activities.
The insider tip
Make sure to book a beachfront room in a higher floor to enjoy uninterrupted sea views. And ask for a room with a balcony.
For Instagrammable pictures, go to the left corner of the rooftop pool to get the Dubai Marina skyline as your backdrop.
The verdict
This place is definitely worth a weekend escape. There's nothing like ocean views to melt your worries away. What’s better, you can relax with your pet in tow.
The bottom line
Rates start at Dh900 per night for a deluxe room, Dh1,100 for a Palm side sea view room, Dh1,200 for a beachfront view room, Dh1,350 for a panoramic beachfront view room and Dh1,800 for a family suite. Rates exclude taxes and VAT. Check in is from 3pm and check out is at 12pm; www.ihg.com/voco/hotels
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects standards during this time. Services may change in the future.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
The biog
Place of birth: Kalba
Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren
Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken
Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah
Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
THE%20SPECS
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
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."
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
Company%20profile
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Have you been targeted?
Tuan Phan of SimplyFI.org lists five signs you have been mis-sold to:
1. Your pension fund has been placed inside an offshore insurance wrapper with a hefty upfront commission.
2. The money has been transferred into a structured note. These products have high upfront, recurring commission and should never be in a pension account.
3. You have also been sold investment funds with an upfront initial charge of around 5 per cent. ETFs, for example, have no upfront charges.
4. The adviser charges a 1 per cent charge for managing your assets. They are being paid for doing nothing. They have already claimed massive amounts in hidden upfront commission.
5. Total annual management cost for your pension account is 2 per cent or more, including platform, underlying fund and advice charges.
BLACK%20ADAM
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
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
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Results
1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1hr 32mins 03.897sec
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Honda) at 0.745s
3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 37.383s
4. Lando Norris (McLaren) 46.466s
5.Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Honda) 52.047s
6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 59.090s
7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 1:06.004
8. Carlos Sainz Jr (Ferrari) 1:07.100
9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri-Honda) 1:25.692
10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin-Mercedes) 1:26.713,
How tumultuous protests grew
- A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
- Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved
- Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
- At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
- Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars
- Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
- An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital
Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners
Best Player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Best Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini (Atalanta)
Best Referee: Gianluca Rocchi
Best Goal: Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria vs Napoli)
Best Team: Atalanta
Best XI: Samir Handanovic (Inter); Aleksandar Kolarov (Roma), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Joao Cancelo (Juventus*); Miralem Pjanic (Juventus), Josip Ilicic (Atalanta), Nicolo Barella (Cagliari*); Fabio Quagliarella (Sampdoria), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Duvan Zapata (Atalanta)
Serie B Best Young Player: Sandro Tonali (Brescia)
Best Women’s Goal: Thaisa (Milan vs Juventus)
Best Women’s Player: Manuela Giugliano (Milan)
Best Women’s XI: Laura Giuliani (Milan); Alia Guagni (Fiorentina), Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Elisa Bartoli (Roma); Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus); Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Ilaria Mauro (Fiorentina), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus)
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.
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
