Whenever I think of Dubai, my mind immediately conjures up images of skyscrapers and large malls – each one painstakingly created to make this place a haven for its inhabitants as well as visitors. Located on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is a bustling metropolis and the second largest of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the ruler of Dubai as well as the Prime Minister of the federation of UAE. HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Maktoum is the crown prince.

The climate in Dubai is sub-tropical and arid with rainfall that is irregular and infrequent. The temperatures in this city range from a low of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit to about 118 degrees. Dubai has a population of approximately 1.67 million people of which 80% are made up of Expatriates. Arabic is the official language of Dubai, while English is used in business. Other languages such as Urdu and Hindi are also spoken in this city. The currency of Dubai is known as Emirati Dirham. The United Arab Emirates get their revenue from financial services, manufacturing as well as trade. Natural gas and petroleum contributes less than 6% to the overall revenue.

This ever-expanding city sure knows how to welcome its visitors. New constructions such as shopping malls, an airport and skyscrapers just add to the charm of this city. Apart from the constructions, Dubai is also known for gold. This city is said to buy the highest amount of per capita gold in the world. It is said that taking an average idea, every five person buys five pieces of gold in the form of jewelry every year! The city of Dubai has also made the world’s largest gold chain, which was made of 22 k gold and measured 4.2 kilometers. This was during the DSF-1999. 9,600 people bought the chain as necklace wear or pieces of bracelet.

Apart from gold, the world’s largest horses can be found in Dubai. The best breeds of horses are imported from every corner of the globe and are used for racing. Cars also find a special mention here because the cars here are specially made with huge wheels in order to navigate through the hills of sands of the hilly terrain. Dubai is a city that has no income or property related tax. Of course you will find fees that are related to associated registration, transfer and residence apart from charges for offshore company setup and property purchases.

The city of Dubai also has a number of facts that continue to amaze people all over the globe. It is said that the city of Dubai does not have any street addresses.
Information also states that the number of construction workers in Dubai are more than the actual citizens. Dubai will soon also have Dubailand, which is a project that is based on tourism. It has been projected that Dubailand will be the most ambitious leisure, tourism and entertainment destinations ever known to mankind.

Dubbed the 24-hour Living City, Dubai Pearl epitomizes the saying, “If you build it, they will come”. A mixed-use property development constructed over an astounding 10 million square feet, Dubai Pearl is designed to feature residential, commercial, retail, office, hotel and theater developments linked together and erected on a circular 4-storey podium having a diameter of about 500 meters.

Prominent Features of Dubai Pearl

Brimming with state-of-the-art features and world-class amenities, Dubai Pearl offers residents a life of luxury, comfort and convenience.

While an exhaustive list would be almost impossible, some of the more prominent features of Dubai Pearl include:

- An integrated city for 20,000 people

- Iconic design by International architects

- Existing urban infrastructure

- Sky Penthouses and Villas

- Sky Palaces

- Luxury condominiums and apartments

- International retail and leisure

- Premium commercial space

- 1,500-seat Performing Arts Theatre

- 5-Star hotels with up to 20,000 keys

- Major elevated Freeway Network

- Easy access to excellent transport links

- 20 minutes away from Dubai International Airport

- 50 minutes away from Abu Dhabi, capital city of the UAE

- Stone’s throw away from Emirates Golf Course- home of Dubai Desert Classic

Dubai Pearl Tower

A revolution of function over form, Dubai Pearl Tower is the perfect archetype of German precision engineering. This first ever column-free structure is designed to achieve maximum space efficiency with minimum cost of occupancy.

Residential Towers

Dubai Pearl will feature six freehold residential towers, including Jumana Tower Residence, Luluwa Tower Residence and Mahara Tower Residence . These towers will comprise an amazing Array of penthouses and duplexes as well as 1,2,3 and 4-bedroom luxury apartments.

The Sky Palaces are set at the highest point of the Dubai Pearl Tower and feature private Sky Pools and Gardens. Overlooking the Arabian Gulf, occupants can feast their eyes on the best views of Dubai including an astounding 360-degree view of the new central leisure and business district of Dubai.

Hotel Towers

In addition to the six residential towers, Dubai Pearl will also include 3 luxury hotel towers offering a total of 1,500 rooms. Two of these three hotels will be four-star hotels while the third will be a more ambitious, uber-luxurious 720-room, five-star hotel.

Office Towers

It is living redefined at the two Dubai Pearl office towers. Spread across 45 levels and covering an astounding 2 million square feet, here’s what to expect from the two Dubai Pearl Office Towers:

- Dubai Pearl Mall, boasting1.2 million square feet of retail space that promises to offer the best of the best from around the world

- Technospace, featuring 700 thousand square feet of display space for the latest and greatest in technology

- Royal Hall, a grand performing arts venue with a seating capacity of 1.8 thousand

- Art Galleria, a 250 meter long, 100 thousand square feet boulevard dedicated exclusively to artists and art exhibitions

Dubai Pearl Amenities

Besides several irresistible free-zone benefits, some of the other top-notch amenities offered by Dubai Pearl include a wide range of sports activities, 24-hour security and six-storey reserved covered parking spaces as well as spa and gym facilities.

Dubai Pearl Payment Scheme

Easy installment payment scheme makes it easy for serious property buyers to be a part of this ambitious Dubai Pearl property development project.

Buyers are required to pay 11% upon booking, another 11% each at intervals of 9 and 18 months, 33% after 24 months and the final 34% upon completion.

A seven star hotel is considered a synonym for grandeur, class and style. Offering luxuries like limousine service, private transfer for all guests via private golf cart, private butler service and just about anything else that is being associated with vanity. These days, savvy and wealthy globetrotters, demand for caviar, personal butlers and Bentley and more tasty accommodation morsels as they prefer to travel (and rest) in style when it comes to bedding heads for the night. Seven star hotels accomplish all this.

There is an official body with standard criteria for classifying hotels in some countries. While most countries check their hotel rating systems at five, very few use six or seven star ratings, claiming to be the most beautiful and prestigious hotels in the world. At present there is only one seven star hotel in the world, though there are a few more under construction. Start planning your vacations now and be the first to see some of the amazing architectural wonders.

The Burj- Al- Arab in Dubai, the only Seven Star hotel began in 1994 and was modeled after the sail of a famous Arabian ship. The appearance was created by using Teflon-coated fiberglass and white materials that resemble a mast when viewed from a distance. The hotel is an architectural masterpiece. The foundation was constructed on an artificial island and the hotel is home to the world’s tallest atrium. While the Burj- Al- Arab likes to believe it is the world’s only seven-star hotel, it is officially known as a five-star deluxe hotel on the standard star system.

The Burj Al Arab is the only, "Seven star" hotel bearing a resemblance to a billowing sail, the hotel ascends to a height of 321 meters, overlooking the Dubai coastline. It is an unforgettable sight at night, surrounded by maneuvered color sculptures of water and fire. This all-suite hotel with the floor to ceiling glass windows viewing breathtaking Arabian Gulf reflects the finest that the world has to offer.

Designed to offer most comfort, unique service levels with chauffeur driven Rolls Royce, discreet in-suite check in, private reception desk on every floor and a brigade of highly trained butlers who provide around-the-clock attention, you can be assured of a highly personalized service throughout your stay. The hotel offers the highest levels of personalized service in the most luxurious surroundings imaginable, while the butler will ensure that every little need is met.

Surrounded by white beaches and the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, one can choose from a variety of activities while staying at Burj-Al-Arab. Alternatively, there are unlimited amenities for recreation and entertainment; be it spacious airy gymnasium boasting the very latest in equipment and with personal trainers on hand or unlimited complimentary access to Wild Wadi Water Park for water sports, accessible via a complimentary buggy drive or short walk.

If you’re looking for a Dubai beach holiday with your own butler, walls covered in gold, no less than five private pools at your disposal and to be surrounded by no-one but the uber-rich, then your every wish will be granted at these hyper-luxurious beach resorts in Dubai.

1) Mina A’ Salam

The Mina was the first Dubai beach hotel completed as part of the Madinat Jumeirah resort. Built around 2 miles of Venetian-style waterways filled with abras that ferry guests around the Dubai beach resort, the Mina aims to marry Dubai’s modern-day opulence with its old-world architecture.

The sand-coloured buildings making up this Dubai beach hotel are striking on the outside and palatial inside. Each of the 292 sea-facing rooms are styled in keeping with the Arabian theme: heavy studded doors give way to Moorish arches hung with ornate lanterns, and the beds are piled high with exotic dark blue, red and gold fabrics.

But the real hook for this Dubai beach hotel are the large terraces which jut out towards the water, ideal for sitting and sipping a leisurely G ’n’ T as the sun goes down on your Dubai beach holiday. With walkways along the harbour, al fresco restaurant terraces and a souk full of lavish boutiques, Mina has a distinctly village feel to it – albeit a village full of those looking for luxury.

2) Le Royal Meridien

This Dubai beach hotel is situated on a pristine stretch of private beach with a stunning view of the Arabian Gulf. It is set in landscaped gardens overlooking the famous Jumeirah beach.

Roses are a big deal at the Royal Meridien. In the rooms of this Dubai beach hotel are finger bowls of water floating with petals to dip the digits; more rose residue scatters the bed and the bathroom has more blooms than a florist on 13 February. Such opulence is typical of Le Meridien’s flagship brand and the pools, gardens and great stretch of sand have been sculpted in a timelessly classic style.

Sexy European clients flitter around the upmarket all-beige coffee spaces and bars, and it is doubtful that the pool has seen a full swimsuit in its life. For more decadence, head to the Roman Spa. This hotel is perfect for an indulgently romantic Dubai beach holiday.

3) Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Jumeirah Beach Hotel is a 5-star hotel which opened in 1997. This wave-shaped hotel complements the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, which stands opposite in the sea. Beside the hotel is the Wild Wadi Water Park, a fantastic Dubai beach holiday destination, to which all guests in the hotel have unlimited access.

When completed in 1997, the Jumeirah Beach Hotel became the 9th tallest building in Dubai. Today, it is ranked lower than the 100th tallest building. Despite its lower rankings, the hotel remains a Dubai landmark.

4) Le Meridien Mina Seyahi

The Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina is set on Jumeirah Beach, opposite Emirates Golf Club and Montgomery Golf Course. This Dubai beach hotel is a boutique-styled luxury beach resort. Dubai’s cultural and tourist venues like the Dubai Museum and Gold and Spice Souks are conveniently accessible from the hotel, excellent for Dubai beach holiday outings.

It is outside where the Mina really comes into its own. With over 2,800ft of golden sands, the hotel boasts more beach than any of the other beach resorts in Dubai, and it utilises every inch of it with excellent water sport facilities.

The hotel is great for guests looking for a more active Dubai beach holiday. It features outdoor facilities for up to 5,000 guests, eight restaurants and bars, five outdoor pools and access to a range of sport activities such as water skiing, kayaking, and windsurfing, and a glass-fronted gym that allows you to look out to sea while working out.

5) Burj Al Arab

The Burj Al Arab is a giant-size beach resort in Dubai and, at 321 metres, the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. However, another Dubai hotel, the Rose Tower, which has already topped Burj Al Arab’s height, will take away its title upon its opening in April 2008.

The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres out from the coast, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. This lavish Dubai beach hotel is an iconic structure designed to symbolise Dubai’s urban transformation and to mimic the sail of a boat.

The world’s first (self-described) seven-star hotel, the Burj certainly goes to extremes – which are often ridiculous for most travellers – to please its über-wealthy Dubai beach holiday clientele. Still, set nearly 900 feet out in the Persian Gulf on a man-made island, this sail-shaped icon has come to signify Dubai’s tourism ascent since it opened in 1999. The hotel contains more than 20,000 square feet of real gold leaf.