Dubai's latest meg-project the lavish Atlantis Hotel opened its doors yesterday, for the first time. On November 20th, 2008 the resort will host a lavish opening party, which is set to be the mother-of-all parties.
This one-night celebration is set to be the most expensive private party ever staged. According to the Daily Mail's September 11, 2008, article "Kylie Monogue to be paid £2 million for 60-minute set at Dubai hotel opening party," the cost is estimated to be around $32 million (£16 million).
At a time then the U.S. senate is hammering out the terms of a $700 billion bail out for an ailing Wall Street, America's economic woes are a world away from the excess of Dubai in the U.A.E.
With its oil reserves set to run out within the next 20 years, the emirate, one of seven which make up the United Arab Emirates, has embarked on a building frenzy to secure its future as one of the world's top tourist destinations.
Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum is the driving force behind Dubai's many mega-projects and superlative tourist attractions. From the artificial man-made island in the shape of a palm to the world's first 7-star hotel, the world's tallest building — the Burj Dubai, and the largest shopping mall (The Mall of the Emirates) outside of North America.
Add to that the $1.5 billion Atlantis Hotel, which had its soft opening on September 24, 2008. The 113 acre resort is the size of 14 Wembly football pitches and is based on the Lost City of Atlantis.
For all its excesses Dubai's Atlantis Hotel is a masterpiece of construction. Situated in a secluded spot at the end of the trunk on the 17-frond artificial Palm Jumeirah, the 113-acre resort has an oceanic theme, with an aquapark which includes an aquarium, with dolphins flown in from the Solomon Islands. For its top floor suite – known as the Bridge Suite, the hotel charges around $26,000 per night — and that's just for bed and breakfast!
The 2,000-strong guest list ran like a who's who of anyone who is anybody, from popstars to supermodels to royalty. All came to sample the extravagance of the Atlantis Hotel and were treated to a spectacular firework display.
The record-breaking display was around 6-times bigger than that of the Beijing Olympics. Such was the lavish opening party pyrotechnics that organizer Grucci's of New York are currently seeking inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records for world's largest and most expensive firework display. This included the release of radio-controlled rockets from the hotel's balconies and 226 floating pontoons covering 40 locations, across approximately 27 miles of water along The Palm's fronds.
Kylie Minogue's Record Breaking Performance
The $1.5 billion Atlantis The Palm, created by Kerzner International Holdings Limited, celebrated its prime position on the man-made island, Palm Jumeirah by hosting the most expensive private party in the world at a cost of around $20 million, and one-off private beach concert by Kylie Minogue. Miss Minogue broke all records in terms of her 10-song 45-minute performance, earning around $4 million; the highest paid per-minute performance by a singer.
The rich and famous were treated not only to the record-breaking lavish opening party but to free all-expenses paid air tickets and 4 days of accommodation. Dubai royals mixed with A-list celebrities, as guests included actors Robert De Niro, Denzil Washington, Charlize Theron, Janet Jackson, Mischa Barton and Lindsay Lohan. Britain's Duchess of York –— Sarah Ferguson, Yasmin Le Bon, Dame Shirley Bassey, Agnes Deyn, Rhys Ifans and Richard Branson also attended.
Queen of chat show hosts, Oprah Winfrey initially bagged the exclusive Bridge Suite suspended between the resort's 2 towers. However, when she wsa unable to attend, the hotel's most sought-after suite was awarded to Om Shanti Om leading man, Shahrukh Khan; the most famous film star in the Middle East and who is dubbed the "Tom Cruise of Bollywood."
Before and after the party, guests could spend their time taking in the resort's luxurious surroundings, having fun at the huge aquaventurepark, stroking dolphins at the open air Dolphin Bay, riding camels, exploring Dubai's shopping malls and taking in the sights of the United Arab Emirates.
Add to that the $1.5 billion Atlantis Hotel, which had its soft opening on September 24, 2008. The 113 acre resort is the size of 14 Wembly football pitches and is based on the Lost City of Atlantis.
For all its excesses Dubai's Atlantis Hotel is a masterpiece of construction. Situated in a secluded spot at the end of the trunk on the 17-frond artificial Palm Jumeirah, the 113-acre resort has an oceanic theme, with an aquapark which includes an aquarium, with dolphins flown in from the Solomon Islands. For its top floor suite – known as the Bridge Suite, the hotel charges around $26,000 per night — and that's just for bed and breakfast!The 2,000-strong guest list ran like a who's who of anyone who is anybody, from popstars to supermodels to royalty. All came to sample the extravagance of the Atlantis Hotel and were treated to a spectacular firework display.
The record-breaking display was around 6-times bigger than that of the Beijing Olympics. Such was the lavish opening party pyrotechnics that organizer Grucci's of New York are currently seeking inclusion in the Guinness Book of World Records for world's largest and most expensive firework display. This included the release of radio-controlled rockets from the hotel's balconies and 226 floating pontoons covering 40 locations, across approximately 27 miles of water along The Palm's fronds.Kylie Minogue's Record Breaking Performance
The $1.5 billion Atlantis The Palm, created by Kerzner International Holdings Limited, celebrated its prime position on the man-made island, Palm Jumeirah by hosting the most expensive private party in the world at a cost of around $20 million, and one-off private beach concert by Kylie Minogue. Miss Minogue broke all records in terms of her 10-song 45-minute performance, earning around $4 million; the highest paid per-minute performance by a singer.The rich and famous were treated not only to the record-breaking lavish opening party but to free all-expenses paid air tickets and 4 days of accommodation. Dubai royals mixed with A-list celebrities, as guests included actors Robert De Niro, Denzil Washington, Charlize Theron, Janet Jackson, Mischa Barton and Lindsay Lohan. Britain's Duchess of York –— Sarah Ferguson, Yasmin Le Bon, Dame Shirley Bassey, Agnes Deyn, Rhys Ifans and Richard Branson also attended.
Queen of chat show hosts, Oprah Winfrey initially bagged the exclusive Bridge Suite suspended between the resort's 2 towers. However, when she wsa unable to attend, the hotel's most sought-after suite was awarded to Om Shanti Om leading man, Shahrukh Khan; the most famous film star in the Middle East and who is dubbed the "Tom Cruise of Bollywood."
Before and after the party, guests could spend their time taking in the resort's luxurious surroundings, having fun at the huge aquaventurepark, stroking dolphins at the open air Dolphin Bay, riding camels, exploring Dubai's shopping malls and taking in the sights of the United Arab Emirates.
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