Yet more Dubai hubris
From the Peripatetic Engineer:
Construction of the Palm Islands have affected Dubai beaches. A number of surf spots are no longer surfable, and there are possible erosion problems.
The water within the Palm Island area was becoming stagnant due to natural water flow but this has hopefully been solved by adding gaps to the outer breakwaters.
Possible erosion of the beaches on the fronds and breakwater and disturbance of marine life during the dredging and reclamation process. Nakheel claim they have done exhaustive studies and have a responsible approach to the environment.
Expected completion date of the first villas has moved from end of 2005 to end of 2006.
A number of people have noted that the villas seem to be constructed much closer together than what appeared to be the case in marketing brochures (it is of course debatable whether that's a problem with Nakheel or a problem with not reading the small print).
There are reports of villas showing structural defects - cracks in walls, and unstable foundations with villas 'settling'.
Villa owners are reportedly finding it difficult to visit their own villas. Whether this is due to normal access restrictions for a construction site or because Nakheel does not want owners to have an opportunity to complain depends on who you listen to.
Concerns about quality of finish - another Nakheel development (Jumeirah Islands) had reports of poor quality when residents moved in. It was also delayed by 18 months.
Burj al-Arab:
All around the world, it is known as the landmark of Dubai.
Here is Dubai, it's known as our very own "leaning Tower of the UAE'; the island wasn't constructed well enough, and with the settling sand the hotel needs to be propped-up every once in a while.
The service is totally overdone & exaggerated: I went to the men's room & whilst relieving myself an attendant stood 2 inches behind me, waiting to hand me a towel. ( Privacy, please...)
Your own private butler for your suite is available 24-hours just for you. Great, but could he please stop knocking on the door every 30min, asking if we need anything?
And the entire cleaning staff manages to make you feel positively filthy: I sat on one of the grand sofas, then stood up to greet someone, and within seconds a cleaner was busy vacuuming the spot I'd sat on... I then lit a cigarette, and every time I flicked ash into the ashtray a waiter exchanged it.
The restaurant at the top is called al-Muntaha. It has been voted Dubai's worst restaurant for two consecutive years! The quality & taste of the food is atrocious. I'm not picky, but the mashed potatoes were reheated & dry, the spinach was bitter & unseasoned, the fish was half raw and cold inside, and of course it's totally overpriced.
And finally, my favourite little-known fact about the Burj Al Arab (I know someone who works there): the sewage pipes & pumps have needed serious hands-on cleaning more than once a month. Why, you may ask? Well, many of the rich & almost-famous guests of the hotel decided to bring lady-company to their rooms at night. To put it bluntly: high-class hookers. The hotel has turned into such a huge brothel that the toilets, etc. are regularly clogged with hundreds of used condoms.
The UAE prides itself on being "tolerant towards all religions", but I guess there's a limit to everything: the restaurant that swoops around the back & top of the hotel creates a sort of... well... Christian symbol. That's why you will never see official photos of the Burj al-Arab from the sea (the rear side): because it looks like a giant cross:
Construction of the Palm Islands have affected Dubai beaches. A number of surf spots are no longer surfable, and there are possible erosion problems.
The water within the Palm Island area was becoming stagnant due to natural water flow but this has hopefully been solved by adding gaps to the outer breakwaters.
Possible erosion of the beaches on the fronds and breakwater and disturbance of marine life during the dredging and reclamation process. Nakheel claim they have done exhaustive studies and have a responsible approach to the environment.
Expected completion date of the first villas has moved from end of 2005 to end of 2006.
A number of people have noted that the villas seem to be constructed much closer together than what appeared to be the case in marketing brochures (it is of course debatable whether that's a problem with Nakheel or a problem with not reading the small print).
There are reports of villas showing structural defects - cracks in walls, and unstable foundations with villas 'settling'.
Villa owners are reportedly finding it difficult to visit their own villas. Whether this is due to normal access restrictions for a construction site or because Nakheel does not want owners to have an opportunity to complain depends on who you listen to.
Concerns about quality of finish - another Nakheel development (Jumeirah Islands) had reports of poor quality when residents moved in. It was also delayed by 18 months.
Burj al-Arab:
All around the world, it is known as the landmark of Dubai.
Here is Dubai, it's known as our very own "leaning Tower of the UAE'; the island wasn't constructed well enough, and with the settling sand the hotel needs to be propped-up every once in a while.
The service is totally overdone & exaggerated: I went to the men's room & whilst relieving myself an attendant stood 2 inches behind me, waiting to hand me a towel. ( Privacy, please...)
Your own private butler for your suite is available 24-hours just for you. Great, but could he please stop knocking on the door every 30min, asking if we need anything?
And the entire cleaning staff manages to make you feel positively filthy: I sat on one of the grand sofas, then stood up to greet someone, and within seconds a cleaner was busy vacuuming the spot I'd sat on... I then lit a cigarette, and every time I flicked ash into the ashtray a waiter exchanged it.
The restaurant at the top is called al-Muntaha. It has been voted Dubai's worst restaurant for two consecutive years! The quality & taste of the food is atrocious. I'm not picky, but the mashed potatoes were reheated & dry, the spinach was bitter & unseasoned, the fish was half raw and cold inside, and of course it's totally overpriced.
And finally, my favourite little-known fact about the Burj Al Arab (I know someone who works there): the sewage pipes & pumps have needed serious hands-on cleaning more than once a month. Why, you may ask? Well, many of the rich & almost-famous guests of the hotel decided to bring lady-company to their rooms at night. To put it bluntly: high-class hookers. The hotel has turned into such a huge brothel that the toilets, etc. are regularly clogged with hundreds of used condoms.
The UAE prides itself on being "tolerant towards all religions", but I guess there's a limit to everything: the restaurant that swoops around the back & top of the hotel creates a sort of... well... Christian symbol. That's why you will never see official photos of the Burj al-Arab from the sea (the rear side): because it looks like a giant cross:
posted by Rico at 12:10
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