The Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York.
The Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York.

RAK welcoming luxury icon Waldorf-Astoria



One of New York's historic hotel names, the Waldorf-Astoria, is coming to Ras al Khaimah.

A Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Hilton's most luxurious brand, is scheduled to open in the emirate in the fourth quarter of this year, the management company announced yesterday.

In its more than 100 years in business, the New York hotel has hosted countless world leaders and celebrities.

The new property "is the perfect hotel to mark the brand's entry into the UAE and further strengthens our partnership with Ras al Khaimah", said John Vanderslice, the global head of luxury and lifestyle brands at Hilton Worldwide.

Hilton already manages two hotels in Ras al Khaimah, with a property under its Doubletree brand also under development in the emirate.

Ras al Khaimah's Arabian-themed and "palatial" Waldorf-Astoria will have 349 rooms, several outdoor swimming pools and 10 bars and restaurants, including four fine-dining restaurants.

The hotel, which is being developed by Al Hamra Group, is to be part of a mixed-use development that includes an 18-hole championship golf course, a 600-metre private beach and a convention centre.

The millionaire William Waldorf Astor opened the 13-storey Waldorf Hotel at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street in Manhattan in 1893, on a site that was later sold for the development of the Empire State Building. Four years later, the Waldorf was joined by the Astoria Hotel, built on a site next door by Waldorf's cousin, John Jacob Astor IV.

The first Waldorf-Astoria was closed in 1929, and two years later the second Waldorf-Astoria hotel opened in its current location on Park Avenue.

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.

Business Insights
  • As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses. 
  • SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income. 
  • Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale

Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni

Director: Amith Krishnan

Rating: 3.5/5

Business Insights
  • Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
  • The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
  • US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
WandaVision

Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany

Directed by: Matt Shakman

Rating: Four stars

World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88

Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883

The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Power: 268bhp / 536bhp
Torque: 343Nm / 686Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
On sale: Later this year