The Emirati Interior Designer Amani Al Lauz. Satish Kumar / The National
The Emirati Interior Designer Amani Al Lauz. Satish Kumar / The National
The Emirati Interior Designer Amani Al Lauz. Satish Kumar / The National
The Emirati Interior Designer Amani Al Lauz. Satish Kumar / The National

Emirati designer Amani Al Lauz has imprinted her style across the world


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An Emirati interior designer has been quietly leaving her mark on international hotel brands in the UAE and airport lounges across the world.

Amani Al Lauz is passionate about her day-to-day work at Emirates and excited about her latest project – the refurbished Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujairah.

Designing the decor of a luxury hotel is no mean feat. And the secret to Amani’s success in the field is sound knowledge and years of experience, she says.

“I’ve been with Emirates for almost 15 years. It depends on how many projects you handle – the more you are on site, the more experience you get,” says Al Lauz, who was promoted to vice president, facilities (interior design & maintenance) a year ago.

The Dubai-based designer says it all started in school.

“I loved art while I was growing up,” Al Lauz explains. “After school, I graduated from UAE University in Al Ain and then I got a diploma in interior decoration from Chelsea in London.”

While art inspired her in life, it was Fujairah’s mountains and beaches that inspired her work, which was part of the Dh25 ­million refurbishment of 105 rooms at Le Méridien Al Aqah resort – about a 90-minute drive from Dubai ­airport.

Al Lauz says the undulating Hajjar mountains and the waves of the Indian Ocean are all reflected in the carpet design, the art on the walls and even the upholstery.

“For me, the colours of Fujairah are the grey and green of the mountains and the blue of the sea,” she explains. “The carpet is the main feature of the room that catches your eye the moment you enter.”

Patrick Antaki, the general manager of the resort, says: “Amani added modern, Arab and local touches to the rooms. The beauty of having an Emirati designer is that she has made the room comfortable for both Emirati guests and foreign guests.” The renovation was completed in early ­December.

Al Lauz also played a role in the interior design of the towering J W Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, owned by the Emirates Group, that opened last year on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road. She describes it as a real challenge because it was “a massive project”.

“Actually I’m very proud that Emirates developed and executed this project with a small team.”

Probably more so, because Al Lauz personally looks after quality management.

“It’s very important for us, because when we design something, we review the materials to ensure their quality and if it’s easy to maintain in the long run,” she says.

Despite being vice president, Al Lauz strongly believes in an all- inclusive approach while working – whether it is the general manager of the hotel or the housekeeping staff.

“At Le Méridien Al Aqah itself, I shared my ideas with the housekeeping because they already know the functioning and the problems they face. It’s all about looking at the bigger picture – that’s the secret of success in the long run,” she says.

Surprisingly, working on a limited budget excites Al Lauz. ”Oh, I love that part. You need to look at your budget without compromising quality. It’s a challenge I like most.”

Al Lauz’s daily work involves looking after the design and maintenance of Emirates’ offices and airport lounges across the world, and says she owes her success to her boss, Ali Mubarak Al Soori, the executive vice president, chairman’s office – facilities/projects management.

Some of the Emirates airport lounges she has designed are in Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, Gatwick and Heathrow in London, and a recently refurbished lounge in Milan.

“The one in Rome is opening in February,” says Al Lauz.

But the Emirates headquarters in Dubai, which opened in 2008, will always remain her favourite project.

“It was huge – in size and responsibility. I was managing materials, contractors and keeping in mind many different users. I also dealt with police and the customs – we have a mini arrival and departure area downstairs – and I have lovely memories from then.”

Al Lauz feels reaching high-level posts is no longer a challenge for women in the UAE because it is all about the knowledge you have in your field.

“You need to have knowledge to get anywhere. Now I see more women in different fields. Maybe in 10 years, more women pilots will be flying us,” she says with a smile.

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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

Where to submit a sample

Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain

Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing

Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

If you go

The Flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Johannesburg from Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively. Economy return tickets cost from Dh2,650, including taxes.

The trip

Worldwide Motorhoming Holidays (worldwidemotorhomingholidays.co.uk) operates fly-drive motorhome holidays in eight destinations, including South Africa. Its 14-day Kruger and the Battlefields itinerary starts from Dh17,500, including campgrounds, excursions, unit hire and flights. Bobo Campers has a range of RVs for hire, including the 4-berth Discoverer 4 from Dh600 per day.

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

Draw for Europa League last-16

Istanbul Basaksehir v Copenhagen; Olympiakos Piraeus v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen; VfL Wolfsburg v Shakhtar Donetsk; Inter Milan v Getafe

Sevilla v AS Roma; Eintracht Frankfurt or Salzburg v Basel; LASK v Manchester United

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Need to know

The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours. 

The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.

When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend  are  January-February and September-October.  Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.

Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.

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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

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Brief scores:

Manchester City 3

Aguero 1', 44', 61'

Arsenal ​​​​​1

Koscielny 11'

Man of the match: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

MATCH INFO

Everton 2 Southampton 1
Everton: Walcott (15'), Richarlison (31' )
Southampton: Ings (54')

Man of the match: Theo Walcott (Everton)