STAY
Princely pad
Place: Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Price: Dh70,000++ per night
Perks: When it comes to places to stay, few can top the opulence of a duplex royal suite at the Burj Al Arab. Not only does it have a dedicated butler on call 24/7, but boasts two bedrooms, a majlis, alibrary, two bars, an office and a dining room that seats 12. As the Dubai World Cup doesn’t start until the afternoon, there’s plenty of time to relax in the 8,396 sqare-foot-suite and while away the hours on the 24-carat-gold iPads provided.
EAT
Inside a top box
First-class tickets on race day translate to lobster, caviar and free-flowing premium beverages. Seated on the sweeping terrace of the grandstand with panoramic views of the track and parade ring, guests at Meydan will enjoy a lavish afternoon tea at 4pm, canapés at 6pm, followed by dinner at 7pm. With 75 VIP suites and approximately 7,500 covers to cater for, Meydan’s executive chef Guenter Geiger reveals some of the new menu items for Saturday:
• Escabeche – it's an opulent and refreshing starter with seafood in a classic Mediterranean marinade.
•Duck confit cassoulet – classic French cuisine, it's rich and satisfying.
• Braised beef short rib – we take whole pieces of prime grass-fed Australian rib. It’s slow cooked, barely simmering, until tender.
• Incredible oysters sourced from a small family supplier in Normandy will be flown in for the Dubai World Cup. They are delicious and much meatier than the average fine de claire oysters.
• For dessert, reinvented classics for every nationality: Eton Mess from the UK, Arabic zalabia, American-nfluenced double-chocolate brownies and macaroons are always very popular.
Food by the numbers
26,000 sandwiches served for afternoon tea
1,300 kilos of Scottish salmon imported
3,500 kilos of vegetables prepared
2,500 kilos of duck legs cooked
RIDE
Arriving in style
• Hop in a heli from Dubai's Festival City and reach Nad Al Sheba in 40 minutes. The private charter chopper, which can carry five people, costs Dh17,000. Visit www.alphatoursdubai.com.
• For Dh4,500 you can roar up to the races in a Lamborghini LP 570 Super Trofeo Stradale 1, of which there are reportedly only 150 in the world. Visit www.alfursan.ae.
• Be chauffeured in a Mercedes CLS limousine and fit eight of your nearest and dearest in the back. It's at your disposal for 10 hours for Dh4,000. Visit www.limo-uae.com.
WEAR
High-stakes fashion
Head on
Gold glitterati turban, Dh1,500
Gold headpiece, Dh1,500
Gold sculptural hat, Dh5,000
All available from Nazgul Nejmi Millinery, Facebook.com/NazgulNejmiMillinery
In hand
Charlotte Olympia, Dh4,055
Kate Spade, Dh1,750
Vince Camuto, Dh850
Toe tally
Jimmy Choo, price on application
Sergio Rossi, Dh5,150
Dolce & Gabbana, Dh5,784
Inside track
Les Clefs d’Or’s award-winning concierge manager Oscar van der Veen from Burj Al Arab lifts the lid of the famous hotel’s World Cup weekend.
Who’s staying at the Burj Al Arab during the DCW?
Many are the owners, investors and sponsors of the racing horses coming in from Japan, India, Russia, China and Australia. While some are here just to partake in Dubai’s biggest social calendar event.
How will you help guests get ready on race day?
Many guests are regulars at events such as Royal Ascot, which means they know the routine — hair, make-up, hat, accessories and pressed linen suit. Our butlers are prepared for last-minute appointments and are on-hand to tie a bow tie if need be. The concierge department is also ready to source a one-off hat from a milliner or to make an appointment with personal shopper at Harvey Nichols to find the perfect spring outfit, hat and heels.
How will guests be whisked from the hotel to Meydan?
One option is by helicopter. It will take our guests from our red-carpeted helipad directly to the racecourse. A Rolls-Royce will then take them to the VIP grandstand.
Share an anecdote from your years handling celebrities and VIPs for the DWC.
In 2011 I escorted several ladies from our Burj Al Arab VIP Hospitality Lounge to the DWC fashion competition. After several rounds, one of my guests won the coveted Jaguar Style Stakes Best Dressed Lady. She wore vintage Christian Dior.
• The Dubai World Cup takes place on Saturday. Gates open at 1pm. Tickets range from Dh350 to Dh5,150 per person. For details, visit www.dubaiworldcup.com
