There is no doubt that the UAE is home to some spectacular properties. From penthouse apartments to plush villas with sprawling gardens and incredible pools, it’s a real estate haven.
Each week, The National showcases some of the best homes on offer in its Property of the Week. This week, it's a penthouse at the Five Palm Jumeirah in Dubai ...
Five Palm - the key details
This four-bedroom, five-bathroom property is set within the Five Palm Jumeirah Hotel & Residences. It comes fully furnished and includes a private balcony swimming pool, enviable sea views, access to the hotel amenities and three parking spaces. It spans 5,332 square feet and is located on the fifth floor.
What's the story with this Palm penthouse?
There are several reasons why people buy property in Dubai, ranging from the tax-free status to the comparatively low prices compared to the world's other top cities, and the almost non-existent crime rate to the massive shopping malls.
Another big reason is to have some fun in the sun.
Residents in the UAE are well-known for putting in the hours at work and trying to make the most of their opportunities.
But sometimes you need to unwind, and you need to do it in style.
It is, of course, more likely to appeal to a younger buyer, one who likes to see both the sun go down and then come back up again without necessarily having gone to sleep in between. This is, after all, the self-labelled "hottest hotel in Dubai".
Think pool parties, Instagram posing, spa treatments and fine dining – every weekend.
Glamour is the name of the game here, and owning one of the penthouses would certainly get a thumbs up from the crowd.
Post-pandemic, when gatherings return, the after-party crowd will find a little more peace on the terrace but no less fun with a pool placed strategically to enjoy the sought-after views of the Dubai Marina skyline in the background.
Inside, the property is smart with fairly typical stylings found in five-star hotels and their residences; marble bathrooms, shades of grey and gold trimmings in the living area.
It's low maintenance and suitable for jetting in for a few days, partying hard, and jetting out again. For those looking to stay longer, it wouldn't need a total overhaul to change the vibe.
'Vibrant atmosphere': what the brokers say ...
Five Palm is well known for being a lively location, but what is it like to live at?
It’s resort-style living, which gives you access to world-class restaurants and best-in-class amenities on your doorstep such as pools, gym, spa and beach.
Is there any privacy? Or should buyers head to Dubai Marina, etc. for that?
The development has a private area for residences that is separated from the hotel guests and provides a private sanctuary for the residents.
Would you envisage the owner living here full-time or treat it as a holiday home?
Due to its nature of having a lively atmosphere, it attracts owners who want to either use it as a holiday rental investment property or want to be part of a vibrant atmosphere.
How would you describe the interior?
Modern – contemporary.
The penthouse options on the Palm are plentiful now – why choose this one?
Very few have the breathtaking views of Five Palm coupled with the private pool on the terrace and access to the finest resort facilities it transcends most other similar developments.
Yasin Valimulla, associate partner, Knight Frank
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
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LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINAL DRAW
Stoke City v Tottenham
Brentford v Newcastle United
Arsenal v Manchester City
Everton v Manchester United
All ties are to be played the week commencing December 21.
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If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
