The new Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui (PRNewsfoto/Marriott International, Inc.)
The new Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui (PRNewsfoto/Marriott International, Inc.)
The new Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui (PRNewsfoto/Marriott International, Inc.)
The new Ritz-Carlton, Koh Samui (PRNewsfoto/Marriott International, Inc.)

New luxury hotels across Asia


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Ritz-Carltons for Koh Samui and Langkawi

Koh Samui, Thailand's third biggest island, made further progress from a backpacker haven to a mainstream holiday destination this month with the opening of the Ritz-Carlton Koh Samui in a private bay on the north-east coast.

A 15-minute drive from the airport, the hotel has 175 suites and villas, six restaurants, two beaches, a large spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre with a kickboxing ring, outdoor sports facilities and watersports. Rooms cost from Thb16,469 (Dh1,822) per night including taxes and breakfast.

This opening follows that of the Ritz-Carlton Langkawi in Malaysia, another resort in a private bay, surrounded by jungle, with 90 rooms and suites and 29 villas, plus three restaurants and a spa.

A Rainforest Deluxe Bedroom at The new Ritz-Carlton Langkawi in Malaysia. The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi
A Rainforest Deluxe Bedroom at The new Ritz-Carlton Langkawi in Malaysia. The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi

Rooms cost from Myr1,740 (Dh1,509) per night including taxes. Other luxury outposts on Langkawi include the Four Seasons, St Regis and Datai hotels.

Bulgari Beijing and Capella Shanghai, China

Italian luxury goods brand Bulgari has opened its fourth hotel, following properties in Milan, Bali and London. A Dubai hotel will open in December and a Shanghai property is due in 2018.

The new Bulgari Hotel Beijing. Bulgari Hotels and Resorts
The new Bulgari Hotel Beijing. Bulgari Hotels and Resorts

The new-build riverside tower in the Embassy District of the Chinese capital is an ‘urban resort’, is lavish inside, with 119 rooms and suites, a 1,500-square-metre Bulgari Spa, a restaurant named after its Michelin-starred chef, Niko Romito, and a private park. Rooms cost from Cny3,199 (Dh1,769) including taxes.

In Shanghai, the Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li is built into a historic 1930s shikumen complex in the Xuhui District, a cultural preservation zone.

The new Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li in China. The Leading Hotels of the World
The new Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li in China. The Leading Hotels of the World

The estate was originally built by a French real estate company and had lanes connecting more than 200 two-storey houses. Rooms cost from Cny4,169 (Dh2,306) per night including taxes.

Signiel hotel South Korea

Lotte Hotels and Resorts, the largest hotel group in Korea, has opened a new flagship property in Seoul. The 123-storey Lotte World Tower is currently the sixth tallest building in the world, and the 235-room luxury Signiel Seoul the second tallest hotel in the world. It features a restaurant under the Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alleno, a duty-free shopping mall and anti-ageing spa. Rooms from Krw520,300 (Dh1,695) per night including taxes.

79F Guest Lounge (Salon de SIGNIEL) at Signiel Seoul in South Korea. The Leading Hotels of the World
79F Guest Lounge (Salon de SIGNIEL) at Signiel Seoul in South Korea. The Leading Hotels of the World

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ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh189,700

On sale: now

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
ACC 2019: The winners in full

Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia

Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi  

Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia  

Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki

Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky

Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
 

Brief scores:

Toss: Nepal, chose to field

UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23

Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17

Result: UAE won by 21 runs

Series: UAE lead 1-0

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

How green is the expo nursery?

Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery

An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo

Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery

Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape

The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides

All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality

Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country

Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow

Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site

Green waste is recycled as compost

Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs

Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers

About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer

Main themes of expo is  ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.

Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months

INVESTMENT PLEDGES

Cartlow: $13.4m

Rabbitmart: $14m

Smileneo: $5.8m

Soum: $4m

imVentures: $100m

Plug and Play: $25m

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MADAME%20WEB
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Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

Tips to stay safe during hot weather
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
  • Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
  • Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
  • Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
  • Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
  • Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
  • Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results

2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly

3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson

3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar

4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

Director: Jon Favreau

Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

The Year Earth Changed

Directed by:Tom Beard

Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough

Stars: 4