Luxury hotel group Aman is making its debut in the UAE with the launch of Aman Dubai.
Set to open in the next three years, the all-suite boutique resort will be on the beachfront in Jumeirah 2, beyond the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.
“It will probably be the most expensive hotel in the UAE,” Vladislav Doronin, chief executive of Aman Resorts, told The National.
“We're going to spend money on quality products, very high quality products which cost money. It's a unique product, it's an all-suite hotel and rooms will have views of the ocean and the city, private pools and beautiful greenery, and this justifies the high prices,” he added.
While room rates for Aman Dubai have not yet been revealed, travellers will easily be looking at spending thousands of dollars per night if the resort follows in the footsteps of its sister property Aman New York.
When that hotel opened in 2022, rooms cost $3,200 per night, earning it the title of the most expensive hotel in Manhattan.
Dubai's new botanical gardens
Aman Dubai will blend the luxury hotel group's minimalist aesthetic with Arabian hospitality and the resort aims to bring a new level of luxury to the emirate.
A 3.6-hectare stretch of garden and parkland will be at the heart of the project. This builds on the sprawling botanical gardens that Aman has created at Aman Beverly Hills resort in Los Angeles, but this time even bigger.
“We have nearly doubled what we have in Beverly Hills building 3.6-hectares of gardens, right on the waterfront. And we're bringing a unique ecosystem,” said Doronin. “I don't like to see a lot of concrete on the coastline,” he added.
Travellers checking in to Aman Dubai will also enjoy a 350-metre private beach and a 2,300 square metre Aman Spa, the first in the country.
The Aman Club – an exclusive members-only space – is also part of the plan. A similar club at the recently opened Aman New York sells memberships for upwards of $200,000. In Dubai, there is already a demand for the service says Doronin.
“We already have a lot of people on a list who want to be our members, global members or members in Dubai. Memberships will be limited and members will be able to enjoy villas, spa, restaurants, meeting rooms, a cinema and one of the best beaches in Dubai.”
A limited number of Aman-branded residences will also open in the same location, some for rent and others for sale. Aman is collaborating closely with project owner Bright Start and real estate developer H&H Development in building the resort.
All-suite boutique hotel with city and water views
Desert-toned hues inspired by the UAE landscape will feature across the resort, complementing the subterranean spaces and outdoor courtyards dotted across the sprawling property.
Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, the same firm that created Aman’s trio of hotels in Japan, the resort will have unobstructed panoramic views of the Gulf, or the Dubai skyline and the Burj Khalifa. Some suites will command panoramic views of both – all framed by Aman’s signature clean lines and natural materials. Expansive terraces, many with private pools, will allow guests to make the most of the location.
Aman Resorts is known worldwide for its luxury hospitality, unique experiences and personalised service. The group previously announced its Middle Eastern debut in Saudi Arabia.
Aman Wadi Safar, a 78-room resort, is being constructed in the desert not too far from Riyadh and close to Saudi Arabia's Unesco Heritage site of At-Tura. The resort is also on track to open in 2027, so the race is on to see whether the UAE or Saudi Arabia will debut the first Aman brand in the Middle East.
Aman AlUla is also heading to the Kingdom, and will open in the historical region with a plan to make the most of its stunning natural landscapes. The opening date for Aman AlUla has not yet been announced.
Janu Tokyo on track to open on March 13
Aman’s sibling brand Janu (Sanskrit for soul) is gearing up for its big debut on Wednesday.
The group’s newest brand champions social connection and has been billed as a more affordable alternative to Aman.
Janu Tokyo will welcome guests from March 13 and rooms at the resort are open for booking, with prices for stays in the opening week commanding rates of $2,600 per night.
Janu Dubai is also in the pipeline, as well as Janu Diriyah in Saudi Arabia.
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Who are the Soroptimists?
The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.
The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Lecce v SPAL (6pm)
Bologna v Genoa (9pm)
Atlanta v Roma (11.45pm)
Sunday
Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)
Juventus v Brescia (6pm)
Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sassuolo v Parma (6pm)
Cagliari v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Inter Milan (11.45pm)
Monday
AC Milan v Torino (11.45pm)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):
British group
Coldplay
Foals
Bring me the Horizon
D-Block Europe
Bastille
British Female
Mabel
Freya Ridings
FKA Twigs
Charli xcx
Mahalia
British male
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy
Best new artist
Aitch
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Sam Fender
Best song
Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care
Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up
Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant
Dave - Location
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
International female
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
International male
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Tyler, The Creator
Dermot Kennedy
Post Malone
Best album
Stormzy - Heavy is the Head
Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka
Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Dave - Psychodrama
Harry Styles - Fine Line
Rising star
Celeste
Joy Crookes
beabadoobee
Skoda Superb Specs
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Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
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.
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Transmission: 8-speed auto
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