Egyptian singer Amr Diab is set to become a hotelier with new property Locanda. AP
Egyptian singer Amr Diab is set to become a hotelier with new property Locanda. AP
Egyptian singer Amr Diab is set to become a hotelier with new property Locanda. AP
Egyptian singer Amr Diab is set to become a hotelier with new property Locanda. AP

Amr Diab and Emaar Properties to launch luxury hotel Locanda


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Amr Diab has teamed up with Emirati developer Emaar Properties to launch new hotel Locanda.

The Egyptian pop star made the announcement on his social media channels on Wednesday, describing the brand as having a "high level of luxury lifestyle".

While no location is mentioned, an Egyptian site is likely.

Diab tagged Emaar’s Egyptian subsidiary Emaar Misr in the post, stating the hotel will be situated within a "prestigious development" by Emaar.

The move also comes after the company’s founder, Mohamed Alabbar, uploaded a photo this month with Diab in The Dubai Mall.

Diab posted a 30-second trailer alluding to the style of Locanda.

Surprisingly, the proposed vibe doesn't gel with the sunny Mediterranean influences associated with Diab's music.

A banner of “luxury awaits” comes before vintage-style images of a chandelier, glittering dresses and a record playing on a phonograph. It implies Locanda could be a regal venue with old-world charm, as opposed to the rollicking beach club vibes Diab often channels in hit music videos such as Amaken El Sahar and El Donia Helwa.

The announcement is the next in a growing number of ventures Diab has been involved in of late.

In February, the singer signed an agreement with Anghami, allowing the platform to becoming the exclusive home of his future releases, as well as more than a dozen previous albums and popular music videos.

In 2021, Diab also launched his new eau de parfum, 34, with an advertisement shot in the UAE featuring Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Abu Dhabi's Warner Bros World theme park.

Not every commercial move he's made has been successful, though.

Last year the French car manufacturer Citroen withdrew an advertisement starring Diab after it was accused of normalising sexual harassment.

The advertisement featured Diab driving its new C4 when he nearly runs into a woman crossing the road.

Upon driving off, Diab uses the car’s new camera feature to snap a photo of the woman, which instantly appears on his phone.

As part of the narrative, the photo is taken without the woman’s consent.

While Citroen issued a public apology, Diab has yet to comment and the advertisement remains on his Twitter account.

The controversy has failed to dent the enduring appeal of his near four-decade career.

Earlier this month, Diab played concerts to packed audiences in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh as part of Eid Al Fitr celebrations.

Seven remarkable hotels to open in Saudi Arabia soon — in pictures

  • A bird's-eye view of the internal patio at Sharaah by Jean Nouvel. Photo: Jean Nouvel
    A bird's-eye view of the internal patio at Sharaah by Jean Nouvel. Photo: Jean Nouvel
  • When it opens in 2023, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will form part of The Red Sea project. Photo: Marriott International
    When it opens in 2023, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will form part of The Red Sea project. Photo: Marriott International
  • A rendering of a villa at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Photo: Marriott International
    A rendering of a villa at Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Photo: Marriott International
  • The Hyatt-owned Miraval is bringing its mindful wellness concept to Saudi Arabia. Photo: Hyatt
    The Hyatt-owned Miraval is bringing its mindful wellness concept to Saudi Arabia. Photo: Hyatt
  • Miraval The Red Sea will have the largest spa in the region, with 39 treatment rooms and nearly 4,000 square metres of space. Photo: Hyatt
    Miraval The Red Sea will have the largest spa in the region, with 39 treatment rooms and nearly 4,000 square metres of space. Photo: Hyatt
  • Miraval The Red Sea will open by the end of 2023. Photo: Hyatt
    Miraval The Red Sea will open by the end of 2023. Photo: Hyatt
  • An Armani Hotel is set to launch in Riyadh’s Diriyah. Photo: SPA
    An Armani Hotel is set to launch in Riyadh’s Diriyah. Photo: SPA
  • A rendering of the new hotel to open in the Red Palace in Riyadh. Photo: PFI
    A rendering of the new hotel to open in the Red Palace in Riyadh. Photo: PFI
  • The Red Palace in Saudi Arabia. Photo: PIF
    The Red Palace in Saudi Arabia. Photo: PIF
  • Saudi Arabia’s Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotel will have a futuristic vibe. Photo: Saudi Tourism Development Fund
    Saudi Arabia’s Steigenberger Porsche Design Hotel will have a futuristic vibe. Photo: Saudi Tourism Development Fund
  • Public spaces in the Sharaah by Jean Nouvel resort. Photo: Jean Nouvel
    Public spaces in the Sharaah by Jean Nouvel resort. Photo: Jean Nouvel
  • An interplay of solid and hollowed out surfaces emerges as a new form of mashrabiah. Photo: Jean Nouvel
    An interplay of solid and hollowed out surfaces emerges as a new form of mashrabiah. Photo: Jean Nouvel
  • The resort's distinctive views. Photo: Jean Nouvel
    The resort's distinctive views. Photo: Jean Nouvel
  • The design of Sharaan will pay tribute to the site's Nabataean heritage. Photo: Jean Nouvel
    The design of Sharaan will pay tribute to the site's Nabataean heritage. Photo: Jean Nouvel
  • The site’s dramatic rock faces are a central focus of the design, seen here in a guest room.Photo: Jean Nouvel
    The site’s dramatic rock faces are a central focus of the design, seen here in a guest room.Photo: Jean Nouvel
  • A hollowed-out internal patio will lie at the heart of the Sharaan by Jean Nouvel. Photo: Jean Nouvel
    A hollowed-out internal patio will lie at the heart of the Sharaan by Jean Nouvel. Photo: Jean Nouvel
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

Results

1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix - 3:45:47

2. David Dekker (NED) Jumbo-Visma - same time

3. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep   

4. Emils Liepins (LAT) Trek-Segafredo

5. Elia Viviani (ITA) Cofidis

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO UAE Team Emirates

7. Anthony Roux (FRA) Groupama-FDJ

8. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:00:03

9. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep         

10. Fausto Masnada (ITA) Deceuninck-QuickStep

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

APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)

Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits

Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine

Storage: 128/256/512GB

Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4

Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps

Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID

Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight

In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter

Price: From Dh2,099

'Operation Mincemeat' 

Director: John Madden 

 

Cast: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfayden, Kelly Macdonald and Penelope Wilton

 

Rating: 4/5

 
MATCH INFO

Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)

Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)

The biog

Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia

Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins

Favourite dish: Grilled fish

Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.

Ultra processed foods

- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns 

- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;

- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces

- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,

- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

LOVE%20AGAIN
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Herc's Adventures

Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5

The Sand Castle

Director: Matty Brown

Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

Company profile

Date started: Founded in May 2017 and operational since April 2018

Founders: co-founder and chief executive, Doaa Aref; Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and chief operating officer.

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: Health-tech

Size: 22 employees

Funding: Seed funding 

Investors: Flat6labs, 500 Falcons, three angel investors

TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Directed by: Michael Fimognari

Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo

Two stars

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Switch%20Foods%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Edward%20Hamod%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Plant-based%20meat%20production%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2034%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%246.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Based%20in%20US%20and%20across%20Middle%20East%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

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
Updated: May 26, 2022, 10:52 AM