• The lobby of The First Collection Business Bay. All photos: The First Collection
    The lobby of The First Collection Business Bay. All photos: The First Collection
  • The hotel's 25-metre swimming pool and sundeck.
    The hotel's 25-metre swimming pool and sundeck.
  • Guests staying in executive suites can make use of the dedicated executive lounge.
    Guests staying in executive suites can make use of the dedicated executive lounge.
  • An executive suite.
    An executive suite.
  • The property has 437 rooms and suites.
    The property has 437 rooms and suites.
  • The First Collection Business Bay is a four-star property.
    The First Collection Business Bay is a four-star property.
  • A deluxe king room.
    A deluxe king room.
  • A number of rooms offer views of Burj Khalifa.
    A number of rooms offer views of Burj Khalifa.

The First Collection Business Bay four-star hotel to open in Dubai on July 1


Selina Denman
  • English
  • Arabic

Home-grown hospitality brand The First Collection will open its second property in Dubai, The First Collection Business Bay, a four-star hotel, on Friday.

This follows the launch of its debut property, The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, which was included in TripAdvisor’s list of the Top 25 Hottest New Hotels in the World in 2021, the only one in the region to have received this accolade.

“The opening of The First Collection Business Bay marks another important step in the development of our new lifestyle hotel brand, The First Collection,” says Rob Burns, chief executive of The First Group.

“The brand has been extremely well received by local and international guests, generating fantastic reviews — and we’re very much looking forward to opening the doors of this upscale, dynamic property.”

An executive suite at The First Collection Business Bay. Photo: The First Collection
An executive suite at The First Collection Business Bay. Photo: The First Collection

Located within walking distance of the Dubai Water Canal, the new hotel has 437 rooms and suites, many offering views of Burj Khalifa, which can also be seen from the property’s 25-metre swimming pool and sundeck. Additional leisure facilities include a gym and spa.

The 14th floor is home to a dedicated lounge, where guests staying in executive suites can enjoy breakfast and drinks throughout the day. Meeting rooms and a conference centre round off the hotel’s business amenities.

Dining venues include The Blacksmith Bar & Eatery, a home-grown, Deep South-inspired smokehouse which has its own butchery; Risen, a cafe and artisanal bakery that has numerous branches across Dubai and specialises in rich coffee blends and unusual tea selections; and the family-friendly all-day dining spot, Vyne, which will serve Levantine cuisine.

“We look forward to welcoming residents and international travellers alike to experience all that The First Collection brand has to offer in this new and popular location,” says Karim Abdelhamid, vice president hotel operations, The First Group Hospitality.

"Whether it be for a stay in the hotel, a pool day with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa or even a delightful dining experience, we’re confident guests will return time and time again."

World's 38 hottest hotels opening in 2022 — in pictures

  • 1. The Standard, Ibiza, Spain is one of many luxury hotels to open in 2022. Photo: The Standard Hotels
    1. The Standard, Ibiza, Spain is one of many luxury hotels to open in 2022. Photo: The Standard Hotels
  • 2. Marufukuro, Kyoto, Japan. Photo: Marufukuro
    2. Marufukuro, Kyoto, Japan. Photo: Marufukuro
  • 3. SLS Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: SLS Hotels
    3. SLS Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: SLS Hotels
  • 4. Esca Nest & Nature — Inman Valley, Australia. Photo: Nest & Nature
    4. Esca Nest & Nature — Inman Valley, Australia. Photo: Nest & Nature
  • 5. The Madrid Edition, Spain. Photo: Marriott
    5. The Madrid Edition, Spain. Photo: Marriott
  • 6. Lolebezi, Zambia. Photo: African Bush Camps
    6. Lolebezi, Zambia. Photo: African Bush Camps
  • 7. The Ritz-Carlton, Amman, Jordan. Photo: Marriott
    7. The Ritz-Carlton, Amman, Jordan. Photo: Marriott
  • 8. Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo: Gleneagles Townhouse
    8. Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo: Gleneagles Townhouse
  • 9. Botanika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton, Costa Rica.
    9. Botanika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton, Costa Rica.
  • 10. The Chedi El Gouna, Egypt. Photo GHM
    10. The Chedi El Gouna, Egypt. Photo GHM
  • 11. Nobu Hotel Santorini, Greece. Photo: Nobu Hotels
    11. Nobu Hotel Santorini, Greece. Photo: Nobu Hotels
  • 12. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, US. Photo: Ritz-Carlton
    12. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, US. Photo: Ritz-Carlton
  • 13. Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Photo: NH Hotels
    13. Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Photo: NH Hotels
  • 14. Aman New York, US. Photo: Aman Hotels
    14. Aman New York, US. Photo: Aman Hotels
  • 15. Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Banyan Tree
    15. Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape, Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Banyan Tree
  • 16. Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy. Photo: comoanditslake.com
    16. Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy. Photo: comoanditslake.com
  • 17. Fortune Park Hoshiarpur, India. Photo: ITC hotels
    17. Fortune Park Hoshiarpur, India. Photo: ITC hotels
  • 18. The Homestead, South Africa. Photo: Omni Hotels & Resorts
    18. The Homestead, South Africa. Photo: Omni Hotels & Resorts
  • 19. Hotel La Palma, Capri, Italy. Photo: Oetker
    19. Hotel La Palma, Capri, Italy. Photo: Oetker
  • 20. Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton, Ecuador. Photo: Hilton
    20. Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton, Ecuador. Photo: Hilton
  • 21. Kimpton Aysla Mallorca, Spain.
    21. Kimpton Aysla Mallorca, Spain.
  • 22. Virgin Hotels Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Virgin Hotels
    22. Virgin Hotels Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Virgin Hotels
  • 23. Habitas Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Photo: Habitas
    23. Habitas Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Photo: Habitas
  • 24. W Costa Navarino, Greece. Photo: W Hotels
    24. W Costa Navarino, Greece. Photo: W Hotels
  • 25. Hilton Maldives Amingiri. Photo: Hilton
    25. Hilton Maldives Amingiri. Photo: Hilton
  • 26. Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, US. Photo: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
    26. Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, US. Photo: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
  • 27. Virgin Hotels New­ York City, US. Photo: Virgin Hotels
    27. Virgin Hotels New­ York City, US. Photo: Virgin Hotels
  • 28. Cap Karoso, Sumba, Indonesia.
    28. Cap Karoso, Sumba, Indonesia.
  • 29. Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, France. Photos: Anantara
    29. Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel, France. Photos: Anantara
  • 30. Maison Delano Paris, France. Photo: Accor
    30. Maison Delano Paris, France. Photo: Accor
  • 31. Nolinski Venezia by EVOK, Italy. Photo: Evok
    31. Nolinski Venezia by EVOK, Italy. Photo: Evok
  • 32. Six Senses Rome, Italy. Photo: Six Senses
    32. Six Senses Rome, Italy. Photo: Six Senses
  • 33. Mandarin Oriental Mayfair Hotel, London, UK. Photo: Mandarin Oriental
    33. Mandarin Oriental Mayfair Hotel, London, UK. Photo: Mandarin Oriental
  • 34. Nobu Hotel Marrakech, Morocco. Photo: Nobu Hotels
    34. Nobu Hotel Marrakech, Morocco. Photo: Nobu Hotels
  • 35. The Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, US.
    35. The Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, US.
  • 36. One&Only Aesthesis, Greece. Photo: Kerzner
    36. One&Only Aesthesis, Greece. Photo: Kerzner
  • 37. W Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo: St James Quarter / Facebook
    37. W Edinburgh, Scotland. Photo: St James Quarter / Facebook
  • 38. Raffles London at The OWO, UK. Photo: Raffles
    38. Raffles London at The OWO, UK. Photo: Raffles
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

Tips for used car buyers
  • Choose cars with GCC specifications
  • Get a service history for cars less than five years old
  • Don’t go cheap on the inspection
  • Check for oil leaks
  • Do a Google search on the standard problems for your car model
  • Do your due diligence. Get a transfer of ownership done at an official RTA centre
  • Check the vehicle’s condition. You don’t want to buy a car that’s a good deal but ends up costing you Dh10,000 in repairs every month
  • Validate warranty and service contracts with the relevant agency and and make sure they are valid when ownership is transferred
  • If you are planning to sell the car soon, buy one with a good resale value. The two most popular cars in the UAE are black or white in colour and other colours are harder to sell

Tarek Kabrit, chief executive of Seez, and Imad Hammad, chief executive and co-founder of CarSwitch.com

Soldier F

“I was in complete disgust at the fact that only one person was to be charged for Bloody Sunday.

“Somebody later said to me, 'you just watch - they'll drop the charge against him'. And sure enough, the charges against Soldier F would go on to be dropped.

“It's pretty hard to think that 50 years on, the State is still covering up for what happened on Bloody Sunday.”

Jimmy Duddy, nephew of John Johnson

How to vote

Canadians living in the UAE can register to vote online and be added to the International Register of Electors.

They'll then be sent a special ballot voting kit by mail either to their address, the Consulate General of Canada to the UAE in Dubai or The Embassy of Canada in Abu Dhabi

Registered voters mark the ballot with their choice and must send it back by 6pm Eastern time on October 21 (2am next Friday) 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Updated: June 27, 2022, 10:48 AM