UAE then and now: Hilton, the hotel that brought air-conditioned luxury to the dunes of Al Ain


John Dennehy
  • English
  • Arabic

Today, life in the Emirates moves in the fast lane. In a regular series to mark the 50th anniversary of the UAE we take a little trip back in time to see just how much the country has changed.

Early advertisements for the new hotel promised much. It was a “most modern architectural masterpiece” with “breath-taking views” of Al Ain’s mountains and oasis.

But this was a rare case when the breathless branding was no understatement. The arrival of a five-star hotel to the Garden City must have been nothing short of a sensation.

It brought luxuries unimaginable just a few decades before. The rooms were air-conditioned and it had a swimming pool and a banquet hall. The hotel boasted the only conference rooms in the city and it was one of the few concrete buildings there at the time.

  • The Hilton Al Ain, surrounded by nothing but desert, in 1971. The hotel opened two years before the capital's Hilton and had around 100 air-conditioned rooms. Courtesy: Hilton
    The Hilton Al Ain, surrounded by nothing but desert, in 1971. The hotel opened two years before the capital's Hilton and had around 100 air-conditioned rooms. Courtesy: Hilton
  • The front of Hilton Al Ain as it looked in the 1970s. When it opened, it boasted 'breathtaking views' of the oasis and mountains. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
    The front of Hilton Al Ain as it looked in the 1970s. When it opened, it boasted 'breathtaking views' of the oasis and mountains. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
  • Hilton Al Ain is older than the UAE. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
    Hilton Al Ain is older than the UAE. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
  • Hilton Al Ain at some point between 1973 and 1975, with people enjoying the hotel pool. Courtesy: Peter Alvis
    Hilton Al Ain at some point between 1973 and 1975, with people enjoying the hotel pool. Courtesy: Peter Alvis
  • Hilton Al Ain as it looked in the 1970s. It was one of the few concrete buildings in the city at the time. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
    Hilton Al Ain as it looked in the 1970s. It was one of the few concrete buildings in the city at the time. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
  • Hilton Al Ain taken at some point between 1973 and 1975. People came from across the emirate to stay there. Courtesy: Peter Alvis
    Hilton Al Ain taken at some point between 1973 and 1975. People came from across the emirate to stay there. Courtesy: Peter Alvis
  • The Founding President, Sheikh Zayed, with the UK's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at a lunch in their honour at Hilton Al Ain in 1979. The Queen was on a landmark visit to the country. Courtesy: National Archives
    The Founding President, Sheikh Zayed, with the UK's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at a lunch in their honour at Hilton Al Ain in 1979. The Queen was on a landmark visit to the country. Courtesy: National Archives
  • The inside of Hilton Al Ain in 1995. The hotel added a new wing and atrium in the early 1990s greatly enhancing the original building. Ihlow/ullstein bild via Getty Images
    The inside of Hilton Al Ain in 1995. The hotel added a new wing and atrium in the early 1990s greatly enhancing the original building. Ihlow/ullstein bild via Getty Images
  • An aerial shot of Hilton Al Ain in the 1970s. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
    An aerial shot of Hilton Al Ain in the 1970s. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
  • Hilton Al Ain taken in the early 2000s. Courtesy: Jo Williams
    Hilton Al Ain taken in the early 2000s. Courtesy: Jo Williams
  • How the scene looks today. Radisson Blu took over the operation of the hotel on January 1, 2019. Courtesy: Radisson Blu
    How the scene looks today. Radisson Blu took over the operation of the hotel on January 1, 2019. Courtesy: Radisson Blu
  • The distinctive exterior of Radisson Blu, formerly Hilton Al Ain, in March, 2019, practically unchanged since the 1970s. John Dennehy / The National
    The distinctive exterior of Radisson Blu, formerly Hilton Al Ain, in March, 2019, practically unchanged since the 1970s. John Dennehy / The National
  • Radisson Blu Al Ain, formerly Hilton Al Ain, in June, 2021. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Radisson Blu Al Ain, formerly Hilton Al Ain, in June, 2021. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Hilton Abu Dhabi opened in 1975. This photograph shows the hotel set against the backdrop of the emerging Corniche. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
    Hilton Abu Dhabi opened in 1975. This photograph shows the hotel set against the backdrop of the emerging Corniche. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
  • An advert for Hilton Abu Dhabi that appeared in Gulf Mirror, May 1973.
    An advert for Hilton Abu Dhabi that appeared in Gulf Mirror, May 1973.
  • A view of Hilton Abu Dhabi from the sea, which was taken around 1975. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
    A view of Hilton Abu Dhabi from the sea, which was taken around 1975. Courtesy: Alain Saint-Hilaire
  • Now Radisson Blu, the old hotel is overshadowed by the Adnoc headquarters, left, and Nation Towers. Christopher Pike / Reuters
    Now Radisson Blu, the old hotel is overshadowed by the Adnoc headquarters, left, and Nation Towers. Christopher Pike / Reuters

Construction started in 1968 and it was ready three years later to host a royal wedding. It even opened two years before the capital’s Hilton. Aerial photos showed the new hotel surrounded by nothing by desert.

The older photo, taken in early December 1978, shows the classic architectural lines of the original building. The balconies of each room seem to wrap around the building in clear lines. It also featured local motifs, such as arches that can be seen at the top. The black and white photograph also shows men in uniform sitting close to the flag poles and people relax on the hotel’s lawn. We do not know for certain but it is plausible the gathering was related to National Day as it was taken in the days around December 2.

But nothing stays the same. The hotel underwent several renovations and expansions through the years. Chalets were added and a massive new wing later expanded the hotel. The new photograph shows that original building and the new wing added to the right. But the distinctive arches can still be seen at the top of the original hotel.

Then came perhaps the greatest change in the hotel’s remarkable history. Hilton announced from January 1, 2019 the hotel – along with its sister property in the capital – would no longer carry its flag, bringing an end to more than four decades of history.

But Radisson Blu took over the management in 2019 and a complete overhaul was completed. Rooms, chalets and the lobby were refreshed, setting a hotel older than the UAE on a bright new path for the future.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances

All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.

Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.

Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.

Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.

Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.

Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.

How the bonus system works

The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.

The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.

There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).

All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate 

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War by Thomas J. Brennan and Finbarr O’Reilly

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm

Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Top speed: 250kph

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: Dh146,999

Super Rugby play-offs

Quarter-finals

  • Hurricanes 35, ACT 16
  • Crusaders 17, Highlanders 0
  • Lions 23, Sharks 21
  • Chiefs 17, Stormers 11

Semi-finals

Saturday, July 29

  • Crusaders v Chiefs, 12.35pm (UAE)
  • Lions v Hurricanes, 4.30pm
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos

Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km

Types of policy

Term life insurance: this is the cheapest and most-popular form of life cover. You pay a regular monthly premium for a pre-agreed period, typically anything between five and 25 years, or possibly longer. If you die within that time, the policy will pay a cash lump sum, which is typically tax-free even outside the UAE. If you die after the policy ends, you do not get anything in return. There is no cash-in value at any time. Once you stop paying premiums, cover stops.

Whole-of-life insurance: as its name suggests, this type of life cover is designed to run for the rest of your life. You pay regular monthly premiums and in return, get a guaranteed cash lump sum whenever you die. As a result, premiums are typically much higher than one term life insurance, although they do not usually increase with age. In some cases, you have to keep up premiums for as long as you live, although there may be a cut-off period, say, at age 80 but it can go as high as 95. There are penalties if you don’t last the course and you may get a lot less than you paid in.

Critical illness cover: this pays a cash lump sum if you suffer from a serious illness such as cancer, heart disease or stroke. Some policies cover as many as 50 different illnesses, although cancer triggers by far the most claims. The payout is designed to cover major financial responsibilities such as a mortgage or children’s education fees if you fall ill and are unable to work. It is cost effective to combine it with life insurance, with the policy paying out once if you either die or suffer a serious illness.

Income protection: this pays a replacement income if you fall ill and are unable to continue working. On the best policies, this will continue either until you recover, or reach retirement age. Unlike critical illness cover, policies will typically pay out for stress and musculoskeletal problems such as back trouble.

WHEN TO GO:

September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.

WHERE TO STAY:

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.

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Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5