Architect proposing five-star facility to accommodate football fans.
Revealed: 2014’s most exciting upcoming MidEast hotels
Source: Arabian Business
The most anticipated hotels and developments for 2014 and beyond.
Anantara Doha Island Resort & Spa, Doha Island
Proposed opening date: April 2014
Location: Doha Island, 20 mins boat ride/ 6 nautical miles from Doha City.
Owner: Minor Hotel Group in partnership with Al Rayyan Hospitality.
Architect: HRC
Interior designer: Woods Bagot (public areas) / HRC (guest rooms and villas).
Size of development: Located on a 13-hectare island.
Number of rooms: 141 (comprising 96 rooms and 45 pool villas).
F&B: Four restaurants and bars, including a contemporary Japanese restaurant and Arabic beach club.
Leisure facilities: Four pools, including a surf pool with wave machine, a hydro exercise pool and lagoon pool, Anantara Spa and an extensive Wellness & Holistic Centre, plus a 24-hour fitness centre and tennis court, kids club, a dedicated family beach, a nine-hole golf putting course, a ten-pin bowling alley and cinema, an off-shore reef home to a reef conservation centre with the opportunity for guests to plant their own coral, and a fully equipped diving centre.
MICE facilities: Ballroom accommodating up to 250 people for a banquet, two meeting rooms for up to 50 delegates, outdoor event space with capicity for 100 people.
Summary of USPs: Anantara Doha Island will be the sole off-shore escape for both Doha residents and visitors alike, representing an exclusive getaway from the hectic business city.
What Hotelier is most excited about: Hotelier is excited about the range of ambitious projects planned for the resort – from the ten-pin bowling alley to the off-shore reef.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
Proposed opening date: Q4 2014
Location: Jumeirah Beach, Dubai
Developer: Bright Start
Architect: WATG
Interior designer: BAMO
Size of development: 11-acre (4.45 hectare)
Number of rooms: 220 (including 49 suites)
F&B: Three restaurants including poolside dining
Leisure facilities: Spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and private beach club.
MICE facilities: 600m ballroom with beachfront access.
Summary of USPs: Prime location in elite residential north end of Jumeirah Beach Road, just 2 km from Dubai’s central commercial district and with exclusive access to 270 metres of beach. Architecturally beautiful exterior and innovative interior design.
What Hotelier is most excited about: We want to see how Four Seasons? fulfills its promise of ‘raising the bar for luxury resorts in the region’ with this new development.
Ajman Saray, Ajman
Proposed open date: February 2014
Location: Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Street, Ajman
Operator: Starwood
Owner: AJ Hospitality FZC – Ajman Free Zone Authority
Architect: Fouad Bensouda Architectural & Engineering Consultants
Interior designer: WA International
Number of rooms: 205
F&B: Mediterranean and middle eastern cuisine, two indoor restaurants
Leisure facilities: GoCo Spa, white-sand beach, fully-equipped gym, kid?s club, swimming pool
MICE facilities: Six event venues and ballroom
Summary of USPs: The first beach-side Luxury Collection Resort in the Middle East offering a coastal sanctuary for weekend breaks and beach escapes off the beaten track.
What Hotelier is most excited about: We are excited about seeing what the first Luxury Collection beach-side property in the UAE has to offer.
Dubai Marriot Hotel Al Jaddaf & Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf
Proposed opening date: January 2014
Location: Near the royal residence, Zabeel Palace, 10 minutes from The Dubai Mall, Dubai Creek, Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai International Airport.
Owner: Nilona Holding FZ LLC (Onyx Group-Sharjah)
Interior designer: WA International
Size of development: Plot size: 7,832 m2; Build area: 51,358m?
Number of rooms: 352 guest rooms and 128 executive apartments
F&B: Seven food and beverage outlets including poolside al fresco dining
Leisure facilities: Saray spa, health club, children?s pool, whirlpool
MICE facilities: More than 1,100m2 of meeting space, 526m2 of ballroom space, business centre
USP: Conveniently located 10 minutes from both business and leisure hubs in Dubai, this opening will be the flagship hotel in the Middle East for Marriott International?s new brand voice, reflecting the lifestyle of next generation of travelers, who blend work and play in a mobile and global world.
What Hotelier is most excited about: Hotelier is looking forward to seeing how the new Marriott Red Coat Direct app is received as it is rolled out at the Al Jaddaf property for the first time in the Middle East. The app allows a meeting planner to communicate in real time with Marriott ?red coat? staff on any device, ensuring that their needs are taken care of immediately.
InterContinental Dubai Marina
Proposed opening date: Q4 2014
Owner: Select Group
Location: Dubai Marina
Interior designer: WA International
Number of rooms: 132 hotel rooms and 196 InterContinental Residential Suites
F&B: Eight food and beverage outlets, including restaurants, bars and a 600m2 night club. It’s believed to house a restaurant by celebrity chef Jason Atherton as well as the Whiskey Mist brand, although IHG is currently keeping details under wraps.
Leisure facilities: InterContinental spa, health club and outdoor swimming pool and pool deck
MICE facilties: Boardroom and eight meeting rooms, the largest of which will accommodate 100 people.
What Hotelier is most excited about: The views from the three-tower development that IHG promises will be ‘magnificent’.
The Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bustan
Proposed opening date: Q1 2014
Location: Rashid Bin Saeed Road (formerly Airport Road) / Rabdan St (formally 29th St) Abu Dhabi
Owner: United Al Saqer Group – HE Sheikh Mohamed Bin Butti Al Hamid
Number of rooms: 279 apartments
Facilities: Full use of adjacent Novotel restaurants, bars, fitness and wellness centre.
USP: The Adagio Abu Dhabi Al Bustan is the first in the ambitious roll out of 10 Adagio Aparthotels across the region in three years. It marks the first Adagio branded property in Middle East.
What Hotelier is most excited about: This development reflects the trend for long-stay guests in the UAE’s major destinations and promises upper-midscale, home-from-home comfort.
Fairmont Riyadh
Proposed opening date: Q3, 2014
Developer: Tatweer
Location: Business Gate, Riyadh
Interior designer: LWD Design Group
Architect: Yhmimar Cairo
Number of rooms: 304 rooms and suites
F&B: Six food and beverage outlets including all-day Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, Gold Lounge with media room, meeting rooms and casual dining, and a chocolatier.
Leisure facilities: Men’s health club and fitness centre with four treatment rooms and grooming salon, private swimming pool, exclusive ladies only floor with lounge, fitness centre, two treatment rooms, salon and manicure and pedicure stations. Ladies-only rooms all inclusive of bespoke OS&E, 68m? bridal suite with direct lift access to ballroom, 98m? majilis lounge with direct access to ballroom.
MICE facilities: Two 1450m2 ballrooms including state of the art AV technology throughout with direct AV connection to meeting rooms and external TV channel broadcast facilities; dedicated pre- function areas of 680m?; eight meeting rooms and library totaling 1400m2 with state of the art AV technology; one fixed conference room.
USP: First of its kind truly integrated development in Riyadh. Strategic location at Business Gate within an office park. The hotel will offer world class dining facilities, meeting space and luxurious rooms and suites along with the signature Fairmont Gold product.
What Hotelier is most excited about: This hotel promises to offer a much needed fully equipped business hub in a strategic location in Riyadh.
Alila, Jabal Akhdar hotel, Oman
Proposed open date: Q2, 2014
Owner: Omran
Location: Jabal Akhdar, Oman
Interior designer: P49
Architect: Consultancy by W S Atkins
Size: site 3.6km2; built up area 17,000m2
Number of rooms: 84 Suites and 2 Jabal Villas
F&B: Three outlets including an al fresco option.
Leisure facilities: Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, spa Alila with seven treatment rooms including Vichy shower, plus steam rooms and Jacuzzi rooms for males and females.
MICE facilities: Two boardrooms seating up to 50 people each.
USP: Set 2,000 metres above sea level, overlooking a dramatic gorge with views of the Hajar Mountains, Alila Jabal Akhdar is positioned for exploration of the region?s renowned rugged landscapes, a haven for adventure travellers, nature lovers and those seeking an escape from the desert heat.
What Hotelier is most excited about: This is the brand debut for Alila in the Middle East, which promises a sustainable focus and a design in keeping with Omani tradition.
Anjum Makkah
Proposed open date: Q1, 2014
Developer: Abdul Latif Jameel Real Estate Investment Co. (ALJREIC)
Location: Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Number of rooms: 1,743 guest rooms and suites, most with views over the Holy Haram
F&B: The lobby lounge, Atlas Cafe, accommodates 780 guests and serves snacks 24 hours a day. Two main all-day dining restaurants, Joud Restaurant and Karam restaurant, can seat all 3500 guests at once, and feature International, Asian and oriental buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Leisure facilities: Azad lounge and separate large prayer rooms for males and females.
MICE facilities: Fully Equipped business centre; multipurpose hall equipped for meetings, weddings and events.
USP: Combining the accommodation, service and Hijazi hospitality, the Anjum Hotel, Makkah has been designed as a place where spirituality meets hospitality.
What Hotelier is most excited about: This opening from a home-grown brand will provide a spiritual retreat in the heart of Makkah.
Grand Millenium Sulaimaniya
Proposed open date: Q2 2014
Developer: Faruk Group Holding
Location: Sulaimaniya, Kurdistan, Iraq
Owner: Faruk Group Holding
Interior designer: David Wren International (DWI)
Architect: ARKONSULT Engineering
Number of rooms: 250 rooms with a dedicated executive lounge catering to over 60 suites
F&B: Four restaurants with a revolving concept at the top of the property
Leisure facilities: Luxury spa and health club
MICE facilities: Ballroom, six meeting rooms, Executive Club Lounge
USP: The five-star branded property will be an iconic landmark in the Kurdistan region
What Hotelier is most excited about: This development aims to be known as the ‘Burj Al Arab of Kurdistan’. Hotelier looks forward to seeing if this vision comes true.
Bluewaters Island, Dubai
Cristal Amaken Hotel, Riyadh
Dubai Pearl
Al Habtoor City
Helix Hotel, Abu Dhabi
JAFZA Convention Centre Hotel, Dubai
Katara Towers, Lusail Marina District, Doha, Qatar
Mandarin Oriental Doha
Millennium Bab Al Qasr, Abu Dhabi
Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh North Ring Road
Shaza Doha
Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève watch nominees
Source: Arabian Business
The prestigious awards held its first exhibition in the Middle East for the first time.
Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève watch exhibition opened in DIFC today, 22 October. Shortlisted from more than 200 nominees, 69 watches are on display, vying for the top spot in 10 categories. Here we introduce 30 of the nominated watches and the winners of each category will be announced on November 15 in the Grand Theatre De Geneve.
Grande Complication watch: A. Lange & Söhne, 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar: Of the 631 individual parts of the newly developed manufacture caliber L101.1, more than 200 components are part of the perpetual calendar mechanism. It not only knows the duration of all months in the course of a calendar year but also indicates all leap years until the year 2100.
Grande Complication watch: Audemars Piguet,Tradition Minute Repeater Tourbillon Chronograph: This year, in order to express the very best in watchmaking, the Manufacture in Le Brassus decided to develop a model equipped with complex mechanisms and clothed in a case inspired by that of a 1920s cushion-shaped pocket-watch belonging to its private museum. The result is the Tradition Tourbillon Minute Repeater Chronograph, produced in two 10-piece limited editions.
Grande Complication watch: Bulgari, Commedia Dell Arte: Grand complication and craftsmanship combine to give life to a creation inspired by Italy’s theatrical history of the 16th century, when gregarious masked “types” of characters performed a nomadic, outdoor form of improvisation. The three most famous and iconic characters of this tradition – Brighella, Pulcinella, and Harlequin – occupy the centre of the dial. When the cathedral gong Minute Repeater is activated, these three figures come alive against a highly sophisticated backdrop, a representation of an Italian palazzo.
Ladies’ watch: Charriol, COLVMBVS: The COLVMBVS Lady Automatic (36mm) is offered in monochrome black and pure white, built with a generous, ‘macaroon’ style case in stainless steel. The hallmark of this statement timepiece is the effortlessly intricate interlocking triangular pattern around the case, which recalls the points of a compass rose. This signature detail is a tribute to the adventurer, Christopher Columbus, who inspired the collection name.
Ladies’ watch: Chaumet, Liens De Chaumet Watch: Available in six versions, the flowing lines of its round case are enhanced by the strength of steel or the poetry of pink gold and, sometimes, a sparkle of diamonds. The “lien” motif seems to be in continuous movement as it draws its cross-over signature on the profile of the case and creates a link on each side of the dial with a leather or metal bracelet.
Ladies’ watch: Chopard, Happy Sport Medium Automatic Elegant, sophisticated and entirely loyal to the spirit of the original Happy Sport, the new Happy Sport Medium Automatic reveals a guilloché silver-toned dial, a tribute to the decorative traditions of classical watchmaking and a perfect backdrop against which to highlight the seven moving diamonds. On the back, a sapphire crystal provides a chance to admire its mechanical self-winding movement adorned with a straight Côtes de Genève motif.
Ladies’ Complications watch: Boucheron, Epure Tourbillon Vitis: In addition to its extraordinary vine leaf design, with its intricate web of veins, this timepiece continually amazes with its ability to achieve the impossible. The mother-of-pearl craftsmanship – the bunch of grapes is created from just one piece of mother-of-pearl sculpted into many tiny grapes. Above all, it is the engraved flying tourbillon that sets this timepiece apart from all the others in the ÉPURE D’Art line.
Ladies’ Complications watch: BOVET 1822, Recital 9 Tourbillon Miss Alexandra: In 2011, BOVET presented Récital 0 which, in its 41mm diameter version, was the first BOVET ladies’ watch powered by a movement equipped with a tourbillon. It was such a success that Pascal Raffy and his teams have chosen to broaden their range in 2013 by launching the Récital 9 Miss Alexandra Tourbillon.
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Ladies’ Complications watch: Van Cleef & Arpels, Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée Six years after launching the Poetic Complication Féérie watch, Van Cleef & Arpels revisits the grace of the female form in 2013 with the Lady Arpels Ballerine Enchantée timepiece. Half-dancer, half-butterfly, she perpetuates the tradition of ballerinas and fairies to which the Maison is so attached. It dates from the 1940s, when Van Cleef & Arpels developed a reputation for these playful yet graceful clips, which immediately began to draw the attention of collectors.
Men’s watch: Baume & Mercier, Clifton 1830: This new piece in 18K red gold, powered by a manually wound calibre by the manufacture, is the exemplary urban watch intended as the most authentic re-edition of the historical model that has inspired the entire Clifton collection.
Men’s watch: H. Moser & Cie., Mayu H. Moser & Cie. presents the new Mayu Red Gold. For this classic gents’ model, with its timeless elegance and truly Germanic purity, the manufacture in Neuhausen chose to pair a 5N red gold case with a tone-on-tone vintage dial. Visible through the sapphire back, the HMC 321 movement is the beating heart of the beautiful Mayu, ensuring a power reserve of at least 72 hours with an indicator displayed on the movement side.
Men’s watch: Maurice Lacroix SA, Masterpiece Seconde Mystérieuse: Calibre ML 215 and its automatic winding sytem can be observed through the sapphire case-back of the watch. Sun-blasted and diamond polished bridges, straight lines; grand colimaçon or grained finishing for the complication bridge. Last but not least, the Masterpiece Seconde Mystérieuse is available in two limited editions of 125 pieces each.
Men’s Complications watch: De Bethune, DB28 Skybridge: While classically inspired in terms of its round shape, its 12 o’clock crown and its hunter-type back borrowed from pocket watches, the ultra-light mirror-polished titanium case of the DB28 with its distinctive floating lugs nonetheless proclaim the collection’s modern and indeed futuristic nature.
Men’s Complications watch: Fonderie 47, Inversion Principle This watch features a Central Three-Minute Flying Tourbillion, Instantaneous Jumping Hours with Quick-Set Pusher, 240° Retrograde Minutes, Lateral and Back Power Reserve Indicators. Inversion Principle is a completely original timepiece, designed by Adrian Glessing. Revenues from the sale of each timepiece will be used fund the destruction of one thousand assault weapons in Africa, creating a safer environment for aid and development.
Men’s Complications watch: Greubel Forsey, Double Balanicer 35° A true first in Horology, The Greubel Forsey Double Balancier 35° features two inclined fixed oscillators. This unique regulating system comprises two inclined oscillators and escapements. They are driven through a spherical differential, which provides the average of their rates via the gear train to the time display.
Innovation watch: Antoine Martin, Slow Runner Innovative watch manufacturer Antoine Martin has succeeded in bringing about a revolutionary reduction in balance frequency. The result is the first and only wristwatch in the world to operate at 7200 beats per hour, or just one hertz, with all the qualities of a fine precision timepiece.
Innovation watch: Chopard, L.U.C Engine One H: Aesthetic hybrid combining authentic automobile mechanics with fine watchmaking, the finishes on its Chopard Manufacture tourbillon movement evoke those typically appearing on engines, while its horizontal layout reflects the design of racing-car cockpits. Through aesthetics, functionality and performance, Chopard once again affirms its long-established and intimate relationship with the field of competitive motor sports.
Innovation watch: Girard-Perregaux, Constant Escapement L.M.: The watch uses of a 14 micron silicon buckled-blade, a strategic component 6 times thinner than a human hair. This blade acts as an energy micro storage unit that compensates for the variable energy of the barrel by giving constant impulses to the oscillator. Long power reserve and linear indicator is due to an innovative double twin barrel (patent pending), with a total length of 3 meters of barrel spring.
Jewellery watch: Boucheron, Ajourée Héra: As early as 1885, the first wrist watches for women created by Frédéric Boucheron were true pieces of jewellery echoing delicate embroidery. They interwove incredibly fine lines, hinting at the foliage where children would play. An ode to transparency, they were creations of unparalleled richness and delicacy.
Jewellery watch: Bulgari, Jumping Hour Retrograde Minutes: The two new releases, Berries Tourbillon Retrograde Hours and Berries Jumping Hours Retrograde Minutes offer a fascinating horological expression of essential brand values such as freshness, colour, magnificence and an inimitably precious signature. The collection’s trademark spherical motif surrounds and highlights the tourbilllon at 6 o’clock on the first of these two models; and the jumping-hour display appearing at 12 o’clock on the second.
Jewellery watch: Chanel, Camélia Brodé Dual Time Watch: Camellia motifs hide two dials that enable to keep the time in two time zones. Three symbolisms are combined: the design of the camellia, the romanticism of the “you and me” style and the mystery of a secret watch. Full paved with brilliant-cut diamonds for a total of 11.83cts, the original creation embodies the quintessence of femininity, as a High Jewelry piece.
Artistic Crafts watch: BOVET 1822, Fleurier Tourbillon Amadéo: Among the many new releases unveiled at the Salon BOVET 2013, the Fleurier Amadeo 7-day Skeleton Tourbillon is the first skeletonised Tourbillon among Fleurier collection. This timepiece manufactured by Dimier 1738, Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Artisanale, is a new anthem to the decorative arts. The use of three-quarter plates allows a great deal of light to pour through the tourbillon carriage.
Artistic Crafts watch: Chanel, Mademoiselle Privé Camélia Brodé: The dial’s design is produced with an embroidery technique called ‘needlework painting’ (peinture à l’aiguille), using threads of different colours (not with multi-colored threads). The embroidery technique produces different shades of colour in the camellia design, created on black fabric. This is the first time CHANEL uses embroidery know-how in a watch. Limited to only 18 pieces, each watch is made of 18K white gold case set with 562 brilliant-cut diamonds (~3.07 carats)
Artistic Crafts watch: Hermès, Arceau H Cube: There are some materials whose striking simplicity represents a rich source of inspiration for craftsmen. One of these is straw. Used in miniature marquetry, it adorns the dial of the Arceau watch with an iconic motif in bright colours. The geometry is emphasised by a white gold case featuring a diameter of 41 mm and asymmetrical attachments, is powered by an H1837 Manufacture movement that can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back.
Sports watch: Audemars Piguet, Royal Oak Offshore Diver: Rugged and resistant to the pressure sustained at depths of down to 300 metres, the Royal Oak Offshore Diver maximises the main technical characteristics of instruments intended for use in underwater activities, in order to guarantee users unfailing reliability at all times.
Sports watch: Habring2, Doppel 3: The ultimate achievement for the young brand and therefore the highlight of 2012 was winning the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the international Watch Oscars, in the “sports watch” category. The Doppel 3 is a step further than its immediate predecessors with regard to technology and design.
Sports watch: Tudor, Pelagos: Waterproof to a depth of 500 metres (1640 feet), this superlative watch has a case with a diameter of 42 mm. Made entirely of titanium and completely satin-finished – resulting in a special sheen and a rugged look – it is an aesthetic expression of the power of this deep-sea instrument.
“Petite Aiguille” watch: Baume & Mercier, Complete calendar: These Clifton timepieces, whose charisma and overall balance find their ideal expression in urban landscapes, display the hour, minutes and seconds thanks to a small seconds hand and a date display in an aperture. Adorned with a steel case measuring 41 mm in diameter, these watches are mounted on an alligator strap or metal bracelet.
“Petite Aiguille” watch: Speake-Marin, SPIRIT MKII The Spirit Mark 2’s three-dimensional, one-piece dial features refined numerals and hour markers in white Super-LumiNova that contrasts superbly against the light-absorbing matte black. The resulting indications are eminently legible and present a fresh, clean sophistication.
“Petite Aiguille” watch: Zenith, Zenith Pilot Montre d’Aéronef Type 20 GMT The French term “montre d’aéronef” (onboard watch) is an apt name for these instruments specially developed for aviation, a field in which the conditions of use were considerably more demanding than elsewhere and severely tested the mechanisms. The latter had to withstand sudden fluctuations in temperature, magnetic fields given off by the engines and the other flight instruments, occasionally violent vibrations, humidity, as well as changes in atmospheric pressure.
Jet-On-Wheels concept introduced to the MidEast
Source: Arabian Business
The Austrian luxury mobile home firm will introduce new models in 2014, with prices starting from $1.6m.
Austrian luxury mobile home company Marchi Mobile introduced its latest “Jet-On-Wheels” innovation to the Middle East called the eleMMent viva.
Production has started and the first unit ordered will be hitting the road in 2014. Basic models start at $1.6million and vary according to specifications.
The eleMMent viva is an all-new approach to luxury mobility for comfortable transit when the distance is too short to fly, the destination is out of reach from an airport and valuable time would simply be wasted in a car.
Equipped with generous bathroom space and bar area, the eleMMent viva also offers interior height that allows its guests full head room even when standing up.
Additional features include onboard entertainment, 6 to 8 wellness massage seats with climate control, optional spa area and plenty of room for luggage.
Up to 15 large suitcases can easily be fitted for your travel needs in both the private and business versions of the Jet-on-wheels.
The business version has a fully equipped workplace incorporated, along with optional conference settings and high-end media components that transform the eleMMent viva into a mobile workspace.
The eleMMent viva is tailor-made to the individual owner’s needs and requirements. Floor plans are laid out for either private or business shuttles and offer a range of amenities typically seen in private jets.
Marchi Mobile GmbH is an automotive brand that specialises in constructing luxury-mobility units through German engineering and craftsmanship.
Their product range includes mobile homes, VIP shuttles and design tractors which can be used in combination with trailers of all kinds.
Inside BMW’s First All-Electric Vehicle
Source: Arabian Business
BMW i brand is the group’s first all-electric model in the Middle East.
The first two products under the BMW sub-brand will be the i8 and the i3.
Only the i8 will be introduced to the GCC market since the i3 is built for highly congested cities or cities that have high taxation on CO2 emissions.
The i8 features three drive modes, a combination of electric and combustion engines and a passenger cell made entirely of carbon-fibre.
Production date of the i8 will take place in the first quarter of 2014and the official rollout date is set for the second quarter of the same year.
The new BMW 4 Series Coupe is one of the sportiest series produced in the BMW range.
It has a longer wheel-base, wider track and lower height than the BMW 3 Series it replaces.
All models in this series will feature a coasting mode and a Proactive Driving Assistant for the first time.
The power from the engine is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, as a standard option. The series will also come fitted with optional eight-speed engine variants.
All engines will use the latest BMW Twin Power Turbo technology and cover an output stretching from 135 kW/184hp to 225 kW/360hp.
“The X5 models have been a tremendous success both worldwide and in the Middle East. We are very much looking forward to having the car towards the end of the year,” said Dr Jeorg Breuer, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East.
The third generation of the X5 will be introduced to the region in November 2013.
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Fancy a snake massage
Source: Arabian Business
How the therapeutic qualities of snakes is being used at a unique spa in the Middle East.
Meirav Stardinner receives a snake massage from Ada Barak at Barak’s snake spa. Barack’s income comes mostly from exhibiting her plants which eat everything from insects to small mammals. She discovered snakes’ therapeutic value after letting people hold them. (Getty Images)
A boy stands in a tub as snakes crawl in it at Ada Barak’s snake spa. (Getty Images)
Meirav Stardinner receives a snake massage from Ada Barak. She uses a combination of big snakes for deep massage and little ones for light massage, though all are non-venemous. (Getty Images)
Some people told Ada Barak that holding the snakes made them feel better, relaxed. One old lady said it was soothing, like a cold compress. (Getty Images)
Tomer Stardinner holds snakes in his hands at Ada Barak’s snake spa. (Getty Images)
Snakes crawl on Meirav Stardinner foot as she receives a snake massage at Ada Barak’s snake spa. (Getty Images)
Little Miss Drama 