Farayand Virtual World

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Its two hotels traditional summer houses, a souq and spa

Ways, arched doorways and Arabesque mosaics on the walls and floors reminded me of souqs I have seen in Damascus and Yemen. Yet, the stylish boutiques, bars and restaurants built on many levels and overlooking the waterways had the feel of the waterfronts in San Francisco and Cape Town. As I walked along the air-conditioned alleyways and open plazas, I tired to imagine how lively it would be in a few days with the restaurants and boutiques open, hawkers selling wares from street barrows, artisans demonstrating their craft in the plaza and street performers presenting entertaining shows.

THE VILLAS

My next stop took me to one of the Dar Al Masyaf villas , built beside the water. The carved main door of the two storey villa opened into a typical Arabic majlis with colorful cushions and Moroccan brass Imps and chandeliers. The uneven finish of the walls added to the rustic, traditional look. The majilis led into the court yard with a fountain and plenty of greenery.
The rooms were built all around the court yard . from the antique wood furniture and fit tings, beautiful ceramic mosaics on the floor and Arabesque paintings on the walls to the stand alone bathtubs and spacious shower rooms in the bathrooms, every thing about the rooms was elegant and luxurious .

Dubais’s Latest

An exclusive tour of the new luxury resort madinat Jumeirah, including
Madinat Jumeirah, The Arabian Resort Dubai, is a fairytale city of elegant sand colored buildings with Latticed balconies, wind towers and graceful arches, set around meandering waterways. Dubai residents have watched it gradually take shape along the beach beside Jumeriah Beach Hotel. And today, This picturesque resort, designed to give visitors an authentic and fascinating Arabian experience, will throw open its doors to the world.

ARABIAN CITADEL
The, 1.000 – acre resort, with a one- kilometer private beach, is a recreation ot an ancient Arabian citadel. It encompasses two grand boutique hotels called Mina A’Salam and Al Qasr, 29 traditional Arabic summer houses known as Dar Al Masyaf, seven Al Malakiya or royal villas, the Six Senses Spa, The Quay Health Club, comprehensive conferce, incentives and banqueting facilities and Souk Madinat Jumerirah a California style boardwalk.

AT A GLANCE

Madinat Jumeirah is the Arabian Resort of Dubai, an authentic recreation of an ancient Arabiab citadel. Located in Jumeirah, it has two grand boutique hotels, Mina A’Salam and AlQasr, 29 traditional courtyard summer houses known as Dar . Al Masyaf, Souk Mediant Jumeirah, a traditional bazaar with boutiques, street barrows, restaurants, bars and a nightclub, the Six Senses Sqa, The Quay Health Club and extensive conference and banqueting facilities. Meandering waterways link all parts of the resort by traditional abras.

THE HOTEL

The tour began from the abra station along the wharf of the Mina A’Salam hotel. This hotel opened last year and with its natural dark wood finishes, antique furnishings and harbour side restaurants and bars has already become a popular tourist destination and a favourite haunt of local residents.

(Source: Gulf News)