Video: Despite a global recession the luxury retail sector appears to be booming, with no shortage of innovative products available to those with a big bank account. Armed with an open cheque Phil Blizzard goes on a shopping spree - the lowest priced items being a gold plated iPad and matching iPhone at Dhs.45,000/- and at the top of the scale, millions of dirhams for limited edition sports cars.
United Arab Emirates:
Wednesday, April 10 - 2013 at 11:23
From an eco-helicopter to a BMW car adapted as a racing simulator and audio systems costing over EUR300,000 the check-out bill for Phil Blizzard's luxury shopping spree totalled just under Dhs5m! For those with a hankering for a luxury lifestyle the show at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre provided the ultimate playground for those seeking thrill-providing toys, alongside a wide range of uber-luxury items.
A long wheel base version of Audi's flagship A8 luxury saloon gave Phil Blizzard a seamless journey from Munich to Salzburg in Austria. The drive, ahead of the cars debut in the Middle East, relied upon the sophisticated SatNav system to negotiate the busy autobahn and the picturesque country roads of Bavaria.
The prospect of luxurious stay in the deserts of the UAE and Oman with an energy-generating and self sustaining Geo Lodge is an attractive proposition as Phil Blizzard discovered when he toured the ultimate camping tent.
The Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead coupe creates a certain graceful elegance against the backdrop of the desert sands at Bab al Shams. Phil Blizzard reports on this luxurious convertible as it joined a fleet of Rolls Royce Ghosts for the drive to Dubai.
Sitting in the Rolls Royce Ghost one is immersed in the luxury and comfort more often associated with London's finest and most exclusive Gentlemen's Clubs, rather than a motor car. This luxurious saloon is now available in the UAE, which gave Phil Blizzard the opportunity to drive the Ghost, which is smaller than the Rolls Royce Phantom, across Dubai and on to the desert resort of Bab al Shams.
Raffles Dubai creates an impressive landmark on the skyline of the city as the 19 storey structure stretches skywards - capped with a glass jewel at the pinnacle of the pyramid. In the footsteps of the great Egyptologists of days gone by Phil Blizzard enters the pyramid for a exploration of this luxury hotel.
The Range Rover 4x4 is one of the most luxurious vehicles designed for off road use and has a number of interesting enhancements for both the driver and passenger. Seen as the flagship vehicle in Land Rover's line-up the 4x4 is taken by Phil Blizzard for a testing drive across the desert dunes close to Bab al Shams, Dubai.
Even before the initial order deliveries begin in December 2010, the newest luxury offering from Bentley has sold out. Phil Blizzard previews the sporty Bentley Mulsanne, which has a starting price of around Dhs1.4 million.
A luxury suite in The Meydan hotel, alongside the Dubai World Cup race track at Nad al Sheba, is a top favourite for this edition of Luxury Lifestyle. Phil Blizzard, under starters orders, races around the Meydan Suite, with its subtle equine interior design elements, to capture the style of this suite at this world famous venue.
Al Barari features some of the most luxurious villas you will find in Dubai. Located in the royal enclave of Nad al Sheba this one of the lowest density eco-sensitive developments in the region. Set in landscaped botanical gardens with distinctive themes the villas provide serenity with nature as Phil Blizzard discovered.
A tour of one of the premium suites in the Armani Hotel, Dubai reveals a minimalistic contemporary design from Giorgio Armani himself. Phil Blizzard is amazed by the size of the suite, its hidden corridors, sliding wall panels and the finer points of this ultra luxury suite.
The Armani Hotel, Dubai located in Burj Khalifa, is now into its second month of operation. Phil Blizzard provides a glimpse into an Armani Signature Suite and previews an interview with Marc Dardenne, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels & Resorts.
The Jaguar XKR is a grand tourer first introduced in 1996 as a replacement for the famous XJS. The 2010 XKR is a second generation model with enhancements like the new V8 engine, offering impressive sprinting prowess as Phil Blizzard experienced in this drive at The Meydan, Dubai.
The majestic Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, has added more gold to its ornate decor as it becomes home to the world's first "Gold To Go" vending machine. Phil Blizzard looks at how this luxury metal is now available for purchase at anytime with Hans Olbertz, GM, Emirates Palace.
More than 235,000 business people visit the AMEInfo Business Directory every week - start growing your customer base today by listing your company details.
The Facebook app that left users with a one in six chance of deleting their account has been shot down by the social network, TechCrunch has reported....
Abu Dhabi has been named among the top 100 busiest global meetings destinations in the International Congress and Convention Association's (ICCA) 2012 global...
Saudi Arabia occupies four-fifths of the Arabian peninsula. Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, the Gulf of Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen border it. To the west lies the Red Sea.