By Parag Deulgaonkar www.emirates247.com
Living in the world’s tallest tower – although only for a night – is now easily possible. And the deal even comes with groceries, if needed.
A Dubai-based online company – mydubaistay.com – is advertising a one-night stay in a one-bedroom apartment in the Burj Khalifa, starting from Dh1, 300.
According to the website, this apartment is located on the 19th floor and is fully furnished.
When called, a company reservation executive told Emirates 24|7: “We have a one-bedroom apartment, which can be booked online. Your rent for a day will be Dh1,303, plus an extra of Dh175 for groceries. Check in time is 3 pm and check out is 11 am.”
The website adds: “There is no official international rating system for these private apartments and villas, however, we ensure that the quality of the furniture and equipment that goes into our properties is similar to what you would expect from a five star hotel. The pictures and virtual tours displayed for each property are exactly as you will find when you arrive.”
Burj Khalifa has 900 studio, one-, two-, three- and four- bedroom apartments, while the Armani Residences has 144 fully furnished private apartments.
It offers luxurious recreational and leisure facilities including four swimming pools, an exclusive residents’ lounge, health and wellness facilities.
At mosphere, the world’s highest fine dining restaurant at Level 122 and At the Top, the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace on Level 124 are the other attractions.
In November, Indian actress Shilpa Shetty gifted of an apartment in the tower by her husband on the 19th floor as a wedding gift.
Burj Khalifa among top Google searches
Google today announced its annual 2010 Zeitgeist, a unique perspective on the year’s major events and hottest trends based on global searches, as well as searches conducted in the UAE.
The fastest rising search term in the UAE was the Burj Khalifa mirroring the launch of the world’s tallest building. Social networking sites such as Facebook and YouTube continue to gain popularity and websites that provide free SMS services and VOIP fared well.
Them such as utility pill payment through DEWA bill and online banking. Searches for online services are on the uptake which underpins the need for businesses to be online catering to their customer requirements.”
Interest in personalities saw teen-sensation Justin Bieber top searches in the UAE closely followed by Shakira and Lady Gaga. Placed fourth and fifth respectively were Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. The top search on social network sites was Facebook.
Indians top buyers at Burj Khalifa
Indians have bought properties worth Dh29 million in Burj Khalifa, topping the list of buyers in the world’s tallest tower in the first seven months of 2010, Reidin.com figure reveals.
UAE nationals came in second having spent Dh9.64 million during the same period, while Australians spentDh4.6 million, Oman 4.2 million, Chinese Dh2.12 million and Iranian Dh2.69 million, respectively.
The figures, according to Reidin.com, are based on the actual transactions registered with the Land Department of Dubai.
The real estate information company is an exclusive partner and primary data source for the information service in the emerging markets is Real Estate Regulatory Agency and the Land Department.
In November, Indian actress Shilpa Shetty was gifted an apartment in Burj Khalifa by her husband Raj Kundra as a wedding gift.
BR Shetty, who is managing director and CEO of the New Medical Centre Group of Companies in Abu Dhabi, owns the entire 100th floor in the tower, while Rizwan Sajan, Chairman of Danube Group has purchased an apartment in the tower.
Emirates 24/7 had reported earlier that total property investment during the first eight months of 2010 stood at Dh48.9 billion.
Shilpa Shetty is supposedly the latest celebrity resident who will move into a neighbourhood near you very soon.
Reports coming in have suggested that the Bollywood actress and Britian’s “Celebrity Big Brother” reality show winner has been gifted an apartment on the 19th floor of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. And the gift is by none other than her husband, billionaire entrepreneur Raj Kundra, who presented the keys to the star for their first wedding anniversary last week.
While no confirmation was forthcoming from property developer Emaar, Shetty at least tweeted about her arrival in sunny Dubai last evening, saying: “Landed In Dubai 🙂 so needed this break jus wish I cud spk: (Gods way of telling me to tk a break (Shutup). Excelling at sign language must say! [sic]”
The actress has been diagnosed with pharyngitis on November 20 and has lost her voice since.
India’s Mid-day.com quoted a source close to the actress who confirmed the news, adding that Shetty herself would design the interiors of apartment.
The famous couple already have business interests in Dubai through their 33 per cent or £6 million stake in the UK-based V8 Gourmet Group, an international Indian food company that includes The Bombay Bicycle Club Kitchens and Tiffinbites, amongst other brands.
The deal, which was inked last year, had Shetty saying at the time: “I know that our partnership will grow and envisage a great future with a whole new line of products and restaurants all over Europe, Dubai and Jordan.”
Within six months, Tiffinbites opened its first restaurant at Dubai Marina, JBR Walk, followed by another at Mirdiff City Centre.
The actress has also mentioned that she wants to launch a line of ready gourmet Indian meals in Dubai for weight watchers.
Shetty, 35, entered Bollywood with the hit thriller “Baazigar” in 1993 and in the corresponding 16 years has had a mere handful of hit films in her kitty, of which the most notable being 2000’s “Dhadkan”, 2004’s “Phir Milenge” and 2007’s “Life In A… Metro”.
The actress shot to international acclaim when she won Celebrity Big Brother amidst racial slurs that won the heart of millions who voted for her, but since has made a handful of appearances in films, mainly through item numbers.
In 2007 she met now husband, Kundra, and the duo tied the knot last year. The couple also own properties in Mumbai and London.
