As the Queen of England celebrates her platinum jubilee in a few weeks' time, one of the ancient jewels in the British crown.., the liner Queen Elizabeth 2is preparing to open a new chapter in its history. Retired from cruising in 2008 and moored since then in Dubai's Rashid Port, the prestigious ship had already been converted into a floating hotel at the end of the last decade. The hotel's future is now entering a new phase with its integration into the Accor group from May.
As part of a collaboration with Dubai's state-owned Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation Investments LLC, the liner will be transformed to become part of the MGallery brand. Renovation into a 447-room boutique hotel offering everything a cruise ship has to offer in terms of leisure and relaxation, with nine dining areas, six boutiques, a swimming pool and a gym. But the MGallery Queen Elizabeth 2 is also a new venue for top-of-the-range seminars and incentives, with ten meeting rooms and 5,620 m² dedicated to outdoor events.
Anchored near the Sheikh Zayed Road, the "QE2" also benefits from its proximity to the city's main attractions. Dubai International Airport, the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa are less than 20 minutes away, while the Palm Jumeirah and the Mall of the Emirates are 35 and 29 minutes respectively. " We'll be operating the city's only floating hotel (Editor's note: please note that Kempinski also has a project along these lines) and at the same time contribute to the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2049, which aims to ensure sustainable urban development while enhancing the attractiveness of this international destination." said Mark Willis, Accor's Managing Director for India, Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Said Al-Bannai, Managing Director of PCFC Investment, " the Queen Elizabeth 2 made history and we are confident that Accor will continue his legacy."
Continuing the legacy
At the same time, the French group is perpetuating another heritage, that of the Orient Express. A hotel bearing this historic name had already been announced. in Rome and that six Orient Express La Dolce Vita trains will be touring Italy from 2023, both as part of a partnership with the Italian Arsenale group, a new development has just been announced in Italy. The destination is obvious: Venice, legendary stopover for the legendary train. " The arrival of the Orient Express hotel in Venice resonates naturally with the history of the brand. A return to the roots of the legend that finds its ultimate expression in the Palazzo Donà Giovannelli" said Stephen Alden, Managing Director of the Raffles and Orient Express brands.
It is within the walls of this palazzo in the Cannaregio district, designed in the 15th century probably by Filippo Calendario, one of the architects of the Doge's Palace, that from 2024 a 45 rooms and suitesAll overlooking the gardens and canals of Venice and decorated by Aline Asmar from Amman and her studio Culture in Architecture. Also on the programme: a hotel bar in the former ballroom, a gourmet restaurant and a number of hidden rooftop terraces with views of the Serenissima.
