Lifestyle / Travel

Iconic Cruise liner Reopens in Dubai as Luxury Floating Hotel

After a decade, iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) ocean liner is restored to its 1960s-era glory as a floating hotel docked at Mina Rashid in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Apr 23, 2018 | By Shirley Wang

Renowned 1960s British vessel, Queen Elizabeth 2, has been docked in Port Rashid since 2008 after decades of voyage. Last Wednesday, it opens her doors yet again as a brand new, luxury hotel floating in Port Rashid, Dubai. Though there were plans to remodel the ship into a luxury property immediately, delayed the project was delayed by the global financial crisis. Finally after a decade, the 963-foot cruise liner will welcome guests again.

The hotel holds a full 13-deck of dining and entertainment, and a total of 224 rooms and suites. There are 13 types of room available, with the basic cabins offering a cozy 180 square feet of space, designed with plenty of dark wood.

A duplex room at the Queen Elizabeth 2

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Royal suites sit at a spacious 800 square feet, complete with a private bathtub, private dining room and terrace. Named after the Queen’s mother and grandmother, these 2 exclusive rooms will be booked ‘by invitation only’.

Rooms featuring the original portholes abroad the hotel.

While the liner has been upgraded with technology and modern features, there were also restoration efforts for the original design features like the portholes and period artwork and furniture.

The ship even retains the names of its 13 restaurants for a distinct British feel: an English pub called the Golden Lion, historical bar The Chart Room, cabaret lounge The Grand Lounge, and Queens Grill that offers a British menu that includes many of the same dishes served during its maiden voyage in 1969.

A refurbished bar is ready to receive guests aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2

The new QE2 has a movie theatre and a museum showcasing the vessel’s history. The latter, called the Heritage Exhibition, presents the ship’s iconic history that traces back to decades ago since its service as a war ship during the Falklands War, to when she became Cunard’s luxury leisure cruise ship.

Other facilities include a luxury spa and pool deck, as well as the perennial Dubai favorite: a shopping arcade.

The grand opening is scheduled for October this year. Right now, you can book a basic cabin online for as low as 400 AED (US$110), though royal suites sell for as much as 25,000 AED (US$6,800).


 
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