Leave it to Dubai —Land of Pet lions, gold toilets and Lamborghini police cars—to build the world’s most decadent desert oasis.
Now rising in the city’s Al Thanyah district, the $550-million Rosemont Hotel & Residences will be the first building on earth with its own rain forest: A 75,000-square-feet jungle, complete with a splash pool and cafe. The supersize terrarium will use only recycled water collected from condensation and will feature a novel artificial beach—one without sand.
The 1.1-million-square-feet complex centres on a pair of glass skyscrapers—a 53-storey hotel and a 55-storey apartment building on Sheikh Zayed Road—atop a luxury retail space.
Designed by ZAS Architects Dubai, the development will have 448 hotel rooms and 280 furnished apartments, including a 6,300-square-feet presidential pad with its own private spa, sauna, jacuzzi and swimming pool with waterfall feature. The suites will be available for short- and long-term stays but not purchase.
Expected to open in 2018, the resort will also have a cantilevered infinity sky pool with a glass bottom plus a bowling alley, a nightclub and high-tech gaming entertainment. Perhaps the best part? Robotic luggage handlers—which means you won’t even have to tip.
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(This story appears in the 04 March, 2016 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)