When news broke that Rihanna might be returning to the stage sometime soon, some people were surprised by her city of choice: Dubai. Although happy that she’s moving on with her life and getting back to performing, American fans are probably wondering, “Why Dubai?”
Well, let me tell you…
The first time I visited Dubai was a few years ago when I was 18 years old. I went to see a good friend of mine who lived there and had always told me that Dubai (or “Du-bay” as he used to call it) was one of the best cities in the world. Since then … I’ve been back four times. He was right!
Reason No. 1: Dubai is famously known as the entertainment and party capital of the Middle East. Take it from me, Dubai knows how to get down. There’s a fine balance, though, between Dubai’s strong Islamic culture and the party lifestyle. Alcohol is allowed, but you can’t get too crazy. Rih might even have to go easy on the more risqué costumes for her shows.
While she doesn’t have to cover up completely, Rihanna isn’t going to want to offend anyone, so a couple of raunchier outfits might have to stay back at home. Either way, Rihanna is going to have an amazing time!
Reason No. 2: Back when I first visited Dubai, the world-famous Burj Al Arab — regarded by some as the only “seven-star” hotel in the world — had just been completed and looked like nothing I had ever seen before. Like a huge ship’s sail rising 321 meters out of the ocean, the hotel is one of the most beautiful and luxurious in the world. The service is incredible. The option of being picked up from the airport by one of the Burj Al Arab’s fleet of white-on-white Rolls-Royce Phantoms — or even the white-on-white helicopter — says it all!
I’m thinking Rihanna should make a move for the hotel’s Royal Suite. Reserved for only the world’s richest, the most famous and heads of state, the Royal Suite is described on the hotel’s Web site as “stately and opulent” and takes the word “luxury” to another level. At 780 square meters, the suite has its own private elevator, private cinema, a marble-and-gold (yes, real gold) staircase, leopard-print tufted carpets, Carrarra marble floors, mahogany furniture, a dining area, the suite’s own Arabic majils-style lounge (a reception area), a library, a master bedroom with rotating four-poster canopy bed and a second bedroom with adjoining marble bathrooms with spa bath, walk-in shower and Hermes body products. Oh, I nearly forgot to mention the 24-hour butler on hand at the ring of a bell (yes, he waits outside the door).
Reason No. 3: Dubai boasts some modern-day wonders of the world. These mega-projects range from the world’s tallest man-made structure (the Burj Dubai, towering at 818 meters) to the first ski slope in a desert to the largest man-made islands, the Palm and the World (an archipelago designed to look like a map of the globe). Dubai is known as “the City of Lights,” “the City of Gold” and now it can add “the City of Records” to its list. But it’s not just the modern city that is attractive — Old Dubai is simply beautiful. Famous for wind towers lining either side of the Dubai Creek and its Arabian architecture, the Bastakiya district is a tantalizing glimpse of a centuries-old Middle East. Historical buildings, mosques, museums, the market — there’s a lot for Rih to do on her day off.
Reason No. 4: We all know our girl Rihanna hails from Barbados and loves the sun, and she’ll fit in just fine in Dubai. The weather is incredible. Situated on the south-eastern shore of the Persian Gulf, Dubai (especially around May and June) gets hot! The white-sand beaches are stunning, so Rih better pack a bikini!
Reason No. 5: As Busta rapped in “Arab Money,” the city’s got money! No doubt, Rihanna is probably getting a very big cheque indeed! Go get ‘em!
Well, let me tell you…
The first time I visited Dubai was a few years ago when I was 18 years old. I went to see a good friend of mine who lived there and had always told me that Dubai (or “Du-bay” as he used to call it) was one of the best cities in the world. Since then … I’ve been back four times. He was right!
Reason No. 1: Dubai is famously known as the entertainment and party capital of the Middle East. Take it from me, Dubai knows how to get down. There’s a fine balance, though, between Dubai’s strong Islamic culture and the party lifestyle. Alcohol is allowed, but you can’t get too crazy. Rih might even have to go easy on the more risqué costumes for her shows.
While she doesn’t have to cover up completely, Rihanna isn’t going to want to offend anyone, so a couple of raunchier outfits might have to stay back at home. Either way, Rihanna is going to have an amazing time!
Reason No. 2: Back when I first visited Dubai, the world-famous Burj Al Arab — regarded by some as the only “seven-star” hotel in the world — had just been completed and looked like nothing I had ever seen before. Like a huge ship’s sail rising 321 meters out of the ocean, the hotel is one of the most beautiful and luxurious in the world. The service is incredible. The option of being picked up from the airport by one of the Burj Al Arab’s fleet of white-on-white Rolls-Royce Phantoms — or even the white-on-white helicopter — says it all!
I’m thinking Rihanna should make a move for the hotel’s Royal Suite. Reserved for only the world’s richest, the most famous and heads of state, the Royal Suite is described on the hotel’s Web site as “stately and opulent” and takes the word “luxury” to another level. At 780 square meters, the suite has its own private elevator, private cinema, a marble-and-gold (yes, real gold) staircase, leopard-print tufted carpets, Carrarra marble floors, mahogany furniture, a dining area, the suite’s own Arabic majils-style lounge (a reception area), a library, a master bedroom with rotating four-poster canopy bed and a second bedroom with adjoining marble bathrooms with spa bath, walk-in shower and Hermes body products. Oh, I nearly forgot to mention the 24-hour butler on hand at the ring of a bell (yes, he waits outside the door).
Reason No. 3: Dubai boasts some modern-day wonders of the world. These mega-projects range from the world’s tallest man-made structure (the Burj Dubai, towering at 818 meters) to the first ski slope in a desert to the largest man-made islands, the Palm and the World (an archipelago designed to look like a map of the globe). Dubai is known as “the City of Lights,” “the City of Gold” and now it can add “the City of Records” to its list. But it’s not just the modern city that is attractive — Old Dubai is simply beautiful. Famous for wind towers lining either side of the Dubai Creek and its Arabian architecture, the Bastakiya district is a tantalizing glimpse of a centuries-old Middle East. Historical buildings, mosques, museums, the market — there’s a lot for Rih to do on her day off.
Reason No. 4: We all know our girl Rihanna hails from Barbados and loves the sun, and she’ll fit in just fine in Dubai. The weather is incredible. Situated on the south-eastern shore of the Persian Gulf, Dubai (especially around May and June) gets hot! The white-sand beaches are stunning, so Rih better pack a bikini!
Reason No. 5: As Busta rapped in “Arab Money,” the city’s got money! No doubt, Rihanna is probably getting a very big cheque indeed! Go get ‘em!
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