ABU DHABI
Pimp my ride
The world’s first Ferrari attraction promises to bring all the thrills of F1 to the Emirates
The planned transformation of Abu Dhabi, which includes a satellite of the Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry and an outpost of the Louvre, isn’t all high culture. The development of Yas Island is set to feature the world’s first Ferrari theme park, due to accompany a racing track that hopes to host the Emirate’s first Formula One Grand Prix next year.
Work on the US$600 million project began with a laying-in ceremony towards the end of last year. The 250,000 square-metre park promises 24 attractions, including a 70-metre tall G-Force Tower, multi-media theatres and what the Abu Dhabi-based developers Aldar say is the world’s first twin rollercoaster ride. Yes, carriages (with the requisite Ferrari branding) can race against each other!
There will also be driving simulators, dune buggies and a chance to experience the noise, smells and adrenaline of the Ferrari F1 racing pit-lane. www.yasisland.ae
ALEXANDRIA
Retail therapy
A shopping complex may not sound like a great location for a beach retreat, but you might be willing to make an exception for the Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria, at San Stefano. Aiming to evoke the old-style glamour of this Mediterranean resort, the hotel is set within the Grand Plaza shopping and residential complex to the east of the city centre.
Each of the 118 Pierre-Yves Rochon-designed rooms and suites has a private balcony, with views of the sea or the city. In addition, the hotel’s half-dozen, terraced restaurants all offer sea views, as does the fourth-floor, circular infinity pool (though it’s only open between April and October). A spa and wellness centre, gym and squash court offer further diversions – and, if that’s not enough, there’s always those nearby shops. www.fourseasons.com
LONDON
Yo! Heathrow
Following a successful launch at London’s Gatwick airport last summer, Yotel has expanded its capsule-hotel concept to the UK’s busiest airport. Sited at Heathrow’s Terminal 4, it has 32 cabins, each of which can be booked for a minimum of four hours, starting at around US$50. A 56-cabin venue will soon open at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport. www.yotel.com
FRANKFURT
Making their marque
Porsche continues apace with its campaign to expand its brand, with the opening of the largest Porsche Design franchise store at Germany’s biggest airport, Frankfurt. The car manufacturer’s new shop offers a wide range of products, from pens and watches through to mobile phones and men’s accessories.
The 145 square-metre store is accessible to the public on the airport’s “landing side”. Porsche Design has been expanding its airport outlets since 2004 and stores at Munich, Moscow, Dubai and Hong Kong international airports will, this year, be joined by ones at Zurich, Copenhagen and Manchester. The luxury men’s brand was established in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, 40 years after the founding of the car marque.
www.porsche-design.com
ITALY
Sofa so good
Baghdad-born architect Zaha Hadid has moved into product design, with a coffee and tea set that resembles a surgical instrument, and a “Crevasse” vase that looks like one of her winding tower projects – both for Alessi – plus the US$11,300 “Moon System” sofa (left) for B&B Italia, also in black. www.bebitalia.it
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