A Casualty of the Dubai Property Market

If one wants evidence of the downturn on Dubai, one must look at instance of this nature. Casa Dubai, essentially an agent for Dubai Property, but also into it a bit themselves, have had numerous issues, directly or indirectly to do with the down turn. But the fact remains - they couldnt sell property past the end of August. In the end, the Global Economic Downturn killed them off.


Public Notice - Attention Casa Dubai clients

Casa Dubai has been an extremely successful and profitable business. The World Economic Crisis has unfortunately had a serious effect on the Dubai Real Estate market and consequently a terminal effect on Casa Dubai. Casa Dubai has been forced by the current economic situation to commence proceedings for compulsory liquidation. All our offices are now closed and our staff have been laid off. Casa Dubai generated sales of £21m in the eight months to August and virtually nothing since. The specific reasons for closing the business are:

Developers delaying or being unable to pay commissions due on sales.
A major developer fleeing from the police with over £500,000's worth of Casa Dubai's clients' money.
The inability of Casa Dubai to sell properties in which it had invested money generated from its own profits and consequently losing all invested.
The lack of income in the months September to December to pay for overheads.
The collapse of sterling making foreign investment considerably more expensive than just a few weeks ago.
The liquidity problems of UK and World banks which no longer have a desire to lend money to buy property.

The majority of our clients will not be affected by these events, for those that are, I sincerely apologise for the distress caused. All our clients will be able to talk directly to the developers, please refer to your contract or sales agreement for the contact details. Most developers will face difficulties in completing their projects for a variety of reasons due to the current crisis. It is our belief however, that the majority will still deliver their developments, albeit with delays.
Once finished, our clients' investments will show exceptional returns. Dubai will recover and will become a highly desirable destination. We would like to thank our clients for using our services, we ask our clients to appreciate how the sudden world events could not be predicted or planned for. We have become another insignificant statistic, just like many thousands of other businesses will become in the coming months.

Any queries should be addressed to:

The Official Receiver
c/o Casa Dubai
The lodge
Longheadge Lane
Orston
Nottinghamshire
NG13 9PB


Sincerely,

Casa Dubai

Casa Dubai is the trading name of Casa Estates (UK) Ltd. Registered in England No: 5374432 at the address below.

Casa Dubai

27,321 Dhs - The most expensive cocktail in the world

Fancy blowing 30,000 Dirhams at one of the most expsive hotels in the world. Well, if you do, get down to the Burj Al Arab, at the Sky View Bar. The bar holds the record for the most expensive cocktail in the world. It is called the 27321, based on how much it costs. Not sure if it will always remain at that price or at that name, with talk of currency revaluations or common currencies, but for the time being, 27321 is the most expensive cocktail in the world.



However, what you might not know is that this cocktail is based on another cocktail called "the Old Fashioned". So for those of you who are drinkers and want to pretend to be Dubai blingers, next time you go to a cocktail bar, ask for your Old Fashioned, and secretly grin to yourself that you are paying a hell of a lot less than some mug with more money than sense.

According to wikipedia, here's the recipe:


2 ounces (60 ml) bourbon
Splash of simple syrup or 1 cube sugar and just enough water to dissolve the sugar
2 dashes bitters

Old Fashioned glass

1. Place sugar (or syrup), bitters, and water in old-fashioned glass
2. Crush sugar if needed and coat glass
3. Add 2–3 cubes ice and whiskey
4. Garnish with twist

An 1895 recipe specifies the following:

1. Dissolve a small lump of sugar with a little water in a whiskey glass
2. Add two dashes Angostura bitters
3. Add a small piece of ice
4. Add a piece lemon peel
5. Add one jigger (1.5 ounces or 44 mL) whiskey

Mix with small bar spoon and serve, leaving spoon in glass


And so there we have it then. The Karama market version of the 27321

Dubai Hotels - which ones are the best?

In 2008, the Atlantis Dubai was highest profile hotel to launch in the UAE, and probably globally, with its massive, expensive party that had fireworks to shame the Chinese Olympics committee. But the Atlantis was only one hotel to launch, and it competes with many others in Dubai. Perhaps Dubai is a hotel haven for those that have the cash to splash, but what about for those that come on business, or want something different, or looking to see Dubai without spending their annual salary? Dubai now caters for different tourists - kings and queens to backpacking students.



We have put together a selection of lists covering the top hotels in Dubai:

Which ones topped our list? Hint- what do Malakiya Villas, XVA, Dubai Youth Hostel and the Ritz Carlton have in common?

The Top Ten Hotels in Dubai
The Alternative Top Ten Hotels in Dubai
The Top Ten Budget Hotels in Dubai
The Top Business hotels in Dubai

Everyone has their own opinion - this is what we think. No doubt this will change across the course of 2009 and we will think different in 2010. But in the meantime, these, we believe are the best hotels in Dubai.

Grapeshisha Guide to the Best Hotels in Dubai