By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Netherlands H.E. I Gusti A. Wesaka Puja, had been invited by the Asia Table (Societeit De Witte) last November, under the acumen direction of Mr Nando van Ketwitch to delivered a discourse. The well attended evening included a Q&A session and concluded with an Indonesian dinner buffet
Ambassador I Gusti A. Wesaka Puja, welcome remarks follow hereby.
Mr. Nando van Ketwitch, chair of Asian Table at the Societeit De Witte; Ambassador Gontha, Indonesian Ambassador to Poland, who has generously spared his busy schedule to join us tonight; Mr Jan Willen Scheigrond, Vice President Global Government and Public Affairs, Phillips; Dr. Tik Tan, from Indonesian Diaspora Health Affairs;
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
It is with distinct honour and privilege for me to be here in this hall, anchored with its rich history and being in the company of exclusive members of Sociëteit de Witte. It is comforting to see familiar faces of old friends. Someone once said: “a friend is one of the nicest things you can have and one of the best things you can be”. We count our blessings with old friends and making rooms for the new ones.
Allow me to seize this kind opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to the Asian Table of the Societeit De Witte, especially Pak Nando, through Pak Kie Tan, for the invitation as well as for the participation of the Indonesian Embassy in this event.
Let me begin by citing a story: a priest and an imam are seating on the same train. It’s lunchtime and the priest orders ham, sausages, pork ribs and 2 bottles of wine. The imam next to him unwraps a little turkey sandwich.
“Ha!, says the priest between two gulps of wine, you guys don’t know what you’re missing!”
Later on, the train arrives at its destination. The priest is welcomed by four old monks. As they head for the car, the imam catches up with them – accompanied by his four wives.
“Ha!, says the imam, standing in the middle of his four wives, you guys don’t know what YOU are missing!”
I cite this story because it reminds me of my light conversation with our Minister. Before I got my assignment in the Netherlands, she was kind to suggest that I should discover the Netherlands. She was twice posted here and she also suggested that I may find some interesting things in life that I should not miss. Although, I have been posted in European countries, the first few thoughts that ran through my mind about the Netherlands are windmills, cheese and Delft blue. And so, I took the assignment and went around the Netherlands.
Perception, The Netherlands is more than what I thought. It is actually different when one would experience it and be connected with the local people. You have a great culture and museums like Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Anne Frank Huis and Rembrandt. You have infrastructural and technological advancement such as the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven and an entire province made from land reclaimed from the sea, that is Flevoland. The Netherlands accounts as the world’s biggest exporter in agriculture and horticulture products. You have excellent port services, namely; Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport. By the way, one of my favourites is cycling spree, the Netherlands is known to have the safest cycling paths in the world. I enjoyed it very much that every morning as I go to the office, I cycle from my residence down to The Hague. In short, based on my personal experience and staying here in this lovely country, Indonesia has a lot more to learn from the Netherlands.
As much as I cherish and know the Netherlands by first – hand experience, allow me to ask you kindly — how much do you know about Indonesia? Socially speaking, there are at least 1,600 Indonesian restaurants, stores and shops scattered across the Netherlands. One can hear some familiar food adaptations such as nasi (fried rice), spekkoek (delicacy), sambal (Indonesian spicy sauce) sate and sate saus (barbeque peanut sauce). Even the Dutch Royal Navy serves every Wednesday an Indonesian rice table popularly known as de blauwe hap. Netherlands is the only country in Europe that knows more about Indonesia. You have a wide collection of Indonesian artefacts and old literary collections in museums and universities.
However, such knowledge should not be limited to what we have. Citing Albert Einstein, the only source of knowledge is experience. The only way to experience is to visit Indonesia, discover it and be connected or be re-connected. Superimposing the map, Indonesia stretches from the West to the East Coast of the United States. From Sabang to Merauke, it is a great escapade to explore and discover Indonesia other than Bali, which is the most favoured destination of the Netherlands. There is so much more to explore Indonesia as it offers a wide range of discovery not only as a tourist destination but also for trade and investment opportunities which you can tap on. For example, Indonesia’s main export commodities to Europe are palm oil, natural rubber, furniture, tin, footwear, wood products, iron and steel.
Economic Statistics.
It is not surprising that Indonesia is emerging to be a global powerhouse in Asia and being considered as one of the most favourable trade and investment destinations considering its young and democratic base producing global standard goods and services, and a promising consumer market of around 250 million reform-minded population.
Even the World Bank Country Director in Indonesia, Rodrigo A Chaves indicates a positive and encouraging development about Indonesia citing a steady economic growth in the past 10 years averaging between 5 to 6% growth rate, having positive investment grade by all major rating firms, being projected to become the 5th largest economy in the world by the year 2030 according to Price Water House Coopers, improving regulatory environment as reflected in Ease of Doing Business of which Indonesia jumped from 91st to 72nd rank as of 2017, rising competitive index from 41 to 31 of this year and growing investor confidence of which Indonesia is being ranked 3rd after China among Asian economies.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the confident outlook, Indonesia still faces a number of challenges ahead. We all agree that the increasing world population, the demand for energy and food will continue to rise. As a country with population of around 250 million, Indonesia has to deal with a continuous effort to improve our energy and food security.
Indonesia’s economic growth still lacks inclusiveness wherein Indonesia’s population under the poverty line is still around 10,64%.
Despite of the fact that the present administration has allocated 8.2 billions US dollars for the health sector, which is second to the highest budget allocation, Indonesia is still facing a number of challenges in the quality of health services and education. There is still plenty of room for improvement in these sectors.
The far stretched of islands of Indonesia also dictate a degree of challenges such as infrastructure development and climate in view of the rising temperature and the rising of sea level. These are one of the reasons that the Indonesian government is gearing up projects such as toll roads, bridges, ports to energy infrastructure as well as tidal defense against floods, storm surge and hyper weather storms.
On Bilateral
In answering those challenges and identifying opportunities, I am pleased to note the intensified bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Netherlands.
We have witnessed the Joint Declaration of a Comprehensive Partnership in 2013; we have seen the visit of President Joko Widodo to the Netherlands in April 2016 as well as the visit of Prime Minister Mark Rutte and a large business delegation from the Netherlands to Indonesia not only once but twice! (20-22 November 2013 and 21-24 November 2016)
We are pleased to acknowledge that the Netherlands rank as the top among other European countries for Foreign Direct Investment of almost USD 1 billion from the period of January to September 2017.
In the period of January-September this year, the number of Dutch tourists is up by 7% compared to the same period of last year with the number of visitors of more than 160 thousand.
We have enjoyed a close two people’s relations having 1.4 million Indonesian diaspora in the Netherlands.
For all of those reasons, it is important to make use of our closeness and affinity amongst our two countries. It is not only because of history that links us, it is our two peoples that binds us.
Other speakers at the event I am pleased to note that we have speakers before us to share their insights and perspectives. Our old friend and Indonesian diaspora, Bp. Tik Tan, has been with us for several years and has been helping Indonesia in the health sector. We are pleased to have Mr Jan Willen Scheigrond, Vice President Global Government and Public Affairs, Phillips. Philips has been an instrumental organization for uplifting so many lives by offering modern day technologies. I remain grateful for the presence of Ambassador Gontha, Indonesian Ambassador to Poland. He was in the Netherlands during his youthful years and started his humble beginnings in the Netherlands as a taxi driver. It is a cliché to say that taxi drivers are crazy drivers, but Ambassador Gontha will drive you crazy to win your hearts to visit and invest in Indonesia.
Ladies and gentlemen,we have so many things to discuss but time carries some limits. In any case, my doors will and shall always remain open to you all. If you have time, please visit Indonesia. It is a wonderful world out there. It is a wonderful Indonesia. Who knows? Why wait? You may yet to find what you are missing. Connect or be re-connected. Discover and explore. It may not only be in business but also an experience you will remember .
Drs. Barbara Couwenbergh-Rapke during her speech at the German Club New Year reception.By Anton Lutter.
More than 100 members and guests attended the New Years reception of the German club in The Netherlands at the Pathé Theatre in The Hague the 14th of January.
The club prides itself on being one of the oldest German societies in Europe founded about 1850. After the war, it was refounded in 1955.The guests were welcomed by the long-serving president Drs. Barbara Couwenbergh-Rapke, who is at the helm of the club since 1997. In her new year’s speech, she mentioned the activities of the club being, of course, the Oktoberfest, Christmas event and the visit of many members to Wittenberg and other places connected to Martin Luther, 2017 commemorating 500 years of the Reformation.
Mrs Couwenbergh, before wishing everybody a wonderful 2018 with a glass of champagne, thanked the members of the board for their support in making the Deutscher Klub a successful organization where the Dutch and Germans enjoy their longstanding friendship.
By Anton Lutter.
Between 18-20 January the Cuban Embassy organised “Cuban Flavors” at Crowne Plaza Hotel in The Hague. This event showcased traditional Cuban cooking at its best.
The ambassador from Cuba to The Netherlands H.E. Soraya Alvarez, who hosted the event, welcomed an array of guests at the opening Thursday evening.
In her welcoming speech, she introduced the Cuban chef Mr Reinier Suarez who works and lives in Rome. Amongst the many guests where many ambassadors and other diplomats from South America, the USA, Europe and the Middle East. Among the guests were also representatives from the business world and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Her Excellency Soraya Alvarez, Ambassador of Cuba in the Netherlands.
The guests were treated to an absolutely wonderful taste of Cuban cuisine which everyone enjoyed. As starters, there was Tostones (fried plantain), Tamal en Cazuela pot tamal and Frituras de Malanga. The main dish consisted of breaded Victoria bass, confit pork and Ropa Vieja (beef stew) with as side dishes Yuca (cassava) and Congri Arroz (rice with black beans).
Lastly, the dessert served was caramel French toast, Arroz con Leche (rice pudding) and Flan de Cuba, a custard dessert. The smell and taste from Cuba were emphasized by live musicians from Galan Biz Musica Cubana, who performed traditional Cuban songs.
——-
Photography by A. Lutter.
The U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of the Netherlands is pleased to announce that it will open for business at a new location in Wassenaar, Monday, January 29, 2018. The address of the new venue is John Adams Park 1, 2244 BZ Wassenaar. The telephone number will remain the same: 070 310 2209. All landline numbers for Embassy contacts will also stay unchanged.
Please note that Consular operations will not be affected by this move, as all consular operations including visas and American Citizen Services remain in Amsterdam at the U.S. Consulate General, which is located at Museumplein 19, 1071 DJ Amsterdam.
The new U.S. Embassy provides a secure, modern, and environmentally sustainable platform for diplomacy in the Netherlands. It is a fitting home for the U.S., Dutch, and foreign staff working to maintain and improve the longest peaceful, unbroken relationship the United States has with any country in the world.
The buildings, while American in character, were designed to reflect Dutch architectural elements. The Chancery façade includes white granite from the Rock of Ages quarry in Vermont, the same location that provided granite for the construction of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. The Chancery interior features the use of wood veneer and blue glass, meant to remind visitors of Delft blue.
The Embassy was located in the city centre on the Lange Voorhout for nearly sixty years. This building, designed by the famous architect Marcel Breuer, will be returned to the City of The Hague in March 2018.
This video provides an overview of the historic structure:
Polish coat-of-arms. From Polish Wikipedia. Originally uploaded at pl Grafika Godło Polski.
Tuesday, 9 January 2018 – Poland’s President Andrzej Duda swore in new foreign, finance, defence, interior, health and environment ministers following a sweeping cabinet reshuffle.
The reshuffle comes just over halfway through the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government’s term in office.
Economist Teresa Czerwińska is Poland’s new Finance Minister. Former Interior Minister Mariusz Błaszczak was appointed Defence Minister.
The Interior Minister’s portfolio was handed to PiS party stalwart Joachim Brudziński, up to now a Deputy Parliamentary Speaker.
Witold Waszczykowski was replaced as Foreign Minister by political scientist and lecturer Jacek Czaputowicz.Łukasz Szumowski replaced Prince Konstanty Radziwiłł as Health Minister.
Henryk Kowalczyk, until now a Cabinet Minister heading the Government Standing Committee, is the new Environment Minister.
In other appointments on January 9, Jadwiga Emilewicz became the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology, Andrzej Adamczyk was appointed Minister of Infrastructure, and Jerzy Kwieciński became Minister for Investment and Development.
For further information:
Prime Minister and Government of Poland: https://www.premier.gov.pl/en.html
Michael Kretschmer – Picture by Pawel Sosnowski, Sächsische Staatskanzlei
The Free State of Saxony is led by Christian-Democrat politician Michael Kretschmer after his predecessor Stanislaw Tillich stepped down of his own accord. The State Assembly (Landtag) voted him as Premier (Ministerpräsident) with 69 out of 126 ballots.
Premier Kretschmer previously was member of the Federal Bundestag from 2013 to September 2017 as representative of the district Löbau-Zittau-Görlitz-Niesky. Therein he served in the parliamentary committees for German-Polish, German-Czech and German-Russian relations.
Moreover, Premier Kretschmer was a deputy member of the Bundestag committee on Education, Science and Technology Assessment.For further information: https://www.ministerpraesident.sachsen.de/biografie-des-ministerpraesidenten-3407.htmlhttp://www.michaelkretschmer.de
Bernhard Mattes, President AmCham Germany, Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, Minister of Economy for NRW, Dr. Alexander Schröder-Frerkes, Chair of AmCham.Monday, 15 January 2018, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany – A traditional New Year’s reception was hosted by the American Chambers of Commerce (AmCham) in the capital of Germany’s most populous federal state North Rhine-Westphalia. All guests were welcomed to the function by the regional chairman of AmCham in NRW, Dr. Alexander Schröder. Special guest and keynote speaker was NRW Economy Minister, Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, who spoke about the ongoing opportunities and obstacles in German-American relations. President of AmCham, Mr Bernhard Mattes in his turn highlighted the importance of digitalisation that has been a topic all throughout 2017. On the other hand, a hot potato issue has been the Trump administration’s stance on trade. AmCham was in 2017 twice in Washington D.C. partaking in bilateral discussions and promoting free trade as well as the abrogation of barriers, and little protectionism. Albeit President Donald Trump polarises public opinion, US-American-German trade liaisons are still rather solid. Yet there is a climate on uncertainty due to the administration’s mercurial governmental programme. Particularly there is still uncertainty about the realisation of TTIP. Trump’s administration has not pursued it further, however, it has not been discarded either. American and German business élites are eager for a new German government to take office so that they can put forward the matter anew vis-à-vis the USA. For further information:AmCham: https://www.amcham.dehttps://www.amcham.de/medialibrary/event-galleries/?tx_yag_pi1%5Bc1787%5D%5BalbumUid%5D=107&tx_yag_pi1%5Bc1787%5D%5BgalleryUid%5D=2&tx_yag_pi1%5BitemListc1787%5D%5BpagerCollection%5D%5Bpage%5D=3&tx_yag_pi1%5Baction%5D=list&tx_yag_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=ItemList&cHash=2d8ed229cfdefd11b4153e231b81eb43Minister of Economy of NRW (Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart): https://www.wirtschaft.nrw/minister ——————Photo credit: AmCham Germany/Jürgen Markus.
Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and Slovak Ambassador Dr. Peter Lizák.
Berlin, Chancery of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany: A reception co-hosted with the region of Košice (Kaschau) in Berlin was largely attended on January 10th by members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Germany, including the Dean, Archbishop Dr. Nikola Eterović, and colleagues hailing from all continents, business people with ties to Slovakia, representatives from Audi, Commerzbank as well as Germany’s Vice-Chancellor and Foreign Minister, Sigmar Gabriel as guest of honor.
Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Ambassador Dr. Peter Lizák and awardees drink to the Slovak statehood.
The soirée was very much appreciated by the large number of guests, not merely because of all the Slovak specialities served, including beers and wines hailing from Slovakia but also because of the rather entertaining allocution held by Minister Sigmar Gabriel highlighting Germany’s commitment to Slovakia as a member of the EU.
Sigmar Gabriel merrily and with much acumen mentioned that in spite of differences, Germany and Slovakia, as well as other EU members now merely fight “over money”, in committees rather than at battlefields, and the latter is what makes the European project so special.
AmbassadorDr. Peter Lizák took the opportunity to highlight the success of Slovak sovereignty after the country separated from Czechia through a peaceful separation of Czechoslovakia known as the “Velvet Divorce”. Ambassador Dr. Lizák and Prime Minister Robert Fico at his turn in Bratislava, emphasised the fact, that despite the separation, Slovakia and Czechia are very special partners.
A musical band from Košice was also present during the function to entertain the guests.
Slovakia and Czechia went their own paths on 1 January 1993.
For further information:
Embassy of Slovakia to Germany, Ambassador Dr. Peter Lizák : http://www.mzv.sk/berlin
———-
Photography by the Embassy of Slovakia.
In Leeuwarden, capital of the region of Frisia in the northern part of The Netherlands, the project called “European Cultural Capital” has been turned into a social experiment. The objective is to transform the city into the most open-minded community (“iepen mienskip” in the regional Frisian language) possible by means of art and culture. Themes like sustainability, diversity and social justice will be addressed in numerous exhibits, workshops and performances. Leeuwarden will give the downbeat to its cultural capital year rather quietly, with a concert by a children’s choir and free admission to museums. Malta, for its part, has opted for a big, week-long opening party. Organizers have announced a “festa” a traditional island festival with music, dance and street art. Not stopping at Malta’s beautiful beaches, the party will continue on to the neighbouring island of Gozo. The popular tourist destination is part of the state of Malta.Despite its relatively modest budget, the Maltese cultural calendar is full, with 140 projects and 400 events planned for the entire year in and around Valletta. The “European Year of Cultural Heritage” 2018 will also be observed in Malta, with “the unique heritage of the Maltese islands” celebrated in Valletta.With the Greek capital Athens chosen as the first “European Cultural Capital” in 1985, the institution was initiated by the former Greek cultural minister Melina Mercouri to raise awareness of the unique cultural features of various European cities. Subsidized by the EU, the project has become a catalyst for urban development and tourism.In 2019 the selected cities are Matera, Italy as well as Plovdiv, Bulgaria.For further information:http://valletta2018.orghttps://www.friesland.nl/en/european-capital-of-culture
——————-
Valletta – Picture by Waldominguez
Thursday 7th December 2017; Bulgari resort in Dubai, its an urban oasis on Jumeira Bay, an ultimate urban resort. The Bulgari Resort Dubai is part of the Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai, developed by Meraas, a leading Dubai-based holding company.
Located on the magical seahorse shaped island, it is set to become the destination of choice for visitors seeking the solitude of an island escape, the residential feeling of a private house, yet situated just minutes from the heart of the vibrant city and its cultural attractions. It is the newest addition to the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection; the fifth in the group, following on from the most recently launched Bulgari Hotel Beijing, which opened in September 2017. It joins a growing portfolio of properties around the world, which began with the inaugural Bulgari Hotel Milan in 2004, The Bulgari Resort Bali in 2006 and The Bulgari Hotel London in 2012, and will be followed by Shanghai in early 2018, and then Moscow in 2020.
As with all the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, the Bulgari Resort Dubai was designed by renowned Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel. Both the interiors and exteriors have been created with the same detail and precision of a Bulgari jewel: pairing rare, raw materials according to colour, texture and feel, and sculpting them into objects of enduring beauty. Styled with European inspired boulevards, illuminated gardens and pools, it blends Mediterranean landscaping with the natural surroundings of the shores of the Arabian Gulf.
“The Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai is another milestone for the Bulgari Hotels and Resorts Collection and represents a tribute to the importance of the Middle East market for the Bulgari brand. It is an honour for us to partner with Meraas on this extraordinary project, which brings the best of the Italian design and lifestyle culture to one of the most modern and future oriented city in the world,” said Jean-Christophe Babin, Chief Executive Officer of Bulgari.
Commenting on the completion of the Bulgari Resort, His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Meraas Group Chairman said: “We are proud to deliver The Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai, a first-of-its-kind master development in scale and magnitude for Bulgari. Our partnership stems from shared values and a common objective to offer unique and exquisite experiences in Dubai and the region. We are confident this project will contribute and will add a new dimension to the tourism and hospitality landscape in-line with the Dubai Vision 2020 for tourism and strengthen Dubai’s global position as a leading tourism destination.”
Embracing a maritime theme, customising the resort to echo its unique island home, luscious Italian marble has been used along with coral inspired exteriors to truly epitomise the ocean surroundings. Meanwhile, in the spirit of integral designs dating back to the 1930s, the architects hand-selected or custom-designed every element for consistency, comfort and purity, allowing the hotel’s design to maintain an uncompromisingly Italian style, while simultaneously incorporating the uniqueness of its destination, exuding timeless glamour. Each piece, from the marble bathtubs to the sculpted door handles, hail from the finest quality materials and is incorporated in a unified, seamless fashion.
The resort includes 101 hotel rooms and suites and 20 hotel villas, all exquisitely furnished with the highest quality Italian luxury furniture brands such as Maxalto, Flos, Fexform and others, in an expression of the quality of ‘Made in Italy’. All rooms and suites have expansive views over the breathtaking Dubai skyline or the Arabian Gulf, with large balconies to truly soak up the magnificent scenery.
For guests looking for ultimate space and privacy, the resort’s five categories of villa enable families and friends to create a bespoke experience. Ranging from one to three bedrooms, with options to connect villas, the properties vary from 175 sqm to 540 sqm in size, all with a personal butler service and private pool and gazebo. The 540 sqm Bulgari Villa is the ultimate jewel in the crown, and is ideal for family escapes or a gathering of friends. Features include a large living area, a sunken bath tub and a private lush garden with a large outdoor swimming pool, to ensure guests are provided with every home comfort they could possibly need.
The 1,700 sqm BVLGARI Spa adds a further luxurious touch to the guest experience with eight treatment rooms and 25-metre indoor pool with full sea view through its magnificent floor to ceiling windows, providing guests with that ‘on the beach’ feeling, whatever the weather. Guests will enjoy the ultimate wellbeing experience, immersing in innovative treatments, therapies and grooming for both men and women, in addition to thermal and bathing experiences. Adjacent to the spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre offers Workshop Gymnasium signature training method: a results-driven approach that redefines the very concept of well-being.
In true Italian tradition, where excellent dining is a must, the resort offers several sumptuous offerings. Bulgari Hotels & Resorts’ own Michelin starred Italian chef, Niko Romito, has curated a blend of modern and classical Italian concepts exclusively for Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, interpreting the exquisite flavours of Italy with modern simplicity. Working from his three-starred restaurant in Italy, and regularly counselling his personally-trained chef resident in the hotel, he brings to Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, a menu that expresses the Italian culture at its best.
In the same space of Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, guests will find Il Bar, where they can enjoy signature beverages at the quintessential steel and bronze oval bar, while soaking up the magical dusk on the outdoor terrace, with views sweeping across the Arabian Gulf.
Guests can also enjoy the same sense of Italian simplicity and flavours at Il Cafe, while in the classically-designed Lobby Lounge, offering the residential atmosphere of a living room where guests can enjoy Italian-themed teas in a relaxed setting, surrounded by sumptuous soft furnishings, coffee table books and famous icons of Bulgari’s rich heritage, a taste of modern Italian comfort.
The resort’s beach, La Spiaggia, with private villa cabanas, a children’s pool and club and an outdoor pool and restaurant, is the perfect spot to wind down by day or night. During the day, guests can enjoy a variety of international food and drinks, while by night, the beach club glistens under the lanterns and candlelight, and offers the perfect spot to enjoy the sea breeze.
Nestled on the end of the Marina, the world’s first Bulgari Marina & Yacht Club is a unique destination which overlooks a 50-boat harbour and recreates the charm of a Mediterranean village in the heart of the Arabian Gulf. Featuring amenities including the Yacht Club Italian Restaurant specializing in fish, the members lounge, outdoor pool and bar, and the first branded kids’ club, the Little Gems Club, the Yacht Club is set to become an exclusive destination.
Whether guests are looking to host corporate events, intimate family gatherings or lavish weddings, the resort is not only a location to vacation, but the ideal events destination. The 360 sqm BVLGARI Ballroom located in the Yacht Club can be customised for large scale events and offers state-of-the-art technology. With a stunning sea view, this location is fit for bespoke special occasions and business events alike. Located at the Resort, La Limonaia, the secret lemon-tree garden offers guests a private country garden-style space with the quaintness of old Italy, while offering impressive views of the Dubai skyline.
BVLGARI Il Cioccolato boutique, offering the renown ‘chocolate gem’ delicious creations, and a Concept store, where guests can find the sophisticated Bulgari Le Gemme perfume collection together with a selection of items from top niche international designers, complete the Resort experience.
Conveniently situated in the stunning Jumeira area in the centre of Dubai, the resort is just a short drive from many of the city’s attractions. Slightly further away on the north side rises the magnificent Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood along Dubai Creek, where the city’s flavours, culture and diversity truly come to life, while, on the other side, the trendy areas of Dubai are only a few miles away.
The inauguration of the Bulgari Resort Dubai will be followed in close succession by the opening of an additional two Bulgari hotels: Shanghai (2018) and Moscow (2020).
About Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
Unique locations in harmony with the surrounding area, the blend of traditional design with dramatic contemporary Italian architecture by the architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and superior service crafted with the same attention to quality that has always distinguished Bulgari creations. These are the key elements that characterize The Bulgari Hotels and Resorts collection.
For all the hotels, the approach is the same: the design of the interiors is strongly rooted in the traditions of the place, and careful attention is paid to every detail in a tribute to absolute luxury.
The Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection features the distinctive, bold Italian style typical of Bulgari, reflected in its unique design, its contemporary Italian cuisine and its lavish SPAs. It conveys the excitement of the Bulgari brand, its timeless glamour and its magnificent Italian jewelry heritage.
Having grown from a collection of three iconic Hotels & Resorts in Milan, London and Bali, Bulgari Hotels and Resorts was recently enriched by the Beijing property and will add a fifth jewel to the collection with the opening of Dubai. Two further Bulgari Hotels are due to open between 2018 and 2020 in Shanghai and Moscow
About Meraas
Meraas is dedicated to making Dubai and the UAE better for people to live, work and play in. We design for a diverse mix of people to stimulate a creative urban culture where the next generation of ideas, businesses and communities can take root. Our investments ensure a better future for generations to come and stretch across different sectors including food, retail, leisure, hospitality, health and education. Our destinations which include to date – City Walk, The Beach, Boxpark, Last Exit, The Outlet Village, Kite Beach, Bluewaters, La Mer and Al Seef – are open places for communities to socialise, explore, learn, play, create and innovate.
About Bulgari
Bulgari was founded in Rome in 1884 as a jewelry shop and quickly established a reputation for Italian excellence with exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent jewelry creations. The Company’s international success has evolved into a global and diversified luxury purveyor of products and services ranging from fine jewels and watches to accessories perfumes and hotels, with an unrivalled network of outlets in the world’s most exclusive areas. Since 2011 Bulgari is part of the LVMH Group.
For further information: https://www.bulgarihotels.com/en_US/dubaihttp://en.worldtempus.com/article/bulgari-the-bulgari-resort-dubai-is-now-open-25146.html
————————–
Text and pictures by Bvlgari
Embracing a maritime theme, customising the resort to echo its unique island home, luscious Italian marble has been used along with coral inspired exteriors to truly epitomise the ocean surroundings. Meanwhile, in the spirit of integral designs dating back to the 1930s, the architects hand-selected or custom-designed every element for consistency, comfort and purity, allowing the hotel’s design to maintain an uncompromisingly Italian style, while simultaneously incorporating the uniqueness of its destination, exuding timeless glamour. Each piece, from the marble bathtubs to the sculpted door handles, hail from the finest quality materials and is incorporated in a unified, seamless fashion.
The resort includes 101 hotel rooms and suites and 20 hotel villas, all exquisitely furnished with the highest quality Italian luxury furniture brands such as Maxalto, Flos, Fexform and others, in an expression of the quality of ‘Made in Italy’. All rooms and suites have expansive views over the breathtaking Dubai skyline or the Arabian Gulf, with large balconies to truly soak up the magnificent scenery.
For guests looking for ultimate space and privacy, the resort’s five categories of villa enable families and friends to create a bespoke experience. Ranging from one to three bedrooms, with options to connect villas, the properties vary from 175 sqm to 540 sqm in size, all with a personal butler service and private pool and gazebo. The 540 sqm Bulgari Villa is the ultimate jewel in the crown, and is ideal for family escapes or a gathering of friends. Features include a large living area, a sunken bath tub and a private lush garden with a large outdoor swimming pool, to ensure guests are provided with every home comfort they could possibly need.
The 1,700 sqm BVLGARI Spa adds a further luxurious touch to the guest experience with eight treatment rooms and 25-metre indoor pool with full sea view through its magnificent floor to ceiling windows, providing guests with that ‘on the beach’ feeling, whatever the weather. Guests will enjoy the ultimate wellbeing experience, immersing in innovative treatments, therapies and grooming for both men and women, in addition to thermal and bathing experiences. Adjacent to the spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre offers Workshop Gymnasium signature training method: a results-driven approach that redefines the very concept of well-being.
In true Italian tradition, where excellent dining is a must, the resort offers several sumptuous offerings. Bulgari Hotels & Resorts’ own Michelin starred Italian chef, Niko Romito, has curated a blend of modern and classical Italian concepts exclusively for Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, interpreting the exquisite flavours of Italy with modern simplicity. Working from his three-starred restaurant in Italy, and regularly counselling his personally-trained chef resident in the hotel, he brings to Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, a menu that expresses the Italian culture at its best.
In the same space of Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, guests will find Il Bar, where they can enjoy signature beverages at the quintessential steel and bronze oval bar, while soaking up the magical dusk on the outdoor terrace, with views sweeping across the Arabian Gulf.
Guests can also enjoy the same sense of Italian simplicity and flavours at Il Cafe, while in the classically-designed Lobby Lounge, offering the residential atmosphere of a living room where guests can enjoy Italian-themed teas in a relaxed setting, surrounded by sumptuous soft furnishings, coffee table books and famous icons of Bulgari’s rich heritage, a taste of modern Italian comfort.
The resort’s beach, La Spiaggia, with private villa cabanas, a children’s pool and club and an outdoor pool and restaurant, is the perfect spot to wind down by day or night. During the day, guests can enjoy a variety of international food and drinks, while by night, the beach club glistens under the lanterns and candlelight, and offers the perfect spot to enjoy the sea breeze.
Nestled on the end of the Marina, the world’s first Bulgari Marina & Yacht Club is a unique destination which overlooks a 50-boat harbour and recreates the charm of a Mediterranean village in the heart of the Arabian Gulf. Featuring amenities including the Yacht Club Italian Restaurant specializing in fish, the members lounge, outdoor pool and bar, and the first branded kids’ club, the Little Gems Club, the Yacht Club is set to become an exclusive destination.
Whether guests are looking to host corporate events, intimate family gatherings or lavish weddings, the resort is not only a location to vacation, but the ideal events destination. The 360 sqm BVLGARI Ballroom located in the Yacht Club can be customised for large scale events and offers state-of-the-art technology. With a stunning sea view, this location is fit for bespoke special occasions and business events alike. Located at the Resort, La Limonaia, the secret lemon-tree garden offers guests a private country garden-style space with the quaintness of old Italy, while offering impressive views of the Dubai skyline.
BVLGARI Il Cioccolato boutique, offering the renown ‘chocolate gem’ delicious creations, and a Concept store, where guests can find the sophisticated Bulgari Le Gemme perfume collection together with a selection of items from top niche international designers, complete the Resort experience.
Conveniently situated in the stunning Jumeira area in the centre of Dubai, the resort is just a short drive from many of the city’s attractions. Slightly further away on the north side rises the magnificent Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood along Dubai Creek, where the city’s flavours, culture and diversity truly come to life, while, on the other side, the trendy areas of Dubai are only a few miles away.
The inauguration of the Bulgari Resort Dubai will be followed in close succession by the opening of an additional two Bulgari hotels: Shanghai (2018) and Moscow (2020).
About Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
Unique locations in harmony with the surrounding area, the blend of traditional design with dramatic contemporary Italian architecture by the architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and superior service crafted with the same attention to quality that has always distinguished Bulgari creations. These are the key elements that characterize The Bulgari Hotels and Resorts collection.
For all the hotels, the approach is the same: the design of the interiors is strongly rooted in the traditions of the place, and careful attention is paid to every detail in a tribute to absolute luxury.
The Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection features the distinctive, bold Italian style typical of Bulgari, reflected in its unique design, its contemporary Italian cuisine and its lavish SPAs. It conveys the excitement of the Bulgari brand, its timeless glamour and its magnificent Italian jewelry heritage.
Having grown from a collection of three iconic Hotels & Resorts in Milan, London and Bali, Bulgari Hotels and Resorts was recently enriched by the Beijing property and will add a fifth jewel to the collection with the opening of Dubai. Two further Bulgari Hotels are due to open between 2018 and 2020 in Shanghai and Moscow
About Meraas
Meraas is dedicated to making Dubai and the UAE better for people to live, work and play in. We design for a diverse mix of people to stimulate a creative urban culture where the next generation of ideas, businesses and communities can take root. Our investments ensure a better future for generations to come and stretch across different sectors including food, retail, leisure, hospitality, health and education. Our destinations which include to date – City Walk, The Beach, Boxpark, Last Exit, The Outlet Village, Kite Beach, Bluewaters, La Mer and Al Seef – are open places for communities to socialise, explore, learn, play, create and innovate.
About Bulgari
Bulgari was founded in Rome in 1884 as a jewelry shop and quickly established a reputation for Italian excellence with exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent jewelry creations. The Company’s international success has evolved into a global and diversified luxury purveyor of products and services ranging from fine jewels and watches to accessories perfumes and hotels, with an unrivalled network of outlets in the world’s most exclusive areas. Since 2011 Bulgari is part of the LVMH Group.
For further information:
https://www.bulgarihotels.com/en_US/dubai
http://en.worldtempus.com/article/bulgari-the-bulgari-resort-dubai-is-now-open-25146.html
————————–
Text and pictures by Bvlgari 
Embracing a maritime theme, customising the resort to echo its unique island home, luscious Italian marble has been used along with coral inspired exteriors to truly epitomise the ocean surroundings. Meanwhile, in the spirit of integral designs dating back to the 1930s, the architects hand-selected or custom-designed every element for consistency, comfort and purity, allowing the hotel’s design to maintain an uncompromisingly Italian style, while simultaneously incorporating the uniqueness of its destination, exuding timeless glamour. Each piece, from the marble bathtubs to the sculpted door handles, hail from the finest quality materials and is incorporated in a unified, seamless fashion.
The resort includes 101 hotel rooms and suites and 20 hotel villas, all exquisitely furnished with the highest quality Italian luxury furniture brands such as Maxalto, Flos, Fexform and others, in an expression of the quality of ‘Made in Italy’. All rooms and suites have expansive views over the breathtaking Dubai skyline or the Arabian Gulf, with large balconies to truly soak up the magnificent scenery.
For guests looking for ultimate space and privacy, the resort’s five categories of villa enable families and friends to create a bespoke experience. Ranging from one to three bedrooms, with options to connect villas, the properties vary from 175 sqm to 540 sqm in size, all with a personal butler service and private pool and gazebo. The 540 sqm Bulgari Villa is the ultimate jewel in the crown, and is ideal for family escapes or a gathering of friends. Features include a large living area, a sunken bath tub and a private lush garden with a large outdoor swimming pool, to ensure guests are provided with every home comfort they could possibly need.
The 1,700 sqm BVLGARI Spa adds a further luxurious touch to the guest experience with eight treatment rooms and 25-metre indoor pool with full sea view through its magnificent floor to ceiling windows, providing guests with that ‘on the beach’ feeling, whatever the weather. Guests will enjoy the ultimate wellbeing experience, immersing in innovative treatments, therapies and grooming for both men and women, in addition to thermal and bathing experiences. Adjacent to the spa, a state-of-the-art fitness centre offers Workshop Gymnasium signature training method: a results-driven approach that redefines the very concept of well-being.
In true Italian tradition, where excellent dining is a must, the resort offers several sumptuous offerings. Bulgari Hotels & Resorts’ own Michelin starred Italian chef, Niko Romito, has curated a blend of modern and classical Italian concepts exclusively for Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, interpreting the exquisite flavours of Italy with modern simplicity. Working from his three-starred restaurant in Italy, and regularly counselling his personally-trained chef resident in the hotel, he brings to Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, a menu that expresses the Italian culture at its best.
In the same space of Il Ristorante by Niko Romito, guests will find Il Bar, where they can enjoy signature beverages at the quintessential steel and bronze oval bar, while soaking up the magical dusk on the outdoor terrace, with views sweeping across the Arabian Gulf.
Guests can also enjoy the same sense of Italian simplicity and flavours at Il Cafe, while in the classically-designed Lobby Lounge, offering the residential atmosphere of a living room where guests can enjoy Italian-themed teas in a relaxed setting, surrounded by sumptuous soft furnishings, coffee table books and famous icons of Bulgari’s rich heritage, a taste of modern Italian comfort.
The resort’s beach, La Spiaggia, with private villa cabanas, a children’s pool and club and an outdoor pool and restaurant, is the perfect spot to wind down by day or night. During the day, guests can enjoy a variety of international food and drinks, while by night, the beach club glistens under the lanterns and candlelight, and offers the perfect spot to enjoy the sea breeze.
Nestled on the end of the Marina, the world’s first Bulgari Marina & Yacht Club is a unique destination which overlooks a 50-boat harbour and recreates the charm of a Mediterranean village in the heart of the Arabian Gulf. Featuring amenities including the Yacht Club Italian Restaurant specializing in fish, the members lounge, outdoor pool and bar, and the first branded kids’ club, the Little Gems Club, the Yacht Club is set to become an exclusive destination.
Whether guests are looking to host corporate events, intimate family gatherings or lavish weddings, the resort is not only a location to vacation, but the ideal events destination. The 360 sqm BVLGARI Ballroom located in the Yacht Club can be customised for large scale events and offers state-of-the-art technology. With a stunning sea view, this location is fit for bespoke special occasions and business events alike. Located at the Resort, La Limonaia, the secret lemon-tree garden offers guests a private country garden-style space with the quaintness of old Italy, while offering impressive views of the Dubai skyline.
BVLGARI Il Cioccolato boutique, offering the renown ‘chocolate gem’ delicious creations, and a Concept store, where guests can find the sophisticated Bulgari Le Gemme perfume collection together with a selection of items from top niche international designers, complete the Resort experience.
Conveniently situated in the stunning Jumeira area in the centre of Dubai, the resort is just a short drive from many of the city’s attractions. Slightly further away on the north side rises the magnificent Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood along Dubai Creek, where the city’s flavours, culture and diversity truly come to life, while, on the other side, the trendy areas of Dubai are only a few miles away.
The inauguration of the Bulgari Resort Dubai will be followed in close succession by the opening of an additional two Bulgari hotels: Shanghai (2018) and Moscow (2020).
About Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
Unique locations in harmony with the surrounding area, the blend of traditional design with dramatic contemporary Italian architecture by the architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and superior service crafted with the same attention to quality that has always distinguished Bulgari creations. These are the key elements that characterize The Bulgari Hotels and Resorts collection.
For all the hotels, the approach is the same: the design of the interiors is strongly rooted in the traditions of the place, and careful attention is paid to every detail in a tribute to absolute luxury.
The Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection features the distinctive, bold Italian style typical of Bulgari, reflected in its unique design, its contemporary Italian cuisine and its lavish SPAs. It conveys the excitement of the Bulgari brand, its timeless glamour and its magnificent Italian jewelry heritage.
Having grown from a collection of three iconic Hotels & Resorts in Milan, London and Bali, Bulgari Hotels and Resorts was recently enriched by the Beijing property and will add a fifth jewel to the collection with the opening of Dubai. Two further Bulgari Hotels are due to open between 2018 and 2020 in Shanghai and Moscow
About Meraas
Meraas is dedicated to making Dubai and the UAE better for people to live, work and play in. We design for a diverse mix of people to stimulate a creative urban culture where the next generation of ideas, businesses and communities can take root. Our investments ensure a better future for generations to come and stretch across different sectors including food, retail, leisure, hospitality, health and education. Our destinations which include to date – City Walk, The Beach, Boxpark, Last Exit, The Outlet Village, Kite Beach, Bluewaters, La Mer and Al Seef – are open places for communities to socialise, explore, learn, play, create and innovate.
About Bulgari
Bulgari was founded in Rome in 1884 as a jewelry shop and quickly established a reputation for Italian excellence with exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent jewelry creations. The Company’s international success has evolved into a global and diversified luxury purveyor of products and services ranging from fine jewels and watches to accessories perfumes and hotels, with an unrivalled network of outlets in the world’s most exclusive areas. Since 2011 Bulgari is part of the LVMH Group.
For further information:
https://www.bulgarihotels.com/en_US/dubai
http://en.worldtempus.com/article/bulgari-the-bulgari-resort-dubai-is-now-open-25146.html
————————–
Text and pictures by Bvlgari