EMIRATES PALACE, ABU DHABI, EXPANDS MARINA DINING

By Abdulla Rasheed, Abu Dhabi Editor

Original Article published at: http://bit.ly/pXhzwA

Newly-appointed general manager reveals grand plans to strengthen hotel's hold in the number one spot.

Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi will open new dining outlets in its 173-berth marina and is also set to host high-profile events like an annual yacht show and polo matches.

Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace hotel has embarked on a project to add a number of dining outlets in its marina which features 173 berths, a top official said.

"We are currently developing the entire area around the marina where we will eventually have several dining outlets, shops, and a new ballroom. We are currently in the final stages of finalising plans to open an Emirates Palace yacht club at the marina, as well as a large fitness centre," Bugra Berberoglu, the newly appointed general manager of Emirates Palace, told Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

"Since we've just opened the marina and development is ongoing, we are offering fantastic opportunities for the marine leisure community in the way of special promotions.

Since he arrived five weeks ago, Berberoglu and his team have been working on several new projects for the hotel, which will be announced in the coming months.

"Our aim is to confirm that we are the number one hotel in the world. In order to do that we will work continuously to improve ourselves and to innovate, by offering ongoing training to all staff, reviewing our food and beverage offerings regularly, and expanding our leisure facilities," he said.

"Since our opening in 2005, we have established superior standards for the hotel industry in Abu Dhabi and the wider region. As Abu Dhabi continues to grow we will strive to maintain our number one spot in the capital by continuing to invest in our staff and developing innovative offerings so that we are always providing the best services internationally."

Speaking about new activities planned for the coming months, he mentioned several events: "We're looking to finalise an annual Emirates Palace Yacht Show, held at our marina. We have signed a letter of intent with a well-known polo company to host Kempinski's first traditional polo event in Abu Dhabi and we're hoping to host the first annual polo game in Abu Dhabi, early next year."

"As part of our commitment to culture, we are also working on bringing incredible art to Abu Dhabi. We are planning two special exhibitions in the next year, one featuring hanging statues and another that will showcase works by renowned painters from around the world, including mural art." He explained.

Speaking about the relationship between the hotel and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (Adta) he said: "We maintain an important strategic partnerships with Adta, and Etihad Airlines, and I believe that together, through the leadership of Adta, we will ensure the development of a sustainable tourism industry in the city of Abu Dhabi."

Berberoglu added "There are many new hotels being built in Abu Dhabi, and through the excellent management of Adta and the growth of Etihad Airlines, Abu Dhabi will be one of the best destinations worldwide."

"The second half of 2011 will offer many exciting occasions for our guests," he said.

"We are looking forward to the upcoming art exhibitions, classical music concerts, ballet performances, and much more. Our special events have been always a great success and we continue to see growing demand from the local community for remarkable cultural offerings. We are proud to serve as an icon for the city and a symbol of its warm hospitality," he said.

YAMAHA LAUNCHES NEW SPORT BOATS & WAVE RUNNER

Yamaha unveils two sets of new sport boats at 19- and 21-foot lengths, and a completely updated PWC, the WaveRunner FX.  See more at original article: Boats.com Blog.

Yamaha will offer two all-new sport boat platforms and a completely redesigned WaveRunner FX series personal watercraft for 2012. The new products debuted to dealers on Aug. 22, but I had a chance to sample prototypes in Georgia a few weeks ago, and will file full reports in the near future. Until then…

The new 19-foot boats from Yamaha feature a broad bow for added seating space.                This AR190 model comes with a wakeboard tower.

New 19-Foot Sport Boats

Yamaha takes aim at the entry-level runabout category with its new standard SX190 ($24,999) and wake-sports specialized AR190 ($26,999) sport boats. Measuring 19’2” in length over a beam of 8 feet, each is powered by a single 1.8-liter High Output engine and Yamaha jet drive. It’s been years since Yamaha offered a price-point boat model, or one with a single engine, but the company says that 25 percent of the so-called “family fun” boating segment fits in the 18- to 20-foot length range, and aims to appeal to those buyers. Expect to see this boat go up against both economy sterndrives and the new outboard-powered runabouts. My first impression upon stepping aboard was that the boat feels a lot bigger than it is.

Credit the low profile of the Yamaha propulsion package, which does not require an intrusive motor box. This boat is built with a full cockpit liner rather than the cap deck with open (and often carpeted) inwales usually found on a boat in this size and price range. Below the deck is a molded stringer grid that incorporates smooth, finished surfaces for a large ski locker and the pan below the engine. At the stern, the new Yamaha features a step-down design that incorporates lounge seating and a swim platform just above water level. In short, Yamaha sticks to its proven sport-boat formula with this new model.

New 21-foot Sport Boats

The best-selling Yamaha 210/212 series is also all-new for 2012. A 21’ 4” hull is 4 inches longer than the previous 21-series Yamaha, and features a new sheer line that curves to the water aft to give the boat sort of a fast-back look. The standard SX210 and wake-sports AR210 are powered by twin 1.0-liter engines and jet drives, while the 212SS and wake-sports 212X are powered by twin 1.8-liter High Output engines and jets. Many features of the previous Yamaha 21-footers are back but updated on these new models. The bi-level stern area now features cup holders, has more leg room, and the swim platform is closer to the water.

                  All-new 21-foot models from Yamaha are four inches longer than the boats they replace,
              and feature a swooping new sheer line. This 212SS model is powered by twin 1.8-liter engines.

There’s dedicated space for a 38-quart cooler below the aft cockpit seat. The helm and dash areas are redesigned and now incorporate more storage options. The bow area is wider and still offers convertible cushions with multiple seating options. The wakeboard tower on the AR210 and 212X have been redesigned to be easier to fold down, and now include board racks. Pricing ranges from $34,599 to $43,999, including a trailer.

It’s been a decade since Yamaha introduced the WaveRunner FX series, and its flagship watercraft was due for more than a facelift. It’s all new for 2012 with a focus on comfort for the rider and passengers. At 140.2 inches, the new hull is 7.5 inches longer than the previous FX, although that makes it just an inch longer than the Sea-Doo GTX models. About three inches of that added length is dedicated to the seat, while the rest is added to the boarding platform. The FX HO series has the 1.8-liter engine and will be offered in both the standard and Cruiser configuration. Cruiser models have a new “stadium” seat that features three distinct positions for the pilot and two passengers.

Yamaha WaveRunner FX Cruiser models feature a new stepped seat with room for three adults.

The middle seat position is about six inches higher than the pilot seat, while the aft spot is four inches higher still, the point being to give each person a view forward. This seat now also offers comfortable space for three adults – no kidding, we tried it. Cruiser models also have pull-up cleats and more instrument features than the standard FX. FX SHO models also come in standard and Cruiser versions, but with the added punch of the supercharged 1.8-liter engine.

All FX models have a longer reboarding step and a new ski line locker on the aft seat base, shown in two short videos below. They also have a new reverse lever with a positive neutral detent and a drive-by-wire throttle with speed-control features. Pricing ranges from $12,499 to $14,599. No word yet from Yamaha on when these new models will reach dealers.