Sat 219.5 metres atop The Address Sky View hotel, and encased in floor to ceiling glass walls amidst their twin towers, the observatory acts as the perfect post-intensive-shopping spree denouement when collections of diamond-rimmed watches overwhelm your senses. Built with the intent of - as close to literally as regulations would allow - catapulting you outside of the crevices of the massive cityscape into a front row seat of urban jungle, Sky Views seamlessly merges the comfort of present lived experiences with those of out-of-body ones. When the theatre stage becomes far too constricting, the desire to abandon indoor settings morphs into a necessity. With 1,300 seats, a 5 metre deep pool, 360 degree surround sound and three-dimensional projection mapping, La Perle is a fortified feast for the senses. Bringing together the world’s leading technicians, theatrical designers, and 35 different performing artists from 15 different countries La Perle perfectly encapsulates Dubai’s animated spirit (as people descend from 18 metre heights of course). Merging world-class talent with Dubai’s extensive past, vibrant present, and aspirational future, La Perle not only serves as the city’s number one show but also acts as a microcosmic representation of its established role as a hub for creative initiatives. Reigning supreme is their dive into theatrics is Al Habtoor City’s La Perle. Substantiating the city’s phantasmagoric affiliations is an endless mechanism exclusively dedicated to pumping out experiential endeavours ones curated with the intent of making every waking second memorable. The root cause of the expansive focus on Dubai over the past decade, in particular, can be attributed to its booming entertainment industry, and most importantly, its exhibitions. History is not all that grounds the palatial city. To think that Dubai, the city that continues to baffle scholars, architects, designers, and tourists with its diversity, accessibility, and magnificence was built in 50 years, is truly miraculous. However, it was not until Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum’s rule that the Dubai World Trade Centre, Jebel Ali Port, Rashid Port, and other pivotal developments were made to modernise Dubai and turn it into the global tourist destination it is today.

Initially established as a fishing village in the early 18th century, Dubai grew to host 700 to 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe and was subject to the rule of Sheikh Tahnun bin Shakhbut of Abu Dhabi. To most, Dubai is uncharted territory but those who entrench themselves in the enigma’s history will come to realise that the city has an entire backlog of historical context to unravel. Whilst Dubai has exceeded all existing definitions of luxury, it is only a minuscule angle that fails to tell the story behind one of the richest cities in the world. Riddled with culturally rich cuisine, no global delicacy and respective taste palette ever goes unaccounted for. Interspersed with high ceilings, their exorbitant malls urge you to unapologetically dip your fingers in the nearest trust fund and succumb to the luxurious world of Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Dior. Landing and treading its concrete streets breathes life into the images at hand. The urge to cease the doom-scrolling never withers and the tech-driven skyscrapers and mirrored infrastructure only work to further captivate you. It's the city you relentlessly google, but the images trafficked never seem to encompass the magnitude of what it has to offer. Two glasses of bubbly Rose and a selection of pistachio-encrusted chocolates later, the shoes come off, and the descent into a city, unlike any other, awaits.Īn esoteric fantasy, Dubai takes what at times seems unfathomable and makes it tangible.

Mere seconds into your ascent you’re greeted with an unyielding aura of reassurance one cemented by warm smiles and lavender-scented face towels.

Boarding an Emirates airline flight immediately propels you to disengage from life along with its mundane connotations, and leap - red and gold interiors first - into a land of luxury and sheer escapism.

Unyielding aura