The welcome
Avenue d'Iena, by Paris standards, is an unremarkable street. Opposite the hotel is a grim-looking government building and next door is the Embassy of Iran, surrounded by ugly security barriers. So the splendour of the Shangri-La caught me by surprise. Our taxi drove into the small courtyard past the stone columns and wrought-iron gates and in front of us was a small palace. This is Shangri-La's first foray into Europe and, although the building is Parisian to its core, there is no mistaking the company's Asian roots, from the staff uniform to the warm welcome. In my room, the trademark Shangri-La "welcome to strangers" advertisement (in which wolves protect a traveller lost in the snow,) is playing on all three televisions.
The neighbourhood
Situated in Paris's elegant 16th arrondissement, the hotel is close to the city's museums and is within a stone's throw of the Seine. The Eiffel Tower is just over the bridge.
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The room
Twenty-seven of the 83 rooms are suites, and I was in a mezzanine duplex, never a personal favourite; whatever I need is always on the other floor. But what a stunning view. From my bed the dominant image was of the Eiffel Tower. The curtains stretched from the sitting room to the bedroom and I adored the bathroom. A small TV screen was built into the bathroom mirror, a little distracting when you're putting on make-up, but great for watching a film while soaking in the bath with the Bulgari gels.
The service
The hotel had only been open a few weeks and the sweet man who showed us to our room was so nervous that he kept forgetting the correct English word and got himself tied up in knots. I didn't like to ask him anything in case it made it worse but he had a smile as broad as the Champs Elysée. In the restaurant the service was impeccable.
The scene
This was the home of Prince Roland Bonaparte - Napoleon's great-nephew - from 1896 and, after years of being used for offices with all the best features covered up, the Parisians are eager to see the results of the restoration. Instead of the grey paint covering the wood panelling, you can now see mahogany doors surmounted with eagles poised to take flight. A thousand panels of the Versailles parquet floor were taken up, cleaned and put down again; the attraction locally is that of re-discovery. Other guests are drawn to the Shangri-La brand in the most visited city in the world.
The food
La Bauhinia - named after the national flower of Hong Kong - is at the heart of the hotel and situated beneath the stunning glass cupola that was uncovered during restoration work. Philippe Labbé, who made his name at La Chèvre d'Or in Eze in Provence, is the chef in charge and inquisitive Parisiens are flocking there to see what he has conjured. The menu offers a mix of Asian and European, sometimes in a single dish. Our amuse bouche was rabbit pâté and I had yam som o, a pomelo salad with shrimps, peanuts and Thai vinaigrette (€21; Dh109) followed by sole Grenobloise-style (€10; Dh51; and the best Mont Blanc pudding I have ever tasted, which arrived on the plate dressed up as a hedgehog, although apparently this has now been replaced by tiramisu (€14; Dh73). The Shangri-La's signature restaurants - where Labbé hopes to get his Michelin star - are L'Abeille and the Shang Palace (styled as the first Cantonese gourmet restaurant in Paris), due to open shortly.
Loved
The view of the Eiffel Tower from the bedroom window, the sweeping staircase and the downstairs areas. With the exception of the bar, they cannot be described as cosy but they are inarguably beautiful.
Hated
It's a shame that the entrance to such a beautiful building will always be marred by the security barriers next door, but there was nothing to dislike about the hotel itself.
The verdict
Shangri-La's charm lies in its ability to recreate on the banks of the Seine a world where civilisations merge. Even if you can't stay the night, spend €11 (Dh57) on a traditional hot chocolate and drink in the splendour of the Napoleon 1 decor.
The bottom line
Room rates start at about €750 (Dh3,864) a night, but in low season there are several good deals to be had. The hotel offers a three-night package in a suite, including breakfast, taxes, a one-way transfer to the airport and an upgrade, depending on availability, for €1,565 (Dh8,061) per night. Shangri-La Paris, 10 avenue d'Iéna 75116 Paris (www.shangri-la.com; 00 33 1 53 67 19 98).
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
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UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Company%20Profile
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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Jebel Ali results
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner: AF Al Moreeb, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Shamikh, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 64,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: One Vision, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gabr, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
4pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 96,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Torno Subito, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson
5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner: Untold Secret, Jose Santiago, Salem bin Ghadayer
Destroyer
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Sebastian Stan
Rating: 3/5
UAE release: January 31
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The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
The%20specs
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Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66