Atlantis The Royal was acknowledged for its excellence during the inaugural Michelin Keys global award ceremony in Paris on Wednesday night, bringing home a three-key distinction.
The hotel also received a special award for architecture and design earlier in the evening. It opened in Dubai in February 2023, the second Atlantis hotel on Palm Jumeirah.
Four hotels from the UAE were awarded two keys, including Burj Al Arab, one of the skyline's most prominent designs; and 15 hotels around the Emirates got one key apiece.
While the Michelin Guide has designated stars to restaurants since 1926, Wednesday's event marked the first global hotel awards in which the tyre-turned-lifestyle brand began handing out keys to properties across the world on the same platform, rather than doing so by country-only.
The ceremony, which took place at the Museum of Decorative Arts, had industry professionals and international media gather in the French capital.
Three keys winners
Thirty-eight hotels around the world were granted three keys at the inaugural ceremony. Alongside Atlantis The Royal, other winners in the wider region are Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet and La Mamounia in Marrakesh.
Much like the culinary equivalent of three stars, three keys represents an extraordinary stay, deemed the ultimate in comfort, service, style and elegance. The accolade suggests a hotel that would attract visitors to the destination in its own right, for a stay that doubles as the “trip of a lifetime”.
Two key winners
The four UAE hotels that were honoured with two keys are: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi; Bulgari Resort Dubai; Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and One&Only The Palm.
Other Mena properties recognised are Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheik in Egypt; Royal Mansour in Morocco; and La Fiermontina Ocean in Morocco.
Two keys highlight exceptional and unique stays, with charm, character and eye-catching design or architecture. A total of 231 hotels took home two keys.
One key winners
Fifteen establishments in the UAE received one key, of which representatives from the following hotels were at the event to pick up their plaques: Erth Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Saadiyat Island and The St Regis Dubai, The Palm.
Other Abu Dhabi properties that were recognised with one key are: Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers; Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island; Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island; Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara; and Rosewood Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, one-key hotels include Address Beach Resort; Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa; Armani Hotel Dubai; Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort; ME Dubai by Melia; The Lana - Dorchester Collection; and The St Regis Downtown Dubai.
One key represents a “true gem” within the hospitality scene; a hotel that either breaks the mould, offers something a bit different or is one of the best at what it does, with added extra-mile service.
During the ceremony, 60 establishments worldwide were given one key. “Awarding a first key is a special moment, because that’s when a property becomes part of the Michelin Key family,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide.
Special awards
Four special awards opened the evening, with the Burman Hotel in Estonia taking home the first prize for Opening of the Year. The property, which launched in March, was lauded as being a standout newcomer.
Next came the Architecture and Design Award, which recognises an establishment that gives guests an unforgettable experience through its distinctive aesthetic. Atlantis The Royal was crowned the winner. “To really produce extraordinary moments – from the arrival to the stay – everyone in this room has the same vision. But we are very fortunate to have such an iconic building in Dubai and the Middle East,” a hotel representative said.
Burgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne in Switzerland won the Wellness Award, thanking the team who gave the resort its “soul”. This award recognises a hotel's pioneering and holistic programme that genuinely nurtures mind, body and spirit.
The Local Gateway Award, meanwhile, was awarded to La Fiermontina Ocean, nestled in Morocco's Atlas Mountains. The gong recognises a hotel that offers an immersive connection to its surroundings.
What are Michelin Keys?
Similar to star ratings for restaurants, Michelin Keys aim to direct travellers to stellar hotels and resorts.
With the same rigour as they do for the culinary scene, Michelin's anonymous inspectors independently review the hotels, being mindful of five criteria: overall quality of the stay, individuality, service, design and consistency.
While this is the first global ceremony, the rollout began earlier this year with about 1,500 hotels recognised in 15 destinations, including France, Spain, the UK, US and Thailand.
After the inaugural ceremony in Paris, 2,457 hotels worldwide now have one, two or three Michelin keys.
Poullennec said that 125 years after Michelin launched its first guide, the Michelin Keys aim to highlight hotels that stand out for exceptional stays, where design, service and location come together to create memorable experiences.
“With their unique field expertise and on-the-ground approach, Michelin Guide inspectors have selected the finest properties from across the globe, reflecting the diversity and excellence of today’s hospitality landscape,” he said. “Whether travellers seek iconic resorts, historic city hotels or hidden gems off the beaten path, the Michelin Keys provide a trusted guide to discover, explore and book stays that inspire and delight.”
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
Results
5pm: Warsan Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Dhaw Al Reef, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Al Quadra Lake – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Mrouwah Al Gharbia, Sando Paiva, Abubakar Daud
6pm: Hatta Lake – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Yatroq, George Buckell, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adries de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Zakher Lake – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Alfareeq, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
Reaktion Books
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Floward%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulaziz%20Al%20Loughani%20and%20Mohamed%20Al%20Arifi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EE-commerce%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbout%20%24200%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAljazira%20Capital%2C%20Rainwater%20Partners%2C%20STV%20and%20Impact46%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2C200%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Stamp%20duty%20timeline
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Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
Malcolm & Marie
Directed by: Sam Levinson
Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya
Three stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
