New Dubai hotel may artificially cool its beach

Although the Palazzo Versace, Dubai’s newest hotel under construction, is still two years from opening, its developers are considering a gimmicky feature to attract guests. They may artificially cool the beach so that sunbathers are comfortable on the sand in Dubai’s summer heat.

The 12-storey, $609 million luxury hotel and residence complex was designed by the fashion house in Milan from which it derives its name. Completion is anticipated in 2010.

Palazzo Versace’s officials have so far been vague about how the beach would be cooled.

They have said that the mechanism could involve forcing air-conditioned air from the hotel and residence complex which will contain 213 guest rooms and 169 apartments.

Developers have also said that it would be possible to cool the beach by using heat-deflecting materials and landscaping to provide shade.

The concept of artificially-cooling a beach is par for the course in Dubai’s pursuit of the ultimate in luxury and ultra-rich guests.

Dubai already boasts resorts and complexes that are over the top. One features an indoor ski slope that’s artificially-chilled. It was built at the edge of one of the hottest deserts in the world.

The emirate is currently completing the construction of the tallest skyscraper in the world and continues to develop its man-made island archipelago off the Gulf coast.

www.palazzoversace.ae