Abu Dhabi hotel unveils $11m Christmas tree

By Ed Attwood
  • Thursday, 16 December 2010 9:28 AM
RECORD PLANS: Emirates Palace hotel has unveiled what is thought to be the world’s most expensive Christmas tree (Getty Images)

RECORD PLANS: Emirates Palace hotel has unveiled what is thought to be the world’s most expensive Christmas tree (Getty Images)

Emirates Palace hotel, the luxury Abu Dhabi hotel, has unveiled what is thought to be the world’s most expensive Christmas tree, valued at more than $11m.

The 13-metre fake evergreen tree is located in the hotel’s lobby, and is decorated with silver and gold bows, ball-shaped ornaments and small white lights.

However, the record value of the tree is due to the necklaces, earrings and other jewellery draped over its branches.

Khalifa Khouri, owner of Style Gallery, which provided the jewellery, said that the tree held 181 diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones.

"The tree itself is about $10,000," said Hans Olbertz, general manager of the Emirates Palace, in comments quoted by AFP.

"The jewellery has a value of over $11m -- I think $11.4m, $11.5m."

Olbertz added that the hotel planned to contact the Guinness book of world records about the tree, which will remain in its location until the end of the year.

The general manager added that he did not believe the tree would offend religious sensibilities.

In March, the self-styled ‘seven star’ hotel launched the world’s first gold bar vending machine.

The Gold To Go machine, itself covered in 24-carat gold, dispenses one, five and 10 gram bars as well as one ounce bars of gold.

Six gold coins of varied weights and engraved with symbols of gold-producing nations Canada, Australia and South Africa, are also dispensed by the machine.

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Emirates Palace unveils $11m Christmas tree

Emirates Palace unveils $11m Christmas tree

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Top 10 Middle East hotel openings of 2010

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Please post responsibly. Commenter Rules

Posted by: JSYZLDmzauqYt Wednesday, 25 April 2012 12:57 PM[UAE] - FlcpvmbgjnqlNdNbvT

the UAE (is in risk of losing its to non-arabs) gomnverent instead bring from Sudan, Somali, Syria and other Arab nations to live and work because we have the same culture + religion + Language therefore Arab people to increase the UAE population over there.May God have mercy on Sheikh Zayed for his kindess and willingness to help the umma! ameen

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Posted by: Murtaza Sakarwala Sunday, 18 December 2011 6:37 PM[UAE] - Oman

Hay !!! Guys ... Every country has its own tradition of celebration and festivals, UAE has always been doing things in a way which other have not even thought of, They think BIG !!! The Jewels used on the Christmas Tree are for decorations only, the sponsors will take them back after display, so why charity and donation discussed on this issue, I 100 % agree that money spent on firework is a waste, money spent could buy lunch for huge population of needy people.
Thinking Big !!! There is a shop in Gold shook, displaying on a front counter a gold ring weighting 59 kgs.

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Posted by: Henry Sunday, 18 December 2011 12:29 PM[UAE] - UAE§

The UAE spends millions on fireworks every year. Why no moans and groans about that? All that money could be donated but it isn't.

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Posted by: Tom Sunday, 18 December 2011 8:22 AM[UAE] - USA

Someone should send the Gov of Rhode Island the picture of the Christmas Tree in Dubai since that idiot has a Holiday Tree.

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Posted by: Mr. Louis Sunday, 26 December 2010 10:23 AM[UAE] - United Kingdom

It is just fine for the best hotel to have a golden Christmas tree. Having 11 million of dollars in gold on the Christmas tree does not mean that gold has been spent for nothing or that it is undervalued. Remember, the prices of gold are raising.

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