Simply Abu Dhabi XXXV

2 0 0 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Slated to launch in October 2019, Bailey is the second incarnation offering a modern and innovative celebration of the arts. This is represented by artists-in-residence and artwork from across Australia displayed in and around the hotel, as well as art events for all guests to enjoy. In addition to 217 spacious rooms filled with design details, Bailey is a food lovers haven with an enviable selection of stunning on-site restaurants designed to cater to any mood or occasion. Throwing down the gauntlet as the culinary destination for locals and tourists alike, the offering enables guests to reminisce about the rugged Australian outback at CC’s Bar and Grill, celebrate the best of Australian heritage with a nostalgic feast at the Milk Bar, or take a quick trip to Mexico at Colada. And, with the New Year comes Flynn. Scheduled to throw open its doors in early 2020 it will appeal to the more flamboyant visitor. If exquisite glass swimming pools that face the Esplanade boardwalk don’t float your boat, perhaps 311 stylish rooms and suites, and a contemporary wellness centre set within lush tropical gardens will. Drawing on its location for inspiration, the in-house dining options are a representation of the ever- changing natural surroundings of Cairns. Featuring local flavours and a mouth-watering selection of cuisine, the culinary choice encompasses three levels of restaurants offering Italian and market style food. Also readying itself for development in 2020 is Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas. The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Crystalbrook is Queensland’s northernmost marina and one of Australia’s premier nautical destinations. The iconic marina boasts 135 berths for permanent and visiting vessels, welcoming superyachts up to 50m, and also plays host to some of Port Douglas’ most popular restaurants, shops and a full-service slipway. A complete overhaul is planned for the coming years which will propel it up the ranks of world- class yachting facilities. Superyachts come from far and wide to explore the magic of the coral bommies and fringing reefs that make up the Great Barrier Reef. The far northern reefs around Cairns are very different to those further souths, with myriad marine life and diving opportunities. Bathed in the clearest deep ocean water, outcrops of long ribbon-like reef structures formwith steep drop-offs on the seaward side. It’s off these steep-walled reefs that marlin and game fish play, hence the name of Cairns’ other facility – and Australia’s premier marina – Cairns Marlin Marina. Providing first-class facilities and customer service for a diverse fleet of yachts, it is the gateway to spectacular cruising grounds. Unusually for a state-of-the-art floating marina, it is located right next to Cairns city centre. Featuring 261 berths accommodating a variety of cruising vessels, including superyachts up to 140m, Cairns Marlin Marina is a short walk to the tropical swimming lagoon, five-star hotels, shopping, dining and the city’s vibrant nightlife. Just 10 minutes from Cairns International Airport and five minutes fromCairns marine and superyacht refit precinct, it’s little wonder that it’s a favourite port of call for superyacht owners, captains and crew alike. With superyacht regulations still preventing foreign-flagged yachts to charter in Australian waters, it falls to the likes of motor yacht Spirit, which is home ported in Cairns Marlin Marina, to provide unparalleled charter experiences for visitors to the cosmopolitan city. “With over 3,000 reef systems and Cays, and an abundance of marine life, the Great Barrier reef is the largest coral reef in the world, and without a doubt one of nature’s greatest gifts to us all,” says Spirit’s CaptainMartin DeBanks. Testament to the world-class hotel and superyacht facilities in the area is the latest instalment at BSE Slipways – a new $20 million mobile boat hoist. In operation since July 2019, the new 1120 tonne mobile boat hoist, one of the largest in the world, puts the Cairns region on par with the likes of Singapore in terms of superyacht maintenance services. BSE Slipways managing director Justin Parer said the new technology would revolutionise Cairns’ shipping industry. “We’ve got boats booking in and we haven’t even finalised prices which just shows the demand for the service,” he said. “We are taking the industry from old technology slipways to the world’s best — it will be easy to use, and customers will have a much better experience. It is such a change for us in the industry.”