Abu Dhabi hotel claims to be world's most wired

Looking for the world's most wired hotel? You may want to pay a visit to the Emirates Palace, a mammoth beachfront resort in Abu Dhabi. In addition to the usual video-on-demand, WiFi and remote-control everything that discriminating travelers have come to expect, the hotel has boosted its security, with no fewer than 16 firewalls, secure telephones and 3.5TB of secure storage — sounds like the perfect spot for the next 2600 convention. (The hotel may also be the first to benefit from time-travel technology; its web site boasts that it combines "the ultimate in luxury with 22nd century technology.") Of course, if you want to check out the $3 billion complex, you'd better have a good expense account: room rates run from $600 to $12,000 a night — though we've heard that for the higher prices, you get a mint on your pillow and free breakfast.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

I paid for my flight to Japan only yesterday. My hotel only has a ensuite wired network. No wireless :(

[GLN @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

How's the Skype service, are we good to go?

[Max @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

This place rules! Saw an interview with the german hotel director on TV a couple of weeks ago. He showed the tv folks around - it's simply amazing. Sad though they weren't allowed on the top floors... ;-)

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Be sure to leave your Rights at home. You will have to forfeit them when passing through customs.

[Ari @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Thats just ridiculous! Everybody knows that us "zionists" control the world and the world's money! Who will pay for such a pricey hotel?!

/sarcasm, of course.

[Lewis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

This place looks amazing espicially at night and its so big u cannot even imagin

[Jamaicanbwoydre @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Now odie can phone, e-mail, text and video call home when garfield boxes him up and sends his ass out there.

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

3.5TB ? Um...isn't that a little SMALL for a 3 billion dollar hotel ? Aren't 200GB hd's like $100 now ? So what could 3.5TB cost...$2K ? These guys spend more than that on TOILET PAPER in a single week (probably less)...

Unless of course you get an email adress during your stay and thats the size of your inbox.

Look out Gmail...

To: Chris

I'm looking to book a flight to good ole Nihon in June, and tips for 'some dope airfare' as Shatner would say, that you'd care to pass along ?

[toupsz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

On that note, I'm looking to go back to Tokyo in September for the UbiComp conference... :D

I generally look at Expedia...
-Zach

[getalife @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

To USMC, Chris and Amy: Your ignorance of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates is embarrassing. The U.A.E supports the U.S. and peacekeeping missions in Iraq and offers a very high quality of life with full protection and rights to citizens and visitors. Just two reasons it's one of the best tourist destinations in the world with millions visiting there annually.
You might consider trading your prejudice for an education.

[Shopping Sheri @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

This hotel looks incredible! My husband and I have been to this country quite a few times and we'll add this stop to our list next time. The weather, beach, sports, restaurants, malls and especially the people in this country are amazing!

I agree with getalife: it's a shame that some people are so misinformed about this part of the world and jump to conclusions.

[jayarr*superstar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

i too agree with getalife and shopping sheri, if you have ever been to the middle east you might have seen that the standard of life in some places is better than places in europe and the americas! a hotel like that deserves all the credit it gets for setting an example to its neighbors and the rest of the world :D

[Lt. Col. Dominik George Nargele USMC (Ret) @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Great story of gallantry, love of country and fight for freedom against communism and tyranny. Sound themes about freedom and justice. Dedicated to victims of communism.

[USMC @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Sure and don't we know where some of the $$s we spend on these middle east businesses go to...
Yet we wonder where Bin Laden and his crew get their funds from eh...

[Amy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

And don't forget that if you're Jewish, you need not even think about going there. No "Zionists" allowed.

[Dick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

To Rick #10
If you even have $1000 to spend you cheap bastard you would not be lurking in here.

To USMC
Its time to nuke the entire Middle East and get rid of these suckers permanently.
Semper Fi !