QE2 floating hotel conversion in jeopardy
Plans to turn the QE2 into a luxury hotel in Dubai could be shelved as its developer pull the reigns on construction budgets.
Government-owned Nakheel, which bought the liner in 2007 from Cunard, had planned to “usher in the next exciting chapter of her rich and dignified life”, including building a 6,000 sq yd spa complex, and replacing the ship’s funnel with a glass structure to house penthouse suites.
However, there are now fears that the project could be scrapped should the price of converting it into a hotel prove too high, according to The Times.
“The company is heavily committed to other projects, such as the Palm Jumeirah and the Trump Tower,” said a former consultant to Nakheel told the newspaper, “and unless there’s a significant economic upswing in the next 12 months, it seems likely that the QE2 project will be shelved.”
However Nakheel is adamant it’s business as usual. “The plans for QE2’s full restoration and refurbishment are ongoing. We have no intention of selling the ship to any party whatsoever.”
The Dubai government meanwhile has launched a £10m campaign to lure visitors back as tourists cut back on winter sun holidays.
——-