Dubai: There’s hardly a more private spot than your bathroom. You could argue it could well be the personal theatre of your dreams if you looked at how a bunch of creative people (read designers, architects and builders) here in the UAE have rethought the concept of the humble restroom.
From stunning sea views to unmatched panoramas of the urban cityscapes from a missing fourth wall, they are making sure bathrooms are the new rooms with a view.
Some of the interiors replete with Swedish timber, Italian marble, Onyx glasses and Swarovski lights are even better. So join the XPRESS tour of the bathrooms that are simply breathtaking. If Alice ever came along, she would have found her wonderland here.
1. Emirates Crown
Rent: N/A
Price: Dh28 million
View: It’s a visual treat both inside and outside this toilet. While it’s hard to miss the breathtaking views of the Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, it is equally difficult to take your eyes off inside this gorgeous looking loo. Finished in Italian crystalised marble, the flooring is of Swedish timber. The capacious toilet has plenty of light flowing in during the day. In the night, it’s the shimmering lights from Dubai’s skyline that light up the place.
2. Nurai Island villa
Rent: Dh1.5 million
Price: Dh25 million
View: Imagine relaxing in a tub, sipping your favourite bubbly and staring at still tranquil waters of the sea. You are not in some five star hotel in Jamaica or Barbados – but inside a luxurious bathroom of a water villa on Nurai Island in Abu Dhabi. Overlooking the Arabian sea, a floor-to-ceiling window ensures abundant light to flow inside. The view is definitely to die for.
3. Emirates Hills
Rent: N/A
Price: N/A
View: Living in Emirates Hills close to the Montgomerie golf course has its advantages. You can enjoy a game of golf right from the comfort of your loo – all you need to do is slip into something comfortable and slide into the Jacuzzi. On a lucky day you could even catch the great Colin Montgomerie himself teeing off. Besides the view, tasteful finishes of Italian marble, onyx glass and Swarovski lights, add to the glamour quotient of this fancy loo.
4. Burj Mohamed Bin Rashid
Rent: Dh250,000
Price: Dh5 million
View: In contrast to the hustle and bustle surrounding the building located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the view from a bathroom in one of the apartments promises nothing but a quiet get-a-way. Overlooking the Corniche and the Arabian sea, it creates a mood of tranquility, taking you far from the madding crowd.
5. Al Gurm Resort
Rent: Dh1 million
Price: Dh20 million
This luxury washroom with a hotel appeal overlooks Abu Dhabi’s mangrove forests where the Al Gurm development is nestled. Besides the fascinating view of rich foliage, this lavish loo is designed to be a place of relaxation with its fancy exfoliating Italian stone bathtub. Marble double sinks, a segregated shower area are some of the features.
6. Armani Hotel Dubai Residences
Rent: Dh220,000
Price: Dh4.5 million
View: The glittering Downtown Dubai view, visible from the Jacuzzi in Armani Residences is simply spectacular. Besides the gleaming Dubai skyline, one can get a glimpse of the Dubai Fountain too. Designed by fashion legend Giorgio Armani, the rest room is a reflection of his personal approach to elegance and style. Some finishes include stone, zebrawood, Venetian plaster, fabric, and leather wall coverings.
7. Rosewood Residences Abu Dhabi
Rent: Dh250,000
Price: Dh4.5 million
View: How about relaxing in a bathtub overlooking a tranquil sea and the glittering city skyline? That is exactly what you get from inside this posh loo in a Rosewood Residences apartment on Abu Dhabi’s Reem Island. Finished with white and grey marble, stainless steel and mahogany, the bathroom is just as snazzy as the rest of the apartment.
8. Towers at the Trade Center
Rent: Dh400,000
Price: Dh8 million
View: Whether you are looking at pristine blue Arabian Gulf waters or shimmering lights from Reem and Al Maryah Island, the view is sheer delight. It also helps that the fancy toilet comes with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing uninterrupted views. Finished in tasteful pink marble, the loo comes fitted with a huge tub and Jacuzzi.
9. Index Tower
Rent: Dh550,000
Price: Dh18 million
View: This bathroom is one of five in an Index Tower apartment that offers a glittering view of Downtown Dubai. This modern looking loo with mirror walls, double sinks for him and her, walk-in dressing rooms make it as lavish as you can imagine.
10. Al Manara, Al Bandar
Rent: Dh380,000
Price: Dh9.2 million
View: This stunning restroom is one of four with a view of the Al Raha beach waterfront in Abu Dhabi. It is part of an ensuite four-bedroom property that offers a 360 degree panoramic view of Yas Island and a glittering city skyline. It is finished in modern interior with floor-to-ceiling windows offering uninterrupted views.
Loo and behold
Take a look at three snazzy loos that take design and luxury to an all new level:
Saadiyat Beach Villas
Rent: Dh600,000
Price: Dh13 million
Features: This outsized bathroom with double sinks, two walk-in showers and a bath-tub is sheer opulence in the sprawling 8,100 sqft Abu Dhabi villa. The size is huge – even for a large family. It is finished in Arabian style with dark wood and sand-flecked marble tops. LED lights running across the fancy toilet gives it a glittering touch.
Khalifa City A villa
Rent: Dh230,000
Sale: N/A
Features: This toilet has been totally customised by the owner from slate tiles, a ‘wet-room’ design concept and green running lights to frame a jazzy experience inside. Fancy glowing tiles with light bulb images run across. A surround sound system fitted inside adds to the fun element.
Golf Gardens
Rent: Dh400,000
Sale: N/A
Features: The fancy custom-built bathroom is a joy to behold. Glass doors and mosaic walls with a lovely purple swoosh of colour running across gives it a touch of class. Two huge French marble sinks for ‘his and her’ stare at the gorgeous mosaic wall. A bathtub and walk-in showers complete this fancy looking toilet, separated from the bedroom only by a glass door.
Note: All prices are approximate. Information courtesy: Crompton Partners Estate Agents, Sloanes Real Estate Brokers, Gulf Sotheby’s International Realty, Coldwell Banker UAE
