From soap made with 18 carat gold to a license plate worth more than the Rolls Royce it’s on, the lavish world of Dubai’s uber-wealthy has been explored in a new documentary.
The ultramodern city, in the United Arab Emirates, is home to two and a half million expats – many of whom enjoy a luxurious life of private jets, chefs and eye-wateringly expensive cars.
BBC2 documentary Inside Dubai – Playground of the Rich shows a glimpse of the lives of expats all over the world. Emiratis account for less than 15% of the city’s inhabitants.
The documentary’s hedonistic wealth was criticized by viewers as “obscene” and contributors were called an example of “simply inequality in all its worst form.”
Gaynor, an expatriate from Britain, appeared on the BBC2 documentary Inside Dubai. Playground for the Rich. Last night she was seen flying in a private aircraft to Jersey.
Swiss socialite Sonia Pronk showed off her designer shoe collection worth over £200,000 and a collection of countless handbags with single pieces worth up to £100,000
“Looking forward To Gogglebox with #insidedubai. It may be an hour-long special!”Another person said it.
“If there is ever a workable example of absolute inequality, this one program would be it. Gaynor doesn’t come out well from the editing suite.’
Another user commented, “Watching #insidedubai – obscene.”
Another said, “Inside Dubai playground for the rich.” [bbc2] is the most hateful evil disgusting thing I’ve ever watched. I’m completely hooked.’
Born in Stoke-on-Trent. After marrying one the most successful businessmen in Channel Islands, she now owns a Dubai mansion that she decorated with designer bags.
The lavish decor inside her home, located in the uber-exclusive Emirates Hills includes a Hermès lifebuoy outside her swimming pool
One character in the series, which premiered last night, is Indian national Abu Sabah – one of Dubai’s 52,000 millionaires who recently became ‘became the most talked-about man in the city’.
The businessman, runs property development firm Raj Sahni Group, revealed that he had purchased a prestigious single digit number plate for £6.8 million – more than the Rolls Royce it was placed on.
Sabah has his name written in side of house. He explained that he paid for the one-digit number plate to show his status. Sheikh Mohammed’s plate had the number 1.
He said, “When I arrived in Dubai, I discovered it was very foreign.” “I once went to a hotel and was refused entry, even though my car was very good.
They said that you need a nice number plate. What is a good number plate?” The two-digit number plate was what they said.
The documentary’s hedonistic wealth was deemed ‘obscene’ by viewers, who described contributors as an example of’simply inequality in its worst form’
“The car cost $800,000 but the number plate was $9 million. I am proud of my achievements!
Meanwhile, British expat Gaynor Scott was born in Stoke-on-Trent, but after marrying one of the wealthiest business men in the Channel Islands splits her time between Jersey and one of the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods Emirates Hills.
The uber-private enclave is home to footballers, celebrities and even some infamous figures – with Gaynor describing the nearby Mugabe family as throwing ‘amazing parties on New Year’s Eve’.
Robert Mugabe, the Zimbabwean dictator died in 2019, at the age 95. His $1 billion estate included homes in Dubai and properties in Zimbabwe, which were home to his two playboy children.
Gaynore explained that Emirates Hills is an exclusive community.
The family hire private nannies, chefs and cleaners among other staff for over the national minimum wage – with Gaynor joking: ‘I wouldn’t have had another child if there wasn’t going to be a nanny, there was always going to be a nanny!’
Abu Sabah from India is one among Dubai’s 52,000 millionaires. He also owns one of the most lucrative companies in United Arab Emirates.
Sabah, who has his name written on the side of his house (pictured) runs property development firm Raj Sahni Group
He explained he forked out for the single digit number plate as a status symbol – with Sheikh Mohammed’s plate boasting the number one
While travelling to her second home in the Channel Islands the family chartered a private jet costing around £180,000, featuring 29 bags of ‘nibbles’ specially requested to feed the family of four on their eight hour flight.
Before the flight, the concert pianist brought Gaynor’s favorite song to entertain the passengers. The mother-of-2 was then served coffee, with her name printed directly on the foam.
Meanwhile Swiss socialite Sonia Pronk showed off her designer shoe collection worth more than £200,000 and a collection of countless handbags with single pieces costing up to £100,000.
She said, “I believe a beautiful bag can make or break your outfit. If you own a pair of beautiful shoes but your bag is terrible, they won’t look the same.”
While travelling to her second home in the Channel Islands, Gaynor chartered a private jet costing around £180,000 – which came ready with all of her favourite amenities
Before the flight, the airport lounge was occupied by a concert pianist who entertained the family with Gaynor’s favorite song.
As she waited in private, the mother-of-2 was offered a cup of coffee and had her name printed onto it.
Staff were required to bring on board 29 bags of ‘nibbles’ specially requested to feed the family of four on their eight hour flight
She answered “What do you mean by fakes?” when asked whether any of her handbags designer were counterfeit. It’s a fake. It’s a fake. Oh my god. All things fake are disgusting.
“Everyone does what they wish, but I don’t think it matters if someone doesn’t.” [afford one]Then it’s better not to buy anything at all. My friends do not have. [fakes]At least, I hope so.
For the ultra-rich, there is the Atlantis Hotel (5-star) – crowning the famous Palm Island.
Dan Worsley was the man responsible for all high-value guests in the luxury hotel. The film followed Worsley as he prepared the finest suite in the hotel to welcome a VIP guest.
The suite has three bedrooms, his and hers bathrooms, a billiard lounge and panoramic view of the city and while the price is around £20,000 per night – bills run into ‘the hundreds of thousands of pounds’.
He said, “I believe a large amount of money speaks to great experiences. I believe it’s worth it.”
Dan Worsley is the Atlantis’ high-value guest manager. He was busy preparing the luxury suite for a VIP guest.
An employee of the Atlantis Palm Hotel is seen showing off soap infused with 18 carat gold in the hotel’s most expensive suite
The $20,000 per night suite has three bedrooms, his and hers bathrooms and a billiard lounge (pictured)
It offers a stunning view over the city. The price for the suite is $20,000/night. However, bills can run to the hundreds of thousands.
‘If you’re at this end of the luxury spectrum, we’ve had guests swap out furniture hang, their own personal art, had certain food and beverage flown in from all over the world.’
“I am confident that there is nothing we can’t do that has been asked.”
Dan showed Dan the soap with 18-carat gold and said, “It wouldn’t be a bathroom if it didn’t have a 24 carat Gold moisturiser.”
“The concept is that the cream contains a gold leaf, which helps to exfoliate your skin.
“It is so seamless and has an element of luxury. These amenities are special to me so I’m sure it’s an unforgettable experience.
Inside Dubai: Playground of the Rich’s next episode will be broadcast next Monday (BBC2), and all previous episodes of Inside Dubai are available now on BBCiPlayer