The Palm: Fake Island Frenzy

The Italy-based online mag Resorts just launched, and while it does look like some expensively produced and infuriatingly cumbersome Flash-based hotel advertorial, at least it points the way to the latest supervillain resort in Dubai. The Palm is another of Sheik Mo's nutty operations to vastly expand the United Arab Emirates' watefront by constructing huge complexes of artificial islands. Three vast palm-shaped archipelagoes will gradually sprout up over the next few years. The first and furthest along, at Jumeriah, is also the smallest at a mere 5.5 kilometers. This first Palm offers three zones (Crown, Crescent, and Trunk) sporting themed villas, hotels, condos, and every other conceivable flavor of saleable or rentable real estate. When all three Palmseses come online, they will add 360 kilometers of "coastline," 60 hotels, thousands of apartments, and dozens of restaurants, shopping centers, "aquatic parks," and other amenities. Resort also mentions the Regent Kuala Lumpur, which is certainly opulent -- but c'mon, it's no goddamn artificial island, now is it?

Resorts [Official site]
The Palm [Official site]
Regent Kuala Lumpur [Official site]

Previously: Star Power, Dubai: Petrodollar Paradise, Tennis, Anyone? On a Helipad?, Ski Dubai! Or, Purchase a Private Florida-Shaped Island Near Dubai, World’s Most Expensive Hotel?