Around The World In First Class S01 E01
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00So, I've been asked to do a programme about first-class travel and I wasn't sure whether
00:06it was for me. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to put my name to it. It sounded like a lot
00:10of hard work. I've done it and I think I've cracked it. Look at this!
00:18More and more of us are splashing out on once-in-a-lifetime trips. And the travel companies can't wait
00:25to have us.
00:26I've asked more like it.
00:30But is it worth the added expense?
00:33And this is totally unlimited.
00:35Yes.
00:36And how do you bag yourself a bargain?
00:38Am I allowed to keep all these?
00:41Yeah.
00:42They're mine.
00:43Luckily, I'm prepared to get out there and find out exactly what you get for your cash.
00:48This is what $20,000 a night gets you.
00:51I'll be experiencing the opulent hedonism of the Middle East.
00:55It's one of the best breakfasts I've ever seen in my life.
01:00Experiencing first-class island life in the Caribbean.
01:03This is all yours as well.
01:08Exploring a new wave of nature-loving luxury travel in the Nordics.
01:14Hopping on a private jet to Paris.
01:15This is absolutely beautiful.
01:18And indulging in the glamour of Hong Kong.
01:21Oh my God!
01:23This is the bathroom of dreams.
01:26And I'll reveal how you can do it too.
01:28So join me for a trip of a lifetime.
01:32Because we're all getting upgraded.
01:35Oh my God!
01:39Tonight, come with me to a magical Qatari wonderland.
01:46That is a work of art.
01:48But to get there, I had to travel by luxury plane and by camel to a paradise in the desert.
01:55It's obviously a lot of royals, a lot of high-end celebrities stay here.
01:59And to get there, I had to stay in a five-star water villa in Dubai.
02:03So you don't even open up your own wine or champagne?
02:06No, no, it's only a little for you.
02:08Visit a luxurious spa.
02:11Enjoy a very expensive dining experience.
02:15And take in some breathtaking views.
02:23But I begin my journey at Heathrow Terminal 5.
02:26It's 8pm and I'm getting ready to jet off on a night flight to Dubai.
02:31Dubai has become in recent years one of the hottest destinations for Brits to go to.
02:36You've only got to look at the volume of flights that are going there from all UK airports.
02:41People are holidaying there in droves.
02:45The Middle East is definitely a growing market for luxury travel,
02:48but it's sort of quite an old-fashioned kind of luxury.
02:52It's all gold taps, running butlers, lots of lavish interiors, lots of tasting menus.
03:02And I'm starting my journey to Dubai in British Airways Galleries Club Lounge,
03:06which is mostly used by business-class travellers.
03:10Look at this.
03:11A whole whispering angel bar, so you can sit here to your heart's delight
03:16and drink as much as you like.
03:20Oh, it smells lovely. It smells like strawberries.
03:23Unlimited Rosé is one way to draw you in,
03:26but they have other tricks to help you enjoy your experience here.
03:29Apparently they've got diffusers in here.
03:31I change them, they rotate them all the time.
03:33So when you come in each time, it smells like a brand new lounge.
03:36And they're incredible.
03:38If I could throw the smell down that lens for you now.
03:41It smells beautiful in here.
03:43Wafting through the scented lounge,
03:45it's clear they like to stir things up in here.
03:49So this is your own personal cocktail kit,
03:53and a cocktail menu right here tells you what to pour.
03:58Everything in this lounge is included in the price of my ticket,
04:02so I've got to get my money's worth.
04:05Right, I've got my cocktail.
04:07I've got my champagne.
04:09I've got a curry.
04:10I've got my salad starter.
04:12This is the recipe for a great flight.
04:17It's 10pm and as a business class or first class passenger,
04:21there's VIP treatment.
04:23There's no queues when you board the plane first.
04:27A one-way BA first class ticket to Dubai
04:29costs around £4,500 to £5,500,
04:33depending on when you travel.
04:36Hello, nice to meet you.
04:38Hiya, lovely to meet you.
04:41Wow, these are incredible.
04:46Look how spacious this is.
04:47It's absolutely huge.
04:50It's like having your own little room.
04:52You know when you walk into somewhere and you think,
04:54oh yeah, I could stay here for hours?
04:56Look, welcome aboard.
04:58You get your own little handset.
05:00Oh, thank you very much.
05:02What would you like? Champagne or orange juice?
05:05Well, it would be rude not to have a champagne, wouldn't it?
05:08And also water, then.
05:09Oh, water. Oh, thank you very much.
05:11And what's in this bag? The white company?
05:13Yeah.
05:14While I settle into my flight,
05:16our travel industry experts have insider knowledge
05:19into all aspects of this very expensive trade.
05:24And there's one way to fly to the Middle East
05:26that probably surpasses all others.
05:30If you want to travel in luxury,
05:32one way to get to the Middle East is Etihad Airways.
05:37Wow.
05:40I stayed in a suite,
05:41the only one of its kind in commercial aviation,
05:44which is the residence.
05:45I mean, this place is crazy.
05:46I had my own living room with a sofa,
05:49a massive flat screen TV.
05:51It's this way.
05:51And then I had my own en suite bathroom
05:54with a shower, a toilet.
05:58But then I had a bedroom with a full double bed.
06:02Wow, look at this.
06:04And then a personal butler
06:05that will see to your every whim.
06:07Creme fraiche.
06:09And I wouldn't forget I was on an aircraft.
06:14You're looking at well above five and a half to £6,000,
06:19which is a lot of money to spend.
06:21But if you want to do something
06:22that you're going to do once in your life
06:24and experience it,
06:26and if you've got the money, why wouldn't you?
06:31It's a seven hour flight
06:33and 3,500 miles from London to Dubai.
06:37So I land at 8.30 in the morning,
06:40ready for a luxurious day ahead.
06:43In recent years,
06:44Dubai has become increasingly popular
06:46as a luxury travel destination,
06:49where opulence, indulgence and attention to detail
06:53meet towering skyscrapers and sandy white beaches.
06:56So there's the Burj Al Arab.
07:00They actually have given themselves a seven star rating,
07:03which isn't an official rating
07:05because the global rating system stops at five.
07:07But just to show how extravagant and luxurious
07:11the hotels in Dubai are,
07:13they're actually now called seven star hotels.
07:18We're just staying down the road.
07:21The Burj Al Arab couldn't quite fit me in,
07:23but fortunately,
07:24there are plenty of other first class options
07:26in Dubai to choose from,
07:28including Anantara,
07:30which is situated on the Palm Jumeirah,
07:33probably the world's most iconic man-made archipelago,
07:36known for glitzy hotels and millionaire show homes.
07:42It's 10 a.m. and the calm lobby is clearly designed
07:45to ensure none of the guests arrive in a flap.
07:48Oh my God, is that real?
07:52Hello, birdie.
07:53And you can scroll back there.
07:55Hello, birdie.
07:56Well, what a welcome, what a reception.
07:59Aren't you beautiful?
08:03Shaheen, the falcon, is waiting in the wings
08:06to greet everyone that arrives here.
08:08Oh, you're so beautiful.
08:09Does he talk?
08:10No.
08:11All right.
08:12Shaheen is clearly not impressed
08:13that I've confused a falcon with a parrot.
08:16Do you love me?
08:17Be careful, you may fall.
08:19Oh, okay.
08:20No, he's young.
08:21Oh, I thought he loved me.
08:24I think I need a pick-me-up.
08:26Oh, I really wanted a coffee.
08:28Is Arabic coffee, is it?
08:31Thank you very much.
08:36Oh, very nice.
08:37It's got like a lemony flavor to it.
08:40With the cardamom.
08:41Coffee and cardamom, beautiful.
08:45Arabic coffee and a falcon,
08:47and I haven't even found reception yet.
08:50If this Emirati welcome is anything to go by,
08:53I'm in for a treat.
08:56Coming up, I'm blown away by the spa.
09:01The most ornate dessert I've ever tasted.
09:05And I'm taking on a very special boat tour.
09:08Look at that sunset.
09:19The world of luxury travel is exploding,
09:22but it's not just for the super rich.
09:24Now more and more of us are thinking
09:26about blowing our hard-earned cash
09:28on first-class getaways like Dubai.
09:32I've just arrived at the Anantara Palm Dubai Hotel,
09:36and after a check-in with a difference...
09:39Well, what a welcome, what a reception.
09:42I'm whisked off to my room
09:43by villa host supervisor, Sandy.
09:50My villa costs around 1,500 pounds a night,
09:54but you can get a different type of room here
09:56for as little as 200 pounds a night if you go off-season.
10:00Looking into what we call shoulder season
10:03or in the off-season, when it's not super busy,
10:06these hotels just cost money to exist.
10:08They try and fool them all year round.
10:10So if you're able to travel when it's not the best weather,
10:13then you might be able to experience the luxury
10:15at about half the price.
10:16If I'm traveling to the Middle East, Dubai, Ordoa,
10:20going in the peak of the summer,
10:22you get rooms a lot cheaper
10:24because people are not crazy enough
10:27to go when temperatures outside reaching 50 degrees.
10:30However, you can get some really good deals.
10:34I'm here during the hot season,
10:35but if it means I can get a room like this
10:37for a fraction of the normal price,
10:39then it's probably worth it.
10:42Hello, how are you?
10:43Hi, Josie, I'm James.
10:45James Hewitson is the general manager of the hotel,
10:48and he's thought of everything.
10:51Oh, look at that.
10:53At least we could do, just a little touch.
10:55Look, an elephant.
10:57And the fish come and say hello from time to time as well.
11:00No way.
11:01They swim past.
11:02How beautiful is that?
11:03So you get to sit here on your sofa.
11:07And watch the world swim by.
11:13So come outside.
11:14You can sit here and look across the palm.
11:17Beautiful.
11:18As well as a stunning view,
11:20the villa comes with my own host, Sandy.
11:23She'll arrange everything for you,
11:24from spa bookings to dinner reservations.
11:27If you want to do anything outside of the hotel,
11:29they arrange that all for you,
11:30and they're here to coordinate all your whims and needs.
11:34Come on in.
11:35Poor Sandy might find her latest guest is quite demanding.
11:39Afternoon tea as you walk through the door?
11:41Yes, a birdcage of treats for you
11:43to enjoy during your stay.
11:45It's all the little detail that gets me.
11:48The mini bar.
11:49So you have all your usual tea, coffee, and snacks.
11:54A protection pack, what's that then?
11:57That's what it says on the outside of the tin.
12:00For couples who would like protection.
12:02Oh!
12:06It might have been like bug spray or something.
12:07Moving swiftly on to the wine fridge.
12:10Sandy will be happy to serve you.
12:12So you don't even open up your own wine or champagne?
12:14No, no, Sandy will do that for you.
12:16Having a private host is clearly a big attraction
12:18for the rich and famous.
12:21We have a lot of sports players.
12:22We have someone from the Premier League
12:24checking in tomorrow night.
12:25The original Wolf of Wall Street, he came to stay.
12:27Oh, Jordan.
12:28Jordan Belfort, yeah.
12:29Belfort, yeah, Jordan Belfort.
12:31But he's stayed in some places.
12:33Yes, yes, you know, all kinds of TV celebrities,
12:36sports personalities.
12:39It's 3 p.m. and it's my turn to get some star treatment
12:42as Sandy has arranged a trip to the spa.
12:47Welcome to Anantara Spa.
12:49This is our welcome drink.
12:50Please enjoy.
12:53This one is a cinnamon, lemon, and also honey.
12:55It's energizing as well.
12:57It's really nice.
13:01It's not included in the cost of my room,
13:03but for 100 pounds, I'm going to be treated to a hammam,
13:07which is essentially a Middle Eastern
13:09hot and steamy bathing experience.
13:12When somebody else is pouring water on you,
13:14it feels lovely.
13:15I feel like a goddess.
13:16You'll scrub your hand.
13:21Oh, there goes my fake tan.
13:27Oh, that feels nice.
13:31A hammam, that's the absolute dream.
13:34I want to have all of those incredible smells,
13:36the peaceful zen bath salts that you can rub on your skin.
13:41That's my kind of luxury.
13:44There has been a real uptake in holistic
13:48and wellbeing-focused holidays and travel.
13:52More and more people are wanting to visit spas,
13:55but it's very much about focusing on your wellbeing
13:59and coming back home after the holiday feeling refreshed
14:02and having done something really good for your body.
14:07It's 5 p.m., and I'm enjoying a little more relaxation
14:10in my room's double bath with a view.
14:13Sandy calls to let me know my boat has arrived.
14:17Nothing like a sunset cruise around the palm
14:20to see Dubai in style.
14:22Oh, look.
14:25There's my villa just behind us.
14:29And that's where I've just walked from.
14:31Well, actually, I didn't walk at all.
14:32They sent me a buggy.
14:33How loose is that?
14:36I'm getting far too used to this comfortable lifestyle.
14:40This boat tour costs around £160 for two
14:43and comes with my own personal guide
14:45and boat host, Wellington.
14:48This is the famous, this is the beautiful villa,
14:50which is from the Quaid Sheikh.
14:54Lovely.
14:55There's one more house over there.
14:57It belongs to David Beckham.
15:00David Beckham lives there?
15:02Yeah.
15:04Whether or not that is actually David Beckham's house,
15:07the rich and famous clearly love it here
15:10as the palm is protected by a breakwater,
15:12making this calm cruise the perfect way to see Dubai.
15:18These buildings are incredible.
15:21Look at that sunset.
15:23Sunsets, calm waters, and a virgin coconut cocktail.
15:27It's all very romantic.
15:29Do you get a lot of proposals on this sunset cruise?
15:32Yes, ma'am.
15:34Yes.
15:35No proposals for me tonight,
15:36but I've definitely had my money's worth.
15:41Seeing Dubai at night from a boat is incredible.
15:46The beauty of it is magic.
15:53It's at night that Dubai really comes alive.
15:56Isn't it amazing that not so long ago, this was a desert?
16:02It's all man-made.
16:03It's 7 p.m. and they've laid out the red carpet.
16:11A red carpet and even petals from roses
16:15spread all along the red carpet.
16:18I feel like this is the closest I'm ever going to get
16:21to a proposal, because that's what it feels like.
16:24You know, there is no expense spared here,
16:28and it feels so romantic right now,
16:31and a tiny bit depressing that I'm here on my own.
16:35But fortunately, I'm soon joined by Chef de Cuisine,
16:39Julien Larrey.
16:41Good evening.
16:42How are you today?
16:42Oh, lovely.
16:44So tonight I'm the chef in charge of your dinner.
16:47Lovely.
16:48I prepared some sushi for you.
16:50I love sushi.
16:55Mm, lovely.
16:57There is more coming.
16:59Lovely.
17:00There is more coming.
17:01We have a beautiful salmon ceviche
17:04with a passion fruit leche de tigre,
17:08an amazing octopus carpaccio,
17:11then we have a crab salad.
17:14This is the most exquisite meal that I've ever seen.
17:18This beach dining extravaganza
17:20costs around 400 pounds for two.
17:23Not cheap, but guests here demand the best.
17:26I just got to ask before you go,
17:27have you had any, like, ridiculously high demands?
17:31Every time.
17:32Every time.
17:33Especially here in Dubai.
17:35Strange demands sometimes.
17:37But I have to do, so I do it.
17:40It's part of my job.
17:41It's crazy stories about what people want and will do.
17:45Having to have 500 white roses flown out
17:48to their Caribbean cruise,
17:50having to have their grandmother's special tomato sauce
17:55flown from Italy to Barbados for them.
18:00I mean, just crazy requests all the time.
18:02And generally, as a rule,
18:04we can pretty much arrange anything they want.
18:07But that time frame is the big thing.
18:09We normally get outrageous requests,
18:11but little time frames.
18:13No extra demands from me,
18:15though I would have liked someone to share this with.
18:17Look at this.
18:21Oh.
18:23Oh!
18:25Look at that.
18:26Then we call that blossom because it opened like a flower.
18:30Enjoy your dessert.
18:32Chocolate petals.
18:33I almost don't want to eat it.
18:44This is the most luxurious dessert I've ever had in my life.
18:48Is it all right in my mouth?
18:50No.
18:51I'm so full, there's no doubt I'll sleep well tonight.
18:56It's 8 a.m. the next morning
18:58and I'm sweeping up the freebies before I leave.
19:01I don't care.
19:02I'm not ashamed of it.
19:04I am that person that takes every single toiletry
19:06when I go to a hotel.
19:09I'm going to take the slippers as well.
19:12It's a Christmas.
19:13Coming up, a desert paradise.
19:16This is what $20,000 a night gets you.
19:19A breakfast swim.
19:21It's a bit like you're in a dream.
19:22A breakfast swim.
19:24It's a bit like you're in a dream.
19:26And a sunset adventure.
19:36I'm Josie Gibson and I'm on a mission
19:39to discover what you get for your money
19:41on the ultimate first class getaway.
19:44Having spent a luxurious night on the Palm in Dubai,
19:48I'm heading out to the desert.
19:50Less than an hour away from the Dubai metropolis,
19:53I'm entering a nature reserve
19:54in the heart of the Arabian desert
19:56where camels run wild.
20:04Hello, hiya.
20:06I'm staying at the luxury oasis, Almahar.
20:11It's like stepping into a movie.
20:14Hey, welcome.
20:15How are you?
20:15I'm Tim, I'm the general manager.
20:17Lovely to meet you.
20:17And you, this place is incredible.
20:19Fantastic.
20:21Welcome.
20:22Tim Stanhope has offered to show me around.
20:27Look at that view.
20:29It's one of a kind.
20:30So we're situated on the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve,
20:35which boasts 225 kilometers of landmass.
20:39I've never seen anything like it in my life.
20:43This hotel is made up of 42 private villas.
20:47And once again, I need to climb into a golf buggy
20:51to get to mine.
20:53Jump on in.
20:54Please mind your head.
20:55Okay, thank you.
20:57Just in case.
20:59Lovely.
21:02A two-person villa here costs between 1,000
21:05and 2,000 pounds a night, depending on the time of year.
21:10Please, after you.
21:11Is this all mine?
21:12It's all yours.
21:13But I'm staying in the most up-market villa they have,
21:16which can cost up to $20,000 a night.
21:21Let's have a-
21:22Absolutely immense.
21:23Come and look outside.
21:24Oh, I feel like a princess.
21:27This is one of the royal villas, so you are a princess.
21:29There's even a bed fit for a queen,
21:32and a king, and maybe a few more queens.
21:36The bed is actually probably one of the biggest
21:38hotel beds around.
21:40It feels so luxurious.
21:41Yeah, it's pretty special.
21:42It's lovely.
21:44And it's so long.
21:46You could fit one, two, three, four, five, six, seven.
21:51I reckon you could fit eight people in here.
21:53Well-
21:54Not that I would.
21:55Not that kind of girl.
21:57Oh dear, I've already lowered the tone.
22:01I'll leave you to it.
22:04It's 12 p.m., and I'm exploring the rest of the villa
22:08It's 12 p.m., and I'm exploring the rest of this hotel
22:11on my way to lunch.
22:19The most refreshing item on the menu
22:22is a high-end twist on one of my favorite dishes.
22:25A watermelon pizza.
22:27That's what you call a low-carb pizza.
22:28Yes.
22:30Right, here we are.
22:31Mmm, you've got mint leaves, spinach,
22:34betta, black olives, and nuts with balsamic dressing.
22:39The standard is just.
22:43After several bites to eat, I'm ready to hit the desert.
22:50Two activities are included in the cost of my stay,
22:53and I've chosen to head out for a gentle ride
22:55across the dunes.
22:57I'm going to head out to the beach,
22:58and I'm going to head out for a gentle ride across the dunes
23:01with my guide and driver, Anae.
23:04We're going to be passing some oryx quite closely now.
23:08Oryx, the UAE's national animal, and known as almoha in Arabic.
23:15They're so elegant, aren't they?
23:17But no time for dwelling on the stunning surroundings.
23:20Anae is putting her foot down.
23:23Woo!
23:25I have a nervous passenger.
23:27She's taking no prisoners.
23:33This is amazing. Are you sure?
23:35Many people would find this a first-class exhilarating experience.
23:40I'm not sure I'm one of them.
23:43Oh, what?!
23:45I really wish I hadn't eaten that second slice of watermelon pizza.
23:50I feel like I've got no skin left on my fingers,
23:53cos they've been holding on so tight.
23:57Places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are awash with activities.
24:00You can go skiing, you can go to the mall,
24:02you can go scuba diving in the mall.
24:04There really is something for everybody there.
24:06Imagine coming away from a holiday feeling great on the inside
24:09but also inspired to do more things.
24:11And in time, you'll realise that there's so much more to do.
24:15I'm not sure I need another dune-driving adventure in my life.
24:19Some luxury experiences, I don't quite get.
24:24And others, I definitely do.
24:26Would you like to have champagne?
24:28Champagne?
24:29Champagne in the middle of busy.
24:31Champagne.
24:32Enjoy.
24:33Cheers.
24:34I'm going to really enjoy this bit of champagne,
24:36knowing that I nearly lost my life on the sand dunes there.
24:39I'm going to really, really enjoy it.
24:41I'm going to really enjoy this bit of champagne,
24:43knowing that I nearly lost my life on the sand dunes there.
24:46I'm going to really savour every flavour,
24:48knowing that it could have been my last.
24:53But now I'm in the middle of the desert.
24:55There might only be one way back.
24:57My second included experience, camel riding.
25:03They're quite high. How do you get on them?
25:05Is this a mirage or is it real?
25:08I'm in the middle of the desert.
25:09I'm about to ride a camel.
25:12Welcome to First Class Travel, guys.
25:16OK, Josie, I'm sure it's just like riding a horse.
25:21Come on, mate.
25:22How was your trip?
25:23Now?
25:24Yeah.
25:25Yeah, OK.
25:26What's his name?
25:27Zibi.
25:28Zibi.
25:30Zibi.
25:31I'm just going to get on your back.
25:33I'm going to get on your back, OK?
25:35It's only me, Josie.
25:38Hi, Zibi.
25:42He's talking to you.
25:43He's talking to me.
25:46I wanted to do a joke about the camel getting the hump with me,
25:49but apparently it's not that sort of show.
25:52Ah, well.
25:53Bloody camel.
25:59As I disappear into the sunset,
26:01it does occur to me that I forgot to ask
26:03how long I'm going to be up here for.
26:07My legs are a bit achy now.
26:17It's 7am in my Bedouin tent
26:19and I've had one of the best night's sleeps that money can buy.
26:24Good morning!
26:26I've never actually stayed in a bed like this in my life.
26:29I feel like I could be a queen, or Cleopatra.
26:32The best thing about this bed is I'm quite a big girl,
26:35but this bed makes me feel tiny.
26:37And the rest of the villa also feels enormous for just little old me.
26:42Look how big it is.
26:43So there's just me on one side of the sofa.
26:46How many people are you bringing to your villa?
26:49Out in your private courtyard, there's even space for your staff.
26:53Obviously a lot of royals, a lot of high-end celebrities stay here,
26:56so you'd have your security in there,
26:58you'd have your private chef in there.
27:01Back in the main guest suite, there are two huge bedrooms.
27:05I've got a bedroom in here, and I've got a bedroom over here.
27:10And two massive walk-in wardrobes.
27:15So you've got wardrobes to your heart's content.
27:19In what world would you ever bring this much luggage?
27:23And there's two equally spacious bathrooms.
27:28And everywhere you go in the villa, there's a view of the desert.
27:34So you can lie in that bath and look out at the desert.
27:38Oh, no! Why would they do that?
27:41$20,000 a night?
27:43You don't want to know how much weight you've put on.
27:47And right on cue, my breakfast has arrived.
27:51And it's delivered to the pool.
27:53That is a floating breakfast. Thank you so much.
27:56Please enjoy.
27:58Well, I'll definitely enjoy this.
28:00Look how beautiful that is.
28:02Look at all those colours on that breakfast.
28:05And the best thing is, I can splash around and eat it anywhere I like.
28:11If I want to swim over here and eat my breakfast, I can.
28:15And if I just want to have it on the edge here
28:18and check out that wonderful view,
28:21and look at that lovely wildlife, I can.
28:24I wonder if it stays still while you're eating it, though.
28:27That's the thing.
28:29Right. We've got oat milk pancakes.
28:37Really good.
28:39This resort may have made all my Arabian night dreams come true,
28:43but there's a city not far from here that's less well-known to holidaymakers,
28:48so you're more likely to snap up a bargain.
28:51So one of the big solutions for getting a better deal
28:54would be to look to different destinations that are less popular.
28:57So this has become a huge trend now, looking for destination dupes.
29:01So people are talking about going to places like Madeira
29:04instead of going to Hawaii, or going to Albania instead of Italy.
29:08And there's a whole host of these places around the world
29:11where actually you can get real value.
29:13And that's why I'm taking a short plane ride
29:16over to the city of Doha in Qatar.
29:21Doha is known for its ultra-modern skyscrapers
29:25and luxurious shopping malls,
29:27and in particular for hosting the 2022 Football World Cup.
29:36I'm staying at the Mondrian Hotel,
29:40I'm staying at the Mondrian Hotel,
29:43which, like much of Doha, is just a few years old,
29:46and the design is based on the magic hotels of the Arabian Nights.
29:53Wow, this place is incredible.
29:55Welcome to our wonderland.
29:59May we offer you welcome drinks?
30:01Oh, lovely. Thank you. Thank you very much.
30:06Would you like to go to have your hair done?
30:08You are kidding me. Absolutely not.
30:10Never in my life has a hotel offered to spruce up my hair
30:14as soon as I enter the lobby,
30:16but front office manager Gowda seems to think I need a bit of a makeover.
30:20I'm blown away by this place already,
30:23and my hair is about to get the same treatment.
30:26To walk in the door of a hotel and get your hair done straight away...
30:32..this is a VIP treatment.
30:37I feel a million dollars.
30:41I love it here.
30:43And I haven't even seen my room yet.
30:47Welcome to our deluxe loft suite.
30:55My good... Do you know what I feel like?
30:57Have you ever seen Pretty Woman when she walks into the apartment
31:00with Richard Gere and she's never quite seen anything like it?
31:03Look at this sofa!
31:05I love these cushions. You cannot take it with you.
31:07OK, sorry.
31:09So you have an amazing view here where you can see the city, the Pearl.
31:13The Pearl is one of the luxurious places ever in Qatar
31:16and one of the best views in Doha, actually.
31:19It's absolutely beautiful.
31:22My suite costs around £500 a night,
31:25but you can get rooms here for around 150.
31:29Look at this. Like, I've never seen this on the wall before.
31:33It is like somebody's transported me to another world.
31:37The Mondrian is famous for its ultra-high-end modernist style
31:41and Gowda's kindly offered to show me the best suite in the house
31:45on the 23rd floor.
31:48So, welcome to this celebrity room. After you.
31:54Oh, my goodness.
31:58This...
32:00This must be the place.
32:02We have the dining table, can fit for 12 people.
32:05This is just... This bit here is just the front living room?
32:09Exactly. OK.
32:13We have the dining table and the chandelier made by Swarovski as well.
32:18We have the stairs and then we have the lift.
32:23There's not many things that actually totally take my breath away,
32:27but so stunning that my heart is in my belly button.
32:34So, here, the entertainment room.
32:36I cannot cope with this room.
32:38I've got to try this out, sorry.
32:40And you just all sit round...
32:43..and watch the cinema.
32:45This suite costs around £5,500 a night,
32:49but for that price, they also throw in a personal butler.
32:53And upstairs, there are three bedrooms and several more chandeliers.
32:58This is the master bedroom.
33:00I mean, what celebrities have you had?
33:03That's a secret.
33:05I cannot tell you, but international and very famous.
33:09I'm sure a few international, very famous celebrities
33:13have tried out this giant shower.
33:16Coming up, my journey through this wonderland in Doha continues.
33:22I feel like I've stepped into a painting.
33:26I sip smoking cocktails...
33:29..and dance on top of the world.
33:39I've been to some of Dubai's most expensive
33:42and most luxurious holiday hotspots,
33:44and now I'm in some kind of dream at the Mondrian in Doha in Qatar.
33:53The whole hotel is themed around fantasy and storytelling,
33:57and afternoon tea is no exception.
34:01It's 4pm, and I'm about to enter a magical wonderland,
34:05so I've dressed for the occasion.
34:07Look at this. Roses on the dress,
34:10and rose petals scattered all over the table.
34:14Oh, look at this!
34:16It's a level of detail that's gone into this afternoon tea.
34:23That is a work of art.
34:27That is a cucumber and cream cheese sandwich.
34:29You'd never guess. The bread's pink.
34:34Oh, God.
34:36Look at this.
34:40Have you ever seen anything like that on an afternoon tea?
34:44Since the theme is Alice in Wonderland,
34:46I wonder if I'll get smaller, not bigger.
34:49Imagine if I just let this cake just went tiny.
34:52Size 8 would be nice.
34:54Look at that. How adorable is that?
35:05I just went to heaven a little bit there.
35:08And these days, teas like this are perfectly created for Instagram.
35:14One of the things that is driving what people think is luxury
35:19is Instagram.
35:21Because of social media, there's been growing interest in luxury travel,
35:24and because of that, people are seeing it more
35:27and they're wanting to experience it more.
35:29It just wasn't seen in the same way 10 or 20 years ago.
35:35Shots of this dramatic hotel
35:37are certainly something I'd pop on social media.
35:40Everywhere has a story to tell, even the spa.
35:48So all these crystals look like the rain,
35:51and if you put this on, that's not just a light,
35:54but it's a shower as well.
35:58Wow.
36:00It's unbelievable.
36:04I'm literally staying in a work of art.
36:08There's nowhere else I've been in the world like this.
36:12And it isn't just the Mondrian
36:14that provides unlimited photo opportunities.
36:18It's 7pm and I head out for cocktails
36:21at one of the most iconic buildings in Doha,
36:24Katara Towers, designed to represent the cross swords of Qatar.
36:30Half of the building houses the Raffles Hotel
36:33and the lobby is dominated by the world's tallest kaleidoscope
36:37with its infinite projection of clouds and sky.
36:43It's hard to even put this into words
36:46because it's not just a work of art,
36:48but it's a whole experience as well.
36:50It makes you think about life.
36:54It's like an architect's playground, this place.
36:59I'm whisked up to the bar on the 36th floor of the hotel
37:02and out onto the roof terrace.
37:07There is some serious wealth here, some serious wealth,
37:10so when it comes to building a luxury destination,
37:13these guys know how to do it.
37:16The view may be spectacular, but it's very unsettling looking down.
37:21Oh, God. It does make me feel funny.
37:26I think I might need a drink.
37:29In the acoustic bar, even the drinks are a piece of theatre.
37:33I'm having a whisky cocktail infused with cinnamon smoke.
37:43You can really taste the smokiness of it.
37:45I just love the whole experience.
37:52It's 8am the next morning and back at the Mondrian,
37:55the view is no less impressive.
37:57But before I head home,
37:59I need to add the room's freebies to the rest of my holiday collection.
38:04I've got shaving kit, I've got toothpaste, I've got mouthwash,
38:07I've got slippers, I've got toothbrushes.
38:10A vanity set, I've got soap, I've got hair bands,
38:13I've got flip-flops, I've got loafers.
38:16Now, that is a happy bag.
38:19Not only does this room have a lot of freebies,
38:22it's packed with high-tech buttons.
38:24You can turn this whole room into a nightclub if you want to.
38:29BEEP
38:44SHE LAUGHS
38:50It's 11am and I head to the other side of Katara Towers
38:54to have brunch at the Fairmont Doha,
38:57home to the world's tallest chandelier.
39:02Provoc, their show-stopping fire-and-ice Asian restaurant,
39:05is up on the 33rd floor.
39:08Hello, good afternoon.
39:09Hello, Sandu.
39:10Welcome to Fairmont Doha.
39:11Thank you for having me.
39:13This futuristic restaurant is well-known for their Friday brunch.
39:17Friday and Saturday are the weekend days here
39:20and brunch in the Middle East is huge.
39:25But this is brunch with a difference,
39:28as head chef Taimou Sun explains.
39:32So all the ingredients, technique, fermentation,
39:35it has data numbers, make you feel tasty and memorable.
39:40It's got data numbers?
39:42Yes, it is.
39:43So you've done all this off the back of science?
39:46Yes, it is.
39:48According to Taimou, this food has other benefits as well.
39:52You do look very... I don't know how old you are.
39:56You're 40?
39:5740 years old.
39:58No, you're not.
39:59So do not put cream, come here to eat.
40:04You've been eating food like you're 40, you look about 18.
40:07Let's hope this sushi makes me look 18 too.
40:13The expectation is so high
40:16that the whole experience of going out to brunch
40:20has got to be something to remember.
40:24The brunches in the Middle East,
40:26you just drink all you want from 11 o'clock in the morning,
40:29usually champagne, and there'll be a bit of dance music.
40:32So that's really tied up
40:34with that sort of Instagram generation aspiration as well.
40:38Go there, have fun, be indulgent.
40:44I leave the magical land of science and ice.
40:47And head to the futuristic world of Qatar Airport.
40:53I'm flying back to London on Qatar Airways' Q Suite
40:57and the prices start at £2,500 return.
41:03Qatar, as an airline, is one of the world's best,
41:06especially in business class.
41:08They have a product called the Q Suite.
41:10It's absolute industry-leading.
41:12The seats are very spacious,
41:14but it's what comes along with that.
41:16It's comfortable, big footwells where you can stretch out into
41:20and then layer that on top of the excellent food service.
41:23As soon as I board, I'm greeted with a goodie bag.
41:26I love this perfume.
41:28And my own loungewear from The White Company.
41:31A bit overwhelmed, though.
41:34Qatar Airlines are regularly voted number one in the world,
41:38so I'm looking forward to flying back from Doha to London with them.
41:45It's so cosy, it's so comfy, I don't want to get off the flight.
41:49I am so sad that I've only got four hours remaining.
41:53Are you ready to have your dinner now?
41:56You can have your meal at any time that works for you.
42:01Ma'am, today's amuse-bouche is lobster tartare
42:04with some caviar on top.
42:06I've never heard of amuse-bouche.
42:08Is it?
42:10My flight attendant also offers me Gossé champagne,
42:13which normally costs around £60 a bottle.
42:16I can drink as much as I like, and that's served with caviar.
42:22Is that a lot of caviar?
42:24You're meant to do it like that, then.
42:26Then you put this on.
42:28I don't know if this is the way or not.
42:32And then another starter arrives,
42:34followed by beef fillet with truffle,
42:36finished off with a chocolate brownie.
42:40This is better than a lot of restaurants I've been to,
42:43like high-end restaurants.
42:45It's remarkable that they can deliver this.
42:49So often, when we think of luxury,
42:51we're thinking of glamorous days gone by,
42:54of kings and queens, and places like Paris 100 years ago.
42:58But on this trip, I really feel like I've tasted the future.
43:02And let me tell you, it's yummy.
43:06Bye-bye.