"A retired 963-foot transatlantic liner converted into a permanently moored hotel in Dubai, the ship arrived at Mina Rashid in 2008 and underwent an on-and-off, roughly decade-long renovation before a limited launch this year and a planned official grand opening in October. The property now features 224 thoroughly remodeled, modern yet nautically accented rooms and suites, extensive public amenities including more than a dozen bars and restaurants, a shopping promenade and a movie theater; five dining venues are currently open. In its heyday the vessel accommodated about 1,900 passengers and 1,000 crew, and standard rooms are being offered at under AED700 (about US$190), positioning the hotel as a relatively accessible, regal-feeling alternative among Dubai’s luxury properties." - Matthew Phenix