"The retired “Queen Elizabeth 2,” permanently moored in Mina Rashid, has debuted as a 224-room floating resort. After 39 years of transatlantic service, the 963-foot-long Queen Elizabeth 2 steamed into Mina Rashid in 2008 and embarked on a 10-year, on-again/off-again renovation. The project mimics the hotel transformation of the RMS Queen Mary, permanently stationed in Long Beach, California. The QE2’s staterooms are bright and modern, but retain some classic nautical features. QE2 hotel booking is open now, with standard rooms coming in under the AED700 mark (about US$190), so despite its regal reputation, Dubai’s floating Parent Trap is no rival to the Burj al Arab Jumeirah. Only five dining venues are presently open, including the Golden Lion pub, the topside Yacht Club, and, when you’re in the mood for a good Beef Wellington, the posh Queens Grill, once frequented by the ship’s royal namesake." - Matthew Phenix
