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First look at bonkers new Dubai resort, Atlantis The Royal

First-look images of Dubai’s latest ultra-luxury resort, Atlantis The Royal, have been released and they truly are something to behold.

Bookings open today for the hotly-anticipated new icon, with sneak peek images revealing for the very first time the scale, grandeur and ambition of this ultra-luxurious Dubai resort.

With 44 suites featuring their own private infinity pools, a water fountain show that breathes fire, the world’s largest jellyfish aquarium and an unrivalled collection of celebrity chef restaurants and bars, Atlantis The Royal is set to be the pinnacle of luxury.

One of 44 Sky Pool Villa Suites which come with private infinity pools (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai)

Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects and artists, the resort features six towers brought together by a 90-metre-long Skypool on the 22nd floor which forms part of an outdoor entertainment experience called Cloud 22; the jewel in Atlantis The Royal’s crown.

One of the signature suites at Atlantis The Royal, featuring interiors by GA Design (London). (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai)

With ambitions of becoming the iconic entertainment and nightlife destination in Dubai, Cloud 22 features VIP cabanas with private plunge pools, a swim up-bar and a glittering head-shaped DJ booth all overlooking Dubai’s skyline.

An en suite at the new Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai, complete with a standalone bath and marble floor and walls (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai)

In terms of accommodation, the resort features 795-rooms across 43 storeys with unparalleled views over the Arabian Sea and Palm Island. All rooms, suites and signature penthouses deliver ultra-luxury touches, including a bespoke selection of amenities from luxury brands, including Hermès, Frette and Graff.

A range of pillows for every physical need is provided in each room (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai)

For those looking to take their stay to a new level of luxury, all suites and signature penthouses also come with a butler service, plus a mini pillow sample menu featuring miniature versions of every pillow so guests can review the shape, touch and feel of the pillows before making their choice.

All rooms will also be ‘connected’, meaning guests can control their room’s thermostat, lighting, television and other amenities via their mobile phones as well as personalise their space with technology that loads the most popular streaming media and other accounts to in-room TVs.

Dining options are also set to be a show-stopper, with 17 restaurants and bars including signature restaurants from culinary icons like Gaston Acurio, Ariana Bundy, Costas Spiliadis and Jose Andres, while Nobu will be opening their first-ever pool and beach club and Heston Blumenthal will introduce Dinner, as well as his debut bar, Resonance.

At 11.5 metres tall and consisting of 5.5 tonnes of stainless steel, Droplets is the focal piece of the lobby (Photo by Cedric Riberio/Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai)

Blumenthal’s inaugural cocktail bar, which is set to feature a 6.5m high jellyfish aquarium, housing 4,000 moon jellies, is an entirely new and unique concept that will offer meticulously crafted and complex cocktails, food, and purposeful theatre.

The stand-out, however, will be Ling Ling, a modern Pan-Asian day-to-night venue from hospitality heavyweights, Tao Group Hospitality. Sitting adjacent to Cloud 22 on the 22nd floor, the venue will feature 360-degree views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Skyline, paired with culturally rich, multi-sensory, dining and late-night party experiences.

One of the interior hallways, featuring marble staircases and impressive architectural design by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (New York) (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai)

Before opening to guests, Atlantis The Royal will hold a spectacular grand reveal in January with a star-studded lineup that will echo the spectacular launch of Atlantis The Palm in 2008, where guests included Robert DeNiro, Gerard Butler, Kylie Minogue and Priyanka Chopra, with a firework display that could be seen from space.

“This is it. Our moment is finally here to reveal Atlantis The Royal as the world’s most ultra-luxury entertainment resort,” Tim Kelly, managing director of Atlantis Dubai said.

“Openings of resorts like this one only come around once or twice in a decade, and we can’t wait to share it with the world. As these new images demonstrate, this is a resort like no other and the building itself will become an instantly recognisable icon of the Dubai skyline. We are excited to begin welcoming guests next year and treat them to an experience they’ll never forget.”

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Atlantis The Royal: Still Dubai’s Hottest New Opening

Visually stunning from the outside, the hotel meets the high expectations it so purposefully sets for itself.

By Alex Martin

Balenciaga for breakfast, Louis Vuitton for lunch and Dior for dinner. Perhaps the only thing more impressive than the sight of Atlantis The Royal, is the level of wealth on parade inside it. A year after its Beyonce-imbued grand opening, the ultra-luxury hotel remains the place to be seen in Dubai .

Its six interconnected towers, created with curved concrete blocks stacked 43 stories high, stand out even in a city where every type of building already exists. Only half of those six towers are dedicated to the hotel with the other three handed over to private residences. Such is the scale, however, it still offers 795 rooms (including over 100 suites), 17 restaurants, 90 swimming pools and the longest stretch of private beach in Dubai.

[See also: The Lana in Dubai Unveils Its Restaurants Ahead of Opening]

Visually stunning from the outside, the hotel’s interiors meet the high expectations it so purposefully sets for itself. Behind the glitz, glamour and Instagram posts, Atlantis The Royal succeeds in being far more than a place to show off your wardrobe. From A-list celebrities to young families, the hotel is all things to all people. Hedonism and restoration are served in equal measure. For every vibing nightspot to put yourself on display, there is a quiet corner in which to disappear.

Panoramic Penthouse

While the Royal Mansion rightly takes the headline as this property’s top suite, at a reputed $100,000 per night and with room for 13 people, it is more an exclusive event space than a hotel room. It also doesn’t have the top-floor views of the Panoramic Penthouse, which on the 43 rd floor, is over twice as high as the Royal Mansion on the 18 th .

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The Panoramic Penthouse’s wraparound terrace and large pool has views of both The Palm and the Arabian Sea, and stretches as far as the World Islands . The large infinity pool and abundant al fresco dining space make it perfect for larger groups, and with in-suite dining available at no extra charge, you’ll make good use of it, too.

Inside, you’ll find two king bedrooms and tastefully appointed open-plan living space. The deconstructed disco ball on the living room’s ceiling will split opinion, but your gaze will mostly be on The Palm’s enchanting fronds, offered at an angle usually reserved for skydivers.

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Sky Terrace Family Suites

If you’re not prepared to spend a king’s ransom on one of the hotel’s Signature Penthouses, opt for one of the Sky Terrace Family Suites. Starting at $2,600 per night, these suites have as much interior space (1,216 sq ft) as the doubly expensive Sky Pool Villas and many of the same amenities such as gold-plated toothbrushes, Graff toiletries and unlimited access to the world’s largest waterpark next door.

The large living rooms come with a roll-out sofa bed for older children. Baby cribs are available on request and the bedrooms are big enough to give even the lightest sleeping baby (and parents alike) ample space.

There are two dressing rooms, a standalone bathtub, a service kitchen, a double-length balcony and a guest toilet. You also get a Whatsapp concierge, a service we used multiple times over the four days and found impressively responsive to requests ranging from last-minute dinner reservation changes to an urgent need for a children’s potty.

Interiors match the views with light blue and gold details, and lashings of marble. The cityscape is spectacular at night, with the numerous buildings and The Palm fully illuminated.

One downside: the nightly cleaning of the neighboring waterpark’s slides is loud. For white noise veterans like we are, it’s a non-issue, but it could be problematic for those who need complete silence. However, few places in Dubai can offer that.

Atlantis The Royal has assembled an extraordinary range of culinary talent under one roof, making it Dubai’s premiere dining destination. Heston Blumenthal, Jose Andres and Gaston Acurio have exported their globally renowned cuisine to Dubai for the first time. Blumenthal has recreated the concept of his two-Michelin-starred London restaurant , Dinner, and has earned one star here. Andres and Acurio have done the same with their own brands, Jaleo and La Mar. Below, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorites.

Estiatorio Milos

You’ll be hard-pressed to visit all 17 bars and restaurants, but if you go to one place, make it Estiatorio Milos . The Greek restaurant from celebrity chef Costas Spiliadis is an eternally popular spot in New York and is proving equally so in Dubai. Sitting adjacent to the main building, the restaurant’s terrace is the best seat in the house for the nightly Skyblaze fountain shows. But you should also come here for elevated Hellenic cuisine, including fresh fish delivered directly from Greece and the restaurant’s signature Milos Special (a fried eggplant and zucchini tower on a bed of tzatziki).

Gaston Acurio is one of Peru’s greatest culinary exports, combining South American flare with traditional Peruvian cuisine to create a menu that pays due diligence to his home country while appealing to the Insta-conscious youths of today. The restaurant sits centrally among the six towers, directly below the Royal Mansion. Sit on the terrace to enjoy views over Dubai and order the restaurant’s twist on a Pisco sour.

Dishes are served with dry ice, but behind the pizzaz, this is a Peruvian restaurant worthy of Acurio’s status. The chef’s selection of cebiche (cured fish) menu is perfect for one of Dubai’s humid nights. The meal ends with a selection of delicate petite fours chosen from a wide selection.

Now buffets aren’t our usual scene, but as with everything, Atlantis The Royal does things differently. This 1,000-cover restaurant sums up the melting pot of Dubai. Roast beef to the left of you, oysters and lobster to the right, Gastronomy makes a mockery of the traditional multi-cuisine buffet. This is where most guests will take breakfast and the entry-level for those who want a taste of the resort. It is, above all else, a great place to people watch.

Royal Club Lounge

If crowds aren’t your thing, then the Royal Club Lounge is for you. Only available to those on Royal Club stays, this private dining area is probably the quietest place in the hotel. It serves breakfast, daily afternoon tea, evening canapes and premium drinks all-day – all inclusive. Best of all for young parents, it’s conveniently located right next to the kids club.

While so much of Atlantis The Royal is about hedonism and indulgence, it has not skimped on its wellness offerings. The Awaken Spa spreads itself over 54,000 sq ft and has 17 therapy suites, including one with private access.

While it offers a range of massages and treatments from around the world, in true Dubai fashion, its signature treatments include a Golden Hour massage, which uses volcanic stones dipped in 24-karat gold. The Royal Gold Facial also mixes wellness with a touch of true Dubai decadence, utilizing the natural healing properties of gold, diamond and platinum.

Family Friendly

The Kerzner Group didn’t envision Atlantis The Royal as a family hotel, but so popular has it been with parents that it is actively converting more of its suites to better suit young children. But it should come as no surprise: Atlantis The Palm is one of Dubai’s most family-friendly hotels , and its new neighbor has lifted many of its best aspects.

Suite-staying guests benefit from unlimited access to the Atlantis waterpark and aquarium, both in easy reach thanks to a regular kart service. Most restaurants accommodate young children before a certain time, and all have a dedicated kids menu. Other little things like premium potties, milk bottle cleaner, child-friendly amenities and mocktail menus make the stay seamless whether you have a baby in arms or a 13 going on 30.

Panoramic Penthouse from approx $33,000 per night; Sky Terrace Family Suites from $2,550, Contact [email protected] , +971 4 426 30 00, atlantis.com

Alex Martin

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• What It’s Like to Stay at Atlantis the Royal, the Most Over-the-Top Hotel in Dubai

Golden toiletries, caviar on the TV, and supersized everything: Dubai's flashiest new hotel aims to impress.

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Atlantis the Royal

What’s the deal?  

Dubai ’s Atlantis the Palm opened with a splash in 2008. With its underwater suites and expansive water park, it made headlines for its staggering pyrotechnics displays, Kylie Minogue performance, and a guest list that included Michael Jordan, Janet Jackson, Robert Deniro, Denzel Washington, and the Olsen twins. So when the neighboring Atlantis the Royal was finally unveiled in early 2023, after years of delays (and a $1.6 billion in construction costs), the opening festivities were obliged to be even more extravagant—and they delivered.

The best room 

The Rundown

Did they greet you by name at check-in?

No, things were fairly hectic when I arrived. Atlantis the Royal has become quite a draw for curious tourists eager to see the audacious new addition to the Palm skyline, and between that and the fact that I was arriving during the height of Dubai’s peak winter season, the lobby was overwhelming, to say the least. Once I checked in and was escorted to my suite, however, serenity set in.

Was a welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived? ( Bonus point if it wasn’t just fruit juice.)

No, but at check-in, a bottle of water materialized right when I needed it. But the suite had a nice spread waiting, with a bottle of Moet, fruits, and pastries, including a date-shaped, date-flavored cake.

Is there a private butler for every room?

The suites come with butler service, and they’re available 24 hours a day via What’s App. 

Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?

The linens swathing the beyond-comfortable beds range from 500 to 800 thread count, and to complete the sleeping experience there’s also a pillow menu with myriad options—memory foam, spelt and lavender, foot pillow, down—to choose from. Rooms also come with plush Frette robes and slippers.

Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet?

No heated floor—this is Dubai, why would you need one?—but the state-of-the-art Toto toilets that rise automatically upon your arrival come with every possible bidet setting one could possibly desire. So we’ll award full points here.

Are the toiletries full-sized?

Is there a private pool for the room’s exclusive use? 

No, but if any number of the hotel pools—including ones at Nobu by the Beach and the sky-high Cloud 22—aren’t enough, consider booking one of the 44 suites and penthouses that come with a terrace pool.

Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?

While the Royal Tearoom has a nice vibe for tea and pastries, our pick would be the Elements bar just outside the lobby. Banquettes are surrounded by water where plumes of fire sometimes magically appear, and when the Skyblaze fountain show starts every half hour, these are the best seats in the house. 

Is there caviar on the room service menu? If so, what kind?

But of course. The extensive in-room dining menu—you can order anything you want directly from your TV—has a separate caviar section, through which you can summon a full service of Beluga or Ossetra  caviar to your suite with egg whites, capers, sour cream, and more. 

Would you buy the hotel if you could?

No, but mostly because that’s simply not the point. Atlantis the Royal is an escape in the true sense of the word, an opulent fever dream that’s meant to be a fantasy, not familiar.

The Verdict

Atlantis the Royal may not be for everyone—there’s nothing quiet about the luxury here—but once you get past the lobby, there’s a surprising number of intimate, even serene settings amid all the flash. There’s really nothing like it out there.

Rates: from $858 per night, two night minimum.

Score  7.5/10

What Our Score Means:

1-3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here. 4-6: Solid if you’re in a pinch—but only if you’re in a pinch. 7-8: Very good. We’d stay here again and recommend it without qualms. 9-10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?

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Inside Atlantis The Royal’s Strategy to Capture the Ultra-Luxury Travel Segment

Atlantis The Royal + Skift

November 9th, 2023 at 10:00 AM EST

Ultra-luxury travelers’ accelerating desire for exceptional and exclusive experiences is driving hospitality to reach new heights in a rarefied segment. Atlantis The Royal is setting new standards in its quest to anticipate the needs of a continuously evolving high-end travel market.

Atlantis The Royal

This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner.

Experience is the new currency in the ultra-luxury hotel sector. For affluent travelers, a hotel is not just about staying in a lavish suite, but the story that unfolds within and beyond its walls. Reporting from Skift reveals that 57 percent of luxury travelers across markets agreed that “creating a travel experience that best fits my expectations is more important than price.” Whether it’s a premium retreat, a rare cultural moment, or an authentic local interaction, travelers are looking to create memories that resonate long after the trip.

Atlantis The Royal has strategically positioned itself at the forefront of this shift since its memorable opening in early 2023, redefining ultra-luxury hospitality through its experiential resort. Located in Dubai, it was created to meet the high standards of a discerning luxury clientele — a fast-growing sector in travel. In this specialized category, guests increasingly want fully immersive stays that can provide a wealth of segment-demand services and anticipate their personalized needs.

Skift Research found that special places to stay are indeed more important than ever to luxury travelers. This priority for unique travel experiences will continue to drive luxury brands to evolve their strategies, innovations, and offerings to capture the ultra-luxury travel segment, now and into the future. Atlantis The Royal aims to meet this demand by delivering highly aspirational, customized experiences through its design, culinary mastery, transformative wellness programs, unique attractions, and elevated service.

“The new age of luxury is a world where ‘yes’ is the only answer, and everything is made possible without hesitation. Special experiences coupled with unique opportunities and going above a standard 5-star hotel experience are what sets a resort apart. Ultra-luxury goes beyond a ‘wow-moment’ or special experience — it’s a completely personalized moment curated especially for each guest,” said Tom Roelens, general manager and senior vice president of operations at Atlantis The Royal. “Succeeding in the delivery of luxury in the future will be all about how you make someone who can afford everything want to return time and again.”

Innovative Architecture and Design Philosophy

The appeal of a hotel often lies in its unique architecture and design. These elements make an impression by creating a distinctive identity, immersive experiences, better functionality, and attention to detail, all of which are highly sought after by luxury travelers. For Atlantis The Royal, the challenge was creating an incomparable and iconic building in a city famous for towers of all varieties.

“Crafted by the world’s leading designers, architects, and artists, the resort’s architecture mediates between the classic form of the nearby Atlantis, The Palm, as well as the progressive architecture of Dubai, offering 795 rooms and surging 43 stories high,” said Roelens. “We tried to conceive of the building as a collection of unique experiences catalyzed by the ‘breaking apart’ of a typical solid building into a loose collection of stacked blocks that create many sky-courts and garden terraces floating in the sky. The inclusion of raised pools in these courts and terraces allows the unique experience of swimming underwater, 30 stories in the air, with a view over the skyline of Dubai. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience, yet also stays reminiscent of the great traditions of the region’s historic architecture.”

Differentiating Through Attractions and Facilities

As luxury hospitality competes for a rarified market share, standout attractions and facilities have become fundamental to capturing guest attention and creating opportunities for properties to deliver outstanding service moments. Atlantis The Royal aspires to challenge and reshape what ultra-luxury travel means through these elements to establish its status as an unmatched luxury destination resort.

“Inspired by a wave of water and the elements, the curved structure and sky gardens offer exceptional views over the Arabian Gulf and Palm Island,” said Roelens. “Our destination is home to over 90 swimming pools in total, including a 25-meter lap pool, a serene and relaxing adult pool, a vibrant family pool, the dynamic infinity pool at Cloud 22, and 44 suite infinity pools. We also offer one of the largest privately-owned beachfronts in Dubai and have 17 restaurants and bars featuring eight celebrity chefs, including Heston Blumenthal and José Andrés.”

Roelens added, “We’re continuing our journey to establish Aquaventure World, which will see our waterpark transition into the number one theme park and first fully-fledged integrated aquatic theme park in the region as we continue to contribute to Dubai’s objective of becoming the number one entertainment destination in the world.”

Crafting Standout Culinary Offerings

With guests now expecting unforgettable dining experiences, luxury properties are increasingly collaborating with renowned chefs and award-winning restaurant brands to draw an international clientele. Atlantis The Royal curates 17 world-class restaurants to build a reputation as an unparalleled culinary destination in Dubai by offering exclusivity, superior service, and myriad options.

“With more celebrity chefs under one roof than anywhere in the world, we’ve achieved 22 nominations across Gault & Millau and Michelin 2023, which are the most nominations in the UAE for a hotel brand,” said Roelens. “In Dubai’s second edition of its Michelin Guide, for example, three Atlantis Dubai restaurants were awarded one Michelin star, including Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Another three of Michelin’s five ‘Special Awards’ were given to Atlantis Dubai restaurants, and five of our restaurants received an honorable mention in the 2023 guide, including Ariana’s Persian Kitchen, Jaleo by José Andrés, La Mar by Gastón Acurio, and Estiatorio Milos.”

Elevated Wellness Experiences

Given the rise of wellness tourism and an increased focus on overall health, fitness, and mindfulness, high-end luxury hospitality requires experiences that defy expectations. Affluent travelers seeking indulgence and self-care opt for specialized services and amenities designed to meet their needs, with hotel spas rapidly evolving and expanding to align with these trends. In anticipating guest desires, Atlantis The Royal has created world-class holistic spa and well-being experiences, including a Hammam Sensorium, hypnotherapy treatments, halotherapy salt caves, and a snow sauna.

Roelens said, “Our AWAKEN Spa is a wellness destination in itself, which includes both indoor and outdoor facilities consisting of 15 therapy and VIP suites, two specialty suites, personal styling studios for men and women, and more. The six-room Hammam Sensorium showcases bathhouse culture in a new light, and the Elements Retreat, our wet spa facility, creates a purposeful experience circuit.”

Preparing for the Future of Luxury Travel

Atlantis The Royal will continue to diversify its offerings and capitalize on its location in the region’s entertainment destination as it plans for the future. Most recently, the resort’s New Year’s Eve Gala Dinners have gained iconic status, featuring global megastars such as Kylie Minogue in 2022 and Robbie Williams in 2021. This year, the renowned artist Sting is set to headline the Dinner.

“We continue to invest and transform the overall Atlantis experience so that guests have something new to discover every time they visit or stay with us. As luxury travelers seek more personalized, immersive, and sustainable experiences, being able to anticipate guests’ needs before they’ve even established these themselves is key for us. Our guest interactions are the silver bullet to delivering a true ultra-luxury experience, and the greatest measure of this is a guest that returns again and again,” Roelens concluded.

Learn more about Atlantis The Royal .

This content was created collaboratively by Atlantis The Royal and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX .

Please join Atlantis The Royal for a special wellness session at Skift Global Forum East , December 12-14 in Dubai.

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Tags: hospitality , hotels , luxury hotels , SkiftX Showcase: Hospitality , ultra-luxury

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

If Only unveils campaign in partnership with Atlantis the Royal

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If Only has unveiled a campaign in partnership with Atlantis the Royal designed to boost holiday sales to the Dubai resort.

The luxury tour operator has launched the ‘Welcome to a Whole New World’ campaign and will provide agents with marketing materials, video content, blogs, social media offers and events throughout the year to help them promote Atlantis the Royal holidays.

For the duration of the campaign, If Only is offering a four-night stay at the resort in a Seascape King Room, including daily breakfast, return flights and transfers from £2,469.

As an incentive, If Only will reward one agent with a four-night stay at Atlantis the Royal plus return flights for themselves and a guest.

The agent who makes the most bookings during the campaign – which runs until December 31 – will be announced the winner.

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View comments, windstar poised for ‘remarkable growth’ with two new ships, wizz air-backed biofuels firm to convert human waste into sustainable aviation fuel, jet2 boss urges government action on uk saf production, former rolls-royce chief to chair uk air traffic control provider, jacobs media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 queen's award for enterprise..

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more .

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Rosatom Starts Production of Rare-Earth Magnets for Wind Power Generation

TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom has started gradual localization of rare-earth magnets manufacturing for wind power plants generators. The first sets of magnets have been manufactured and shipped to the customer.

In total, the contract between Elemash Magnit LLC (an enterprise of TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom in Elektrostal, Moscow region) and Red Wind B.V. (a joint venture of NovaWind JSC and the Dutch company Lagerwey) foresees manufacturing and supply over 200 sets of magnets. One set is designed to produce one power generator.

“The project includes gradual localization of magnets manufacturing in Russia, decreasing dependence on imports. We consider production of magnets as a promising sector for TVEL’s metallurgical business development. In this regard, our company does have the relevant research and technological expertise for creation of Russia’s first large-scale full cycle production of permanent rare-earth magnets,” commented Natalia Nikipelova, President of TVEL JSC.

“NovaWind, as the nuclear industry integrator for wind power projects, not only made-up an efficient supply chain, but also contributed to the development of inter-divisional cooperation and new expertise of Rosatom enterprises. TVEL has mastered a unique technology for the production of magnets for wind turbine generators. These technologies will be undoubtedly in demand in other areas as well,” noted Alexander Korchagin, Director General of NovaWind JSC.

For reference:

TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom incorporates enterprises for the fabrication of nuclear fuel, conversion and enrichment of uranium, production of gas centrifuges, as well as research and design organizations. It is the only supplier of nuclear fuel for Russian nuclear power plants. TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom provides nuclear fuel for 73 power reactors in 13 countries worldwide, research reactors in eight countries, as well as transport reactors of the Russian nuclear fleet. Every sixth power reactor in the world operates on fuel manufactured by TVEL. www.tvel.ru

NovaWind JSC is a division of Rosatom; its primary objective is to consolidate the State Corporation's efforts in advanced segments and technological platforms of the electric power sector. The company was founded in 2017. NovaWind consolidates all of the Rosatom’s wind energy assets – from design and construction to power engineering and operation of wind farms.

Overall, by 2023, enterprises operating under the management of NovaWind JSC, will install 1 GW of wind farms. http://novawind.ru

Elemash Magnit LLC is a subsidiary of Kovrov Mechanical Plant (an enterprise of the TVEL Fuel Company of Rosatom) and its main supplier of magnets for production of gas centrifuges. The company also produces magnets for other industries, in particular, for the automotive

industry. The production facilities of Elemash Magnit LLC are located in the city of Elektrostal, Moscow Region, at the site of Elemash Machine-Building Plant (a nuclear fuel fabrication facility of TVEL Fuel Company).

Rosatom is a global actor on the world’s nuclear technology market. Its leading edge stems from a number of competitive strengths, one of which is assets and competences at hand in all nuclear segments. Rosatom incorporates companies from all stages of the technological chain, such as uranium mining and enrichment, nuclear fuel fabrication, equipment manufacture and engineering, operation of nuclear power plants, and management of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste. Nowadays, Rosatom brings together about 350 enterprises and organizations with the workforce above 250 K. https://rosatom.ru/en/

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