Queen Elizabeth 2 emerges as floating luxury hotel in Dubai

Queen Elizabeth 2 opens its doors to the public as a floating luxury hotel. The ship, which has a history spanning five decades, has been reinvented and is now docked permanently at Mina Rashid in Dubai, after a reinvention by PCFC Hotels – part of the Dubai government’s Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation.

“It is one of Dubai’s most highly anticipated projects”

Hamza Mustafa, CEO of PCFC Hotels commented: “To finally open the QE2 is a dream come true for my team and I. It is one of Dubai’s most highly anticipated projects and we know that a lot of people are going to be very excited to see her for the first time or to step back on board the vessel that created so many wonderful memories during her 40 years at sea.”

The luxury ship’s dining, accommodation, and entertainment attractions are now unveiled, welcoming passengers on board to experience a selection of restored room and suites, and discover 5 of the 13 planned restaurants and bars. In addition, the ship’s rich history is shown in a QE2 Heritage Exhibition – an interactive museum that showcases the QE2 during the 60’s.

The 13-deck hotel has been restored with its interior design features intact – including period furniture, renowned paintings, and collectors’ memorabilia. The original porthole windows provide a maritime feel to the modern guest rooms, and a number of original restaurants have been retained.

“We have dedicated more than 2.7 million man-hours into transforming this legendary ocean liner”

“We have dedicated more than 2.7 million man-hours into transforming this legendary ocean liner into the multi-faceted tourist destination that she is today and I am very proud to reintroduce her to the world as she embarks on the next stage of her celebrated journey. It has been an honour to work on this wonderful project and to help ensure that our lovely Lady lives up to her new slogan: still making history,” said Mustafa.

The hotel’s signature restaurant is The Queens Grill which offers a refined selection of British fine-dining dishes as well as a tasting menu that recreates a classic selection of dishes from 1969.

From small but well-designed ‘cabin’ style Standard Rooms starting at 17sqm, to the 76sqm Royal Suites belonging to the Queen herself – the QE2 offers a selection of 13 room and suite categories for passengers to experience.

“We are especially thankful to our Chairman, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem whose vision and determination to give her a second life has come to fruition. His passion for Queen Elizabeth 2 and all that she represents means that she can continue to deliver the grandeur that she stood for, within a new special location at the heart Mina Rashid, in Dubai,” Mustafa concluded.