Fact Check

Palace in the Desert

Do photographs show the palatial home of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan?

Published March 30, 2007

Claim:

Claim:   Photographs show palatial home of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.


Status:   Real photos; inaccurate description.

Examples:   [Collected via e-mail, 2005]




Amazing what $2.55 a gallon gas can buy, isn't it?

In case you're wondering where this hotel is, it isn't a hotel at all. It's a house!

It's owned by the family of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the former president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu-Dhabi.

Now you know where your gasoline money goes.


Take a look at this HOUSE

As you get ready to fill your car or van, or truck up with gas, remember you helped BUY this house and car.

Don't Miss the Car at the Very End!!!




























Click photo to enlarge Click photo to enlarge
Click photo to enlarge Click photo to enlarge
Click photo to enlarge Click photo to enlarge
Click photo to enlarge Click photo to enlarge
Click photo to enlarge Click photo to enlarge
Click photo to enlarge Click photo to enlarge
Click photo to enlarge



Origins:   These pictures are indeed real photographs of an impressive palatial structure, but — contrary to the claims made in the accompanying text — they evidently do indeed depict a hotel, not a private home. These are images of the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), a facility that "boasts 302 superior rooms and 92 magnificent suites each combining the ultimate in luxury with 22nd century technology." (How they managed to obtain technology a hundred years in advance of the stuff available to the rest of us is something we haven't yet figured out.)

As the Emirates Palace Hotel's web site describes the accommodations offered (or soon to be offered) there:



All Palace rooms offers plasma screens, interactive TV's and high speed Internet access.

8 restaurants representing cuisine from across the globe will be opening in December 2004 with 10 additional outlets scheduled to open in 2005. Internationally branded specialty restaurants will include Iranian, seafood, Mediterranean, Arabic, and Asian cusine complemented by a number of relaxing lounges and cafes.

A selection of the worlds most exclusive brands in luxury jewellery and fashion for the discerning shopper.

The longest private beach in Abu Dhabi, 1.3 km of golden sands and two stunning pools artistically landscaped on the east and west wings of the Palace.

Two Spa fit for kings and queens will be located in the east and west wings, featuring a luxury line of beauty products along

Emirates Palace will be home to the best Marina UAE with private berths for yachts. Full Service facilities will be available as well as leisure facilities.


Many of the pictures shown above are also offered in the photo gallery on the hotel's web site, including views of the many hotel restaurants, luxury suite bedrooms and bathrooms, swimming pools, and atria, as well as the cars available through their limousine service.

Last updated:   22 August 2005


David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.

Article Tags