DALLAS, Apr 4, 2006/ FW/ --- In 2008, the second Palazzo Versace will open in Dubai with amenities that include over 200 suites, restaurants, luxury villas, a spa, as well as temperature controlled beaches and ‘swimming pools’ with a spectacular array of sea life for diving experiences all conceptualized by the Versace Group.

The new hotel will be situated on a centrally located waterfront site on Dubai Creek and will be fully furnished with a specially designed line of products from the Versace Home Collection.

Designed with representing the creative path that Gianni Versace followed in decorating his palazzos and villas, the new Palazzo Versace combine classical architecture with the richness and innovation of the decoration and finishings.

The Hotels Palazzo Versace fully reflect the patrimony of the architecture of the Palazzo in Via Gesu, which today is home to the company headquarters, while inside they are decorated more in the style of the homes and villas of Versace. In this way anyone who stays in a Versace Resort can experience those same emotions and sensations.

Giancarlo Di Risio, CEO of the Versace Group said “The idea of bringing the Versace philosophy of luxury and style to the ultimate in resort vacationing is a natural combination. We were the first luxury group to develop a branded hotel and this gives us a considerable advantage over our peers as we are able to continue swiftly with the conception and realization of further resorts. After Dubai, there is another Palazzo Versace project in the pipeline”.

The choice of Dubai as second location for Palazzo Versace is logical; in fact, it is also forward thinking.

One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai is the most populous and second largest emirate (in terms of size) in the federation after Abu Dhabi.

Dubai distinguishes itself in the UAE with its economy that is not based entirely on oil. Only 6% of the country’s gross domestic product is derived from oil. A majority of the emirate’s revenues are from the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ), and from tourism.