By
Photo: Moon World Resorts
Dubai has long earned its nickname The City of Gold. After all, one does not get such a moniker without a correspondingly hefty reputation for going big. Very big.
For instance, the world’s tallest skyscraper and the 828m-tall Burj Khalifa. Not to forget, the world’s biggest mall — before Iran’s marketplace came into existence a decade later.
But there’s a newcomer in town, and it is astronomical in scale. Enter Moon, a lunar-themed luxury resort stretching 224m above the streets of downtown Dubai. Most of that real estate will go to a massive steel sphere with external decorations that resemble the moon.
The Dubai Moon is not just lunar in name though. Canada-based Moon World Resorts and its co-founders Sandra Matthews and Michael Henderson are looking to simulate a form of authentic space tourism. But, without all the hassle of getting multiple doctorates and clocking 80,000 hours of flight training (or hopping onto your nearest rocket or space balloon).
An experience that’s out of this world
Credit: Moon World Resorts
Attractions include the headlining luxury resort (which the developers say will be constructed with the sustainability goal of attaining a LEED gold standard), housing spacefaring guests in 4,000 fully-integrated, technology-driven suites; alongside permanent residents living within boutique “sky villas” – naturally, with extra benefits like access to a private members’ club.
The lunar structure is made to welcome up to 10 million visitors a year, a quarter of which can flow through its star experience: a tour of a 10-acre mock-up lunar surface, and a visit to an “authentic lunar colony”.
Also included in the experience: a shuttle ride that doubles up as an audio-visual experience simulating a trip to the moon (obviously).
Taking a look at the drawings published on the company’s social media as an indication of other futuristic attractions, we can expect to see a UFO-inspired nightclub, retail space, event centre and spa – if it gets built.
Henderson says that Moon is no mere artistic rendering or “NFT-type creation”. “From an architectural, engineering and design perspective, Moon can be built,” he declares over email. “The business case for Moon is extremely compelling. The brand is already known and loved by 7.5 billion humans. Indeed, Moon is the most recognised brand on planet Earth and is fortunate enough to enjoy the biggest billboard ever created.”
Singapore being considered for a moon resort
Credit: Moon World Resorts
What the co-founders need now are regional companies willing to fork out the hefty US$5 billion (S$7 billion) necessary to build out Moon Dubai, which he hopes will be the first of four in total.
The other three will be spread across the globe in North America, Europe and Asia – and yes, Singapore is one of the countries in consideration. “We love Singapore – it would be the perfect place for Moon in Asia. The key challenge is land availability. We would also need to secure a regional licensee,” says Henderson.
Once approved, Moon Dubai is expected to be constructed and ready to go within four years. Engineering marvel, vanity project or conversation piece, that’s up to you. We’re still racking our brains over the question: does a stay at Moon Dubai, or any of the other Moon resorts, technically count as a staycation?
