METROPOLITAN PALACE HOTEL

MEDIUM SHOT: On Announcer, standing to camera with mike, in front of a hectic scene of cars and people crowding the entrance of the new hotel.

ANNOUNCER: (hushed, awed tone) We're here outside the elegant new Metropolitan Palace Hotel on Maktoum Street in Deira. Today is the gala grand opening, and a steady stream of Rolls, Mercedes, and BMWs are delivering a glittering array of dignitaries at the front door.

ZOOM OUT, from TIGHT to WIDE ANGLE: Tight focus first on the burgundy Bentley to be used for executive car service at the hotel, zooming out to reveal the arrival of VIPs. The air is bright with camera flashes from the press contingent and the television crew. Slow tilt up the hotel exterior, revealing its dramatically spotlighted profile and an international array of flags flapping in the wind.

VOICE OVER: While their Highnesses the Sheikhs, their Excellencies the Ministers and the other dignitaries are being ushered into the reception, we have a chance to tell you about this extraordinary hotel. It seems that no effort has been spared to insure that this establishment represents a real departure for Dubai's hotel scene. The Palace is the first Ôurban' five star deluxe hotel in Dubai. It's not situated in huge grounds and it's not gargantuan like many of the branded hotels. The Metropolitan Palace is actually reminiscent of the elegant urban hotels of Paris, London and New York which are also continued over sited on expensive real estate on prominent thoroughfares, so they must exploit to the fullest every meter of space. Let's move inside now, the ceremony is about to begin!

INTERIOR SHOTS: Medium Shot, camera dollies through the ornate entrance, up the red carpet, past the sparkling fountains. The liveried doorman opens the door with a bow and a smile, revealing the elegant marble lobby with two grand sweeping staircases setting the tone of high drama. Medium Close-Ups on the enormous sparkling crystal chandelier, the plush club ambience of the Al Shindagah Cafe to the side, the classical pianist in the open pastry lounge, the sotto voce reception area. Tight Close-Ups on the Limoges and Wedgwood china used for place settings, the irresistible array of speciality chocolates produced in-house by the chefs...

CLOSE UP, TRACKING SHOT: The crowd parts as H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister enters the lobby with his entourage. He is received by the Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, Mr. Khalaf al Habtoor, and the Chief Executive, Mr. Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor. A hush as His Highness cuts the official ribbon, and the Palace is officially open for business. The crowd enthusiastically claps in a general mood of excitement. The Announcer spies Guy Snelling, the urbane General Manager of the Palace, and introduces him to camera.

ANNOUNCER: Mr. Snelling, congratulations! What an event and what a hotel you've got here. Is it true that more than a quarter billion dirhams were spent on the Palace?

MR. SNELLING: I don't think that overall expense is nearly as important as how all of the many, many elements have been woven together into a harmonious whole. Every day I take a glance at a quote from John Ruskin: ÒQuality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort. Ò I really think that is what makes this establishment stand out from the crowd, and which will be most appreciated by the business executives and travellers staying with us. (Camera shows him graciously greeting various reception guests he talks.) I think that you'll have to excuse me now, but do come back and visit!

ZOOM from CLOSE to MEDIUM SHOT, TRACKING: Follow the Announcer as he travels in the glass enclosed lift past the mezzanine floor which features the San Lorenzo, the Mediterranean outlet; Al Diwan, a Lebanese club with song and dance; the Tahiti, which serves Polynesian cuisine; and the Office Bar with the business executive in mind. The lift opens to reveal an elegant atrium featuring two extraordinary crystal chandeliers and a formal Arabic garden in its foyer. Several floors of balconies overlook this private space. The Announcer is in conversation with David Atkinson, the Director of Sales and Marketing.

ANNOUNCER: (With tone of amazement) This really is a second hotel within the Palace. The separate environment actually imports the upmarket concept of a Ôboutique' hotel to Dubai. David, you were telling me that many special elements have been added to these rooms?

MEDIUM SHOT to SERIES of CLOSE UPs: Camera starts on David by the fountain in the geometric garden, and then cuts to Close-Ups on various of the items which he describes.

DAVID: (On Camera) I must say that even as a hotel professional I find the attention in the Palace to even the smallest detail to be quite exceptional. (Voice Over) Each room has a fax, a digital safe, an interactive TV to access the Internet and hotel services, extra wide beds, exclusive Mason & Keats toiletries. Even the TV remote has a special cover! Really the list is endless. The carpeting was woven to our exclusive designs, all of the furniture is inlaid and is custom made with cherrywood and other fine woods. The finest porcelain, silverware and glassware suppliers in Europe provided for our restaurants. Special slippers are presented as gifts to our guests. All the mirrors are anti-fogging in the bathrooms, which by the way one guest told me are big enough to hold a reception in!

ZOOM OUT, from CLOSE-UP to WIDE, TILT: Focus on amazed look on Announcer's face as the camera widens to show him beside Ulrike Herbers, the Executive Housekeeper, looking at the lobby of the next atrium higher up in the Palace. Camera tilts up from the executive lounge to the balconies surrounding the three floors.

ANNOUNCER: This truly is amazing! I thought that the first atrium was special, but this one feels like an exclusive business club.

ULRIKE: That's exactly right, that is the environment which the Palace is offering to business executives visiting Dubai. Every sort of service is available here to give them not only a home away from home, but an office away from the office too! And the special touches: We have an in-room dining service, where the guests are served each course independently at a dining table in their own room, which is cleared before the next course is served, as if they were dining in one of our restaurants.

ANNOUNCER: I'm afraid to ask if there is another atrium above this one?

ULRIKE: Well there's two floors of very exclusive suites, and then the large roof pool and the fitness club above that, with one of the most extraordinary cafes in the city. The creek view is stunning. Shall we?

ANNOUNCER: No, please, enough! We're already late for the special banquet.

MEDIUM SHOT, PAN TO FOLLOW ACTION: The Announcer is laughing at a comment by Bernice Dickenson, the Banquet Manager, as he is being ushered by her into the ornate Palace Ballroom. Pan over his shoulder as the double doors open to reveal an exquisite scene of twenty silver candelabra lighting with amber glow the dignitaries and guests being served the most elaborate banquet. It is almost medieval, and the hotel staff has outdone itself to make the occasion special, from the chefs presenting a delectable eight course meal, to the various strolling musicians, to the uniformed service.

At some point in the proceedings, perhaps after the special creations of the Executive Chef Ralf Spika such as the ConsommŽ with Gold Leaf, or the fresh salmon specially smoked at the Palace itself, or when Kathleen Landis of the Hotel Pierre of New York begins to soothe the room with one of her special Gershwin numbers, at that point the Announcer will turn to camera.

CLOSE-UP on ANNOUNCER: (Shrugging hopelessly.) I'm sorry, but for the first time, words don't suffice... Goodnight from the Metropolitan Palace Hotel!