World’s most expensive Christmas tree in Abu Dhabi Hotel

Emirates Palace hotel, the luxury Abu Dhabi hotel, has unveiled what is thought to be the world’s most expensive Christmas tree, valued at more than $11m.

The 13-metre fake evergreen tree is located in the hotel’s lobby, and is decorated with silver and gold bows, ball-shaped ornaments and small white lights.

However, the record value of the tree is due to the necklaces, earrings and other jewellery draped over its branches.

Khalifa Khouri, owner of Style Gallery, which provided the jewellery, said that the tree held 181 diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones.

“The tree itself is about $10,000,” said Hans Olbertz, general manager of the Emirates Palace.

Olbertz added that the hotel planned to contact the Guinness book of world records about the tree, which will remain in its location until the end of the year.

The vast majority of the population of the oil-rich UAE are Muslim. But the general manager added that he did not believe the tree would offend religious sensibilities. “It’s a very liberal country,” he said.

Security:

Asked what security measures were in place to prevent theft of jewellery from the tree, assistant director of marketing Hazem Harfoush said the tree was “good proof that Abu Dhabi is a safe destination”.

And the hotel was even safer, Mr Harfoush told.

“We have 24/7 security, four security guards closely monitoring the space plus security cameras.”