Dubai hoping for overnight success with QE2 hotel plan

The 300-room hotel is expected to open within 18 months at the city’s Port Rashid.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of the company that bought the vessel, said he realised visitors wanted to see the QE2 as it originally looked, so is not planning to make any major changes.

The ship’s fate has been the subject of intense speculation since Dubai bought it in 2007. Original plans to completely overhaul it as a luxury hotel were scrapped when Dubai’s economy tumbled into crisis.

Officials had been reluctant to address questions about its future, even as it sat unused and suggestions swirled that it could be moved to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup or even sold for scrap.

Last New Year’s Eve an event- planning company hosted a black-tie party on board that included live music, fireworks and a laser light show. It was the first time the ship had welcomed a large group of guests since it pulled into port.

Sultan bin Sulayem dismissed concerns about the cost of converting the QE2 into a working hotel, although he declined to say who was paying.