After almost a decade sitting in Dubai QE2 to open as a floating hotel

PCFC Hotels, owned by the Dubai government and part of Dubai’s Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), announced a 'soft opening' of the new hotel scheduled for April 18, 2018.

Initially five of the planned 13 restaurants will be open and visitors can eat and drink in The Lido, The Yacht Club and the Queen’s Grill.

Adjacent to the lobby is the QE2 Exhibition, which showcases the QE2 during the 60s. Coming soon will be the Grand Room, Chartroom bar and The Pavilion.

Rooms are available for booking at qe2.com.

For the opening night rates start from AED599(£114), excluding taxes and fees

The official opening of the floating hotel is planned for October this year.

Queen Elizabeth 2 was launched by Her Majesty The Queen on September 20, 1967.

In 2017, Cunard marked the 50th anniversary of the legendary vessel with a 17 night cruise on Queen Elizabeth. During a 39-year career for Cunard, QE2 completed 806 transatlantics and 25 circumnavigations, hosted 2.5m passengers and sailed 5.6m miles.

QE2 sold by Carnival to Dubai government in 2007

When purchased by Dubai's Istithmar for $100m from Cunard in 2007 the intention was to turn the vessel into a floating hotel and museum at The Palm Jumeirah.

Last year QE2 was positioned in front of the original Dubai Cruise Terminal (T1) in Mina Rashid, now designated as a permanent home for the liner.

PCFC Hotels, chief executive Hamza Mustafa, said: 'To finally open the QE2 is a dream come true for my team and I. It is one of Dubai’s most highly anticipated projects and we know that a lot of people are going to be very excited to see her for the first time, or to step back on board the vessel that created so many wonderful memories during her 40 years at sea.'

Mustafa said more than 2.7m man-hours have been spent on trasforming the ocean liner 'into the multi-faceted tourist destination that she is today.'

Queen Mary 2 guests have chance to visit the new QE2 hotel

Guests travelling on Queen Mary 2 will have the opportunity to join VIPs and local media at the opening of the QE2 hotel on   April 18. Future guests will also have the chance to visit when QM2 returns to Dubai in January and April 2019 as part of her World Voyage.

'On behalf of Cunard, we are so excited for our guests sailing on Queen Mary 2 to be of the first to board the QE2 Hotel in Dubai,' said Josh Leibowitz, svp Cunard North America. 'QE2 holds a very special place in Cunard’s history, and we hope that the ship will continue to be enjoyed by many guests to come.'