EGN NEWS DESK
In the UAE, transportation choices abound — however nothing fairly compares to the indulgence of a journey that feels extra like a five-star spa on wheels.
Blacklane – based in Germany in 2011 and now in additional than 50 nations worldwide – has introduced its gleaming all-electric fleet of chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz EQS autos to the Middle East, and it’s a trip that’s effectively price hailing.
The model’s futuristic two-tone limousines are a transparent lower above common taxis, providing ventilated therapeutic massage chairs that knead away the day’s tensions in a noise-cancelling cocoon of blissful silence, punctuated solely by the comfortable, reassuring hum of the eco-friendly engine.
Putting the ultra-luxe service to the take a look at, we used the Blacklane app to guide a one-hour journey from St. Regis Dubai, The Palm to Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi — and the expertise was nothing wanting distinctive.
The night earlier than our journey, we booked our journey utilizing the modern Blacklane app. The decisions had been plentiful — airport transfers, an hourly service with limitless stops and even the choice to summon a chauffeur on-demand. Dubai is certainly one of solely two cities globally (the opposite being Miami, Florida) the place this rapid service is on the market.
At 10.50am, the cellphone rang. Our chauffeur was exterior, a full 10 minutes forward of schedule, the engine softly buzzing with anticipation. “No must rush,” he insisted, informing us that the service consists of as much as quarter-hour of ready time with every reserving (or one hour for airport rides). At the identical time, an e-mail reassuringly landed letting us know our trip was able to go.
Stepping out of the foyer moments later, we had been greeted with a gleaming great thing about a automotive — its immaculate, easy, aerodynamic shell framed by crisp strains and hanging angular headlights, the long-lasting Mercedes-Benz emblem sitting proudly on the entrance grille.
Our English-speaking chauffeur, impeccably wearing a sensible black go well with, greeted us with a heat smile and a chilly bottle of water. He courteously opened the door earlier than tending to our baggage with practiced ease. Blacklane’s UAE drivers – greater than 50% of them ladies – have all undergone rigorous coaching and certification on the firm’s Chauffeur Training Academy in Dubai. All work on full-time, salaried contracts.
Sinking into the ultra-comfortable, cream-coloured again seats, we wasted no time in firing up the therapeutic massage operate and connecting to the in-car WiFi. The door closed with a satisfying thud, cocooning us in a spacious sanctuary of silence. Our attentive driver promptly checked if the HEPA-filtered air con was to our liking, providing us charging cables and the choice of taking part in music — though we had been very happy to benefit from the peace and quiet.
Like the reserving and pickup course of, the journey itself was easy, seamless and stress-free, with loads of complimentary bottles of water (each nonetheless and glowing). An hour after departing, we pulled up in model exterior the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, the EQS greater than holding its personal amongst a carpark of G-Wagens and Nissan Patrols.
Although the corporate offsets the emissions from each journey, which means all rides globally are primarily carbon impartial, the UAE fleet goes one step additional by solely utilizing electrical Mercedes-Benz EQS sedans and, for bigger teams, SUVs. The firm says demand for sustainable transportation has surged, with a 200 per cent enhance in trip volumes over the last quarter.
In addition to the UAE, Blacklane is on the market within the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, plus Jeddah and Mecca, the place a devoted city-to-city service takes pilgrims from King Abdulaziz International Airport to Islam’s holiest metropolis.
