Hotel in Abu Dhabi takes festive season a little too far

AN ABU Dhabi luxury hotel that put up an $11 million Christmas tree decorated with gold and gems admitted it may have taken the holiday spirit too far.

A statement from the Emirates Palace hotel yesterday said it regretted "attempts to overload" the Christmas tree tradition by adorning it with gold, diamonds and other precious stones.

Management apparently had second thoughts after questions arose about whether the opulent tree was innocent good cheer or unfortunate bad taste.

In a statement the hotel said that it regretted "attempts to overload the tradition followed by most hotels in the country with meanings and connotations that do not fall in line with the (hotel's] professional standards".