Al Shindagah leaves its credit cards at home and goes window shopping at the latest shopping hot spot to open in Dubai

Shopping has become as synonymous to Dubai as oil or sunshine, with till bells ringing in billions of dollars annually and profits continuing to soar.

The month-long Dubai Shopping Festival provides the ideal time for the bargain-hunting tourist to visit Dubai, but for those living in the city, the temptation is there every day of the year to spend, spend, spend, thanks to the wealth of shopping options sprinkled throughout the emirate.

But, just when you thought you had discovered all the shopping hot spots that the city has to offer... another new shopping centre has opened in Dubai!

The Metropolitan Shopping Atrium opened its doors for business recently offering a cosy, yet extensive, centre to spend those hard-earned dirhams at an ideal location in the Metropolitan Hotel complex on Sheikh Zayed Road.

The new shopping atrium has been designed by ICH interiors in fine woods and marble to provide a light, cool and spacious area linking the hotel with the Al Habtoor Residence and the multi-cinema Metroplex centre for guests, residents and visitors to shop and relax.

Dubai has worked hard to earn its shopping prowess, with its American-style malls rubbing shoulders with traditional back-street bazaars and souqs offering tax-free prices which are among the fairest to be found anywhere in the world.

But the Metropolitan Shopping Atrium offers something different. OK, sure there are shops, but each one provides an exceptional level of personal service and the relaxed atmosphere takes away the hustle and bustle normally associated with the city's bigger malls.

The new atrium has a range of outlets offering fine jewellery, up market men and women's clothing, exclusive lingerie and beach wear, antiques, photographic services, and a supermarket. Such was its demand, all its shop space was snapped up almost as soon as the final brick was recently put in place.

A spokesman for Asteco Property Management, who administer the Metropolitan Shopping Atrium said: "While there may be a lot of shopping centres in Dubai, this one is unique and offers one of the most relaxed atmospheres to shop in the city. All of its shop space is occupied which is quite an achievement in this current economic environment. The Metropolitan Shopping Atrium provides a exciting addition to shopping in Dubai."

The retail units are sited on two levels over looking the central area where shoppers can enjoy coffee and snacks at the Le Creperie coffee shop.

On the ground floor is Rodeo Drive, a leading name in men and women's up market clothing, which has a distinguished chain of fashion boutiques throughout the United Arab Emirates. Rodeo Drive offers such famous brands as Ermenegildo Zegna, Lanvin, Givenchy, Gucci, Christian La Croix, Alma and Church's Shoes.

Also to be found on the ground floor is the smiling face of German supermodel Claudia Schiffer... well not in person anyway! Her picture can be seen in the window of Damas Jewellery, which has over 40 outlets, making it a household name in jewellery in the UAE. Damas Jewellery is the exclusive distributor for over 30 international brands such as Fida, Kiku Pearls, Aura, the Leela Collection, Majorca, Roberto Coin and many more. Its prices are comparable with anywhere in Dubai and its extensive range ensures a place at the top of the tree for jewellery shopping.

A short trip up the escalator takes you to the first floor and those seeking exclusive lingerie and beachwear can visit the Belleamie Boutique. With a friendly and inviting atmosphere and the kind of window display that would set the pulse running on even the most open-minded of men, Belleamie Boutique offers an astonishing range of clothing which come in a variety of sizes. Smart beachwear in vibrant colours is available from leading companies in Italy, Spain, Greece and the USA.

For those who appreciate fine antiques and other works of art, there is the Al Wardah Galley, offering many interesting and unusual pieces from throughout the Arabian Gulf, along with paintings by local artists depicting life in the Emirates.

Full marks for ingenuity goes to whoever came up with the name Shera Corner Shop. As you can guess, it is a shop and it is located in the corner of the first floor, providing everything you would expect to see in a traditional corner shop thousands of miles away in England.

Crammed top to bottom with supplies, the Shera Corner Shop is a friendly supermarket for the up market consumer with a wide selection of premium quality fresh, dry and chilled foodstuff, and a full range of all daily essentials. It also boasts a quick home delivery service, which is good news for the residents of the Al Habtoor Residence complex located next door to the new Shopping Atrium.

But no shopping centre is complete unless it contains a photography shop, and the Metropolitan Shopping Atrium is no exception. The Quick Photo Studio offers a full range of photographic services including fast film processing and passport photography; it also has a full range of film and accessories. Photographs can be developed so quickly; that a film can be dropped in on the way to see a movie at the Metroplex, and the proofs can be picked up on the way home.