In the UAE, transportation options abound — but nothing quite compares to the indulgence of a journey that feels more like a five-star spa on wheels.
Blacklane – founded in Germany in 2011 and now in more than 50 countries worldwide – has brought its gleaming all-electric fleet of chauffeur-driven Mercedes-Benz EQS vehicles to the Middle East, and it’s a ride that’s well worth hailing.
The brand’s futuristic two-tone limousines are a clear cut above regular taxis, offering ventilated massage chairs that knead away the day’s tensions in a noise-cancelling cocoon of blissful silence, punctuated only by the soft, reassuring hum of the eco-friendly engine.
Putting the ultra-luxe service to the test, we used the Blacklane app to book a one-hour trip from St. Regis Dubai, The Palm to Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri in Abu Dhabi — and the experience was nothing short of exceptional.
The evening before our journey, we booked our trip using the sleek Blacklane app. The choices were plentiful — airport transfers, an hourly service with unlimited stops and even the option to summon a chauffeur on-demand. Dubai is one of only two cities globally (the other being Miami, Florida) where this immediate service is available.
At 10.50am, the phone rang. Our chauffeur was outside, a full 10 minutes ahead of schedule, the engine softly humming with anticipation. “No need to rush,” he insisted, informing us that the service includes up to 15 minutes of waiting time with each booking (or one hour for airport rides). At the same time, an email reassuringly landed letting us know our ride was ready to go.
Stepping out of the lobby moments later, we were greeted with a gleaming beauty of a car — its immaculate, smooth, aerodynamic shell framed by crisp lines and striking angular headlights, the iconic Mercedes-Benz logo sitting proudly on the front grille.
Our English-speaking chauffeur, impeccably dressed in a smart black suit, greeted us with a warm smile and a cold bottle of water. He courteously opened the door before tending to our luggage with practiced ease. Blacklane’s UAE drivers – more than 50% of them women – have all undergone rigorous training and certification at the company’s Chauffeur Training Academy in Dubai. All work on full-time, salaried contracts.
Sinking into the ultra-comfortable, cream-coloured back seats, we wasted no time in firing up the massage function 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 conditioning was to our liking, offering us charging cables and the option of playing music — although we were more than happy to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Like the booking and pickup process, the journey itself was smooth, seamless and stress-free, with plenty of complimentary bottles of water (both still and sparkling). An hour after departing, we pulled up in style outside the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, the EQS more than holding its own among a car park of G-Wagens and Nissan Patrols.
Although the company offsets the emissions from every journey, meaning all rides globally are essentially carbon neutral, the UAE fleet goes one step further by exclusively using electric Mercedes-Benz EQS sedans and, for larger groups, SUVs. The company says demand for sustainable transportation has surged, with a 200 per cent increase in ride volumes during the last quarter.
In addition to the UAE, Blacklane is available in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh, plus Jeddah and Mecca, where a dedicated city-to-city service takes pilgrims from King Abdulaziz International Airport to Islam’s holiest city.
