By Ian Neubauer

The Atlantis The Palm Dubai resort on manmade Palm Jumeirah Island hosted one of the most expensive launch parties in history last week — estimated to have cost $35 million.

Kylie Minogue gave her debut Middle East performance in front of 2000 high profile guests, including Sir Richard Branson, Robert DeNiro, Lindsay Lohan, Atlantis creator Sol Kerzner and Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Michel Rostang, Nobu Matsuhisa and other celebrity chefs served up lobster and Veuve Clicquot Champagne at a beach-themed party produced by event maestro Colin Cowie.

“People say, ‘How do you have a party like this in these economic times?’ But the funds were allocated a year ago, and you have to dream big to get a big result” Cowie told the UK Telegraph.

“We built something that’s quite extraordinary. We’ve got to tell the world about it,” added Kerzner.

Celebrations culminated with a fireworks display ten times the size of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. Designed and executed by the Grucci’s, it lit up 43km of palm-shaped shoreline and illuminated the entire island.

The 1539-room Atlantis Palm is one of the most luxurious accommodation properties in the world. It features 360-degree ocean views, world-class restaurants, a water-themed amusement park, luxury boutiques and 5600sqm of events and function space.

The centerpiece is an 11-million litre marine habitat that is home to more than 65,000 marine creatures, including dolphin, stingray and shark.