INTERNATIONAL: IHG, Hilton Worldwide Expand Operations in UAE

By Alex Girda, Associate Editor

InterContinental Hotels Group and Hilton Worldwide will both be expanding their portfolios, with IHG signing two new management contracts for facilities in Abu Dhabi, while Hilton has officially opened a new Dubai hotel.

InterContinental Hotels Group has completed a 20-year management agreement with the National Corporation of Tourism and Hotels, for the InterContinental Abu Dhabi – Grand Marina, as well as with Pearl Azure Hotel Management L.L.C., for the Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown, expanding its footing in the United Arab Emirates. Pascal Gauvin, COO, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, noted that the two contracts in Abu Dhabi come as a result of the market’s strong potential for all of its brands.

“Our owners play an important role in our growth strategy and we are committed to building long-term relationships with them,” he said in a news release.

Holiday Inn Abu Dhabi Downtown will be a 257-key hotel that will be converted by the end of the current year from the current Sands Hotel in downtown Abu Dhabi. After the refurbishment planned for the building, the venue will feature a dining spot, bar, poll, fitness facilities and meeting space. InterContinental Abu Dhabi – Grand Marina will be a 184-key facility offering service apartments and regular rooms, and an amenity package including a rooftop bar, a Michelin star signature restaurant with rooftop bar, as well as a spa and pool. By 2016, the hotel will be open for business, along with extensive meeting space dedicated to the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions) market.

Hilton Worldwide and DoubleTree by Hilton announced that grand opening of the new DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Jumeirah Beach. The new hotel is located on The Walk, a one-mile seaside strip located in the Jumeirah Beach Residence area. The property, featuring 110 suites, will be the second DoubleTree to open in the emirate of Dubai. The one, two and three-bedroom suites, some of which offer a fully equipped kitchen and views of the Arabian Gulf Sea and The Palm Jumeirah will cater to business and leisure travelers alike, featuring complimentary in-room Wi-Fi for Hilton HHonors Diamond and Gold members, eight different meeting rooms that range in size, 24-hour connectivity center, fitness facility a steam room, Jacuzzi and sauna. Four restaurants, Al Maeda, The Kitchen Table, Areia Beach Bar & Grill and the Maiya Lounge will be available for guests of the hotel.