InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s most global hotel company, is set to enrich its service and product offering within the UAE as it looks toward the opening of three key properties at Dubai Festival City.
As the largest hotel operator in the Middle East and Africa, the group will be further expanding its portfolio of properties with the opening of InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and the InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City in the first quarter of 2007.
In conjunction with Al Futtaim Group, the InterContinental Dubai Festival City and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City hotels, as well as the InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City, will further enhance the group’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards; with all three properties defining the essence of luxury, quality and service.
The introduction of the InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City is a first for the group in the UAE market and is specially designed to cater to the needs of extended stay guests featuring kitchen and living areas. The suites can host both large and small families, while single travellers will appreciate the service and privacy of the studios.
Each property is specifically designed to cater to different guest’s requirements and needs, with the three developments reflecting the growing demands of the tourism industry within Dubai, which continues to experience phenomenal growth year on year. The Dubai government anticipates that by 2010, more than 15 million tourists are expected to arrive in Dubai, compared to about five million visitors in 2003. In line with this massive influx, it is anticipated that there will be a need for 70,000 to 80,000 hotel rooms by the end of the decade.
This development within Middle East and the UAE particularly, is extremely important within the objectives of the InterContinental Hotels Group globally, with a company goal of a net organic growth of 60,000 rooms by 2008.
Speaking about the projects, Chris Moloney, Chief Operating Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group, Middle East and Africa said: “InterContinental Hotels Group arrived in the region over 40 years ago with InterContinental Phoenicia in Lebanon, pioneering the international 5-star hotel category here. We are committed to continue providing a first-class product as evident with the Dubai Festival City projects.”
“InterContinental Hotels Group has and continues to adapt to the changing market demands and it is only by maintaining a flexible approach to business that the group has been able to go from strength to strength. We believe this exciting project at Dubai Festival City will complement the Emirate’s vibrant growth.”
Taking charge of the project is Tom Meyer who has been promoted to Area General Manager, InterContinental Hotels Group, Dubai Festival City overseeing the three new properties.
Originally from Sydney, Australian-born Meyer brings over 20 years experience in senior management with InterContinental Hotels Group to the position. “Meyer has exceeded our expectations in his previous roles within the group and continues to drive the business forward. With Meyer at the helm of three of our flagship properties in Dubai, the group is confident in our growing and continued success in this region,” commented Moloney.
Commenting on his new role and the developments Meyer said: “This is an exciting venture for me and I am really looking forward to presenting Dubai with three new and completely different hotels. Each property will, in their own right, deliver innovative services and facilities that are set to be industry firsts in this region and will take the guest experience to a new level.”
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Located on Dubai Creek and with stunning views in every direction, the InterContinental Dubai Festival City is set to become a new city landmark. At 35-floors high, the InterContinental Dubai Festival City property will boast over 500 exquisitely designed rooms, including 120 suites, three Presidential Suites and one Royal Suite. All rooms will have a choice of views including the Dubai Creek, the Festival Marina or the world-class shopping centre.
The viewing options continue as all bathrooms will feature panoramic views, as well as flat screen televisions, separate wet zone incorporating showers and free standing bathtubs. With technology services now playing a major role in enhancing the customer hotel experience, each of the rooms will be equipped with high speed broad band internet access, flat screen TVs, each with CD, DVD and VCD.
The brand’s iconic Club InterContinental will be located on the 26th floor with capturing views of the creek and the city’s skyline.
A Series of Firsts
Leisure guests, meanwhile, can relax in the large 25m outdoor swimming pool; three temperature-controlled outdoor spa pools, children’s splash pool, as well as a sun terrace and leisure garden. Alternatively guests will be able to pamper themselves at the ‘I-Spa’, the first massage and therapy spa to operate within the InterContinental Hotels Group portfolio of properties in the UAE.
One of the key factors defining InterContinental’s service and product offering, as well as lending to the diversity of Dubai’s ever-growing and popular eating out options, will be the property’s dining and entertainment facilities. The hotel will feature the first-ever Café de La Paix restaurant and terrace to operate outside its home in Paris. Another breakthrough for the property will be a Lebanese seafood restaurant, which will again be the first time the restaurant operates outside of Lebanon. A primary attraction will be the hotel’s “experiential” restaurant which will be bought to life by one of the world’s most highly-awarded Michelin-star chefs. Alternatively guests can experience a truly authentic multi-station Japanese restaurant, within a 950sqm space, which will be created by the award-winning interior design team from Super Potato.
Business visitors are tipped to enjoy the meeting facilities on offer at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, with an impressive 4,500sqm conference centre across two levels, meeting space that can be divided into 10 break-out rooms servicing anything from smaller VIP board meetings to a reception style banquet catering up to 1800 guests.
Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City
The Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City has been designed directly above the state-of-the-art conference centre, reinforcing the Crowne Plaza brand as the ‘Place to Meet’.
The 316-room property, including 26 suites, presents an ideal location for business travellers, with all rooms equipped with high-speed internet access and flat plasma TV screens. And for those who want to take a break from the business of the day, they will be able opt for a physical workout at the fully-equipped state-of-the-art gymnasium complete with sauna and steam rooms. Alternatively guests will have the option of enjoying the pool leisure deck area which will enclose the 25m swimming pool and outdoor spa pools and featuring equally stunning views of the creek.
InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City
Within the Harbour Plaza, 215 stylish high-rise apartments, encompassing one, two and three bedroom suites, will make up the InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City. The suites will be available on annual leases giving tenants’ access to the InterContinental Dubai Festival City and the destination’s world-class leisure, retail and entertainment facilities. Together with the two hotels and InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City, the group will offer more than 1000 rooms within the Festival City development.
With the three properties being just a five minute taxi ride from Dubai International Airport and located within the heart of Dubai’s most ambitious developments, Dubai Festival City, the InterContinental Hotels Group will further enhance the group’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in hospitality and responding to the market and customer’s requirements.
In addition, all properties will have a direct link to the shopping centre which covers 2.6 million square feet and will be home to more than 450 retail outlets and over 90 restaurants and cafes. While golfers can access the new Al Badia course located within the Festival City development and minutes away from the Dubai Creek Golf Course.
“Our reputation in the market is very positive and with the openings of InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and the InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City, we will reaffirm our commitment to supporting the development of the hospitality sector and further consolidate our position as the largest hotel operator in the Middle East,” concluded Moloney.
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC of the United Kingdom [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. InterContinental Hotels Group owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 3,600 hotels and 537,500 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites®, Candlewood Suites® and Hotel IndigoTM, and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club® Rewards.
InterContinental Hotels Group offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ichotelsgroup.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com.
For the latest news from InterContinental Hotels Group, visit our online Press Office at www.ihgplc.com/media.
