06 December 2016 – DUBAI, UAE

Al Habtoor Group Founding Chairman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor officially inaugurated the Al Habtoor City, Hotel Collection along with Marriott International at a grand opening VIP event on Wednesday 6 December. The much-anticipated hospitality, entertainment and residential complex, comprises of three prominent five-star luxury hotel brands, Dubai’s first-ever St. Regis Dubai, the UAE’s first W Hotel and the Middle East’s largest Westin Hotel.  The historical opening ceremony marked the first completed project along the banks of the newly launched Dubai Water Canal.

Khalaf Al Habtoor said, “The Al Habtoor City, Hotel Collection is one of three exceptional collections within this unique landmark development. We are delighted to have Marriott International as our partners for the Hotel Collection where we have encapsulated three exceptional brands under one roof. Al Habtoor City has already earned its place on the Dubai skyline as a landmark destination alongside The Dubai Water Canal. We look forward to the completion of the Leisure Collection and Residence Collection next year.”

High-level guests, representing the who’s who of Dubai society, including members of the travel and hospitality industry and key regional members of the media, got the opportunity to experience all three hotels within The Hotel Collection. They started their journey in the landscaped Versailles Gardens of The St. Regis Dubai where Chairman Al Habtoor officially inaugurated the landmark destination. The Chairman joined Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, for Marriott International, Inc.  The reception was followed by a gala dinner at The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City.  The night progressed to W Lounge located on 30 floor of W Dubai – Al Habtoor City, where guests mingled while enjoying the spectacular night view of Dubai’s skyline.

Highlights of the evening included a special teaser of La Perle by Dragone, the leading cultural creation company. La Perle will make its debut mid-2017 at Al Habtoor City in a purpose-built aqua theatre located in The Atrium nestled between The St. Regis Dubai and W Dubai – Al Habtoor City.  Guests were also treated to a Michelin Star culinary experience curated by a fleet of award-winning chefs from across the complex.

Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, for Marriott International, Inc.” This is a significant moment for us as we take another step towards our goal of expanding our footprint across the UAE, adding more properties as we go, introducing more of our global brands to enhance our portfolio in the Middle East and Africa.

“We at Marriott International are committed to supporting the vision of Dubai, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to strengthen Dubai's position as a leading destination for global travel.  We see great potential in the future of this destination and continue to support the efforts of Dubai tourism while remaining focused on creating memorable experiences for visitors across Marriott's brands.”

The three hotels within the Al Habtoor City Hotel Colleciton collectively present nearly 1,600, 18 restaurants and lounges, two spas, 34 meeting and banqueting spaces, including three state-of-the-art ballrooms.

The St. Regis Dubai

Opened in November 2015, The St. Regis Dubai marked the launch of the brand in Dubai. Influenced by the beaux-arts architecture of the original St. Regis New York, the interiors of the hotel take you back to the 18th century of classical design accentuated. The hotel features 234 rooms – 182 rooms and 52 Suites – including the 913-square-metre Sir Winston Churchill Suite. The hotel’s luxury accommodation is complemented by eight distinctive culinary venues and the Iridium Spa.

W Dubai – Al Habtoor City

W Hotels made its debut in the UAE in June 2016 with the opening of W Dubai – Al Habtoor City.  With 356 guestrooms, including the impressive EWOW suite, W Dubai promises a vibrant blend of fabulous design, cutting-edge technology and spectacular experiences that make relaxing easy. To eat, sip and mingle, guests can choose from five venues inclusive of W Lounge, a revolutionary take on the lobby lounge alongside WET® Deck pool lounge and FIT, the 24-hour fitness facility, that present opportunities to relax and cool off.

The Westin Dubai – Al Habtoor City

Standing tall at 41-storeys, The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City comprises of 1,004 guest rooms, including 142 suites, each fitted with the signature Westin Heavenly Bed® and the Westin Heavenly Bath®. With interiors influenced by stylised motifs from the Art Deco movement, facilities include seven restaurant and lounges, Heavenly Spa by WestinTM, with 20 treatment rooms including a Hammam, 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio, three outdoor pools, the Westin Family Kids Club for children ages four to 12 years and the 1,450 square metre Al Joud Ballroom supported by 14 meeting rooms.

Coming Soon to Al Habtoor City

La Perle, by Dragone

The dawn of a new era in entertainment will arrive in Dubai with La Perle, a new show produced and created by Dragone, one of the world’s most revered cultural and artistic directors. With an anticipated opening in the second quarter of 2017, the new entertainment experience will add a new dimension to Dubai’s dynamic cultural offering.  The show will be presented in a 1,300 seat purpose-built, state of the art theatre filled with 2.5 million liters of water. Produced by cultural creative company Dragone, directed by the legendary artistic director Franco Dragone and brought to Dubai by the Al Habtoor Group, the production will be created in Dubai and will embody the spirit of Arabia.

Al Habtoor City Tennis Academy

Al Habtoor City will feature a state-of-the-art tennis academy complete with the UAE’s first indoor, fully air-conditioned tennis court. The Tennis Academy will facilitate guests of any of the three hotels on the complex (St. Regis Dubai, W Dubai- Al Habtoor City, Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City), as well as the residents of the towers, and members of the sports facility. The Tennis academy will include changing rooms for men and women and a café as well as outdoor courts which will be naturally lit. In addition to free-play, the tennis academy will have tennis professionals on hand to coach adults and children.

Al Habtoor City Residential Collection

Gracing Al Habtoor City and the famed Dubai skyline are three luxurious residential towers – Noura, Amna and Meera. Housed within two 74-storey towers and one 52-storey tower, they comprise of deluxe apartments, lofts and penthouses, ranging from 1 to 7 bedrooms.
Residents have access to all Al Habtoor City’s first-class amenities, which include the largest swimming pool podium in the UAE, a state-of-the-art gym, a luxury spa, signature restaurants, gourmet cafés, boutiques and much more.

-Ends-

About Al Habtoor City 
Al Habtoor City is a multi-use development incorporating three five-star hotels (The St. Regis Dubai, W Dubai – Al Habtoor City, The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City), alongside three luxurious residential towers. The City, which sits alongside the newly launched Dubai Water Canal, will also be home to the region’s first-ever permanent Dragone theatrical production choreographed exclusively for Al Habtoor City. In addition, there will be a tennis academy, a European-style boulevard lined with retail outlets, a marina and multiple restaurants.

About Al Habtoor Group
Al Habtoor Group, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is one of the region’s largest and most respected conglomerates. Founded in 1970 by Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, the Group has grown in unison with the UAE and today has a diverse portfolio of successful business operating in key sectors of the economy (hospitality, automotive, real estate, education and publishing). The AHG has an unwavering commitment to excellence, which is apparent throughout all its units.

Further information on the Al Habtoor Group is available on www.habtoor.com

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is the world’s largest hotel company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with nearly 6,000 properties in 120 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company’s 30 leading brands include: Bulgari®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy® Hotels, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com , and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com  and @MarriottIntl.

© Press Release 2016