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Rocco Forte Hotels announces 'Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi' as its flagship hotel in the Middle East

Luxury Abu Dhabi venture is on-track for Q4 2011 opening

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates- 27 April, 2011: Europe's leading luxury hotel brand, Rocco Forte Hotels, has announced the name of its flagship property in the Middle East: "Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi". As the first property within the group to bear the name of its Chairman and CEO, the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi name underscores the significance of this newly constructed building as the company's flagship Middle East offering.

The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi is a visually striking glass structure of fluid lines encasing 281 generously-sized bedrooms, with Abu Dhabi's largest spa, and three unique dining destinations, blending seamlessly into the future commercial district of the Emirate's capital. The group's first hotel in the Middle East is on-track to open its doors by the 4^th Quarter 2011.

Spanning 11 levels, the 28,000 square metre project has been developed in conjunction with TDIC and the UAE's Al Farida Investments Company L.L.C. Featuring a spectacular 10-storey wave-shaped tower with a blue and green glass façade, the property will offer stunning views of the city and the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi will be surrounded by beautiful public gardens and an adjacent high-end shopping galleria.

"For more than a decade, Middle Eastern executives and leisure travellers alike have come to make up a significant proportion of guests visiting our 13 existing properties in Europe. Therefore, in response to existing client demand, we believe the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi will be a compelling destination for such guests, in addition to catering to a wide range of travel, leisure and event needs," said Rocco Forte Hotels Chairman and CEO, Sir Rocco Forte.

"Abu Dhabi is fast emerging as a hub for the Middle East and we are confident that our flagship hotel in the Emirate will set the tone for our planned expansion in the Middle East, serving the needs of travellers to the UAE and residents while creating anticipation for our other properties set to open in the region," Sir Rocco added.

Conveniently positioned between the airport and downtown areas, close to the exhibition centre and Yas Island, The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi combines contemporary Arab artwork including pieces by Lebanese artist Salwa Zeidan with the contemporary and luxurious vision of Olga Polizzi, sister of Sir Rocco Forte and award-winning design director for Rocco Forte Hotels.

Each of the 281 rooms are liberally proportioned, with leather accents and seating, as well as the Arabic expression: أمطرعلىصحرائنا - 'May it rain on our desert' etched above each large bathtub, opposite the walk-in shower. The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi also includes two exceptionally spacious and luxurious presidential and royal suites, complete with balconies, dining and sitting rooms, and kitchen.

For the business travel and events markets, there is a separate floor containing seven meeting rooms, a business centre and a ballroom which can accommodate 500 seated guests, as well as a pre-function area. A VIP majlis, special bridal preparation rooms and a dedicated events team are also available.

Guests seeking relaxation can enjoy a 2,000 square metre spa including a vichy shower suite, fully-equipped gymnasium and yoga/pilates studio as well as a renowned salon. Separate male and female spa facilities also enable access to an outdoor pool.

Food enthusiasts will have a number of cuisines to sample, including a modern Chinese/Japanese restaurant and the poolside South American bar. The hotel's grill is set to benefit from the experience of renowned chef Mark Hix. Paolo Verzen will devise the menu for an Italian à la carte restaurant. The upper lobby tea lounge is set to become an Abu Dhabi must-visit destination, and stunning views of the cityscape will be seen from the vantage of the Sky Bar, the glass-walled sixth floor of the hotel's ten-story atrium.

The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi marks the Rocco Forte Hotels' first foray into the Middle East and will be followed by a 146-bedroom property opening in Jeddah in 2013, an all-suite Golf & Spa Resort with private, luxury villas in Marrakech in 2014, a 275-bedroom property in Cairo in 2014 and a 82-room property in Luxor 2014.

To make your reservation or for further information on The Rocco Forte Hotel in Abu Dhabi, please visit www.roccofortehotels.com
Rocco Forte Hotels at ATM is located at stand HC530. A limited number of executive interview opportunities with our Brand Managing Director and General Managers are available - please contact us for further information.

-Ends-

Rocco Forte Hotels
Rocco Forte Hotels is a family of 13 individual hotels and resorts. Each property has a unique style, reflecting its nationality and location, but all share Rocco Forte Hotels' trademark attention to detail, high quality and immaculate service.

Established by Sir Rocco Forte in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; The Lowry Hotel, Manchester; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Brown's Hotel, London; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; Le Richemond, Geneva; The Charles Hotel, Munich; The Augustine, Prague; Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily. Future openings: Abu Dhabi 2011;; Jeddah 2013;Marrakech 2014; Cairo 2014; Luxor 2014

www.roccofortehotels.com

Media Enquiries:
MENA
Shannon Barry
The Portsmouth Group
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 369 0746
Mob: +971 50 226 7599
shannon.barry@theportsmouthgroup.com

Wendy McCormick
The Portsmouth Group
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 369 0746
Mob: +971 55 529 0644
Wendy.McCormick@theportsmouthgroup.com

Europe
Ilse van Steen
The Rocco Forte Collection
Tel: +44 (0)20 766 3107/3137
Email: pressinformation@roccofortecollection.com

© Press Release 2011