Emirates to build $218m luxury hotel Written by 7DAYS | Thursday, 05 May 2005
The Emirates Group has announced plans to build a dhs800 million ($218m), five-star hotel in Dubai.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman of the Emirates group, said the hotel, which would be 70-storey, 350 metres high, would rank among the world's top five tallest hotels.
The hotel will have 560 deluxe rooms, 112 suites, one Presidential suite, shopping boulevard, 15 food and beverage outlets and a 25,000 square feet health club.
It will be located along Sheikh Zayed Road, next to the Emirates Holiday and Dnata buildings.
Constrution on the hotel is expected to start in the next five to six months and is expected to be completed in two and a half years.
Sheikh Ahmed said the hotel was the Emirates Group's contribution to the city's efforts to meet the projected demand for more hotel rooms. "Last year, Dubai hosted 5.4 million visitors - an increase of almost nine per cent over the year before, and the number is expected to treble by the end of this decade. Dubai's infrastructure must be prepared for this huge expansion in tourist arrivals, and the Emirates new hotel is our contribution to the city's efforts to meet the forecast demand for more hotel rooms," he said.
"Dubai today is not only the leading hub of the Middle East region, it is also fast becoming a truly international business and leisure centre. It has been voted as the world's best conference venue, and the 670-plus rooms of the new Emirates hotel will help to support Dubai's stature as a major financial centre."
Sheikh Ahmed also said that the hotel would in all likelihood be managed by the group itself. "I am not going to commit to anything right now, but it is most likely that this hotel will be managed under the Emirates brand."
Owning and operating a hotel will not be completely new to Emirates.
The group currently owns and operates the Al Maha Resort and Spa, a conservation-based resort set in a nature reserve. It also owns the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in Fujeirah.
Sheikh Ahmed also hinted that the hotel could be the first in a chain of hotels under the Emirates group. "Don't be surprised if you see a chain of Emirates hotels here and around the world," he said. "Nevertheless, our core business will remain flying people from one destination to another. This will be complementary to our core business."
© 7Days 2005
