Monday, May 04, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai: Hilton Hotels Corporation introduced its upmarket 'Doubletree by Hilton' brand in the Middle East by signing a management contract for an all-suite property in Ras Al Khaimah.
Local businessman Mohammad Ahmad Ali Hassan Ruqait is the investor for the Doubletree Suites, which will have 112 apartments. The opening date has been set for the first quarter of 2010.
The deal further reinforces Hilton's strong presence in the Ras Al Khaimah hotel market. The new offering will be located close to the Free Trade Zone Business Park and the Exhibition Centre.
The Doubletree brand offers full-service upscale hotels and suites, said Jean-Paul Herzog, area president of Hilton Hotels for the Middle East and African markets.
"Our belief is that guests and investors should be able to choose between a multitude of brands each offering a different product for a different market segment and investment risk profile.
"Hence we are delighted to further the growth of the Hilton Family with the first 'Doubletree by Hilton' agreement in this region, and the first branded all-suite hotel product in Ras Al Khaimah," he said in a statement.
Hilton already manages two hotels in the emirate and is developing a 400-room hotel in Mina Al Arab - a large mixed-use development.
The company's Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa is undergoing an expansion with 165 more rooms to be added by the third quarter of this year.
The US-based chain has 20 properties under development in the Middle East and Africa and they will create 5,500 new hotel rooms.
A company spokeswoman said all its new developments were on track for opening on scheduled dates and that they had not been affected by the global economic slowdown.
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
