Dubai - Expanding its presence in the hospitality sector, Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline announced the launch of its latest project - Emirates Marina Serviced Apartments & Spa.
Located at the prestigious Dubai Marina development and within 10 minutes walking distance of Dubai's prime commercial estate - Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City - the Emirates Marina Serviced Apartments & Spa will cater to leisure travellers and corporate executives who wish to stay for short visits or require extended stays in Dubai.
It is scheduled to be completed by September 2006 at a projected cost of AED 300 million (USD 81.7 million).
Emirates Group Chairman His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said: "I am delighted to announce the launch of yet-another Emirates hospitality project to support Dubai's booming corporate and tourism industry."
Sheikh Ahmed noted: "World-class facilities, high service standards and an extremely safe environment have contributed to Dubai becoming Middle East's most preferred business hub. So far this year Dubai has witnessed a 13 per cent increase in hotel guests over the same period last year, with faster-than-ever increases in companies establishing regional offices in the emirate."
He added: "Dubai's tourism industry has also grown at blistering pace, registering record-high visitor arrivals of 5.4 million in 2004. Inbound arrivals are expected to treble by the end of this decade owing to new tourist attractions and increased air connectivity. Emirates Marina Serviced Apartments & Spa will provide the much needed infrastructure to meet Dubai's growing demand for more hotel rooms and service apartments."
In line with Emirates' well-established reputation for superior customer service, Emirates Marina Serviced Apartments & Spa will offer plush, fully furnished apartments with 24-hour service. Its location, among the most attractive in the city, provides unhindered and endless views of the Gulf, Palm Island and the Dubai Marina.
Featuring apartments noticeably larger than others, Emirates Marina Serviced Apartments & Spa offers a wide range of options including eight penthouse suites, 52 three-bedroom, 175 two-bedroom and 24 studio apartments.
A 'home-away-from-home', each of the fully serviced apartments will come equipped with state-of-the-art in-room entertainment; housekeeping services; 24-hour room service; and access to a specialty cuisine restaurant; Mediterranean delicatessen restaurant; coffee shop and a health food outlet for the calorie-conscious.
For those who wish to de-stress and relax, an entire floor is dedicated to a spa with massage and beauty treatments rooms, Steam, Sauna and Jacuzzi with hydro bath. Guests can also get into shape at the high-tech gymnasium and terrace swimming pool. Other comforts include a business centre, variety of retail facilities and 24-hour reception and concierge services.
This announcement adds to Emirates recently unveiled luxury conservation resort in Australia's Blue Mountains - a World-Heritage listed attraction. The Dhs 142 million (USD 38.7 million) Wolgan Valley - Emirates' first such hospitality development outside of the U.A.E. - will be one of Australia's most environmentally sympathetic developments, and will provide world-leading hospitality facilities and services to guests. It is scheduled for opening in 2007.
The Wolgan Valley will be built on the same philosophy as the widely acclaimed Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai. Owned, managed and operated by the Emirates group, the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa is Middle East's only conservation-based resort.
Winner of National Geographic's World Legacy Award 2004, and adjudged 'The Best Resort in Africa/Middle East 2002' by Cond Nast, Al Maha offers 40 luxurious suites tucked away within the 225 square kilometre Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.
Emirates also owns the 218-room Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, situated on a superb stretch of the private Al Aqah Beach, in the picturesque emirate of Fujairah. The resort is particularly popular as a family holiday destination.
Related Statistics
- A total of 5,420,724 guests checked-in at various Dubai hotels and hotel apartments in 2004 as against 4,980,228 in the previous year, representing an annual growth rate of 8.8 per cent.
- In 2004, a 12.3 per cent increase was registered in the average length of stay at Dubai's 371 hotels and hotel apartments.
- Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait are key Arab source markets for Dubai's hospitality sector while the United Kingdom, Iran, India, Russia and Germany are key non-Arab source markets.
- Ends -
For more informaiton, please contact:
Radhika Markan
Emirates Corporate Communications
Tel: (+9714) 203 2181
Mob: (+97150) 552 6308
E-mail: radhika.markan@emirates.com
© Press Release 2005
