PHOTO
All-inclusive operator checks in at Nakheel's Deira Islands
Dubai: Master developer Nakheel is to partner with Spain's RIU Hotels & Resorts - one of the world's biggest all-inclusive hotel operators - to build a 750-room beachfront resort at Deira Islands, Nakheel's new, 15.3 square kilometre mixed-use waterfront city in Dubai.
Nakheel and RIU Hotels & Resorts plan to create a four-star all-inclusive concept - the first for Dubai - close to a range of forthcoming attractions at Deira Islands, including Nakheel's Deira Mall and Deira Islands Night Souk.
Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: "Under this new partnership, Nakheel will introduce one of the world's biggest, most respected names in hospitality and an entirely new concept in hotel accommodation to Dubai.
"This is a major milestone for our growing hospitality business and a significant step towards creating a new range of affordable, family resort-style hotel accommodation in the emirate, in line with the Government of Dubai's tourism vision for 2021."
RIU Hotels & Resorts has more than 100 hotels, with around 45,000 rooms between them, in 19 countries. Together, these welcome over four million guests a year and provide jobs for nearly 29,000 people. RIU is one of the most popular hotel chains in the Caribbean and the largest in Spain in terms of revenue. With 750 rooms, the planned RIU resort at Deira Islands will be one of the largest hotels in Dubai in terms of room numbers.
Luis Riu, CEO and owner of RIU Hotels and Resorts, said: It is an honour for RIU Hotels & Resorts to partner with Nakheel, one of the world's largest real estate developers and the creator of the most important land reformation projects in Dubai. This project is our golden opportunity to bring the RIU brand to the Middle East, and, through our partnership with Nakheel, to deliver a new and unique hospitality offering in Dubai."
Nakheel's Deira Islands coastal city will add 40 km, including 21 km of beachfront, to Dubai's coastline. The project paves the way for the development of hotels and serviced apartments, retail destinations, mixed-use buildings and residential waterside developments at what will become a new cultural, residential and commercial hub for the emirate.
Nakheel's expanding Hospitality and Leisure division plans to build 10 hotels at various locations across Dubai, including Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Dragon City and Ibn Battuta Mall over the next five years.
The business also operates a growing number of community clubs and restaurants, including Jumeirah Islands Club and Jebel Ali Club, with more coming soon to Palm Jumeirah and other parts of Dubai.
Media contact: Rebecca Rees on +971 4375 9702 (Rebecca.rees@nakheel.com)
About Nakheel
Nakheel is one of the world's leading developers and a major contributor to realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: creating a world class destination for living, business and tourism. Nakheel continues to deliver and enhance an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai across the residential, retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. Nakheel's master developments in Dubai include Palm Jumeirah, The World, Deira Islands, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Warsan Village, Dragon City, International City and Villas at Nad Al Sheba. Together, these span more than 15,000 hectares and currently provide homes for over 200,000 people.
Nakheel's growing retail project portfolio comprises large-scale destination developments at various locations in Dubai, including Nakheel Mall, Deira Mall, Deira Islands Night Souk, Warsan Souk, Al Khail Avenue, The Circle Mall and The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah; major extensions to Dragon Mart (renamed Dragon City) and Ibn Battuta Mall; and several neighbourhood community centres. Our existing and pipeline retail projects cover more than 13 million square feet of leasable space. Nakheel is also developing hotels at various locations in Dubai, including Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Ibn Battuta Mall and Dragon City. www.nakheel.com
About Deira Islands
Deira Islands is a new, 15.3 square kilometre waterfront destination from Nakheel that will transform Dubai's Deira district into a world-class hub for tourism, retail and entertainment. The project will add 40 km, including 21 km of beachfront, to Dubai's coastline and contribute significantly to the Government of Dubai's tourism vision. The four-island project paves the way for the development of hundreds of new hotels, serviced apartments, mixed-use buildings and residential waterside developments.
Nakheel itself is developing a significant amount of the 4.5 million square metre south island, creating a unique creek side destination, easily accessible from the mainland by road bridges and by water via abras. The island's host of attractions will include Deira Mall; Deira Towers and Boulevard; Deira Islands Night Souk; a 250-room hotel; an amphitheatre for 30,000 people; and a marina that can accommodate large yachts. The four islands that make up Deira Islands will feature hotels, resorts and residential, commercial and retail units. Nakheel will master plan and complete infrastructure work ready for third party development on each island. The developer also plans to build five hotels of its own at Deira Islands.
About RIU Hotels & Resorts
The international RIU chain was founded in Mallorca by the Riu family in 1953 as a small holiday firm and is still owned by the family's third generation. The company specialises in holiday resorts and over 70% of its establishments offer its acclaimed All Inclusive by RIU service. With the inauguration of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU is expanding its range of products with its own line of city hotels called Riu Plaza. RIU Hotels & Resorts now has more than 100 hotels in 19 countries which welcome over 4 million guests a year and provide jobs for a total of 28,813 employees. RIU is currently the world's 30th ranked chain, one of the Caribbean's most popular, the largest in Spain in terms of revenue and the third largest in number of rooms.
For further information: Press Department // Tel: +34 971 74 30 30 // prensa@riu.com
© Press Release 2015
