Top hospitality brand to run five star hotel in 52-level Palm Tower complex

Dubai, 9 June 2014

Nakheel is set to bring another world-famous name in hospitality to Dubai's Palm Jumeirah with the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

Nakheel and Shangri-La have inked an LOI for the management of a luxury hotel in The Palm Tower, Nakheel's new, five star, 52-level hotel and residential complex to be constructed at the heart of Palm Jumeirah.

The Palm Tower comprises 504 high-end, furnished apartments and a luxury hotel, with 290-rooms and suites, occupying the first 18 floors of the building.  The landmark project will feature an array of top-flight facilities including a rooftop leisure and dining complex offering panoramic, uninterrupted views of Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline.

The rooftop complex includes a 50th floor, 360 degree infinity swimming pool - the highest in Dubai - bordering all four sides of the building.  Above the pool is an enclosed restaurant and function facility, topped by a public viewing deck on the 52nd level.   

Nakheel Chairman, Ali Rashid Lootah, said:  "Palm Jumeirah is synonymous with luxury living and leisure. Our new partnership with Shangri-La further reinforces the island's position as a global destination offering unrivalled, world-class facilities for Dubai's residents and tourists. The Palm Tower will be our flagship hotel and the ultimate address on Palm Jumeirah. We are delighted to bring Shangri-La and its world-renowned service and hospitality to what will be the new centrepiece of Palm Jumeirah and a stunning new landmark for Dubai."

Greg Dogan, Shangri-La President and CEO, added: "The Palm Tower's strategic position at the heart of The Palm and alongside the Nakheel mall makes the hotel the ideal location for anyone visiting Palm Jumeirah.  The island is the ultimate address for a luxurious stay in Dubai for both visitors and UAE residents, and we are thrilled to partner with Nakheel to open a Shangri-La hotel in this must-visit destination."

            The Palm Tower, on which construction is due to start this year, will be directly linked to Nakheel Mall, a new, 418,000 square metre retail and entertainment destination with 300 shops offering everything from everyday conveniences to the best in luxury goods. Nakheel Mall will also feature a diverse range of food and beverage outlets, including 12 fine dining restaurants on its roof terrace, as well as cinemas, a medical centre and fitness centre.  Nakheel has awarded a contract for AED1.2 billion for the mall's construction, which is expected to start soon.

The Palm Tower will also have direct bridge access to Club Vista Mare, one of Nakheel's new beach club complexes on the island, as well as to Al Ittihad Park and the Palm Monorail, which will be connected to the new Dubai Tram system.

Shangri-La is the latest high-end hospitality brand to come to Palm Jumeirah, where nine luxury resorts are already open, with more under construction.  The island's growing list of global hotel operators includes Atlantis, One&Only, Fairmont, Sofitel, Jumeirah, Anantara, Kempinski, Taj, Waldorf Astoria, Rixos and The Langham.

The Palm Tower, the flagship project under the Nakheel's expansion into the hospitality and leisure sector, is one of nine hotels in the pipeline for Nakheel.  The developer's first hotel at Dragon Mart (managed by Accor) is due to open this year.  Other locations include Ibn Battuta (managed by UK-based Premier Inn), International City and Nakheel's new waterfront city, Deira Islands.

For more information on The Palm Tower, visit the Nakheel Sales Centre, Al Sufouh Road, Dubai; call +971 4 390 3333 or log on to www.nakheel.com

-Ends-

Media contact: Rebecca Rees on +9714 375 9702 (Rebecca.rees@nakheel.com)

About Nakheel:
Nakheel is one of the world's leading developers and a key player in realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: creating a world class destination for living, business and tourism. Nakheel has delivered - and continues to enhance - an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai across a range of sectors including residential, commercial and leisure.

Nakheel's current portfolio of developments in Dubai includes Palm Jumeirah, The World, Deira Islands, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Warsan Village and International City.  Together, these span nearly 14,000 hectares and provide homes for more than 200,000 people. Retail developments include Dragon Mart, Ibn Battuta Mall, Nakheel Mall and Hotel, The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah and a growing number of neighbourhood malls. Nakheel is also developing hotels at Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Ibn Battuta and Dragon Mart. 

Website: www.nakheel.com

About Shangri-La
Shangri-La's new project on Palm Jumeirah, the world's largest man-made island, is part of the group's expanding Middle East portfolio. The group currently operates four hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and a resort in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. Two hotels are also under development in Qatar.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world's premier hotel companies, currently owns and/or manages more than 80 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 34,000.  Over four decades the group has established its brand hallmark of 'hospitality from the heart.'   The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.  

Website: www.shangri-la.com

© Press Release 2014