InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Aldar Properties have signed an agreement which will see the two companies develop a number of IHG-branded hotels in Abu Dhabi, due to open in 2009.
The deal includes developing a Crowne Plaza with 430 rooms and apartments, and a Staybridge Suites hotel with 165 suites and extended-stay facilities.
Both hotels will be built at Aldar”s YAS Island development, close to the F1 racetrack, Ferrari theme park, and links golf courses.
”Aldar”s properties are in prime locations with an exciting range of facilities and this strategic partnership will allow IHG to build on our existing presence in Abu Dhabi,” said IHG CEO, Andrew Cosslett.
A second contract was signed for another IHG hotel at the Al Dana precinct in Aldar”s Al Raha Beach development, due to open in 2011. It will offer more than 300 rooms and suites and a conference facility.
”IHG”s scale and brands fit very well with our strategic aim of partnering leading operators with our exceptional locations,” said Aldar Hotels and Hospitality managing director, Paul Bell. ”We look forward to extending the relationship in the near future.”
IHG has a further 37 properties and 9,371 rooms in the development process.
Abu Dhabi is investing $136bn (”69bn) developing business and tourism assets and intends to increase visitor numbers from 1.35m in 2006 to 3m by 2015.