Aldar sign deals with Ritz-Carlton

Dubai: Aldar Properties yesterday said it has signed an agreement with The Ritz-Carlton Hotels Company which will result in the development of a number of luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi to be managed by The Ritz-Carlton.

The parties also announced the signing of the second hotel management agreement which relates to The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Al Dana to be developed at Al Dana precinct on Al Raha Beach development.

The agreements were signed at a ceremony held in London at the World Travel Market by Paul Bell, managing director of Aldar Hotels and Hospitality and Simon Cooper, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Al Dana will offer 234 bedrooms, dining and meeting facilities along with leisure and entertainment facilities that will set new benchmarks both for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

The hotel will be located in the heart of the Al Raha Beach development and will provide services to both visitors and residents alike and development is due to start in 2010.

This is the second contract signed between Aldar Hotels and Hospitality and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, the first being the iconic Ritz Carlton Reserve Hotel on Aldar's Nareel Island development which is currently under construction.

Strategic development

"Aldar is delighted to be building on the existing relationship with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. This partnership delivers on our objective of bringing together the most renowned brands and operators and Aldar's exceptional locations.

"The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has a well deserved reputation for the delivery of memorable experiences and the best services and we look forward to working closely with them to bring the same to our customers," commented Paul Bell, Managing Director of Aldar Hotels and Hospitality.

"We are very pleased that our strategic development plan for The Middle East is progressing so well," said Simon Cooper, president and chief operating officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

"Abu Dhabi continues to exemplify the dynamic commercial growth of the United Arab Emirates."