Royal Meridien to manage Abu Dhabi Grand

The Le Royal Meridien, the premium hospitality brand, will manage the five-star Abu Dhabi Grand hotel, official sources confirmed.

Last week, the Rotana Hotels group ceased management of the Abu Dhabi Grand, which it had been doing since May 1999.

"The Royal Meridien has been selected to manage Abu Dhabi Grand. We are finalising the contracts," said a senior official of Dhabi Group, owners of the Abu Dhabi Grand.

The other contender was France's Accor.

The new management will also continue expansion of the hotel, which is underway. The Dh120 million expansion will see the addition of a five-storey block taking total number of rooms from 197 to 305.

Rotana Hotels had embarked on the expansion.

Le Royal Meridien manages some 10 per cent of Le Meridien's global portfolio. In Dubai, it manages Le Royal Meridien Spa & Resorts.

Abu Dhabi Grand will be their first management contract in the capital. Le Meridien manages a luxury property owned by Abu Dhabi National Hotels.

"The group manages two beach side hotels in Dubai, one by Le Meridien and the other by Royal Meridien," said a senior industry official.