Fairmont to manage urban luxury resort in Abu Dhabi

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced Monday that it has entered into an agreement with the National Investment Corporation ('NIC') of Abu Dhabi to manage its first Abu Dhabi property, a 265-room luxury property. Scheduled to open in late 2006, the five-star, full service urban resort, will be called 'The Fairmont Abu Dhabi Resort & Villas'.

Following the successful launch of The Fairmont Dubai in February 2002, this new venture will bolster Fairmont's presence in the region. "The addition of The Fairmont Abu Dhabi Resort & Villas will further strengthen our position in the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf region's predominate business and trade hub and one of the world's fastest growing travel and tourism destinations," comments William R. Fatt, Chief Executive Officer, FHR. "The Fairmont Abu Dhabi Resort & Villas will be known for its commitment to providing warm hospitality and service excellence in distinctive surroundings, traits which have been hallmarks of the Fairmont brand for well over a century."

The hotel will be located on the breakwater island development, overlooking the famed Abu Dhabi Corniche. Destined to become the focal point for tourism and recreation in Abu Dhabi, this area features an international marina and the capital's largest shopping centre, the Marina Mall. Luxury villas, apartments and an addition to the mall are also under development. 

The Fairmont Abu Dhabi Resort & Villas will feature 265 guestrooms including Fairmont Gold, the brand's exclusive "hotel within a hotel" product. There will be a full complement of event facilities, with combined indoor and outdoor function space totaling 5,450 sq. m. Extensive dining options will include seven restaurants and bars, and twelve restaurants and cafés in the adjacent Fairmont Restaurant Promenade, which will cater to a wide variety of international tastes. There are also plans to build 50, one-, two- and three-bedroom villas as part of the resort. 

Modeled on a traditional Arabian palace, the resort will highlight the warmth and diversity of local culture. A network of seawater canals will connect the various facilities and guests will travel among them in specially designed Arabic boats known as 'shashas'. 

Like its sister property The Fairmont Dubai, this new Abu Dhabi resort will feature a Willow Stream spa. Willow Stream, Fairmont's unique spa collection introduced in 2001, has quickly earned acclaim for its outstanding design, service and treatments, embodying the distinctive energy of its locations. The 1,950 sq. m. spa will have 15 treatment rooms. The resort's beach club will contain a fitness centre, sauna, lap pool and café. Additional outdoor facilities will enhance an island recreation area featuring a 930 sq. m swimming pool complex with a special children's section, a regulation FIFA football pitch and a private sand beach in a secluded cove.