THE Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has launched the much anticipated Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the company’s second property in Dubai and the sixth in the region.
“Location, product and the human element will be the three key factors that will make the property unique,” says Pascal Duchauffour, area vice president, Europe, Middle East & Africa for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.
The 341-room, Ritz-Carlton, DIFC is the only hotel directly linked to the DIFC complex. The property boasts five food and beverage outlets including the social hub No. 5, the hotel bar which opens to the DIFC complex; Blue Rain, signature Thai fine-dining restaurant; Can Can, a French all-day dining brasserie and the Center Cut steakhouse. The Lobby Lounge & Terrace offers a casual elegance while you savour the taste of Ritz-Carlton’s distinctive afternoon tea.
In the same location Ritz-Carlton also manages 124 serviced apartments ranging in size from 125 to 350 sq m and featuring one- to four-bedroom, furnished luxury units.
“Prior to opening, the Ritz-Carlton DIFC has undergone a specific process of activities, from hosting senior management to several corporate leaders since we believe in the philosophy of role-modelling. Our ladies and gentlemen will focus on personalised service and give a personal touch to every guest,” said Duchauffour.
The property features several art deco elements, on entering the lobby, all eyes will be automatically drawn to the three-storey-high ceiling. Instead of the traditional chandelier, 44 crystal stems (pictured), designed to resemble frosted branches in the moonlight, provide illumination and the urban environment has been highlighted with a sunken garden, colonnade and an abundance of lush, shaded outdoor terraces, revealing a Middle Eastern influence.
For events, the Samaya Ballroom offers 1,400 sq m of space making it the largest ballroom on Sheikh Zayed Road, with a separate entrance, and eight additional function rooms.
A unique design facet of The Ritz-Carlton, DIFC is its 10-storey outdoor waterfall cascading down the building directly into the courtyard facing the lobby. A total of eight striking water features are situated throughout the hotel and amenities include a fully-equipped health club and a luxurious Ritz-Carlton Spa, offering 13 treatment rooms.
“Our strategic location within the DIFC complex will make us the ideal choice of stay for individual corporate travellers. For these corporate guests, the hotel is a haven away from their homes and this is reflected in our product from tailored furniture to the feng shui elements and elegant yet very functional rooms,” said Duchauffour.