R Hotels has announced the appointment of ANC Contracting as the main contractor and Erga Progress Engineering Consultancy as project consultant, for the second phase of construction of its new resort and spa in Palm Jumeirah.
READY IN 2016Represented by Samir Arora, vice-president for operations, R Hotels sealed the deal with Engr. Ibrahim Abu Shamat, operations manager of ANC, and Engr. Joseph Sawaya, resident manager of Erga Progress.
Arora says: “The construction of our new hotel in Palm Jumeirah is in full swing, on track for its completion in 2016. We have our full trust on ANC’s and Erga Progress’ expertise in their respective fields, and in delivering high standards in all aspects of the project.”
With the total investment of Dh500 million ($136.2 million), R Hotels’ new resort and spa at The Palm Jumeirah will include 253 rooms, a holistic wellness centre, two restaurants and family-friendly recreational facilities. It aimed to be the first four-star and sharia-compliant hotel in the upscale destination.
Arora adds: “Our Palm Jumeirah property, which is our biggest investment to date, will exemplify our company’s vision of providing top-quality accommodation and facilities to our guests, complemented by top-notch service.”
NEW AJMAN PROPERTY
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Sumair Tariq, managing director, R Hotels |
The new hotel will be located beside Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman, which is also owned and managed by R Hotels. Targeting both leisure and corporate segments, the property will feature rooms with sea views, a restaurant, spa and fitness centre and indoor swimming pool.
Sumair Tariq, managing director, R Hotels, comments: “Ajman is a very attractive market for us. In line with our expansion plan, this project comes in at a suitable time to accommodate the demands of the growing market in the emirate.”
Commenting on tourist arrivals and demand for rooms in the UAE’s smallest emirate, Tariq added: “Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) has been actively tapping different markets like China and our hotels are also beefing up our nationality mix with arrivals from Turkey, Germany, Oman, and Eastern Europe. We are expecting higher room demands in the next couple of years, as confirmed by the opening and announcements of new hotels in Ajman.”
Headquartered in Ajman, R Hotels owns and manages Ramada Hotel and Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman. Iftikhar Hamdani, general manager of the two hotels, and vice-president for acquisition and development for R Hotels, says: “Our group opened Ramada Beach Hotel in 2013 to cater to the demands of clients, following the success of Ramada Hotel and Suites. Our third hotel in Ajman will further strengthen our position as the leading hotel in the northern emirates in terms of occupancy.”
Hamdani also notes Ajman’s appeal to both corporate and leisure travellers: “The emirate has a lot to offer; Ajman Corniche, in particular, has a wide range of hotels and beach attractions which lure both tourists and UAE residents. It also boasts close proximity to Ajman Port and major international airports and business hubs, making it suitable for business trips.”
The new hotel in Ajman Corniche will be the group’s seventh property in the UAE. Its portfolio presently includes four operational hotels, with a fifth one set to open in the third quarter of this year in Jumeirah.