MÖVENPICK Hotels & Resorts has opened the first of the four new Dubai properties scheduled to launch in the coming months.
The much anticipated Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, inspired by the journeys of the 14th century Arabian explorer, Ibn Battuta, has opened its doors describing its locale as ‘New Dubai’ which the management team designate as the area which heads south along the emirate’s west coast embracing the specialist zones of Dubai’s Media City, Internet City, Knowledge Village (TECOM) and Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ).
The hotel is part of the Ibn Battuta Gate complex which includes apartments, offices and the Ibn Battuta Mall. The gate or archway (below), which is larger than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, has created another new destination for Dubai residents - Ibn Battuta Square.
According to Guy Epsom, director of business development for all four properties: “Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is a hotel with a difference. The property is out-of-the-ordinary and available at friendly prices to today’s corporate and inquisitive traveller looking to get to the core of a destination.”
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In the lead up to opening, the hotel had recorded bookings of 35 per cent in the first month and Epsom is confident of taking that number up to 60 per cent by the end of the year.
He added that while the property’s theme and location next to the mall would appeal to GCC travellers and leisure tourists from Europe looking for some culture, it would also drive in the corporate markets, looking for easy access to JAFZ or the TECOM area.
Architecture is a key aspect at the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel. A unique feature at the new property is its lobby, also called the Grand Hall (above) or Al Bahou, spanning 90x30 metres in length and height.
“Al Bahou is a perfect place to watch the world go by, meet friends, kick off your shoes after a shopping trip or even hold a business meeting – as we have created numerous nooks and crannies,” said Epsom.
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The Grand Hall achieves an interactive ambiance creating a gateway for the hotel’s six themed restaurants, with two offering outside seating. With a Moroccan-based theme, Al Bahou also boasts 88 Eastern-style lanterns making the lobby a statement area.
General manager Jan Kaiser said: “The Grand Hall is huge yet inviting and has numerous photo opportunities for visitors including the 88 mammoth lanterns dangling into the lobby which is best described as ‘the hub of the house’.”
Following the trail of Ibn Battuta, various dining options are availble including the Chor Bazaar offering Indian cuisine, rustic Italian at Sicilia, Asian fusion at Shanghai Chic, the Moroc lounge, bar and terrace, Pastane gourmet shop, where guests can pick up fresh pastas, a Middle Eastern themed shisha lounge called Majlis, Olive Tree poolbar and Mistral, a total dining restaurant.
The hotel adds 396 rooms to Dubai’s inventory and Ibn Battuta’s travel-log has been etched in the 29 Battuta suites designed on 10 interior themes. The journey embraces the jewelled paletts and spice palates of India, honours the swags and stuffing of the Ottoman Empire, references the hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt and the mosaics and dates of the Moors and reflects the texture and curves of the Maghreb.
The hotel is currently offering introductory rates for standard rooms at Dh695 ($190). For every two nights booked, guests can enjoy the third night for free. Also ongoing is the ’stay longer, pay less’ promotion in which guests can book four or more nights and receive discounts of up to 40 per cent on their stay. The hotel also has a great weekend offer for GCC residents, where guests spend one night in the hotel and can claim a 50 per cent discount if the subsequent nights fall on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. All promotions are valid until the end of the year.
And for business travellers staying at the hotel, a full-meetings package is available.
The delegate package is available at Dh190 ($51) per person, per day. The delegate fee will be waived if a minimum of 10 guests book in a package.