IHG Opening Two More Abu Dhabi Hotels

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announced two more Abu Dhabi hotels – a second Holiday Inn and second InterContinental – which will open by the end of 2014 and 2016 respectively.

A 20-year management agreement was signed with the National Corporation of Tourism and Hotels for InterContinental Abu Dhabi – Grand Marina. Located in close proximity to InterContinental Abu Dhabi, the new 184-key hotel will feature rooms and serviced apartments along with a range of F&B and entertainment facilities.

These will include a Michelin-star signature restaurant with a rooftop bar; a lounge and bar with a terrace and private dining rooms; a destination bar as well as a premium spa and pool. The hotel will also have extensive space for the MICE market.

The second property, the 257-key Holiday Inn Downtown Abu Dhabi, will be a conversion of the current Sands Hotel in downtown Abu Dhabi. It will contain a restaurant, bar, pool, fitness centre and meeting space, and open as a Holiday Inn by the end of 2014 following refurbishment. This deal was signed with Pearl Azure Hotel Management.

The National Corporation of Tourism and Hotels and Pearl Azure Hotel Management already have three IHG properties in their portfolio across the UAE: InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi and Crowne Plaza Dubai. Along with these new signings comes a renewal of the management agreement for the existing InterContinental Abu Dhabi.

Mohamed Mounib, group CEO, National Corporation of Tourism and Hotels and Pearl Azure Hotel Management, said it has seen “steady growth and healthy returns” over the years with IHG.

Pascal Gauvin, COO, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said it is seeing strong potential for all its brands in the UAE capital, but particularly wants to capitalise on demand for mid-scale hotels.

IHG currently has 18 hotels open in the UAE across five brands, with another seven in the pipeline. There are five IHG properties operating in Abu Dhabi – an InterContinental, two Crowne Plazas, a Holiday Inn and a Staybridge Suites – and the pipeline includes another Staybridge Suites which will open within the next five years.