Dubai’s Jumeirah Group acquires property in Geneva, expands presence in Europe

Jumeirah Group has acquired its first property in Switzerland; the acquisition forms part of the group’s strategy to build its brand profile in gateway destinations across the world.

The flagship property – Le Richemond – was founded in 1875 and is located on the banks of Lake Geneva and set in the heart of the city’s business district.

The art deco property features 109 keys with 87 rooms and 22 suites, offering panoramic views across Lac Léman and the mountain peaks of Mont Blanc.

Redevelopment to match brand offering

The property will undergo extensive renovations, which will commence as soon as possible, to reposition and elevate the guest experience to a level consistent with Jumeirah Group’s brand offering.

The Jumeirah Group, which is part of Dubai Holding, plans to introduce its signature wellness and fitness concepts and also introduce unique destination dining concepts to the hotel.

Katerina Giannouka, CEO of Jumeirah Group said: “This is an important acquisition for Jumeirah as it marks our entry into Switzerland, presenting guests with a prestigious address to stay in the heart of Geneva’s most desirable destination, as well as serving as a gateway to world-renowned ski resorts.

“Le Richemond is a legendary property with a 140-year legacy and impeccable pedigree, and we are committed to preserving this heritage as we redesign the hotel. We are in pursuit of the finest architects and designers to curate an exceptional hotel within the Jumeirah portfolio, and we are confident that the re-launch of this property as a new ultra-luxury hotel in Geneva following the completion of the planned renovation works (currently expected in 2025), will support the city’s tourism economy, attracting both domestic and international visitors for business and leisure.”

Giannouka continued: “As the gateway to the mountains of Europe, Geneva is strategically significant for us as we look to diversify our portfolio in major cities with both summer and winter resort destinations.”

We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Le Richemond in Switzerland. The historic property will be undergoing significant renovations to become the ideal summer & winter destination | https://t.co/q5f3OVdush
–#SpiritOfJumeirah #TimeExceptionallyWellSpent #JumeirahHotels pic.twitter.com/5qujH9kCFC

— Jumeirah (@Jumeirah) February 6, 2023

International presence

Jumeirah’s new property in Geneva is its fifth in Europe, joining The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London, UK; Capri Palace Jumeirah on the island of Capri, Italy; and Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, Spain.

Jumeirah Group has a portfolio of 26 hotels and resorts across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

With over 85 restaurants across its portfolio, Jumeirah Group’s award-winning homegrown concepts including Sal, KAYTO, Shimmers, Al Mare, Pierchic and French Riviera, enjoy an enviable reputation for culinary excellence, with 10 featured in the Gault&Millau UAE 2022 guide. The group also has three Michelin starred restaurants – Shang High, L’Olivo and Al Muntaha.

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

In other news, the Jumeirah Group is finishing a 386-room hotel on the Dubai coast that it is calling the final part of its trilogy. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab forms part of a wider development spearheaded by Dubai Holding,  to position Dubai as the preferred global tourist destination.

The development, which spans more than 160,000 square metres of reclaimed land, includes an exclusive collection of exceptional ocean-facing six-bedroom marina villas and a new state-of-the-art 83 berth superyacht marina and boardwalk. It will also feature 83 luxury apartment-style suites, all surrounded by landscaped gardens. It offers a dining concept that will combine four different restaurants into one venue.

Read: 12 stunning new hotels in the Middle East that demand a visit

The award-winning architect behind the design is Shaun Killa, whose Dubai-based architectural firm has created some of the city’s most interesting buildings.

Killa said: “For the design of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab we wanted something which surpassed expectations of what supreme luxury can mean for the affluent traveller. With the new hotel’s ergonomic superyacht design, I think we have achieved that goal. There has been particular attention paid to elevating the guest journey and seamlessly connecting them to the distinctly unique experiences available throughout the resort. Each part of the resort has been designed for the ultimate bespoke comfort and enjoyment of guests, with unparalleled exclusivity and privacy.”

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is set to open in Q3 this year.