Rotana to open 600-key property in Georgia

Pontus Rotana Resort and Spa in Georgia (Image: Supplied by Rotana)

UAE-headquartered hotel management company Rotana has signed an agreement with Pontus Development to open a new 600-key property in Georgia.

Pontus Rotana Resort and Spa Gonio will be located in the beach suburb of Batumi, and is scheduled to open in 2026.

The five-star resort will offer a number of services and amenities including a private beach, several dining venues, a spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fully equipped wellness and fitness center as well as a dedicated kids’ play zone.

Rotana added that guests staying at the property will also have access to the gaming facilities at the grand casino.

The hotel is located seven minutes away from Batumi International airport, while the Batumi city center is less than 15-minutes from the site of the resort. Furthermore, a 10-minute drive from the resort will land you at the Turkish border near Sarfi.

Irakli Varshalomidze, managing director from Pontus Capital, said: “We are pleased to welcome for the first time in Georgia, one of the largest hospitality management companies, Rotana, to help realise this vision and create an extraordinary getaway for all. The Georgian culture and language have deep connections to the Arab world, making our partnership with Rotana a natural fit.”

Rotana currently operates 73 hotels in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye, hosting more than six million guests per year.

“We are excited to be partnering with Pontus Capital to debut the first Rotana branded five-star property in Georgia. Complete with glamourous architecture, a variety of fine-dining venues and elevated recreation facilities, Pontus Rotana Resort and Spa will deliver on our singular brand promise of ‘Treasured Time’ for guests and visitors alike. The 600-key property marks a significant milestone for Rotana as we continue to expand our footprint internationally with new regions in the pipeline, and we look forward to the property’s successful launch,” said Guy Hutchinson, president and CEO of Rotana.

Rotana said at the Arabian Travel Market last month that it aims to reach 120 operating hotels spanning across 28,000 keys by 2030. Saudi Arabia and Egypt will be the key markets for the group as it expands its footprint in the region.

Subsequently, it signed an agreement with Memar Development and Investment for five new properties in Saudi Arabia. These include four under its Edge by Rotana brand which was launched last year and one Rayhaan by Rotana property, all of which will be located in Riyadh.

Beyond the Middle East, Rotana also announced plans for its first openings in the UK. It will include a 70-apartment Centro New Malden set to open this year, followed by the 31-apartment new-build Centro Kingston on the north edge of Coombe Road in 2024. Rotana plans to potentially develop up to 1,500 keys under the Centro brand in greater London.

This article originally appeared on Business Traveller Middle East