Kempinski Hotels and Resorts has unveiled an extensive development programme in the Middle East with projects in UAE, Egypt and Jordan.
Says Ulrich Eckhardt, area vice-president Middle East: "The Middle East has become an especially important part of Kempinski's international expansion programme and the development team is constantly researching for projects that would fit the luxurious portfolio of over 30 deluxe hotels and resorts around the world." According to Eckhardt, the Conference Palace Hotel Abu Dhabi, currently under construction, is set to become a landmark hotel in the Middle East and the world. The hotel is located on Abu Dhabi's beach, and built in the style of an ornate Oriental Palace housing the largest conference facilities in the region, as well as 400 rooms and suites. The total meeting and conference space of the Conference Palace exceeds 7000 sq m with a state of the art auditorium for 1,200 persons, the ballroom can accommodate over 5000 persons, also has 30 additional meeting rooms. It will also house a separate wing for heads of state and leaders of GCC countries, comprising Royal Suites each measuring over 1000 sq m. Surrounded by a 100 acre park, the hotel will also offer leisure facilities including two swimming pools and two spas. Conference Palace Hotel will be completed by September 2004 in time to host the GCC summit in the UAE capital. Kempinski is presently developing the first hotel on the Dubai Palm Island project. Modelled as an ornate Arabian Palace, The Palm Palace Kempinski Hotel and Spa Resort will blend local style and tradition with contemporary design hosting 170 rooms, 10 suites, two restaurants, two swimming pools and extensive wellness facilities. Scheduled to open in 2004, the Kempinski Old Palace Resort in Sahl Hashish, Egypt, is a part of an integrated development including seven hotels and an 18-hole golf course. Sahl Hashish is located 40 km south of Hurghada International Airport and offers a beautiful coastal location on the Red Sea, with sandy beach, combined with exceptional diving opportunities. Kempinski is also stepping into Jordan with the Kempinski Ishtar Resort Hotel and Spa. The resort, now under construction, is situated 50 km west of Amman on a 25-acre site, with direct access to the shores of the Dead Sea. It will comprise three sections set amidst gardens, lagoons, winding rivers, waterfalls and private pools. The Royal Wing will house two VIP Royal Villas and Suite clusters totalling 44 large units. The Resort Wing will offer 90 spacious Executive Club Rooms and Suites, while the Central Pavilion will include restaurants and theme bars with live entertainment and private dining rooms. The designer Wellness Spa & Sport Centre has its own 3000 sq m building including outdoor whirlpools, treated mud and fresh Dead Sea water floating pools, tennis and squash courts. Owned by the United Saudi Jordanian Hotels and Tourism Company, the hotel is expected to open in December 2003. A further 280 deluxe bedrooms and suites plus more specialty theme restaurants and lounges with an extended Ballroom and conference facilities will open in December 2004. Kempinski already manages two deluxe resorts in the Arabian Gulf. The Ajman Kempinski Hotel and Resort, UAE, will mark its fifth anniversary in April, while the Kempinski Julai'a Hotel and Resort situated in the up-market district of Al'Julai opened in February, 2003.