Construction of the new first class Radisson SAS Resort Al Quseir - a 250-room and suites beachside resort - has begun in Egypt.
The Red Sea bay resort, surrounded by mountains, deserts and an extensive landscaped garden, is due to open in 2005.
The resort is owned by Egyptian leisure property developer, the Al Quseir Hotel Company. This project is a joint investment of the Al Quseir Hotel Company, the Danish Industrialisation Fund for Developing Countries and Radisson SAS.
The flag of the Scandinavian-owned Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts was hoisted over the Al Quseir site by Jean-Marc Busato, vice-president, Radisson SAS Hotels & Resorts Middle East & Africa, and the board members of the Al Quseir Hotel Company.
“This investment is a milestone in the development of the Radisson SAS brand in Egypt and solid evidence of our commitment to help build the country’s in- bound regional and international leisure business,” said Busato.
The Radisson SAS Resort Al Quseir will boast terraced restaurants, a bar, a swim-up pool bar, three freshwater swimming pools and a salt-water lagoon. Additional leisure facilities include a fitness centre, spa, sauna, steam room, relaxation massages, as well as a diving centre.
“The Red Sea is renowned for its superb diving potential and we will be looking to maximise this attraction in our international promotion of this property,” said Busato.
“We are particularly thrilled that construction of the project is ahead of schedule,” said Gunnar Stignas, chairman of the board, Al Quseir Hotel Company. “We have worked extremely well with Radisson SAS on the designs and have been able to fast-track the property. This is an excellent start to what we hope will be a long and successful relationship.”
The Radisson SAS Resort Al Quseir will be the third Egyptian property in the Radisson SAS growing portfolio in the Middle East and Africa. The award-winning chain currently manages properties in Sharm El Sheikh and Taba and a fourth property is planned in Hurghada.
Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts has been awarded the management contract for the Stad Hotel, in the Turkish capital city, Ankara, by Turkish property company Pension Fund subsidiary Emek Proje.
The deal marks the opening of the chains’ second hotel in the Turkish market. The five-star Ankara property joins the chains’ 12 other properties in the region, stretching from Egypt to Oman.
Radisson SAS beat off stiff competition after entering a bidding process with 17 other international hotel groups, to be awarded the contract for the Stad Hotel in the Ulus area of the city.
Werner Kuendig, senior vice-president, Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, said: “It is an honour that Emek Proje choose Radisson SAS to manage its hotel in the capital city, and the new property will be a welcome addition to our existing presence at Istanbul Airport. Guests will now be able to enjoy Radisson SAS’ famous Fresh, Host and Easy hospitality in both Istanbul and Ankara.”
“We will pursue a rapid and aggressive strategy in this country, and the Ankara property should attract tourists and business people who are already familiar and happy with the unique European flavour of the Radisson SAS brand across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”
The 202-room hotel is scheduled to open in January 2004, after Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts undertakes total renovation and a comprehensive re-branding process.
The Radisson SAS Hotel Ankara will feature a 110-seat restaurant, a lobby lounge/café; a roof top lounge, six meeting rooms, a business centre and a garden terrace. There will be 148 standard rooms; 35 business class rooms; 14 junior suites and five executive suites.