WORK on Habtoor Hospitality’s Palm Island project is likely to start this year, subject to the concept and design being finalised, according to CEO Mohammed Khalaf Al Habtoor.
“Our strategy will be looking at existing hotels and improving our services and facilities, and do refurbishments of rooms and restaurants in line with other new hotels in Dubai,” he says. The Palm project is slated to be a 300-room and suite deluxe resort, with a likely completion date of 2008.
The Dubai-based group owns and manages several five-star plus properties across Dubai, Beirut and UK as well as managing Lebanon’s first fully-fledged theme park – Habtoorland.
The Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa is the perfect place for both business and leisure travellers to Dubai. The 442 spacious rooms and suites benefit from garden or sea views and offer access to a large private beach. The upmarket 212-room Metropolitan Palace Hotel is also ideal for the business traveller, with recreational facilities including the Nautilus Health Club, a large rooftop bar and attached swimming pool.
The Metropolitan Hotel Dubai offers 192 guestrooms and an exclusive executive floor for business travellers. It houses the Dimension Health & Fitness Club, one of Dubai’s finest world-class health centres. The 136-room four-star Metropolitan Deira Hotel is located in the heart of the city, ideal for business or for leisure.
The Monkey Island Hotel is the group’s only UK property and is the oldest hotel in the group. Built in 1738, it is set on its own private island in the middle of the Thames, accessible only by footbridge or boat. It has 26 individually designed and well-equipped guestrooms and suites, each with its own river or garden view.
The group’s Beirut properties include the 183-room Metropolitan Palace Hotel Beirut, in 2001 and the Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Center & Spa with 202 spacious and elegant rooms and suites.