Abu Dhabi is growing rapidly with more new hotels on the way and existing hotels undergoing extensions and refurbishment programmes, says the sales director of one of the leading hotels in the UAE capital.
Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi director of sales Mary Ali Deeb says this will create a vast amount of additional rooms in two to three years which will need to be filled in order for hotels to reach budget and make a profit. "The government will hopefully also become more commercially inclined and aware of the rising number of tourists in the city and support the hotels in Abu Dhabi as a tourist destination," said Deeb. She said Abu Dhabi Crowne Plaza, a five-star, award-winning property in the heart of the capital, would be offering special rates this summer as part of its efforts to attract more visitors to the capital. The hotel will be offering attractive room rates from Dh250 ($68) for single or double occupancy, Dh475 for executive rooms and Dh500 for suites between June 15 to August 31. The hotel will also be running a variety of food and beverage promotions during the summer months. Deeb said Abu Dhabi Crowne Plaza will be showcasing its facilities at the Arabian Travel Market as part of the Six Continents Hotels corporate stand. "We see the event as a networking opportunity and a chance to reach a captive audience of key tour operators, ground handlers and DMCs," she said. A short 35-minute drive from the Abu Dhabi International Airport and within walking distance from the city's commercial and shopping districts, the Abu Dhabi Crowne Plaza features 236 luxuriously appointed rooms including 49 suites, four Crowne Plaza Club floors with business centre (with secretarial services) and Club Lounge. There are also rooms and facilities for the disabled. The 20-storey hotel has five outlets offering a wide variety of food and beverage options. Leisure facilities include the nearby Crowne Plaza Beach Club or the rooftop swimming pool offering fantastic views of the city, the Powerfit Gym and Fitness Centre which offers massage and saunas, a gift shop, beautician and hairdressers. Conference and banqueting facilities at the hotel include a ballroom and several meeting rooms with the capacity to cater for between 2 to 900 guests.