THE Oetker Collection will open its first luxury masterpiece in the Middle East next year when it opens doors to Le Bristol Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi opening is part of the company’s mission to open a range of hotels in the Middle East after it opened its first hotel outside of Europe, The Palais Namaskar in Marrakech, Morocco in April 2012.
Le Bristol Abu Dhabi will be developed by National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCTH), Le Bristol Abu Dhabi is inspired by Le Bristol Paris, another masterpiece from The Oetker Collection. Built at a cost of Dh600 million ($163 million) the property will be complemented by a second 200-room property on Saadiyat Island.
The Oetker Collection senior vice president development Middle East and Africa, Samir Daqqaq said: “We are primarily focusing on expansion in Europe, Middle East and Africa region. Our goal is to have a maximum of 20 hotels by 2020 while we take our masterpiece concept to Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Oman, Istanbul, Beirut among other cities in the region.”
The Palais Namaskar marked the Oetker Collection’s first hotel in Africa. “The resort is a unique property set in the most idyllic of settings. It has that wow factor that embraces you. The property is set in an environment that does not scream at you with its dazzle but grows on you. The serenity of the property is just magic with its landscape and appeals to those looking for a hideaway.
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The über luxurious Palais Namaskar in Marrakech |
“Along with the physical aspect, we have brought the Oetker expertise to the property – which is ‘sublime and divine’ service and gourmet – giving the property a totally new texture. There is also the private jet service that we are offer guests epitomising our passion for bespoke service,” he added, Similarly, Le Bristol Abu Dhabi which is scheduled to open next year will have the look and feel of a French hotel while embracing some of the local culture and staying close to the mantra of a masterpiece property. The new hotel will feature a majlis and a Guerlain Spa.
“We can expect to see a blend of the Arabian hospitality with a unique twist,” he added.
The Oetker Collection offers its guests an à la carte lifestyle. “Since we launched the brand, this bespoke service suited to each guests’ needs and delivered with attention to detail has been our core focus.”
“The Arab traveller is no stranger to luxury and they have always been immersed in luxury of different textures. What we bring is bespoke luxury that is not measured on what you see, but what you experience blended in with perfect service and gourmet. After all we are not a brand but a collection. The sense of individuality that we bring in each of our hotels defines our masterpiece.
“Today we are the custodian of the highest profile of customers. They are our crown jewels and we have to please only them and not the Wall Street,” added Daqqaq.
Oetker Collection’s portfolio of masterpiece hotels currently comprises Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa Baden-Baden, Le Bristol Paris, Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa and Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc.