FRHI Hotels & Resorts, a global hospitality group, is planning to expand its presence in the Middle East with the opening of four new properties.
'Our growth pipeline in the Middle East and Africa region (MEA) and Saudi Arabia, in particular, remains a key focus for our world-leading luxury hotel brands,' said Sami Nasser, senior vice president, operations, Middle East, Africa and India for FRHI. 'This region is among the fastest-growing for FRHI for both business and leisure travel as well as major events and the success has been built on our unwavering dedication to the highest standards of hospitality.''Since our debut in Saudi Arabia over five years ago with our multi-branded hotel complex in Makkah, our brands have been well positioned to appeal to both business and religious tourism in this increasing sophisticated travel market.The five new openings boost what is already an aggressive development plan to achieve our projected target of 50 per cent growth over the next five years.'FRHI properties set to open in 2016 and the beginning of 2017 include the Fairmont Riyadh, Business Gate in Saudi Arabia, the Fairmont Amman in Jordan, the Fairmont Citystars Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, and the Fairmont Fujairah in the UAE.RIYADHLocated just north of the city, Fairmont Riyadh, Business Gate, will be part of a new mixed-use development comprising the hotel, a convention centre with over 5,500 sq m of meeting and function space, and commercial real estate space that will house multinational corporations as well as regional companies. The hotel will feature 303 rooms, including Fairmont Gold, the brand’s ‘hotel within a hotel’ concept plus a selection of dining venues as well as spa and fitness facilities.
AMMANThe Fairmont Amman, FRHI’s first hotel in Jordan, will be situated next to the Fifth Circle in the heart of Amman, less than 30 minutes from the airport, adjacent to the Embassy District, the new Royal Jordanian headquarters, the Abdali Development, as well as the desirable residential community of Abdoun. The hotel will feature 317 rooms and suites, including 17 serviced apartments and Fairmont Gold, the brand’s ‘hotel within a hotel’ concept. For corporate events, weddings and local galas, there will be over 2,000 sq m of function space, including an 800-sq-m ballroom.
SHARM EL SHEIKHThe Fairmont Citystars Sharm El Sheikh complements existing Fairmont properties in Cairo including Fairmont Nile City and Fairmont Heliopolis & Towers. FRHI has partnered with Citystars on its flagship project in Sharm El Sheikh. Part of the first phase, including extensive retail and residential apartments, The property will include 413 guestrooms and 316 residences. The project, which will also consist of a Raffles and Swissôtel property, will be spread over 7.5 million sq m, including 22 km of white sandy beaches, an 18-hole Colin Montgomerie golf course and one of the largest and most spectacular lagoons in the world used for recreation, swimming, and water sports.
FUJAIRAHThe Fairmont Fujairah adds to the growing collection of Fairmont hotels in the UAE. The hotel is located on the east coast with sweeping views of the Gulf of Oman and lauded for its natural beauty set against the backdrop of the historic Hajar Mountains. The project will consist of 180 guestrooms, six restaurants and lounges, dedicated meeting facilities, a Willow Stream spa and a marina as well as 13 branded residences.Looking beyond 2017, FRHI has a number of hotel development projects under way in markets like China and Africa set to open over the next five years.