Qasr Al Sharq, Hilton’s first-ever palace property to open in Jeddah on November 1, this year leads a regional expansion drive that will see the opening of 11 hotels in the Middle East with another 30 planned worldwide.
Rudi Jagersbacher, vice-president Arabian Peninsula at Hilton International, commented: “The luxurious 50-suite Qasr Al Sharq is all set to become the Saudi Arabia’s premier property and the region’s most luxurious and exclusive hotel.”
“It will introduce unprecedented levels of luxury to the region on absolutely every aspect of the guest experience from the most advanced high-tech amenities such as wifi internet access and automated controls of lighting, curtains and temperature, to lavish guest rooms and suites that start at 128 sq m, renowned international restaurant brands Bice and Mammounia as well as dedicated personalised butlers, trained by the UK Guild of Butlers, famous for training Buckingham Palace Staff,” he added.
In Dubai, Hilton will open the exclusive Hilton Jumeirah Beach Club overlooking the Jumeirah beach strip. It will offer 50 cabanas and seven F&B outlets, which will cater to the 20 residential towers Dubai Marina Complex, neighbouring hotels as well as the two existing Hilton Properties.
The expansion in the Middle East will continue with a 324 room new-built Hilton Doha opening for the Asian Games in 2006 and the Gulf’s first luxurious Conrad property in Dubai in late 2007.
BY JONNA SIMON