The Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort will be Iberotel International’s first five-star beach resort in the UAE, when it opens on Fujairah’s Al Aqah beach this September.
It is the first in a series of hotels that will take the brand further into the Middle East, said hotel general manager and area business development manager, Ashraf Helmy.
“Fujairah and its marvellous beaches are the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday with Arabian-style architecture and facades,” he said.
The resort will have a main building with spread out clusters of three floors and 200m of a private sandy beach. The Iberotel Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort is located on the east coast of the UAE, some 15km from Dibba, 45kms from Fujairah and 90 minutes’ drive from Dubai.
Developed at a cost of $44 million, it offers 313 guest rooms including 20 suites, all generously sized and tastefully furnished.
It is part of a commercial project that will also see the opening of a $154-million Iberotel Royal Miramar Resort in 2009, and a shopping centre surrounded by a lagoon in 2010. The owner of the project is Egypt’s Hamid Al Chiaty, who owns Travco and Egyptotel.
“More resorts are coming soon in Oman, Jordan and Qatar,” said Helmy, adding that all would be environmentally conscious. “Taking care of the environment is vital in our style of management and we are certain that Iberotel Miramar Resort will have an important role in save guarding the marine and land life by enhancing its own special environmental programme.”
Iberotel runs properties in Egypt, Turkey and Italy.
Iberotel Miramar began its marketing activities by attending last year’s WTM, and has been targeting tour operators from various markets at ITB Berlin and MITT Moscow, said Samer Mashour, sales and marketing director, Iberotel. “We will not be limited to the international market but of course will be targeting the GCC travellers who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of big and hectic cities. The beauty of Al Aqah, its beaches, mountains and climate in addition to our unique resort facilities and services will serve to attract guests from all over the world,” he said.