EMAAR'S The Address Hotels + Resorts has entered the European market with a management contract to operate a luxury resort in the south of France, it was announced at last month’s ATM.
Scheduled to open in 2011, the 192 acre, Domaine de Lavagnac is the first five star tourism development in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
Developed by Residence De Lavagnac SARL, the complex includes a 17th Century château which is being transformed into a 70 suite hotel. It will also have 650 residential properties, 430 of them serviced residences also managed by The Address. Properties are being sold on leaseback and freehold, as well as through time share.
Featuring a spa and golf course, the property is billed to be an exclusive golf-spa retreat and poised to drive the tourism growth of Languedoc.
Numbers of nights spent by tourists have risen by 15 per cent in the past 10 years, making Languedoc the fourth most popular tourist destination in France. The 1,000 sq m spa retreat will be one of the largest in the region.
The Domaine de Lavagnac lies within two hours of nine international airports, and is only 15 and 40 minutes away (respectively) from Béziers and Montpellier airports.
Marc Dardenne, CEO, Emaar Hospitality, said Emaar plans to own or operate at least 60 properties within the next 10 years. “As part of our international expansion strategy, we are looking at other European destinations, and this contract in Languedoc-Roussillon acts as the perfect gateway to the rest of the region,” he added.
The Address, Dubai Mall and The Address, Dubai Marina are scheduled to open later this year. The Address recently announced its first property outside the UAE, in Uptown Cairo and has signed a management contract with Jnan Amar Polo retreat in Morocco. Other destinations for the brand include Shanghai, Lombok in Indonesia, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, London, Los Angeles and New York.
by Shalaka Paradkar