With several hotels in its development pipeline, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is committed to growing its portfolio of luxury hotels and the group has announced it will open seven new properties throughout 2010.
While most are newly developed, Fairmont will also throw open the doors at two of the world’s most celebrated addresses: The Savoy in London and the Peace Hotel in Shanghai.
The newly developed property, Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Saudi Arabia, will be a key destination for visitors from the UAE and the Middle East.
“Outbound travel to Asia, Africa, and Europe from the Middle East markets remains strong. The new hotels will cater generously to the needs of guests from the Middle East with facilities tailored to their needs, such as large family rooms and suites and many hotels providing halal food,” said Thomas Storey, president, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Paying homage to its original Edwardian and art deco design, The Savoy will once again lay claim to its long-standing status as London’s premier social destination when it unveils the culmination of a nearly two-year, £100-million ($162-million) restoration programme. A top to bottom endeavor encompassing the entire building, including 268 guest rooms and suites, the courtyard and famed American Bar, the public areas and guestrooms. The famous Savoy Grill will return under the operation of Gordon Ramsay Holdings.
In Shanghai, Fairmont Peace Hotel is the new name for the restored Peace Hotel, a Shanghai landmark for more than a century. Situated on the Bund, the 12-story, 269-room property enjoys a premier downtown location, facing the Pudong area over the Hangpu River.
The Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel in Saudi Arabia, will be the focal point of the iconic Abraj Al Bait complex, which includes seven towers and is adjacent to the Masjid al Haram, the holiest site in Islam.
The 858-room hotel will offer Fairmont gold, the brand’s exclusive lifestyle product, numerous dining outlets and conference facilities. The 76-storey hotel tower, at 577-m high, will be among the world’s tallest and features a 40-m clock, more than five times larger than Big Ben in London, which will announce daily prayers to the Muslim world. A lunar observation centre and an Islamic museum will add to the fascination of this one-of-a-kind property.
Other openings on the cards for 2010 include Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Canada, Fairmont Pittsburgh, US, Fairmont Beijing, China, and Fairmont Zimbali Resort, South Africa.