His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai calls on the Habtoor Group to find out about its latest projects underway. Joanna Andrews reports…
The red carpet was laid out for the royal visit by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his son, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, when they visited the Al Habtoor Group head office on Al Wasl Road recently.
The royals were welcomed by Khalaf Al Habtoor, Chairman; Mohammed Al Habtoor, Vice Chairman and CEO and Ahmed Al Habtoor, CEO, Al Habtoor Motors. Also present from the Al Habtoor Group were Mohammed Al Mazrooei, Managing Director; Yusef Shalabi, Director of Projects & Real Estate and Martyn Wild, Project Director.
During the visit Khalaf Al Habtoor presented to His Highness the new hotel developments currently underway in prime locations in Dubai; one on Sheikh Zayed Road and another on the Palm Jumeirah. In the past 12 months the Group has announced investments worth AED 5.9 billion ($1.6 billion) in the hospitality sector.
Khalaf Al Habtoor said, “It is a great honour to receive His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. We are blessed by his visit. It gives us a further incentive and additional drive as we progress in parallel with the UAE and the government’s vision.”
“We are very proud to show what our latest projects have to offer. We believe we have something very unique, which will enable us to cater for the growing needs of visitors and UAE residents alike,” he added
The Al Habtoor Group is developing Dubai’s first-ever integrated resort comprising of three hotels on one complex as well as a Las Vegas style theatre. It will be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and will include the first super luxury St. Regis hotel in Dubai, a W hotel and a Westin hotel – with more than 1,600 rooms making it the largest hotel complex in the Middle East and one of the biggest in the world. It is due to open in 2015.
The Group is also developing the Waldorf Astoria on the Palm Jumeirah. It will be the first luxury resort by the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand in Dubai. It will have more than 320 rooms and suites and will feature four signature restaurants, two bars, a private beach and large luxury health club and spa. The property will also have a business centre, six meeting rooms and a 600-capacity ballroom. The resort is due to open at the end of 2013.