Rocco Forte Collection Debuts First Hotel in Middle East

The 300,000 square foot, 281-room hotel will be located in the district set to become the new commercial center of the city, within easy reach of downtown Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center, the airport and Yas Island. The property, which will be a new build, will be housed in a stunning 12-floor curved glass structure designed by architect WS Atkins and Partners. Interiors are being created by Dubai-based interior design specialists KCA International under the careful guidance of Olga Polizzi, Director of Design for The Rocco Forte Collection, and sister of Sir Rocco Forte. The hotel will be the first to deliver a stylish European and Middle Eastern design to the city. It will have a sophisticated, contemporary feel and, like all Rocco Forte Collection hotels, will reflect its location by using local artwork and Middle Eastern accents in accessories and fabrics. The owner and developer of the hotel is Al Farida Investments, a conglomerate based in Abu Dhabi which primarily invests in hospitality and leisure, retail and real estate.

The Rocco Forte Collection will continue its expansion into the Middle East with the a 146-room property set to open in Jeddah in fall 2011, a 90-room all-suite golf resort opening in Marrakech in 2011 and a 275-room property scheduled to open in Cairo in 2013.

"We have spent twelve years building our luxury hotel business in Europe, and are now greatly excited about expanding into the Middle East," notes Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman and CEO of The Rocco Forte Collection. “The opening of our new Abu Dhabi hotel next year will be a significant milestone for the Company and we are confident that the fresh approach we will bring to the region will be welcomed by business and leisure travelers alike.

"I am very pleased to be operating again in the region and in particular in Abu Dhabi. The city's financial wealth and political position as capital of the UAE make it the ideal location for our premier opening in the Middle East."

The generously proportioned guest bedrooms will be decorated in shades of green, yellow and terracotta and will feature large leather panels behind the headboards, curved modern sofas, workstations with comfortable leather chairs and art work by local artists and the poet Adonis. The spacious bathrooms will all have walk-in showers, large bathtubs, and marble vanity units. There will be two luxurious presidential suites, each measuring 3,100 square feet and featuring two balconies, a large bedroom, a dressing room with walk-in wardrobes, a separate dining room, lounge, kitchen, study, bar area, bathroom, separate guest cloakroom and artwork by local artist Salwa Zeidan.

The property will feature a wide array of culinary offerings, including a modern Chinese and Japanese restaurant, an à la carte Italian restaurant, a tea and coffee lounge, a mezzanine bar and a Brazilian poolside bar and restaurant. Renowned British chef and restaurateur, Mark Hix will act as a consultant for the all-day dining restaurant and Italian Michelin-starred chef, Fulvio Pierangelini, will act as a consultant for the Italian restaurant. One of the design highlights of the hotel will be the Sky Bar which will be suspended on the fifth floor of a ten-story atrium boasting stunning views of the city and coastline below.

For relaxation, there will be a 21,500 square foot spa featuring seven treatment rooms, one double treatment room with a plunge pool, one hydrotherapy treatment room, fully-equipped gymnasium, yoga and Pilates studio and hairdressing and beauty area. In keeping with local culture and tradition, there will be dedicated male and female areas of the spa with separate relaxation areas, changing rooms, indoor heated swimming pools, saunas, cold plunge pools and hammams. There will also be a large outdoor 25 meter swimming pool and children's pool with a large wooden deck and seating area.