Dubai master developer Nakheel’s hospitality expansion took another leap forward today, with the signing of a letter of intent (LOI) for a management agreement with Thailand’s Minor Hotel Group, one of the world’s fastest-growing hospitality companies, for a new, 372-room hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall.

The LOI was signed in Bangkok by Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and William Heinecke, founder, chairman and CEO of Minor International, the parent company of the hotel owner, operator and investor, Minor Hotel Group.  

Under the proposed agreement, the hotel will be managed under the vibrant Avani Hotels & Resorts brand, which offers guests relaxed comfort and contemporary style in city and resort destinations.

The new, 14-storey hotel – one of two Nakheel hotels at Ibn Battuta – will have direct access to the mall and a link to the Dubai Metro. Features include a rooftop pool, all-day dining restaurant and coffee shop.

Avani Ibn Battuta forms part of Nakheel’s 4.7-million-sq-ft expansion to Ibn Battuta Mall, which will create another 766,000 sq ft of shopping, dining and entertainment space.  The mall already welcomes around 22 million a year.

Nakheel’s other hotel at Ibn Battuta – a 372-room Premier Inn – is currently under construction and due to open this year. Nakheel has 10 hotels, with around 4,000 rooms between them, in its hospitality portfolio pipeline. The first – a 251-room ibis Styles hotel at Dragon Mart – opened earlier this month, with management contracts or joint venture agreements signed or in process on another seven.  

Today’s LOI is the second collaboration for Nakheel and Minor Hotel Group in five months. In September last year, the two companies announced a planned joint venture for a 500-room Avani beachfront resort at Deira Islands, Nakheel’s 15.3-sq-km coastal city in Dubai.

Minor’s portfolio currently comprises more than 17,000 rooms across 145 hotels, resorts and serviced suites in 22 countries under the Anantara, Avani, Per Aquum, Oaks, Tivoli, Elewana, Four Seasons, Marriott, St Regis, Radisson Blu and Minor International brands.

Lootah said: “We continue to work with reputable international partners to bring new brands to Dubai, further enhancing and diversifying the emirate’s hotel accommodation offering in line with the Government of Dubai’s vision. We are delighted to further develop our collaboration with Minor Hotel Group with an Avani hotel at our expanding Ibn Battuta Mall, which in itself is an increasingly popular destination for Dubai’s growing number of tourists.”

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotel Group, commented: “Following the recent announcement about our strategic partnership with Nakheel and the development of the UAE’s first Avani at Deira Islands, we are thrilled that a letter of intent has already been signed for the second Avani in the UAE.  The location at Ibn Battuta Mall, one of the world’s largest themed malls in one of the city’s fastest growing areas, is perfect for guests who enjoy Avani’s relaxed comfort and contemporary style.  We are thrilled that our partnership with Nakheel is off to such a strong start and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”  

Nakheel’s Dubai hotel portfolio includes:

• Ibn Battuta Mall:  Avani-branded hotel with 372 rooms linked to Nakheel’s Ibn Battuta Mall.   Letter of intent signed.
• Ibn Battuta Mall:  Premier Inn-operated 372-room hotel linked to Ibn Battuta Mall.  Under construction and due to open in 2016
• Dragon Mart:  ibis Styles hotel with 251 rooms, directly linked to Dragon Mart.  Opened in February 2016.
• Dragon City:  Premier Inn-operated hotel with around 320 rooms, forming part of the Nakheel’s Dragon City expansion.   Management agreement signed.
• Palm Jumeirah: The Palm Tower, a 289-room luxury hotel, to be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts under the St Regis brand, occupying the first 18 floors of Nakheel’s 52-storey hotel and residential tower. Under construction.
• Deira Islands:  Joint venture with Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts for a 750-room, all-inclusive beachfront resort.  Joint venture agreement signed in February 2016.
• Deira Islands:  Planned joint venture with Thailand’s Minor Hotel Group for a 500-room Avani-branded beachfront resort.  Design stage.
• Deira Islands: Planned joint venture with Centara Hotels & Resorts, also from Thailand, for a 550-room resort and waterpark.  Design stage - TradeArabia News Service