The Ascott, a leading serviced apartments group, has secured a contract to manage its first Citadines Apart’hotel in the UAE

The management agreement for Citadines Culture Village Dubai was awarded to Ascott by Sheikh Fahad Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Thunayan, president and chairman of Saudi Technical Trading and Contracting Company.

“We are extremely pleased to enter into this management agreement with Ascott, internationally renowned for its brands, management and service excellence. Our confidence in their premier management experience for Citadines Culture Village Dubai serves our overall strategy to grow into Dubai’s hospitality sector,” Thunayan said.

Citadines Culture Village Dubai, which is slated to open in 2017, will be Ascott’s third serviced residence in Dubai, following the addition of Ascott Culture Village Dubai announced in October 2014.

The latest project will strengthen Ascott’s portfolio in the GCC and Turkey to more than 2,150 apartment units across 14 properties in six countries - Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkey.

Tony Soh, Ascott’s chief corporate officer and head of the GCC and Turkey region, said: “The launch of our Citadines brand supports the growing demand from independent travellers who prefer the flexibility to choose the services they want as compared to luxury hotels that offer full services. Citadines Apart’Hotel is one of Ascott’s fastest growing brands, with more than 50 properties in 19 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Gulf region.”

Strategically located in Culture Village, the new property is a fully integrated planned community alongside the shoreline of Dubai Creek between Al Garhood Bridge and the new Business Bay Bridge.

Culture Village is set to become the artistic and cultural hub of Dubai, featuring residential, retail and commercial developments including schools, art galleries, performing arts centres, museums, restaurants and designer boutiques in a setting of waterways, bridges and parks.

Residents can choose from a range of studios and one-bedroom apartments, fully equipped with kitchens, living areas and separate workspaces. Guests can enjoy an array of amenities such as a swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium, breakfast lounge, residents’ lounge and internet corner to cater to their work and recreational needs.

Ascott currently manages four serviced residences in the GCC - Ascott Park Place Dubai, Ascott Doha, Somerset West Bay Doha and Somerset Al Fateh Bahrain. – TradeArabia News Service