InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is set to restart work on its 350-room luxury development in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

The InterContinental Mina Al Arab, the hospitality giant's second resort in the UAE, is just an hour’s drive from Dubai and is located on the beachfront of Ras Al Khaimah, forming part of the Mina Al Arab leisure beach resort by a leading UAE developer RAK Properties.

The new luxury development will help boost Mina Al Arab’s offering as a top tourist destination in the UAE, said the statement from IHG.

Featuring a variety of luxury rooms and suites, InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort is the perfect escape for guests wanting to relax and unwind, it stated.

The resort, which will boast a well-equipped gym, health club and spa, as well as two pools and a collection of retail outlets, is likely to open for tourists in 2019.

It will also feature a number of specialty restaurants and an all-day dining restaurant, offering guests a range of food and beverage (F&B) options to choose from, it added.

The Ras Al Khaimah hospitality market saw a 10 per cent increase in visitor numbers from 2015 to 2016 making this the ideal time to recommence the development of IHG’s second multi-feature resort in the UAE, due to strong year-on-year growth in the tourism sector, said a top official.

"This hotel will mark the second resort in the UAE and demonstrates our continued commitment to expanding our luxury InterContinental brand in sought-after locations across the Middle East," remarked Pascal Gauvin, the chief operating officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG.

"Ras Al Khaimah is quickly becoming the UAE’s desired destination for getaways, nature, and relaxation and once open, I’m confident that InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort will be the first choice for tourists visiting the UAE as well as residents looking for a relaxing and fun getaway," he stated.
 
Mohamed Sultan Al Qadi, the managing director and chief executive of RAK Properties, pointed out that the development breathes life into the serenity of the emirate, while keeping true to nature.

"The upbeat hub of the development, and the newly signed partnership with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) will continue to set the bar, by providing an array of five-star facilities and entertainment outlets, allowing for residents and visitors to enjoy the best of what Ras Al Khaimah has to offer. We will be announcing the groundbreaking of the project shortly," he added.

Mina Al Arab’s newest island development will cover 811,420 sq m, and feature a five-star resort, four-star lifestyle resort, serviced apartments, shopping mall, beach and waterfront apartments, villas, and townhouses with a private beach clubhouse, and al fresco dining and entertainment venues.-TradeArabia News Service