Swiss-Belhotel International has signed an agreement with Sardar Investments, a part of Jordan-based Sardar Group, for the management of a 4 star hotel in Erbil, capital of Kurdish region of northern Iraq.

The new hotel, Swiss-Belhotel Erbil, which offers 108 deluxe guest rooms and suites, is expected to open early next year.

Erbil, a historical city (6000 BC), is home to a large number of international companies, government departments and the landmark "Citadel of Erbil" as well as Iraq's most luxurious shopping malls and other shopping areas which makes the city appealing to both business and leisure travelers.

The hotel is just a 5 minute drive from Erbil International Airport and in close proximity to the CBD, Erbil International Fair Ground, Martyr Sami Abdul Rahman Park, Citadel of Erbil as well as Majidi Mall and other major shopping areas.

The facility boasts of an all-day-dining-restaurant / bar / lounge / deli, speciality restaurant, pool bar, roof-top shisha lounge, 300sqm meeting room space, business centre, boutique and travel agency.

Recreational facilities include a swimming pool and state of the art 285 sq m spa and fitness centre including treatment rooms, hammam and sauna.
 
Thomas van Vliet, Swiss-Belhotel International Middle East VP Operations & Development said the group was excited to enter the Iraq hotel scene with its first hotel in Erbil.

"Considering the vast experience of our partners, Sardar Investments and Swiss-Belhotel International's international exposure, we are confident this project will become a great success and will further assist the city to welcome and accommodate a continuously growing number of business and leisure visitors," he remarked.

Gavin M. Faull, Swiss-Belhotel International chairman and president, said, "We have eyed Iraq for quite some time and this hotel is an essential addition to our rapidly expanding portfolio of hotels in the Middle East."

"The team is aggressively focusing on new developments in this region and to soon open our first property in this historic city in Iraq is another milestone for the company," he added.-TradeArabia News Service