InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), an international hotels company, has signed a franchise agreement with Abjar Hotels International for two new hotels in Dubai World Central (DWC). The new properties will be Holiday Inn Dubai World Central and Staybridge Suites Dubai World Central.

The new 450-room Holiday Inn Dubai World Central will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant, bar and meeting space. This will be the fifth Holiday Inn property to open in the UAE, offering travellers to the city an inviting, familiar environment where they can relax and enjoy themselves.

Located beside the new Holiday Inn hotel, Staybridge Suites Dubai World Central will be the first franchised property under the brand in the Middle East.

Ideal for business travellers or those seeking a home away from home during their holiday, Staybridge Suites Dubai World Central will offer 250 rooms, featuring a mix of spacious studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites designed to create a homely residential environment to meet the needs of extended stay guests. The suites will feature fully-equipped kitchens, entertainment and communications facilities, and separate working areas.

Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said: “Dubai is a key growth city for us in the Middle East and with the development of new infrastructure we see greater opportunities for us to build our brands' presence here. Dubai World Central is set to become a major commercial hub with immense potential for us to cater to the rise in business and leisure travel, and we are very pleased to be working with Abjar Hotels International to develop the new hotels.”

Abjar Hotels International, the hospitality arm of the Almulla Group, currently has five IHG properties in its portfolio across two brands in Dubai: Crowne Plaza Dubai Deira, Holiday Inn Express Dubai - Internet City, Holiday Inn Express Dubai Jumeirah, Holiday Inn Express Dubai Safa Park and Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport. – TradeArabia News Service