International hotel chain Hilton and Kuwait's Al-Rai Real Estate Company, owned by Mabanee, announced plans today to open two hotels at The Avenues Mall in Kuwait.

Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton’s smart luxury hotel brand, and midscale Hilton Garden Inn open their doors to guests in early 2019 at the mall.

The development forms part of an ambitious expansion project which will see  $900 million devoted towards solidifying the position of The Avenues Mall in Kuwait City as one of the world’s top retail destinations.  

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Middle East, Africa & Turkey for Hilton Worldwide, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Al-Rai as part of the fourth phase expansion of The Avenues. With its number of shopping outlets set to increase by nearly 50 per cent, demand for accommodation at a site which already attracts millions of visitors every year is set to increase substantially.

"Our Conrad and Hilton Garden Inn brands will enable us to cater for guests seeking either smart luxury or affordable accommodations during their stay,” Jagersbacher said.

Both hotels will be managed by Hilton Worldwide and will be located on opposite sides of the mall.

The complex itself is located off Kuwait’s Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Road (Fifth Ring Road), allowing ease of access to junctions connecting to both Kuwait International Airport and Kuwait City.

Mohammad Alshaya, chairman, Mabanee, said: “In planning the fourth phase of the expansion of this immense project, one of the most exciting additions, we are providing the ability for visitors to stay inside Avenues itself.

He added: “Having hotels as part of The Avenues development will enhance the quality of the experience and the service we provide to our visitors. This will in turn support internal tourism and also place Kuwait on the regional tourism map. We have seen increasing numbers of visitors from abroad, in particular from the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and this is a strong indication of the revival of tourism in the country.”
 

Waleed Alsharian, chief executive officer of Mabanee Company, and Carlos Khneisser, vice president development ME & North Africa, Hilton Worldwide, signed the agreements at The Avenues Mall, Kuwait.

Alsharian said: “We believe Hilton is the ideal partner to provide accommodation to match the expectations of our luxury shoppers while also providing more affordable alternative as we continue to diversify our retail and entertainment offering.”

Conrad Kuwait
This 158-guestroom luxury property will form part of the extension of the Mall’s popular Prestige district, which opened in 2012. The district forms Kuwait’s largest luxury shopping destination, home to 47 luxury retail units under a 23-m dome. The hotel will feature a ballroom, multiple dining options, and an outdoor pool and spa. The hotel’s design concept will complement the Prestige district’s use of copper and rare Portoro stone, imported from the mountains of Italy.

Hilton Garden Inn Kuwait
Adjoining two of the new districts being created under the fourth phase expansion, this hotel will become Hilton's largest hotel in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. Boasting 430 guestrooms in an imposing tower structure at the northern end of the mall, the main entrance of the property will be located in ‘The Forum’ which will provide a central meeting point within the mall.  

The property will also border the new Electra district set to create a vibrant international atmosphere inspired by the bright lights and high technology of cities such as Tokyo and Hong Kong. - TradeArabia News Service