AccorHotels today signed an agreement with Al Ghurair, one of the Middle East’s leading family businesses, for the rebrand of a landmark property consisting of 428 rooms and 192 apartments located at Al Ghurair Centre Complex.

Both properties will be managed as part of the Group’s upper-upscale Swissôtel & Swissôtel Living portfolio, representing the brand’s first foray into the UAE. Located within Deira, the hotel and residences offer access to the iconic Al Ghurair Centre – one of Dubai’s original upscale shopping centers, which recently completed an Dh1.8 billion ($489.9 million) expansion.

The hotel and apartments will be managed by AccorHotels before transitioning to Swissôtel & Swissôtel Living by end of 2017 when the first phase of soft refurbishment is completed.

A brand synonymous with genuine Swiss hospitality with intelligent design and local influences, Swissôtel also upholds industry-leading sustainability standards and is committed to treating guests, colleagues and the environment with equal respect. Swissôtel Living is an innovative Serviced Residence concept, featuring decidedly upscale apartments operated on an extended-stay basis.

Sami Nasser, chief operating officer, Luxury Brands, AccorHotels Middle East, said: “The Al Ghurair family plays a leading role in driving Dubai’s growth as a global destination, and as such, the iconic Al Ghurair Centre is the best location to debut the city’s first Swissôtel & Swissôtel Living. Through this rebrand, we are bringing a new travel experience that is full of energy, passion and vitality - all part of the Swissôtel brand DNA – to the revitalisation of Old Dubai.”

“Along with two notable Swissôtel properties welcoming guests in Makkah, in addition to our flagship Swissôtel the Bosphorus, Istanbul, Al Ghurair Hotel and Al Ghurair Living provide an excellent base and springboard for the future development of the brand in the Middle East,” he concluded.

Sultan Al Ghurair, CEO of Al Ghurair Properties, and responsible for the organization’s extensive real
estate portfolio, said: “This landmark agreement, in partnership with AccorHotels, reflects Al Ghurair’s commitment to working with best-in-class service providers and to attracting new brands to the UAE. The Al Ghurair Centre comprises of over 350 retail, dining and entertainment outlets, attracting more than 21 million visitors a year. With the rebrand of our hospitality offering, we are proud to include international brands such as Swissôtel & Swissôtel Living as part of the Al Ghurair
Centre experience. With 53 real estate projects under development, of which a large proportion are in Deira, the rebranding of the Al Ghurair Centre hospitality offering is a key part of our goal to lead the regeneration of Old Dubai.”

Al Ghurair Hotel and Al Ghurair Living feature 428 spacious guest rooms and suites and 192 serviced apartments, respectively. Guests and residents can experience local and international dining offerings at three restaurants and lounges including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty
restaurant and a lobby lounge. The hotel also offers more than 800-sq-m of meeting space, including six fully equipped meeting rooms and two ballrooms, offering visitors an array of venues for events and gatherings of all sizes. For those seeking rejuvenation after a day of shopping or exploration, an outdoor swimming pool, health club and spa, and squash and tennis courts provide a welcome respite.

With close proximity to Dubai International Airport and Dubai Union Square Station, the location of the complex provides easy access to Dubai’s key attractions including Downtown Dubai, and is also only minutes away from the city’s colourful souqs, Dubai Creek and Al Fahidi Historical District. Connected to Al Ghurair Centre, guests can enjoy access to 80,000-sq-m of retail space including a
cinema complex, indoor rollercoaster, ice rink, food court, outdoor cafés, restaurants, a supermarket, a hypermarket and an extensive choice of regional and global brands. Business travellers will also benefit from the complex’s proximity to government, consulate and corporate districts.

AccorHotels operates 40 properties in the UAE in addition to 23 under development. In the Middle East, the group currently operates 97 hotels, encompassing more than 30,000 rooms, across all segments. The network is expected to double in size, bringing over 25,000 additional rooms to the region. - TradeArabia News Service