2016-11-23

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 23 November 2016 – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG®), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, announced the recommencement of the InterContinental® Mina Al Arab Resort in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) in partnership with RAK properties PJSC, Ras Al Khaimah’s biggest property developer listed on the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange. The Ras Al Khaimah hospitality market saw a ten 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.

The new hotel aims to open in 2019 and the 350-room luxury development will help boost Mina Al Arab’s offering as a top tourist destination in the United Arab Emirates. The hotel will be located on the recently announced Mina Al Arab Island development, which is RAK Properties’ next major development in Ras Al Khaimah and is focused on building a social hub including touristic, residential, and commercial properties.

Featuring a variety of luxury rooms and suites, InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort is the perfect escape for guests wanting to relax and unwind. The resort 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 RAK Properties. It features a well equipped gym, health club and spa, as well as two pools and a collection of retail outlets. Boasting a number of specialty restaurants and an all-day dining restaurant, guests have a range of food and beverage options to choose from.

Mohamed Sultan Al Qadi, Managing Director and CEO of RAK Properties spoke of the property saying, “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 5-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.”

Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG also commented on the news saying, “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. We are delighted to be partnering with RAK Properties on this hotel and excited to be part of the Mina Al Arab development. 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.”

Mina Al Arab’s newest island development will cover 811,420 square meters, and feature a 5-star resort, 4-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.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is the largest luxury hotel brand globally. Across the Middle East, there are 25 InterContinental properties open and an additional 9 properties due to open within the next three to five years*. The InterContinental Fujairah resort will be the first InterContinental resort in the UAE and is expected to open in 2017.

*Figures as at 30th June 2016