Kempinski Opens Dubai Hotel Ski Resort... in the Desert

New hotel pairs with Kempinski's Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi as the two most extraordinary hotels i

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. October 14, 2008

NEW YORK, NY- April 6, 2006. "No, it's not 'Alice in Wonderland,'" says Reto Wittwer, CEO of Kempinski Hotels and Resorts, "it's Dubai." The Kempinski Hotel Mall of The Emirates marks its grand opening this week, providing the cornerstone of Dubai's giant new, 12-acre Mall of the Emirates, the largest shopping mall outside North America. One of the most long-awaited features of the mall is Ski Dubai: the world's third largest indoor ski resort, complete with tow-and chair-lifts, five ski slopes presenting varying degrees of challenge, as well as the world's largest indoor snow park.

The five-star Swiss chalet-style Kempinski Hotel Mall of The Emirates has 395 rooms including 15 ski chalets with views over the slopes. Non-skiers can soak up the Alpine atmosphere in an array of restaurants overlooking the ski runs. In addition to skiing and shopping, the hotel offers the Ayurveda Wellness Centre, beauty treatment rooms, fitness center, and an infinity swimming pool, complete with sun deck and tennis court. "Dubai is a fantasy world," says Witter, "where else on earth can you stay in a divine hotel and ski an Alpine-standard slope...in the middle of the desert?"

"The Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates is ideal for business travelers, for couples, singles and families," says Michael Henssler, General Manager, "with guests able to ski in the morning, relax on the beach in the afternoon and ride the mall's thrilling 'Robocoaster' ride in the evening."

Ski Dubai is 25 stories high, 250 feet wide and covered with real snow year round. The Mall of the Emirates has 426 stores including an offshoot of the luxury London department store, Harvey Nichols. It also boasts an Arabian bazaar as well as a luxury shopping street that includes Armani, Bulgari, Gucci and Versace. Entertainment facilities include a 14-screen movie theater, Magic Planet - a large indoor family entertainment center with rides, simulators and children's rides and the extraordinary Sezzam Dining, a 935-seat restaurant that presents three distinct interactive open kitchens: Steam, serving authentic Asian cuisine; Bake, specializing in dishes prepared in wood-fired ovens; and Flame, featuring a large charcoal grill, rotisserie and spit roast. The Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates offers an array of caf'es and restaurants, a superlative conference center, wi-fi Business Center, library and Kids Club.

The Kempinski-run Emirates Palace Hotel opened in Abu Dhabi in early 2005. A kilometer long, a giant concoction of granite, marble and crystal, it is one of the world's most opulent hotels at the same time as it is never garish. It doubles as the State Guest House for the Emirate of Dhabi, providing accommodations for up to six royal delegations - with none ever bumping into the other.

Kempinski's prestigious portfolio comprises luxurious properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America and Asia. Each offers superior standards of service combined with a distinctive style reflecting the individuality of the property and its location.

Kempinski Hotels is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance, along with Omni Hotels, Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts and Rydges Hotels & Resorts. The Global Hotel Alliance offers customers an extensive choice of upscale and luxury accommodation, with over 150 hotels in 22 countries. To know more, visit www.kempinski.com.