InterContinental Opens 150th Property
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
DUBAI, UAR, November 12, 2007. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is proudly celebrating its legacy as the first truly international luxury hotel brand in the world with the opening of its 150th hotel - InterContinental Dubai Festival City.
This milestone will be followed days later when the brand opens its first hotel in Vietnam - the 359-room InterContinental Hanoi Westlake.
Following three years of aggressive development activity and brand expansion, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts celebrated its soft launch on November 7th and is the first of three InterContinental Hotels Group properties to open at Festival City, with Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City to open in December 2007.
These magnificent properties have gone from concept to completion in just three years, becoming iconic landmarks on the city skyline. The project is the largest in the history of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and three properties opening simultaneously within the same location is also a first for the group.
The 36 floor InterContinental Dubai Festival City managed by Dieter Franke has a total of 500 ultra stylish rooms, including 121 Suites, three Presidential Suites and one Royal Suite. The rooms consist of a series of interlocking zones for maximum flexibility and privacy and each contains a large bathroom with a wet zone and splash area. All have stunning views of either the historic Dubai Creek, the city skyline or the world-class shopping centre, the Festival Waterfront Centre.
John Bamsey, Chief Operating Officer, IHG, Middle East and Africa said, "InterContinental Hotels and Resorts has been in the region catering for sophisticated business and leisure travellers for over 40 years and the opening of our latest flagship property represents how we continue to lead in the upscale travel market. The launch of InterContinental Dubai Festival City marks an era of significant growth and development for the brand as we look to open 10 properties by the end of 2009, including InterContinental Kuwait and InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort."
Area General Manager Tom Meyer, who oversees the entire project, said, "It is an absolute pleasure to be a part of such a monumental project at Dubai Festival City, especially as InterContinental Dubai Festival City is such a landmark property as the 150th hotel in the brand's global portfolio. I have the pleasure to lead a super team and every measure has been taken to ensure we deliver the highest quality services and amenities in an excellent destination."
The hotel offers sports and recreational facilities dedicated to fulfil the needs of any traveller, whether they desire a full work-out session, or simply to unwind and enjoy themselves. The leisure deck includes an outdoor 25 metre pool, children's splash pool and three outdoor spa pools, and the state of the art gym sports the latest fitness equipment including the Kinesis 'free weights' range.
After opening in December, Spa InterContinental will feature 700 square metres of wellness facilities including eight treatment suites and two VIP couples spa suites. A variety of treatments will be available from experienced therapists, including holistic therapies infusing unique Arabic and Asian techniques.
Opening with the hotel are two splendid food and beverage outlets. 'Anise' is a world-food restaurant catering to a total sensory experience, integrating the diner into the kitchen. Cuisine from all over the world is prepared and served from live cooking stations around the restaurant, keeping diners on the edge of their seat with excitement.
The Vista lobby lounge and bar is a large and luxurious venue that curves the Creek, framing stunning views across the water, and also the striking silhouette of the towers and skyscrapers of 'Sheikh Zayed Road' in the centre of Dubai. Vista Lounge will be a place to sit and enjoy exquisite d'ecor and the impeccable views, and to sample delicious and funky beverages at the bar which appears to be floating above the promenade at the edge of the infinity pool.
Once fully operational, the hotel will feature eight superb restaurants and eateries, including the much anticipated 'Reflets par Pierre Gagnaire'. Set to be the sixth and sexiest restaurant in the three star Michelin chef's repertoire, 'Reflets' will be an example of exceptional taste in every fashion. Contemporary and stylish furnishings will accompany modern French cuisine, encapsulating a culinary art of flavours.
Both InterContinental and Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City are internally connected to the Festival Waterfront Centre, the 550 retail outlets and 90 restaurants and caf'es are just a minutes' walk away. Two 18-hole championship golf courses are also close to hand, as is a scenic stroll along the waterfront promenade, connecting to the 100 berth Festival Marina.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
