InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) signs two new properties in Dubai Business Bay

Kolkata, August 21, 2017: InterContinental Hotels Group ( IHG® ) , one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing two new properties in Dubai:Crowne Plaza® Dubai Business Bay and InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Business Bay. Both properties are in partnership with API Hotels & Resorts, and their location in Dubai’s Business Bay area, the planned business capital of the region, is in line with IHG’s strategy to grow these brands in emerging business epicenters.

Expected to open in 2019, Crowne Plaza® Dubai Business Bay will be situated on the Business Bay Canal, near the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, as well as other developing commercial and residential communities. With 290 rooms and suites, the hotel will offer guests all day dining options, as well as a gym and an outdoor infinity pool. As a major draw for business bookers and travelers, Crowne Plaza Dubai Business Bay will include a ballroom as well as several meeting rooms to host conferences and events.

According to statistics shared by Dubai Tourism, India is the number one international tourist source market for Dubai, and in 2016, 1.8 million Indians arrived in Dubai for leisure and business purposes. Additionally, the UAE and India are making continuous efforts to further strengthen the economic and trade cooperation. With proximity to the business hub and major tourist attractions in Dubai, Crowne Plaza® Dubai Business Bay and InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Business Bay are located strategically to cater to both business and leisure travelers visiting the city.

The InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Business Bay will be situated on the Business Bay canal extension of the Dubai Creek, across from the Crowne Plaza Dubai Business Bay. The area, currently under development as part of Marasi Business Bay, is an ideal location set to become one of Dubai’s most iconic areas featuring the region’s first purpose-built yachting destination, floating restaurants and cafes across 5 marinas, over 1250 berths, onshore boutiques and entertainment facilities. This waterfront property will serve as an ideal residence for those seeking a home in the heart of Dubai’s luxury lifestyle hub, in close proximity to business areas such as Dubai International Financial Centre and Business Bay’s commercial centres. It will offer 30 studios, 60 one bedroom, 60 two bedroom, and 10 three bedroom suites.

Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG , commented: “In the Middle East, we are currently engaged in the strategic expansion of the Crowne Plaza brand, as well as growing the footprint of our InterContinental Residence Suites. In support of these goals, we are delighted to be working with API Hotels & Resorts, an eminent partner with a proven track record in high quality hotel developments across the UAE.”

He continued, “Crowne Plaza is all about making business travel work and ensuring our guests have the most productive stay while they’re on the road. InterContinental Residence Suites endeavors to provide both short- and long-term residents with a measure of luxury and location second to none. Dubai continues to be one of the strongest business and leisure destinations in the region and given that Business Bay’s is positioned as one of the city’s most centrally located commercial and lifestyle hubs, it is the perfect location for both these properties.”

Mr. Jassim Al Ali, CEO of API Hotels & Resorts, added: “In order to maximize further growth opportunities in the Middle East, we believe that we need to add a global operator with an internationally recognized brand to our portfolio and IHG, as a market leader with over 5,000 hotels worldwide fits this profile perfectly. Furthermore, both Inter Continental^® and Crowne Plaza^® have established reputations around the world, and we’re excited to be adding these iconic names to our portfolio here in Dubai. This is a growing market for hotel development; particularly for business and luxury brands. We’re looking forward to providing career-focused business travelers and luxury seeking residents with the finest service across two world-class properties.”

IHG® currently has 80 hotels operating across five of the company’s brands in the Middle East region, including InterContinental^® , Cr owne Plaza ^® , Holiday Inn^® , Holiday Inn Express^® , and Staybridge Suites^® with a further 27 in the development pipeline. There are 19 Crowne Plaza^® properties and 26 InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts open in the Middle East.

IHG currently operates 31 hotels across four brands in South West Asia: InterContinental , Crowne Plaza , Holiday Inn , and Holiday Inn Express , with a further 35 in the development pipeline due to open in the next three to five years.