Dancers perform in Erbil Iraq. Dancers perform in Erbil Iraq.

Swiss-Belhotel International has signed a management agreement with Sardar Investments Pty. Ltd, a part of Sardar Group, for the management of a four-star hotel in Erbil.

Swiss-Belhotel Erbil, expected to open early 2012 is located less than five minute drive from Erbil International Airport and in close proximity to the CBD, Erbil International Fair Ground.

VP operations & development for the Middle East Thomas van Vliet said the company was “very excited to enter the Iraq hotel scene with our first hotel in Erbil”.

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“Considering the vast local experience of our partners in this development, Sardar Investments Pty Ltd, and Swiss-Belhotel International's international exposure, we are confident this project will become a great success and will further assist the city to welcome and accommodate a continuously growing number of business and leisure visitors," he said.

Gavin M. Faull, Swiss-Belhotel International chairman and president, added: “We have eyed Iraq for quite some time and this hotel is an essential addition to our rapidly expanding portfolio of hotels in the Middle East”.

“The team is aggressively focusing on new developments in this region and to soon open our first property in this historic city in Iraq is another milestone for the company.”

Erbil, a historical city (6000 BC) and the capital of Kurdistan - Iraq, is home to a large number of international companies, government departments and the landmark Citadel of Erbil as well as Iraq's most luxurious shopping malls and other shopping areas which makes the city appealing to both business and leisure travellers.

The hotel will offer 108 deluxe guest rooms and suites as well as an all-day-dining-restaurant / bar / lounge / deli, speciality restaurant, pool bar, roof-top shisha lounge, 300m² meeting room space, business centre, boutique and travel agency.

Recreational facilities include a swimming pool and 285m² spa and fitness centre including treatment rooms, hammam and sauna.