Works underway on Iraq's largest five-star hotel

Range Hospitality has announced its 12-storey Al Rawdatain Residences hotel in Karbala, Iraq is expected to open in 2013.

Construction of the US $175 million project is now underway, after being launched in August 2010.

The 624-apartment, 65000m² property will be the largest five-star hotel in Iraq, and is being designed by Dewan Architects and Engineers, which is responsible for Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi and the Baghdad Rotana Hotel, and is located just one kilometre from the holy shrines.

Munaf Ali, CEO Range Hospitality, said: “We found that Iraq offers a very favourable foreign investment environment making it a lucrative market for investment. Thus finding a gap in luxury accommodation across all spectrums, we went ahead with this large development to cater to over 20 million pilgrims who visit Karbala every year, and face acute shortage of residences.

“The fully furnished and serviced Al Rawdatain Residences suites will offer 24-hour security, crèche services, business centre, in-suite dining, four restaurants offering a large variety of cuisines and child care facilities.”