Hilton officially opens second Abu Dhabi hotel

Hilton Hotels & Resorts have officially opened the Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi after a refurbishment and rebranding programme which followed the group’s takeover of the previous Rocco Forte Abu Dhabi in May 2013.

The new hotel becomes Hilton's second in Abu Dhabi and joins the company’s burgeoning UAE portfolio by adding an additional 281 rooms to Hilton Worldwide’s growing 3000+ UAE room total.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts global head Rob Palleschi said: “The opening of our second Abu Dhabi hotel continues the outstanding 40-year legacy the company’s flagship hotel brand has enjoyed with the UAE. With so many new striking features, the hotel is set to become an exceptional example of the high standards, quality and unrivalled experience guests expect from the region’s pre-eminent international hospitality brand.”

Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi is a curved glass property located close to Abu Dhabi International Airport as well as the city’s National Exhibition Centre and in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s new Capital District. The hotel also incorporates a range of corporate facilities including a 700-capacity grand ballroom and separate 500-capacity function room, five large meeting rooms, two boardrooms and a complimentary business centre, all aimed to maximise the hotel’s share of the city’s MICE market.

Hilton Worldwide Middle East & Africa president Rudi Jagersbacher said: “Today’s announcement is particularly timely with all economic indicators suggesting Abu Dhabi is enjoying an exciting phase of visitor growth. This strategy, implemented by the local tourism authority, provides the perfect foundation for the hospitality sector to prosper and upscale hotels such as Hilton Capital Grand Abu Dhabi will, in turn, help strengthen Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a key global business and leisure destination.”

The past 12 months have seen the Emirati capital reporting almost seven million guest nights during 2012, a rise of 13% on the previous year and, according to rankings by global meetings and events specialist International Congress & Convention Association’s (ICCA), Abu Dhabi has now entered the top 100 busiest global meetings destinations for the first time, a rise of 134 places.