Cristal Hotels to triple portfolio in two years

Abu Dhabi-based Cristal Hotels & Resorts aims to triple its Middle East portfolio within two years by operating 13 hotels in the region by 2016, with three of those slotted for Saudi Arabia.

The group has also set a target of 50 properties within five years, essentially doubling its previous goal of 25 hotels.

Among the group’s upcoming properties is the five-star 95-room Crustal Erbil hotel, due to open in Iraq in June. The 298-key Cristal Grand Erbil is also scheduled for launch in 2016.

Cristal Hotels & Resorts president and CEO Peter Blackburn revealed: “In just five years since we opened our first hotel in Abu Dhabi, we now operate in four countries – the UAE, Iraq, Lebanon and the Comoros in the Indian Ocean – and will debut in Saudi Arabia next year with two hotels in Riyadh, followed by a third property opening in Damman in 2015.”

“In addition to the two new hotels in Erbil, Iraq, a major addition to our portfolio is the 84-room Cristal Grand Kadri at Zahle, Lebanon, a historic landmark hotel located just 45 minutes from Beirut that offers 84 rooms and suites as well as an array of leisure and business facilities including a pool, spa, and conference rooms,” he added.