Swiss-Belhotel takes over Ghantoot resort

Swiss-Belhotel International has taken over the operation of the property formerly known as Cassells Ghantoot Hotel, giving the Hong Kong-based company its first UAE property.

Now called Swiss-Belresort Ghantoot, the resort sits on the shores of the Arabian Gulf and was originally built as a palace for the Abu Dhabi ruler. It is located in Abu Dhabi and is only 40 minutes from the heart of Dubai.

With a total of 118 rooms, the hotel is a four-star property and was until recently managed by Five Continents Hospitality.

"One of the great aspects of Swiss-Belresort Ghantoot is that guests have convenient access to one of the world's most vibrant and exciting destinations in Dubai while still being able to enjoy the rich Arabian culture in a resort setting,” said Swiss-Belhotel International chairman and president Gavin M. Faull. “It truly is a one destination, two cities experience.”

Recently refurbished, the resort's architecture exemplifies Arabian luxury and style, with golden walls, soaring domed ceilings, capacious balconies and generous living spaces. Just 20-25 minutes from the Mall of the Emirates, the four-star resort offers a calm and serene environment with its own sandy beach on the blue waters of a marina.

Activities on offer at the resort include water scooters, banana boats and donut boats, as well as a large swimming pool surrounded with sun beds, umbrellas and furnished wooden cabanas and a separate children's pool and kids club.

The former palace also has a health club with squash courts, fully equipped state-of-the-art gymnasium facilities, table tennis, billiards and rooms for steam, sauna and Jacuzzi with massages provided by expert therapists.

"Swiss-Belresort Ghantoot is a prized addition to our portfolio. It is a wonderful, venerable property," said Faull.

"Swiss-Belhotel International is in the midst of an exciting period of growth in the Middle East, with three more hotels set to be launched before the end of next year. And our growing footprint there is matched by our global progress."

The company last month opened Swiss-Belhotel Seef in Bahrain, while Swiss-Belinn Ghurbrah in Oman, Swiss-Belhotel Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Swiss-Belhotel Erbil in Iraq set are set to open by 2015.

Along with its other existing properties - Swiss-Belhotel Plaza Kuwait and Swiss-Belhotel Doha – this will bring its Middle East portfolio up to seven.