Al Habtoor's The Metropolitan Dubai returns

The Metropolitan Hotel Dubai is set to open its doors before the end of 2016.

Owned and operated by the Al Habtoor Group, the original Metropolitan Hotel was built in 1979.

The hotel was then demolished in May 2013 to make way for the Al Habtoor City – which houses the St Regis Dubai, Westin Dubai AHC and W Dubai AHC – along with three luxury residential towers.

Al Habtoor Group chairman, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor said in a statement: “When we demolished The Metropolitan Hotel I promised our loyal customers that I would rebuild the hotel. Three years on I have fulfilled that promise, and we look forward to receiving both new and old customers to the premises. We look forward to welcoming our first guests.”

The Metropolitan Hotel Dubai will reopen in a new location on Sheikh Zayed Road near Exit 41 (Al Thanya Street).

The four-star property has 320 rooms including 18 suites, and leisure facilities including a well-equipped gym, a rooftop swimming pool and a spa.

Guests will also have access to the pool and beach facilities at Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection.

The hotel will see the return of old favourites such as The Red Lion, a traditional English pub, and Don Corleone, an authentic Italian eatery.

It will also be home to Al Safa, an all-day dining concept serving global cuisine, Al Sheif Shisha Lounge serving Arabic cuisine, and Tropicana, a pool bar.

Metropolitan Hotel general manager Sanjay Luthra said: “The revival of the hotel and some of the outlets will contribute to its success. The Metropolitan Hotel Dubai is situated in one of the most sought-after locations on Sheikh Zayed Road."

Luthra added: “The Red Lion was a much-loved institution with a loyal customer base. The bar that you see in the pub today is the same one from the previous hotel. It is part of history in Dubai.”

There are several room categories such as premium, premium plus (for up to three people sharing), family rooms (for up to four people), junior suites, premium suites, and ambassador suites.

On the MICE front the hotel’s Al Shindagah Ballroom can accommodate up to 500 guests. The Metropolitan hotel can also accommodate various functions in any of its five meeting rooms including corporate meetings, product launches and gala dinners.

The hotel has developed its own rewards programme, called Loyal, which guests can use throughout the group’s hotels and outlets.

The original Metropolitan Hotel was the Al Habtoor Group’s maiden foray into the hospitality industry and was one of just a handful of hotels in the city at that time.

Al Habtoor said: “We have come a long way since 1979. We are proud to bring back the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai. The success of the hotel has helped our hospitality assets grow over the years in unison with the economy of the UAE. Our hotels have earned a solid reputation around the world and help attract people to the city.”

The Al Habtoor Group’s hospitality unit incorporates seven hotels in the UAE including the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai; The Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection; The Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah; The St. Regis Dubai; W Dubai – Al Habtoor City; The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City; and The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club.

The Group’s international portfolio includes The Ritz-Carlton Budapest; InterContinental Budapest; Hilton London Wembley; Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection, Vienna; President Abraham Lincoln Springfield, a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel; The Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand and Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace Hotel.