UAE's largest Holiday Inn signed for Dubai

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Al-Futtaim have signed an agreement for the management of the largest Holiday Inn hotel in the UAE.

Expected to be completed towards the end of 2017, the 520-room property will operate under a management agreement with Dubai Festival City Real Estate Development owned by Al Futtaim, marking the fifth property in partnership between IHG and Al-Futtaim.

IHG chief operating officer IMEA Pascal Gauvin said in a statement: “We’re thrilled to be expanding our partnership with an eminent corporation like Al-Futtaim and this new hotel compliments the existing luxury and upscale offerings at Dubai Festival City perfectly. This signing is pivotal to IHG’s growth plans in the region as there is growing demand for mid-market hotels in the UAE, especially in Dubai.”

Al Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE) group director Chris O’Donnell said: “This hotel marks our sixth project with IHG and with our collaboration thus far has resulted in great success; we are confident our continued partnership will be one the enablers of our growth ambition in the Middle East.”

The hotel will feature an adjoining café and restaurant, a rooftop grill, health club, four meeting rooms and a conference centre with a capacity to seat 200 people.

The new hotel will connect directly to Dubai Festival City Mall, and is close to the Dubai International Airport.

There are currently 25 Holiday Inn hotels open across the Middle East and a further five in the pipeline.