One&Only Resorts launches nature resorts

One&Only Resorts' brand portfolio is extending into nature resorts, president and CEO Philippe Zuber revealed during a party hosted by the group at One&Only The Palm as the first day of the 2017 Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai drew to a close.  

The group's brand extension will also include urban resorts as well as private branded residences, apart from its existing beach resort properties. 

"Nature resorts has been inspired by the Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in Australia, where into this 40-key hotel in the middle of the Blue Mountains, we have been able to understand the market of rare locations, very, very unique, soft experiences, amazing services, " Zuber disclosed, when asked about the driving factor behind the brand extension strategy during an exclusive interview with Hotelier Middle East. 

He continued: "Based on these experiences and the feedback of our customers which has been second to none and amazing, we have decided to expand. We have two wonderful opportunities in Rwanda in Africa and these two nature resorts will be offering the most rare and authentic locations."

Alongside the launch of One&Only's nature resorts, Zuber shared that the group will be opening two properties in Rwanda under the new brand extension, the 22-key Nyungwe House in six wooden villas in the middle of a tea plantation on the edge of Nyungwe National Park, due to open in summer 2017, and One&Only Gorilla's Nest, located in the foothills of the Virungi volcano range, which is expected to open in 2018.