Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah opens
Hilton Garden Inn and RAK National Hotels LLC (RAKNH), a subsidiary of RAK Hospitality Holding LLC (RAKHH), owner of hotels and resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, announced the opening of Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah yesterday, marking the brand’s entry into the northernmost emirate of the UAE. The hotel joins five other Hilton properties operating in Ras Al Khaimah and 22 across the UAE.
“Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah is a very strategic asset within our portfolio of hotels. It presents a significant opportunity for us to satisfy the needs of travellers who visit Ras Al Khaimah from all around the world. We have seen a shift in recent years towards the mid-market segment, which goes in hand with the growing importance of the emerging modern traveller. The hotel therefore, is the right choice for us and for Ras Al Khaimah. We look forward to seeing it grow and succeed," His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of RAKHH and RAKNH, declared.
“Ras Al Khaimah is a burgeoning emirate and continues to grow in popularity not just within the Middle East but internationally, attracting more than 820,000 tourists last year1 according to Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. The opening of Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah reinforces our commitment to the emirate – and the strength of our brands here – and we look forward to offering guests a laid-back metropolitan oasis in the heart of the city,” commented Ras Al Khaimah country general manager Mahmoud Mokhtar.
Located in the centre of the Al Nakheel area, just steps from two shopping malls and minutes from the souks and historical sites of the old city, Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah features 240 guest rooms, including 10 family rooms and eight suites, with city, creek and garden views. Each guest room and suite features the brand’s signature bedding featuring white duvets and crisp linens; a work desk with an ergonomic desk chair; and an in-room "hospitality centre" with a mini fridge.
RAKHH CEO Yannis Anagnostakis said: “We aspire to have our hotel assets lead their respective market segments. The much-anticipated Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah fits perfectly within our strategy and enables us to diversify the RAKNH portfolio. We expect the demand for branded mid-market hotels to increase significantly as a wider range of visitors continue to enjoy and discover the unique Ras Al Khaimah experience.”
“We are delighted to introduce the Hilton Garden Inn brand to Ras Al Khaimah. With its unending stretches of pristine beaches and endearing local charm and history, Ras Al Khaimah offers a spectacular location to deliver the intuitive service our brand is already synonymous with,” said Hilton Garden Inn global head John Greenleaf.
The hotel offers guests a variety of onsite dining options, including The Garden Grille, which provides cooked-to-order breakfast and a-la-carte lunch and dinner. Alongside Hilton Garden Inn signature dishes such as breakfast waffles and the Mobley burger, the restaurant serves international dishes, such as Peking duck served with pancakes, Mexican savory chocolate 'Mole Poblano' turkey, as well as Moroccan lamb couscous. The Pavilion Pantry® is open 24 hours for guests seeking snacks and cold beverages, while the Garden Bar & Lounge and Pool Bar offer spots to meet for business and leisure. Guests at the hotel can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property, 24-hour business centre and fitness centre and two tennis courts. The property also offers an outdoor pool, with a separate shaded pool for children, and access to the beach facilities at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa via a complimentary shuttle.
For conferences and other events, Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah can accommodate up to 400 guests in more than 500 square metres of flexible space, including a 380 square metre pillar-less ballroom that can be separated into three meeting rooms, along with two pre-function areas and three outdoor garden venues. The hotel also features four additional meeting rooms.
Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah participates in Hilton’s customer loyalty programme, Hilton Honors®. Programme members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits including a member discount, free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are available via the Hilton Honors app, where members can check-in, choose their room, and access their room using a digital key.
Read all about the story behind the Hilton Garden Inn Ras Al Khaimah's brand transformation in the June 2017 issue of Hotelier Express.