Countdown on for Ibn Battuta Gate launch

The five-star Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is on track for its October 1 launch date according to general manager Jan Kaiser.

The 396-room property will actually start hosting guests from mid-September, including Tim Mackintosh-Smith, author of a three-book series about the hotel’s namesake - Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta, who will be in Dubai to promote the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and to launch Landfalls, his third book about the explorer.

“The hotel is cleverly inspired by the journeys of the 14th century Arabian explorer, Ibn Battuta and Tim’s visit to Dubai could not have been better timed. Indeed, it is perfect that Tim will be one of our first guests. It is almost like having Ibn Battuta himself pay us a visit!" said Kaiser.

Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is located adjacent to the Ibn Battuta Mall and Ibn Battuta Gate, which at 60 metres is higher  than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

“There is quite an interesting design journey going on in the hotel, from the tastefully themed Battuta Suites to our mammoth lobby which spans 90x30 metres in length and height, respectively.

“We have named the hotel lobby Al Bahou, or Grand Hall. It is huge yet inviting and has numerous signature photo opportunities for visitors, including 88 huge eastern-style lanterns dangling elegantly into the wonderful lobby space that is best described as ‘the hub on the house’.” said Kaiser.