Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi delivers unprecedented standards of European service and style to the UAE from 7 November

His ExcellencySheikh Hamed bin Ahmad al Hamed, Chairman of Al Farida Investments, and senior representatives from Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) today joined Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman and CEO of Rocco Forte Hotels to usher in to the Emirates an unprecedented level of European service and style, as the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi prepares to officially open its doors on 7 November 2011, joined by members of the media.

“In this auspicious 40th anniversary year of the United Arab Emirates, I would like to acknowledge the great wisdom of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan- President of the United Arab Emirates; whose vision, influence and determination is the driving force behind the continuing success of this Great nation. I would like to extend my Special thanks to His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan- Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for his continuous support and his efforts in the realm of economic development aimed at increasing economic diversification in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi”said Sheikh Hamedbin Ahmad al Hamed, Chairman of Al Farida Investments.

“I also want to thank His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan- Chairman of TDIC for his continuous support of the tourism industry which has been developed through showcasing the natural and cultural splendors of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is through this support and the support of Sir Rocco Forte- Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels and the financial support of the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, which has encouraged us to take the initiative to build this iconic landmark hotel building, for which we are here to celebrate the opening. Our investment of AED 700 Million in to the hotel industry is paving the way for the future development and completion of our second phase – the AED 300 million Rocco Forte Residence and Office Tower – which we are currently preparing with the management of Rocco Forte Hotels” Sheikh Hamedbin Ahmad al Hamedadded.

Accepting bookings from mid-October and welcoming its first guests on 7 November, Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi has seen tremendous interest from the corporate market in the UAE for both rooms and events, as well as bookings from the wider region and Europe for both leisure and business travellers. With strong recognition for the luxury and elegance associated with the Rocco Forte brand among Middle East residents who have previously stayed at the group’s European properties, the management of Rocco Forte Hotels is keen for a wider audience to experience its distinctive service and ambiance.

“Rocco Forte Hotels has had a significant reach into the Middle East during the last 15 years, as travellers from this part of the world make up a strong proportion of our guests in the UK, Germany, Italy and other destinations. Our design and interiors, our meeting spaces, our dining outlets, and especially our service approach have all been created to satisfy the discerning traveller. The Middle East is a vitally important destination to our company, and our opening on 7 November represents a historic development for us,” said Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman and CEO of Rocco Forte Hotels.

With exquisite attention to detail, Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi offers guests a contemporary and elegant space in the city, with 281 spacious, well-considered bedrooms and suites, seven diverse and compelling options for dining and recreation, a generous spa and wellness centre, and some of the UAE’s most sophisticated meeting and event spaces. The hotel’s interiors combine the comfort and style of both Arab and European influences through the use of marble, mosaic, and agate, with artworks by regional artists and a design aesthetic which subtly reflects the Arabian Gulf and surrounding desert.

Shaun O'Connor, Chief Financial Officer of TDIC, commented “We are extremely pleased to partner with Al Farida Investments inbring the Rocco Forte brand to the Middle East for the first time. Delivering this spectacular new property to the UAE is a major accomplishment for TDIC, as Abu Dhabi continues developing its regional and international reputation as a key business and leisure destination. Its strategic location, considered mix of facilities andits superlative service will help further enhance the Abu Dhabi experience for visitors and residents,”

Stand-out attractions of the new Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, which will be open from 7 November, include a supremely well-appointed 2,000sqm spa with separate male and female facilities, indoor swimming pools, traditional wet and dry Hammam, fully-equipped gymnasium, 15 treatment rooms and a yoga/pilates studio. Guests and Abu Dhabi residents seeking new dining options can choose from the Martin Brudnizki-designed Oro Italian restaurant; the Oceana Grill, a speciality seafood restaurant; Rouge, serving contemporary Japanese and Chinese cuisine and Brown’s Tea Lounge, a contemporary space serving traditional favourites.  Before or after-dinner drinks can be enjoyed in Blue, a suspended lounge with a 15-metre hand-polished agate serving area and stunning views from every vantage point.

In designing the guest bedrooms for Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi, Olga Polizzi has taken into account the needs of regional and international travellers, delivering spacious living areas and generous bathrooms complemented by artwork from Arab artists.Especially for the Emirate’s growing population of business travellers and events, Rocco Forte Abu Dhabi offers a dedicated executive floor and lounge, seven meeting rooms, a ballroom accommodating 500 seated guests with its own valet area, and a VIP majlis.

To celebrate its expansion into the Middle East market, Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi has a special *introductory offer from 1,200 UAE Dirhams ($330 USD)per room, per night including breakfast and a 15 per cent discount on all bars and restaurants in the hotel, valid until 31^st December 2011.

Following on from its Abu Dhabi property, Rocco Forte Hotels will open a 159-bedroom hotel in Jeddah in 2013, a 90-all suite golf and spa resort in Marrakech in 2014, a 275 bedroom property in Cairo in 2014 and an 82-bedroom hotel in Luxor in the same year.