The über luxurious Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah is all set to open its doors in the first quarter of 2013.
Part of the Al Hamra Village, the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah is being developed by Al Hamra Group and will be managed by Hilton Worldwide, the luxury brand of landmark hotels.
TTN spoke to Mark Hawkes, group chief financial officer, Al Hamra Group about the master-planned development that is looking to make new inroads in the fields of hospitality and leisure in the emirate.
Could you shed some light on the projects at Al Hamra Village? What is the size of your portfolio?
Al Hamra Group’s objective has been to create an integrated lifestyle development in Ras Al Khaimah to support the Emirates vision of growth and expansion. This has provided the increasing population and visitors of Ras Al Khaimah with various residential options along with international leisure facilities.
The 7.1 million sq m land area expanse includes an eighteen hole golf course, a marina with world class sailing conditions, three luxury hotels open and the Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah to be opened shortly, fine dining and shopping options, all within a single community. The Al Hamra village includes The Royal Breeze Residences.
How many of the residential apartments are sold? Do you see much demand from foreign investors?
Al Hamra Village development is approximately 84 per cent occupied. The coming year should see this increase further with the completion of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and the expansion of the Al Hamra Mall. The demand is steady with many GCC and European buyers taking advantage of opportunities to own a home at this prestigious development.
Will the Waldorf Astoria be the only hotel project onsite? How do you see the brand Waldorf Astoria fit in with the Al Hamra Village?
Apart from Waldorf Astoria opening early next year the Al Hamra Fort Hotel is in the process of being renovated and will re-open as a Hilton Resort property soon as well.
The Waldorf Astoria will be located in the in the Al Hamra Village, approximately 45 minutes away from Dubai International Airport. The stunning sea side hotel is part of a mixed-use development that includes Al Hamra Golf Club’s 18-hole championship golf course, Al Hamra Mall, Al Hamra Marina and Yacht Club, and a convention centre with capacity for 1,000 people.
 |
|
Hawkes |
The Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah will be the first Waldorf branded property in the UAE and is scheduled for opening in Q1 2013. Each Waldorf Astoria property offers a singular and timeless experience and in the case of the Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, the hotel has been designed as a majestic palace with interiors planned to create a warm and Arabesque feel. The Waldorf Astoria will offer guests state-of-the-art facilities including, 349 luxurious rooms and suites, access to a 600-m private beach, three outdoor swimming pools, a choice of eight restaurants and lounges, of which a number will offer unique fine dining experiences. A bespoke spa experience will also be available.
What are your other construction plans for this year?
We are constantly looking at new projects to add to this stunning development. Apart from master planning new additions to the Al Hamra Village, the Al Hamra Mall will be expanded to include a number of additional attractions that will include a children’s entertainment venue and a multi-screen cinema complex. Additionally, The Al Hamra Fort Hotel is in the process of being renovated and will re-open as a Hilton Resort property. We have also organised children’s festivals and community evenings at our food and beverage outlets for tourists and residents of Al Hamra Village which gives everyone a chance to enjoy a variety of activities.
How is RAK placed in today’s tourism map? Do you see much potential for the emirate to sustain its aggressive hospitality expansion? What are the challenges?
We foresee tremendous potential in Ras Al Khaimah and will continue developing our portfolio in line with Ras Al Khaimah’s growth strategy. The government is very supportive and is spending $250 million to boost tourism this year and aims to attract 2.5 million visitors by 2015.
The emirate has all the natural ingredients to attract tourists and can boast access to the Arabian Gulf, white sandy beaches, dramatic mountains ranges, red sandy deserts and lush green plains indented by a series of creeks and lagoons all within a short distance of each other.
In addition there are many activities available for visitors including a wide range of adventure sports, mountain excursions, desert camps, golf courses and numerous types of water sports. Ras Al Khaimah presents itself today as an attractive destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition the emirate is constantly exploring new ways to interact with visitors and share its heritage.