Those visiting Abu Dhabi will soon be able to do so in even more style. That’s because they are projecting to have the First Ritz-Carlton finished in the area by the end of 2011. Abu Dhabi National Hotels is spearheading the work, with CEO Richard Riley.
Pushing for an Opening
As Riley told Hotelier Middle East, “I will be pushing very hard to get it open before the end of the year, that’s what we’re doing, I’m not going to nail it down but the bottom line is we feel we’re very, very close and we just hope if everything will stay on schedule that we’ll be able to pull it off.”
They are investing AED 1.5 billion in this property, which will feature 532 rooms, a spa, a ballroom and a main swimming pool. Designed by American architecture firm Otak, with interiors by SFA Design, the site will reflect the luxury expected of a Ritz-Carlton.
Top of the Line Only
While the company run by Richard Riley spent seven months dealing with logistical issues before they could begin building, those issues are finally behind them. Originally signed as a JW Marriot, it took Riley time to transition it to a Ritz-Carlton instead.
Riley explained that the area is well suited to having Marriot’s top luxury brand and that “It was a natural migration but it was very difficult to do because of the fact that it was signed as a JW Marriott.”