His Highness Sheikh Ahmed opens three hotels in Dubai Festival City

In the presence of officials, businessmen and hotel management, including the DTCM Director General, Mr. Khalid A bin Sulayem, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed cut the ceremonial ribbon to symbolically declare the luxury properties open to business. The hotel staff accorded a warm welcome to the VIPs.

Also present were Mr. Sultan bin Mejrin, Director General of Dubai Land Department, Mr. Juma bin Humaidan, Assistant Director General of Dubai Land Department, Mr. Issam Al Humaidan, Dubai's Attorney General, and Mr. Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM Executive Director Media Relations and Acting Director Business Development.

On arrival, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed was welcomed by Mr. Abdullah Al Futtaim, Chairman of Al Futtaim group, and Mr. Omar Al Futtaim, CEO of Al Futtaim Group, owners of the three properties and Dubai Festival City.

The elegant InterContinental Dubai Festival City, superior upscale Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and the lavish long-stay InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City are the latest luxury hotels to open in Dubai. All the three properties have been completed in just three years. The project is the largest in the history of IHG; having three properties open simultaneously within the same location is a first for the group.

Together with the two hotels and InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City, the group will offer more than 1,000 rooms within the multi-billion dirham Dubai Festival City development. Both the hotels are internally connected to the Festival Waterfront Centre, the 550 retail outlets and 90 restaurants and cafes are just a minute's walk away. Two 18-hotel championship golf courses are also close to hand, as is a scenic stroll along the waterfront promenade, connecting to the 100 berth Festival Marina.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. The group manages over 3700 hotels and more than 558,000 rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed toured the 36-floor InterContinental Dubai Festival City which is a visually iconic example of modern architecture and offers stunning views of the city's skyline, picturesque Dubai Creek and the new Festival Waterfront Centre. There are 121 suites, three Presidential Suites and one Royal Suite. The brand's iconic Club Intercontinental is located on the 26th floor offering panoramic views of Dubai.

The other facilities at the hotel include an impressive 3,800 square metre Event Centre across two levels, meeting space that can be divided into eight meeting rooms or converted into a reception-style banquet catering up to 1,600 guests. The leisure deck includes an outdoor 25 metre pool, Children's splash pool and three outdoor spa pools and the state-of-the-art gym.

Spa InterContinental feature 700 square metres of wellness facilities including eight treatment suites and two VIP couples spa suites. There are plenty of dining options.

The Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City is a 316-room property, including 16 suites and two Presidental Suites, id designed for business travelers. The other facilities include a 25 metre swimming pool and an outdoor spa pools.

The InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City has 212 stylish high-rise apartments, encompassing studios, one, two and three bedroom suites and a stunning royal suite spread over two floors with private elevator access. The suites will be available from two weeks to six month leases.