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The new build property will be housed in a stunning 12-floor curved glass structure designed by architect WS Atkins and Partners. Interiors are being created by Dubai-based interior design specialists KCA International under the careful guidance of Olga Polizzi, Director of Design for The Rocco Forte Collection, and sister of Sir Rocco Forte.
The hotel will be the first to deliver a stylish blend of European and Middle Eastern design to the city. It will have a sophisticated, contemporary feel and, like all Rocco Forte Collection hotels, will reflect its location by using local artwork and Middle Eastern accents in accessories and fabrics.
The owner and developer of the hotel is Al Farida Investments, a conglomerate based in Abu Dhabi which primarily invests in hospitality and leisure, retail and real estate.
Sir Rocco Forte, Chairman and CEO of The Rocco Forte Collection, comments:
"We have spent twelve years building our luxury hotel business in Europe, and are now greatly excited about expanding into the Middle East. The opening of our new Abu Dhabi hotel next year will be a significant milestone for the Company and we are confident that the fresh approach we will bring to the region will be welcomed by business and leisure travellers alike."
"I am very pleased to be operating again in the region and in particular in Abu Dhabi. The city's financial wealth and political position as capital of the UAE make it the ideal location for our premier opening in the Middle East," Sir Rocco Forte added.
The generously proportioned guest bedrooms will be decorated in shades of green, yellow and terracotta and will feature large leather panels behind the headboards, curved modern sofas, workstations with comfortable leather chairs and art work by local artists and the poet Adonis. The spacious bathrooms will all have walk-in showers, large bathtubs, marble vanity units and separate glazed areas for the toilet and bidet. There will be two luxurious presidential suites measuring 290 sqm each comprising two balconies, a large bedroom, a dressing room with walk-in wardrobes, a separate dining room, lounge, kitchen, study, bar area, bathroom, separate guest cloakroom and artwork by local artist Salwa Zeidan.
There will be a wide choice of food and drink outlets with an all-day dining restaurant, a modern Chinese/Japanese restaurant, an à la carte Italian restaurant, a tea and coffee lounge, and a Brazilian poolside bar and restaurant. One of the design highlights of the hotel will be the Sky Bar which will be suspended on the fifth floor of a ten-storey atrium boasting stunning views of the city and coastline below. Renowned British chef and restaurateur, Mark Hix, who was also the original chef behind the legendary Le Caprice and The Ivy in London, will act as a consultant for the all-day dining restaurant and famous Italian Michelin-starred chef, Fulvio Pierangelini, will act as a consultant for the Italian restaurant.
For relaxation, there will be a 2,000 sqm spa featuring ten treatment rooms, two double treatment rooms with a plunge pool, one hydrotherapy treatment room, fully-equipped gymnasium, yoga and pilates studio and hairdressing and beauty area. In keeping with local culture and tradition, there will be dedicated male and female areas of the spa with separate relaxation areas, changing rooms, indoor heated swimming pools, saunas, cold plunge pools and hammams. There will also be a large outdoor 25m swimming pool and children's pool with a large wooden deck and seating area.
Designed also with the business traveller in mind, the hotel will have extensive conference and event facilities with its own dedicated meetings entrance, reception area, business centre, Executive Lounge and lifts. There will be seven meeting rooms, a large ballroom hosting up to 500 people seated and a pre-function area with a capacity of 500 people standing. There will also be a traditional Arabic VIP majlis lounge for meetings of local dignitaries and members of the royal family.
Posted by Siba Sami Ammari
