Sheikh Saud lays foundation stone for AED 300m Al Hamra Palace Hotel

The 400-room luxury hotel will be built in the Al Jazeerah Al Hamra area along the RAK coastline at an estimated cost of AED 300 million.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the hotel last evening, Sheikh Saud said that the new hotel is part of the comprehensive developmental boom currently witnessed in RAK.

The new hotel is expected to redefine the concept of luxury and will enhance the tourism appeal of the emirate in a big way. Designed by renowned Italian architect, Maurizio Papiri, the project combines the distinctive splendour and opulence of traditional Arabic architecture and the slick sophistication to meet modern day needs. The hotel is expected to have a designation higher than 5-star hotel standards and will be completed in two years.

Briefing media persons after the ceremony, Dr. Khater Massaad, Advisor to the RAK Crown Prince, said that the project is designed to be a 'dream hotel', which will be unique in several aspects. 'It will have 600 metres of stunning beachside and all the rooms will be overlooking either the azure of the sea or the 18-hole international golf course to be built near the site', he said.

The hotel is built on a ground floor area of 15,000 sq. metres with a total built-up area exceeding 130,000 sq. metres. It will have 22 floors and the total height is set at 116 metres. The minimum room size in the hotel will be 72 sq. metres. The hotel will also have three royal suites and 20 executive suites.

Architect Maurizio Papiri, who has designed architectural landmarks like Grand Hotel, Rome, said that the Al Hamra Palace will reflect the richness and grandeur of Arabian and Islamic Architecture.

The presence of an imposing tower in the centre of the hotel and two domes on either side are the focal points of the hotel design. One of the domes will house a world class conference hall with a capacity to accommodate 1000 people while the other will have an 800-seat wedding hall.

The hotel will have ultra-modern facilities including five restaurants, a shopping arcade housing outlets of international brands, all located on the ground floor designed in ancient archway architecture. It will also have a number of health clubs, a spa, business centre and swimming pools.

The hotel is part of the Al Hamra Village Project, an exclusive sea- side luxury residential and leisure development undertaken by the Al Hamra Real Estate Development Company. The Al Hamra Village Project, scheduled for completion in 2006, will also have 1,350 residential units including luxury villas, elegant duplexes, deluxe town houses and premium apartments, apart from a 150 berth marina and private beaches.

Sheikh Saud also visited the villas and residential units at the Al Hamra Village after the foundation stone laying ceremony. He also inspected the new porcelain factory and the expansion works of the nearby RAK Ceramics factory.

Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Finance Department, Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK International Airport, Sheikh Muhammad bin Kayed Al Qasimi, Vice Chairman of RAK Economic Department, and a number of sheikhs and officials were present at the function.