Hilton Dubai Creek celebrates its official opening

Joining representatives from the hotel's owners, Arenco Real Estate, were the hotel's management from Hilton International, architect Carlos Ott and Gordon Ramsay, the chef behind the hotel's already popular restaurant - Verre.

The modern, five-star, lifestyle hotel has ushered in a new era of hospitality to the Middle East, offering an intimate, highly personalised style of service. Guests experience an environment that is contemporary but has an understated elegance throughout.

Guy Hutchinson, manager, Hilton Dubai Creek, said: "We are delighted with how the hotel has been received by the public so far. We wanted to offer something completely different for the Dubai market - a small, discreet hotel in contemporary surroundings - and believe people have really taken to the concept."

The interior and exterior of the property was designed by the award-winning architect, Carlos Ott, together with Arenco Architects and Engineering Consultants, one of the leading consultants in the region. Owned by Abdullah Al Moosa, Arenco Real Estate approached Ott with a brief to create a modern and minimalist property to blend in with the vision of Dubai as a modern and emerging metropolis.

Sanjeev Ghulati, Arenco Architects said: "The owners felt Dubai was bursting with contemporary hotels full of carpets and plush fabrics, and that we should create a building that was more in keeping with the European themes of minimalism and modernity. They wanted something that was more suitable for the corporate sector, especially young executives on the move."

Arenco Interior Architects, further enhanced Ott's design concept by carrying out design development, which is considered to be the backbone of a successfully executed project. Arenco's Engineering Team also carried out the project management, design and development of the engineering, whithout which, the hotel could not efficiently function.

"The project took almost 24 months from design to completion and, we believe, has been well accepted by the local population, and its landmark design of the glass staircase has received rave reviews," added Ghulati.

Once Ott had created the concepts, he worked with Arenco Interior Design Office to see those concepts turned into reality. "The design development forms the foundations of a property, and the team worked on everything from establishing how to fix the glass floor and ceilings to choosing exactly which types of granite to combine," said Robin Thessman of Arenco Interiors.

One of the high points of the 154-room hotel is the cuisine, and international chef Gordon Ramsay has been contracted to manage the cuisine in the hotel. Ramsay has hand-picked members of his London brigade, who will in turn oversee every aspect of catering in the lifestyle property, from the signature restaurant, through the other outlets including the Glasshouse Brasserie, Issimo and Carbon Lounge.

The chef has personally overseen every detail of the development, from concept to launch. He has tasted every sauce and finalised every ingredient, and will be making frequent trips to Dubai to play a hands-on role in the direction of the kitchens.

Ramsay said: "Verre is my first restaurant outside the UK and represents a huge challenge - but a thoroughly enjoyable one. There is a real buzz about Dubai at the moment, and I am proud to be a part of it. In my mind, Dubai is one of the most vibrant cities around."

The chef's signature restaurant in London, Gordon Ramsay, has three Michelin stars - the highest award from the guide - and the Dubai public has leapt on the chance to sample cooking from one of the finest chefs in the world. "When I saw the plans for the Hilton Dubai Creek, I immediately felt that this was the right place to have my first restaurant outside Britain. I hope people in Dubai will appreciate the fine-dining experience and what I am trying to achieve."

The opening of the Hilton Dubai Creek marks a continued period of expansion and commitment to the region for Hilton International. Guy Epsom, the company's regional director of sales and marketing for the Arabian Peninsula, said: "This is a very exciting time for Hilton International worldwide, and especially in the Gulf.

"With business and leisure traffic to the Gulf scheduled to increase at a rapid pace, we aim to provide luxurious hotels offering the highest service and quality that are synonymous with the Hilton brand."

The Hotel is located in the Dubai Creek business district and consists of 154 rooms and suites, each combining contemporary design with the highest levels of comfort and offering dramatic Creek views. The newly expanded Dubai International Airport and world-class leisure venues such as the Creek Golf Course are all located nearby.

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