Opening date revealed for Hilton's first Worldwide Resort in Ras Al Khaimah

The first phase of the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa is due to open later this year, on December 1st, 2006, with the second and final phase in the last quarter of 2007.

"Our Hilton Worldwide Resort brand offers holidaymakers an unrivalled holiday experience. We are delighted to be opening the Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa in one of the UAE's fastest growing leisure destinations. Visitors can look forward to enjoying the surrounding natural beauty and unique environmental biodiversity of the emirate. White sandy beaches, a plethora of leisure activities and the tranquillity of the spectacular Musandam backdrop will add to the excellence of our newest venture in the Arabian Peninsula,"

said Rudi Jagersbacher, Hilton International's Vice President, Arabian Peninsula.

The second Hilton property in Ras Al Khaimah will open with 151 deluxe villas featuring private patios with mountain and sea views. Offering unparalleled levels of luxury, the new resort is set in a private bay and surrounded by the beautiful white sands of the UAE's most northern emirate. With tradition in mind, the Worldwide Resort will represent Arabesque design in its architecture, providing visitors with a sense of Arabian culture.

On completion in late 2007, the property will provide a further 200 rooms, many with balconies overlooking the Arabian sea or the Hajjar mountains. Ensuring an idyllic holiday destination and experience, each room offers all five star amenities.

On-site facilities for the resort include an 800 metre private sandy beach; four free-form, temperature controlled swimming pools; comprehensive watersports facilities; a fully equipped gym and health club; a spectacular 2000 square metre sea-facing spa with eight treatment rooms; sauna, Jacuzzi, Turkish Hammam Bath, floatation pool, spacious steam, fitness, aerobics and relaxation rooms, and a hairdressing salon.

Additionally, the resort will feature two restaurants - indoor and outdoor; two bars - one indoor and one pool bar; a 24-hour room service facility; laundry and valet; car rental; tour guides on hand and a business centre and shopping arcade.

The new resort will follow on from the opening next month (May) of Hilton's first palace hotel in the world - Qasr Al Sharq or 'Palace of the Orient' - in Jeddah. New Hilton properties are also under development in Doha marking the company's first foray into Qatar opening in 2007, the Arabian Peninsula's first Conrad hotel in Dubai in 2008, in addition to a beach club, also in Dubai set to open later this year.