Ritz-Carlton to operate Grand Canal Hotel

Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company, or ADNH, has signed a memorandum of understanding appointing The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company as the operator of the Grand Canal Hotel, a new upscale property under construction in Abu Dhabi.

The property will consist of 532 rooms, suites and villas, apart from a large variety of food and beverage outlets.

Set amidst beautifully landscaped gardens on a white sandy beach, the project is expected to reach completion in during 2011.

Sovereign wealth fund Abu Dhabi Investment Council, or ADIC, holds 17.5 per cent of the capital while the rest is held by various institutions and UAE nationals.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, currently operates 73 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean.

Saif Al Hajeri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Hotels Company said: "Our alliance with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is a demonstration of our overall plans of ADNH's 
growth strategy.

"The appointment works well within our plans to reinforce our strategy of forging strong alliances with world-class partners like ADNH, said Simon Cooper, President of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, a subsidiary of  hotel chain Marriott International, Inc. 

ADNH's Chief Executive Officer Richard Riley said he is 'excited' about this partnership. He described the hotel as an icon that will add many features to the city of Abu Dhabi.  "Some of the many attractions are its shopping plaza, swimming pools, children's play area, leisure areas, gymnasium and world class spa facilities and restaurants overlooking the main beach," Riley concluded