Nakheel, Spain's RIU check in on plans for new Dubai resort

Dubai - The company already has 45,000 rooms across more than 100 hotels in 19 countries.

Dubai's first four star all inclusive resort - a new 750-room hospitality concept by master developer Nakheel and Spain's RIU Hotels & Resorts - has moved a step closer following meetings between the two partners.
The companies met in Dubai this week to discuss the design and construction of the planned project, which will be located at Deira Islands, Nakheel's new 15.3 square kilometre waterfront city in Dubai. Under the partnership, announced in May this year, Nakheel and RIU plan to create one of Dubai's biggest resorts in terms of rooms, and the first RIU resort in the Middle East. The company already has 45,000 rooms across more than 100 hotels in 19 countries.
Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: "RIU Hotels & Resorts was the first hotel operator to partner with us for Deira Islands, and our discussions this week bring this exciting new concept a step closer to reality. We look forward to moving ahead with the resort."
Luis Riu, CEO of RIU Hotels & Resorts, said: "With its long standing experience, Nakheel is the ideal partner for us in this new venture. We are convinced that our partnership will lead to a successful RIU resort at Deira Islands."
The collaboration with RIU Hotels & Resorts is one of a hat trick of hotel partnerships for Nakheel in the last six months. In September the company revealed a planned 500 room Avani-branded resort with Thailand's Minor Hotel Group and last week announced a partnership with Centara Resorts, also from Thailand.
Nakheel is planning 10 new hotels across Dubai as part of its expansion into the hospitality and leisure sector. Five will be at Deira Islands, one on Palm Jumeirah, two at Dragon City and two at Ibn Battuta Mall.
- business@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai