An agreement has been signed with Dubai-based real estate developer Meraas Holding to set up a luxury hotel in the city, although a launch date has not been revealed yet. The Bulgari Hotel in Dubai will be its fifth hospitality property in the world, following its hotel openings in Milan in 2004, Bali in 2006, London in 2012 and Shanghai, scheduled to open in 2015. The Bulgari Hotel on Jumeirah Bay Island, a six-million-square-feet mixed-use development sculpted in the shape of a titanic seahorse and located off the coast of Jumeirah Beach Road, will feature low-rise residential villas and a marina. Framed by lush landscaped gardens, the luxury marine complex will be spread over 1.7 million square feet. The Bulgari Hotel will comprise 100 rooms and suites in the main hotel buildings, as well as 20 hotel villas and a full range of luxury hotel facilities. Designed by Italian architectural firm, Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel and Partners, The Bulgari Hotel will offer a mix of traditional and modern themes through the juxtaposition of new and conventional architecture, aptly reflecting the design and style of the surrounding area. The agreement was signed in the presence of Abdulla Al Habbai, group chairman at Meraas Holding, and Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of Bulgari Group, in Rome at Bulgari’s historic flagship store dating back to 1933 that was recently reopened after a spectacular renovation. Al Habbai says: “In keeping with the tourism directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, our agreement with Bulgari Hotels and Resorts marks a new milestone in our journey to play a pivotal role in shaping Dubai’s tourism and hospitality landscape. We are confident the new resort will emerge as a welcome addition to Dubai’s iconic shoreline. Through this key partnership, we will be expanding our portfolio in the hospitality sector in line with Dubai Vision 2020 for tourism.” The visionary project will convey Bulgari’s core values of contemporary design, magnificent craftsmanship and artistic detail, says Jean-Christophe Babin, adding that: “This project is part of a larger plan to forge a stronger presence in the GCC.”
