New city mega-hotels opening soon in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Not all Dubai construction projects are on hold or delayed as the topping out ceremony for the $500 million Emirates Park Towers Hotel in the city reminded observers yesterday.

This 365-metre, twin-tower hotel actually exceeds the height of the iconic Burj Al Arab. Owner Emirates Airline will hand the south tower over to Marriott International in May 2011, while the adjoining north tower will be completed in 2013.

1,612 rooms and apartments

The new hotel will have 1,612 rooms and apartments as well as 18 food and beverage outlets, a business centre, conference facilities and one of the largest health clubs in the region covering 3,700 square metres.

Its downtown location adjacent to the new Business Bay office district and nearby the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa makes this another dramatic addition to the famous Dubai skyline.

Doubtless Emirates will be hoping that the business climate is significantly improved in Dubai by the time this huge hotel opens for business next spring, presumably in time for the 2011 Arabian Travel Market. It is a formidably large hotel to fill with guests.

However, the biggest losers will most likely be its competitors. New hotels have a certain cache. Guests like to be the first to sleep in a new bed.

High specification towers

The Emirates Park Towers will indeed be rather special with some spectacular views from the higher floors. The interior specification will also be to the highest international standards. Older hotels will struggle to compete except by discounting rates.

Then again Dubai is not the only emirate in the UAE about to deliver big hotels. Abu Dhabi National Hotels is expecting to complete its 595-room Grand Canal Hotel overlooking the Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi before the end of the year. It also cost $500 million and is ADNH’s largest project to date.

The Grand Canal Hotel is designed on a Venetian theme and includes 17 restaurants and 20 retail outlets. ADNH also plans to open the Park Hyatt Hotel on Saadiyat Island in March 2011.

Is this an upcoming hotel room oversupply in the two biggest cities of the UAE? Does this mean falling hotel rates in these once high-cost destinations? Only time will tell. But it is good news for travelers.