Mandarin Oriental ventures to the Middle East

The Mandarin Oriental is taking luxury to a new island. Abu Dhabi Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) signed an agreement with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to manage Mandarin Oriental's first Middle East luxury resort on Saadiyat Island, scheduled to open in 2013.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Residences, Abu Dhabi will feature 160 guestrooms and suites, the famous Mandarin Oriental spa and treatments, and six restaurants and bars. There will be a private beach club, access to the 18-hole championship Saadiyat Beach Golf Course designed by Gary Player, a fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool.

Saadiyat Island is being developed as environmentally-conscience retreat located 500 meters (a little more than a quarter-mile) offshore from Abu Dhabi city. The island has 11 miles of beaches, two championship golf courses and a marina. In addition the island will be home to the world's largest concentration of cultural institutions, including the Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum and the Louvre Abu Dhabi which will be open in 2013.

Filed under: Hotels and Accommodations, Middle East