Ritz-Carlton unveils Abu Dhabi resort
The Ritz-Carlton has officially opened a new luxury Middle East resort and spa - The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal - opposite the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
Spanning 230,670 sq m (57 acres), the resort consists of ten buildings arranged in a crescent formation, that feature 447 guestrooms and suites, in addition to 85 private one and two-bedroom villas.
The 2,000 sq m (21,500 sq ft) Abu Dhabi ESPA spa will open early-2014 featuring 15 private treatment rooms catering for men and women.
The stand-alone spa offers a steamroom, a hammam, a private beach and outdoor plunge pools as well as a 1,600 sq m (17,222 sq ft) outdoor swimming pool.
A hair and beauty salon will also be available as well as a fitness centre.
Inspired by 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of the city of Venice, the property was designed by architect Otak International with interiors by Sfa Design.
Ten hotel restaurants and bars are on offer including three signature restaurants by Japanese restaurant specialist Super Potato - marking the designer's debut in the Middle East. Other options include a steak house as well as Southeast Asian, Arabic, Lebanese and Italian restaurants.
Other facilities include a 1,600sq m (17,222sq ft) outdoor swimming pool, a health club as well as a 1,550sq m (16.684sq ft) Roma Ballroom and 14 meeting rooms.
Herve Humler president of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company said: "We are delighted to open our first hotel in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi. Warm Arabian hospitality combined with legendary Ritz-Carlton service will create many unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for visitors from around the world."
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
SHA Mexico to debut in January 2024 with genome-inspired design by Sordo Madaleno
Across Denmark, a charity is turning industrial buildings into centres for street sport and art. As the concept prepares to go global, we speak to the people making it happen