Dubai, U.A.E & Beverly Hills, CA, December 22, 2008 - Hilton
Hotels Corporation (HHC) today announced that it has signed a management
agreement with Diyar Al Bahrain, to open the first Conrad hotel in the
Kingdom of Bahrain in 2011.
The Conrad Bahrain, will be located in one of Bahrain's most luxurious
developments, the newly-built Reef Island off Bahrain's capital city Manama
and will feature 250 guest rooms and 50 apartments.
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Ross Klein, Global Head, Hilton Family of Hotels, Luxury & Lifestyle
Brands said, "This announcement emphasises our goal to really strengthen
our luxury offering on a global scale. The Conrad Bahrain epitomises the
Conrad lifestyle with its high-tech offerings, distinct modern design,
best-in-class service and customised experiences. The hotel will build
on the successes of the Conrad Cairo and will also complement our hotels
under development; Conrad Dubai and Conrad Abu Dhabi."
Mr Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Jasmi, Chairman of Diyar Al Bahrain said,
"We are delighted to have signed this landmark management agreement with
Hilton Hotels Corporation for the launch of the first Conrad hotel in the
Kingdom of Bahrain. This alliance is the result of extensive due diligence
and hospitality industry analysis. The Conrad brand supported by the strong
Hilton engine really epitomises luxury, and is in perfect synergy with
Diyar Al Bahrain's business strategy of developing value- added alliances
in all areas of operations."
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From left; Jean-Paul Herzog, President, Hilton Hotels, Middle East
& Africa
with Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Jasmi, Chairman of Diyar Al Bahrain
Bahrain is the Gulf region's financial hub and offers zero corporate
tax policy for businesses and a transparent regulatory system. Located
a short distance from Manama's Central Business District and the Bahrain
Financial Harbour, the Conrad Bahrain will be a key destination for business
travellers.
The hotel will offer easy accessibility to the international airport,
to the new sea port and to the causeway to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A new causeway, set to be the longest bridge connection in the world, and
scheduled to complete in 2013, will provide an additional link between
Bahrain and Qatar.
Jean-Paul Herzog, President, Hilton Hotels, Middle East & Africa
said, "Bahrain's tourism industry is gaining significant momentum with
a 15% increase in visitors last year. High-profile international events
such as the Formula One Grand Prix have established Bahrain on the tourism
map. The signing of Conrad Bahrain is yet another step forward in achieving
a Hilton Family hotel in every major city. We will target the strong corporate
market, and GCC leisure and business segment, thanks to the hotel's close
proximity to downtown Manama, the financial district as well as its accessibility
to Saudi Arabia."
The Conrad will also offer its business guests unparalleled meeting
facilities, including a business centre incorporating the latest technology,
six sizeable meeting rooms, two banquet rooms and an impressive ballroom.
To wind down, guests will be able to enjoy the hotel's shopping arcade
or utilise the fitness facilities, including a tennis court, squash court,
swimming pool and health club. Reef Island's features will also include,
among other attractions, open parks, an Aquarium, a luxury shopping mall,
a marina and a Yacht club.
The Conrad Bahrain will boast impressive dining facilities, including
a stylish all-day dining outlet, and three speciality restaurants featuring
international cuisine. The hotel will also offer two bars, a coffee shop
and a shisha cafe for a unique flavour of the region.
"We have also established Diyafa Holding, a Bahrain-based closed shareholding
company catering to the Kingdom's increasing demand for tourism and hospitality
facilities. We are therefore focused on growing this alliance with Hilton
Hotels Corporation," continued Mr Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Jasmi.
Atieh Hamarneh, CEO of Diyafa said, "Diyafa's objective is to be a
leading developer of hospitality facilities including hotels, resorts,
spas and real estate residential communities in the region with a global
footprint. We have a strong commitment to the communities in which we operate
in, and we will be guided by an unwavering pursuit of excellence to build
great properties for our clientele."
Today's news reflects Conrad Hotels & Resorts fast moving expansion
in the Middle East and globally, with the Conrad Dubai and the Conrad Abu
Dhabi set to open in Q4 2010 and Q2 2011 respectively, alongside plans
to introduce new Conrad hotels in Shanghai, the Bahamas, Thailand, Beijing
and Portugal.
Hilton Hotels has a signed development pipeline of an additional 16
properties across Middle East & Africa in the U.A.E, Qatar, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Jordan, Equatorial Guinea, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria and Cape Verde.
Furthermore, the company has recently announced a strategic development
agreement to develop 13 Hilton Garden Inn properties across the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia.
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