Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has today announced that it will manage a luxurious urban resort in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, which is currently under development and due to open in 2017. Mandarin Oriental, Dubai will be located on Jumeirah Beach Road, with direct access to the golden sands of Jumeirah Beach – one of the most sought-after waterfront locations in the city.

The resort's 200 luxurious rooms and suites will include 12 spacious and exclusive over-the-water villas, accessible via a private bridge. Each villa will have its own infinity edge pool and a private swim platform, allowing for direct access into the calm waters of the Arabian Gulf.

All accommodation will be imaginatively and stylishly designed, taking full advantage of the resort's outstanding vistas of the Arabian Gulf. Design elements will be influenced by the local area's culture and the Group's oriental heritage, with Mandarin Oriental's exacting attention to detail. All rooms, villas and suites will also incorporate the Group's guest-centred technology and entertainment systems.

Mandarin Oriental, Dubai will be centred around a variety of infinity edged pools leading down towards the beachfront. The innovative design will blur the line between interior and exterior spaces with the extensive use of glass walls, shady cabanas and clever exterior landscaping.

Offering the finest dining in the region, Mandarin Oriental, Dubai will feature nine dynamic restaurants and bars including a signature pier-top restaurant with dedicated docking facilities, allowing for access by private yacht guests.

Further dining venues include a poolside restaurant, two lively bars including a sunset pier bar, a lobby lounge and a signature Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop. The resort will also offer a variety of multi-purpose function rooms, including a spectacular 525 square metre ballroom with glass walls opening onto a landscaped beachfront terrace – ideal for social and business events.

An all-inclusive Spa at Mandarin Oriental will offer the most comprehensive range of wellness, beauty and massage treatments in the region. Spa goers will enjoy Mandarin Oriental's award winning signature programmes as well as specially developed treatments inspired by local traditions and customs. The 2,800 square metre Spa will feature 12 spacious and restful treatment rooms, including three couples' suites and a private VIP suite with its own discreet entrance and thermal experiences. Further facilities include significant heat and water therapies, a vitality pool, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and an extensive fitness centre. In addition, a dedicated Beach Club on Jumeirah Beach, will provide a range of water sports activities.

The project is owned by Dubai Real Estate Corporation (DREC) and developed by wasl Hospitality LLC. Jeffrey Wilkes, is the appointed interior designer.

Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental said, "We are delighted to bring Mandarin Oriental's renowned levels of hospitality to Dubai, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, and we look forward to creating a luxurious urban resort on the desirable location of Jumeirah Beach. The exclusive and creative design and all-encompassing luxury facilities of Mandarin Oriental, Dubai, underpinned by our legendary award-winning service, will provide an outstanding destination for future guests."

"We are pleased to be partnering with Mandarin Oriental to create a hotel that will set new standards in terms of elegance and sophistication in Dubai. wasl Hospitality has a strong reputation in partnering with the best international hospitality management organisations and our new relationship with Mandarin Oriental reflects this commitment to excellence." said Hesham Abdullah Al Qassim, CEO of wasl Asset Management Group. "It is vital that the hospitality market in Dubai grows in the build up to Expo 2020 and wasl is delighted to add Mandarin Oriental, Dubai to its ever increasing portfolio of hospitality projects across the city", he added.

Mandarin Oriental, Dubai is located on Jumeirah Beach Road, which has a variety of retail and al fresco dining outlets and high end residences. The hotel is within easy reach of the city's two airports, being 25 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 45 minutes from Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport.

Over the last decade Dubai has emerged as a regional and global tourism destination offering a range of attractions including miles of sandy beaches, the famed Gold Souk, Ski Dubai, Palm Island and the Desert Safari. Known as a retail hub, the city has many shopping options, including Dubai Mall, which is one of the largest shopping and entertainment destinations in the world. Dubai is also renowned as a centre for world class architecture, with buildings such as Burj Khalifa, which is the world's tallest manmade structure.

About wasl Asset Management Group

wasl Asset Management Group, one of the largest real estate management companies in Dubai, was established by the Dubai Real Estate Corporation (DREC) in 2008 to oversee the management of its assets and grow its real estate portfolio. Through its three subsidiaries; wasl properties, wasl hospitality and dubai golf; wasl operates in various real estate, lifestyle, leisure, hospitality, and business sectors. wasl's main objective is to strengthen Dubai's position as the premier hub to live and work in and at the same time be the ultimate destination for tourists. For further information please visit: www.wasl.ae

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world's most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Having grown from its Asian roots into a global brand, the Group now operates 36 hotels and seven residences in 24 countries and territories, with each property reflecting the Group's oriental heritage and unique sense of place. Mandarin Oriental has a strong pipeline of hotels and residences under development and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.