DoubleTree by Hilton Announces First Resort Development in UAE

Hilton Worldwide today signed a management agreement with Mohamed Ruqait Real Estate for a second DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Marjan Island is expected to open at the beginning of 2014 and will enjoy a prime location on the trunk of Marjan Island, a cluster of five man-made islands in the upscale area of Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah.

The newly built DoubleTree by Hilton Resort will be one of the first hotels to open on the prestigious Marjan Island, an area covering over 2.7 million sq metres of premium offshore tourism development land. Once completed, Marjan Island will feature luxury waterfront homes, floating villas, resorts, sporting facilities and numerous beaches.

Rudi Jagersbacher, president, Hilton Worldwide, Middle East & Africa said: "Tourism is a vital sector of Ras Al Khaimah's economy and with three Hilton Worldwide hotels already open and a further three in the pipeline, I'm pleased we are playing a major part in firmly putting the Emirate on the destination map. Today's announcement represents another important step in our ongoing commitment to the region and our continued expansion across the Middle East & Africa."

Aimed primarily at the leisure traveller, the 309-key DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Marjan Island will feature 11 suites in the main building and 45 luxury chalets located directly on the resort's private beach. Other features include two pools; a kids club; a health club and spa with five treatment rooms and water sports facilities. In addition, the hotel will boast two restaurants, a lobby lounge and two bars.

Rob Palleschi, global head, DoubleTree by Hilton said, "This latest Marjan Island property presents another outstanding DoubleTree by Hilton destination in the UAE and is destined to become a key resort for the world's travellers. The 2010 opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah and our upcoming opening in Dubai Al Barsha later this year have given us tremendous brand awareness across the region. Today's announcement for a third DoubleTree by Hilton in the UAE will help us to further establish our presence across the Middle East and Africa and create rewarding hospitality experiences around the world."

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Marjan Island guests will benefit from the characteristic qualities found at a fast-growing collection of more than 270 DoubleTree by Hilton hotels and resorts in 23 countries, including the warm welcome of the brand's legendary chocolate chip cookie presented to every guest upon check-in; an array of upscale amenities and guest services; the rewards of the Hilton HHonors guest loyalty programme; and a unique and caring team member commitment to the local community.

Mohamed Ahmed Ali Hassan Ruqait Al Ali of owners Mohamed Ruqait Real Estate commented: "Following the success of last year's opening of the first DoubleTree by Hilton in Ras Al Khaimah, we are thrilled to once again be working with the Hilton Worldwide team on this latest development. We're looking forward to creating a truly impressive landmark property which will appeal to global leisure and business travellers alike."

Hilton Worldwide currently operates 53 properties in the Middle East and Africa, totalling more than 15,500 rooms across 17 countries. There are eleven hotels currently operating in the UAE, 18 hotels in Egypt, one hotel and one convention centre in Jordan, six in Saudi Arabia and one each in Oman and Kuwait, plus another 12 hotels in Africa and 3 hotels in the Indian Ocean. Hilton Worldwide has a signed development pipeline of an additional 39 properties across Middle East & Africa in the U.A.E, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Uganda, Nigeria and Cape Verde.

About DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels

With a fast-growing global collection of contemporary, upscale hotels in more than 275 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five continents, every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create a rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the communities we proudly serve. Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate chip cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton HHonors® guest loyalty program, an array of fine services and amenities and our longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 65,000 team members to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the traveller feel human again. To make reservations at any DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, travellers may visit our brand website at www.doubletree.com. Social media users may connect with us at www.facebook.com/doubletree, www.twitter.com/doubletree and www.youtube.com/doubletreehotels. For the latest news, story starters and fact sheets about our brand, reporters and bloggers may visit our DoubleTree by Hilton Global Media Center at www.doubletreebyhiltonglobalmediacenter.com.