Two new hotels are set to be opened in the UAE by Nikko Hotels International, a premier Japanese hotel chain. The firm’s UAE entrance is part of Nikko’s Middle East expansion plans, and includes the opening of the Fujairah Resort & Spa in December 2006, followed by another Hotel Nikko Tower Dubai in December 2007.
The owner of the two planned hotels is Kuwait-based ACICO International Real Estate Development Co., according to Khaleej Times, while Nikko Hotels International is a subsidiary of the Japan Airlines (JAL).
Nikko Fujairah Resort & Spa is set to be located on the eastern coast of the UAE on the Arabian Sea, some 46 miles east of Dubai.
"This hotel will be established as a flagship for the expansion plans in the Middle East. The five-star resort hotel, designed to be the best diving resort in the Arab world, is being built on a private beach, said the official adding that the hotel would have 262 guest rooms along with all other facilities,” said one company source.
The second planned property, Hotel Nikko Tower Dubai, is expected to open its doors a year later. It will be located on the Shaikh Zayed Road and will be a 57-storey hotel with 487 rooms.
"After the leading hotel chains like the Sheraton, Le Meridian, Hyatt and the Taj entered the city, this would be another major Asian chain to foray into the UAE. This follows, Nikko chain opening its Metropolitan Nikko Hotel earlier in Delhi,” said one industry source.
Nikko also revealed plans to establish another such facility in Bahrain in 2007-08, however, it remains to be seen who the firm will partner in this project.
© 2006 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
