The Middle East is growing, and how! The oil-rich region’s new-found glitz and glamor is drawing tourists from all over. And the glitziest of them all is the city of Dubai. From what we hear, Hilton wants in on the action. It is taking over a 324-room resort in the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. This property will open doors as a Waldorf Astoria Resort by end-2013. For this, Hilton is teaming up with the Al Habtoor Group.
The land for the grand luxury resort had been purchased by the Al Habtoor Group. The company had big plans for the property, but the recession of 2008 put a spoke in these wheels. As real estate prices crashed in Dubai, Al Habtoor faced inordinate delays. Three years later, Al Habtoor is keen to make good on its investment. But there is no funding for the cash-strapped government. The entire funding for this $272 million luxury resort project is being supplies by Al Habtoor.
Initial design plans for the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Resort in the Palm Jumeirah are being closely guarded. However, reports have suggested that following the resort redesign, the new Hilton resort    will feature a concave shape, much like the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
The Hilton-Al Habtoor tie-up is being extended to two other Al Habtoor hotels. Hilton will take charge of the Habtoor Grand (a 195-room luxury hotel) and the Metropolitan Palace (a 183-room property). The two hotels are scheduled to open in 2012 under new names, Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand and Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace respectively.
Via: Hotel Chatter
