CHI to pioneer Ramada brand in Abu Dhabi

Malta-based CHI Hotels and Resorts (formerly Corinthia Hotels International) has announced the signing of a 10-year technical and hotel management agreement with the United Arab Emirates' leading investment house, Mainland Investment LLC of Abu Dhabi, a wholly owned subsidiary of The National Investor (TNI).

The agreement foresees the renovation, extension and operation of the current 120-room Mafraq Hotel in Abu Dhabi, to be re-launched as the 250-room Ramada Abu Dhabi Mafraq hotel in early 2010.

Designed in the Arabic style, the Mafraq hotel, with 120 rooms and suites, is located in the heart of a fast developing area.

Work on renovating the existing rooms and construction of a further 130 rooms starts later this year and is expected to be complete by early 2010.

The hotel will feature 250 superior rooms and suites, multi-function conference area and business centre, all-day diner and two speciality restaurants, English-style pub, extensive fitness area containing separate male and female gyms, saunas and steam rooms, two squash courts, tennis court, pool area within landscaped gardens, and a choice of boutiques.

"This new property fits perfectly in our expansion plans for this region," said CHI Hotels and Resorts chief executive officer and managing director Tony Potter "Our joint venture with the Wyndham Hotel Group for the operation of the Wyndham and Ramada brands in Europe, Middle East and Africa, with the Corinthia brand, is proving to be the perfect catalyst for our management company to expand its operation in both established and new destinations.

"In the last year, the joint venture has enabled us to increase our portfolio by six prime properties in destinations like Algiers, Dubai, Egypt, England, Morocco and Romania."