After much anticipation, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal has opened its doors today. The 532-room luxury resort is the 1st Ritz-Carlton hotel in Abu Dhabi and the ninth property within the Middle East for the luxurious hotel operator.
Inspired by 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of the town of Venice, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is found on the waterfront and contains ten stately buildings arranged in a crescent formation. Overlooking the 1,600 square meter pool, the backdrop of the luxurious hotel is the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The valuables features 447 luxurious guestrooms and suites, besides 85 private one- and two-bedroom villas.
“We are delighted to open our first hotel within the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, a city we have now waited to be in until finding the absolute right location,” stated Herve Humler President and Chief Operations Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. “Warm Arabian hospitality combined with legendary Ritz-Carlton service will create many unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for visitors from world wide.”
Abu Dhabi, the most important of UAE’s seven emirates, was a fishing village known regionally for its pearl trade just 50 years ago. Today, luxury and elegance are infused with traditional values of hospitality and culture, and make this dynamic city a draw for over 2 million visitors annually. Made from 200 small islands, Abu Dhabi’s stunning beaches, expansive desert and plush oases provide a venue for exhilarating adventure or tranquil retreat while the old souks and majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – recently named one of the vital world’s top visitor attractions – offer an intimate look at Arabian culture.
Beautifully manicured lawns, unique water features, and personal beaches over an expansive 57-acres give an instantaneous sense of well-being to guests upon arrivel on the Venetian-designed luxury hotel and resort. Leisure and business travellers alike will benefit from the refined elegance of the 85 one- and two-bedroom villas complete with spacious outdoor terraces, separate arrival palazzo and personal butler service. The Ritz-Carlton Club Level provides a dedicated concierge, private check-in, plus five food and beverage offerings in the course of the day within an exclusive lounge boasting panoramic views of the valuables, canal and town skyline,
The 1,550 square meter Roma Ballroom is the epitome of elegance on a grand scale. Capable of accommodate as much as 900 guests and divisable by three, the ballroom also provides an exclusive elevator directly from the non-public Bridal Suite into the venue. Two expansive marble foyers with natural daylight, 14 additional meeting rooms, and a normal majlis (literally meaning “a place of sitting” in Arabic) make sure the Ritz-Carlton is an appropriate venue for all special celebrations and events.
Renowned Ritz-Carlton chefs will please every palate in any of the 10 hotel restaurants and bars including three signature restaurants created by award-winning Japanese designer Super Potato. Li Jiang, meaning “beautiful river” in Chinese, is a fashionable Southeast Asian restaurant with an open kitchen focusing on noodles and dimsum; Mijana, a latest Arabic restaurant, showcases the superior in traditional Lebanese and regional cooking; while The Forge, a signature steak house, serves specialty cuisine in a classy setting paired with the world’s finest wines. The all-day dining restaurant, Giornotte (blending the Italian words for “day” and “night”), has an indoor seating capacity of 358 and serves light Mediterranean fare. Dolce, an Italian gelato and low café; Alba, the lobby lounge serving Afternoon Tea; Sorso, a conventional Ritz-Carlton lobby bar; Al Fresco, the pool restaurant; plus two pool bars round out the remainder food and beverage offerings on the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.
A 1,600 square meter outdoor pool, among the largest in UAE; a completely-equipped gymnasium; and the Ritz Kids Club are only many of the other leisure facilities available for guests to enjoy.