Rotana is set to bring its alcohol-free hotel brand to Abu Dhabi come June 1, when doors to the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana open to the public.
The Khalidiya Palace is the third property to bear Rotana’s “dry” brand, following in the footsteps of the Al Marwa Rayhaan by Rotana in Makkah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia, and more recently the 72-floor Rose Rayhaan by Rotana in Dubai (the world’s tallest hotel, but not the highest – see online news December 30).
As previously commented on by Business Traveller, the opening of an alcohol-free hotel in Dubai presented an extra challenge on top of the economic troubles gripping the emirate at the time. But Abu Dhabi, Dubai’s neighbour within the UAE, is in a stronger economic position and the same brand’s dry status makes some sense in an Islamic country.
The 443-room Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan is divided up into guestrooms, suites and serviced apartments. Room features include satellite TV, modern bathroom and showers and the all important air conditioning.
The hotel also has six fully equipped small to medium-size meeting rooms, and an outdoor conferencing and a banqueting service for small events. Guests can make use of a private beach, spa and fitness centre.
For more information visit rotana.com.
Report by Andrew Gough
