Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, a leading developer and operator of luxury hotels, resorts and spas, is rapidly expanding in the Middle East with the latest addition of its first city hotel, Eastern Mangroves Resort and Spa by Anantara, counting a total of five properties in Abu Dhabi, UAE by first quarter of 2012.

The new luxury five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi city in UAE, occupies a prime position along a 1.2 kilometre stretch of Abu Dhabi’s protected Eastern Mangroves District, situated just 15 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport.  Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara, a project wholly-owned by Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), is expected to open in the first quarter of 2012, and is set to become a hot-spot for both business and leisure travellers alike.

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara forms part of an integrated hotel, marina, retail and residential destination, providing a luxury haven away from the bustle of city life in central Abu Dhabi.  The hotel consists of 224 hotel rooms and suites across five levels, three themed food and beverage outlets; including a seafood restaurant, Thai restaurant, an all day dining restaurant, and a rooftop lounge with a fully glazed north facing facade, providing an exquisite view of the lush mangroves below. Further facilities include a luxury spa offering traditional Arabic hammam, a gym and fitness facility, terrace and infinity pool, and an impressive ballroom, with state-of-the-art conference facilities.

In keeping with Anantara’s brand ethos of incorporating the rich cultural traditions of each hotel’s surroundings, the modern architecture of Eastern Mangroves Resort & Spa by Anantara blends unique elements of the Arabic designs such as arches, mushrabiyas and timber. Key features include stunning central thoroughfares; an abundance of light throughout the hotel, and in true Arab-tradition, the villas and suites were designed with up most importance placed on privacy.  The development has also been carefully designed to protect and enhance the unique mangroves setting, and owner TDIC has used modern marine technology, specifically designed to help preserve the future of this precious environment.

Peter Carmichael, Senior Vice President, Anantara, comments; “Abu Dhabi is already a travel and tourism hub within the Middle East, and this is set to continue with 69 million tourists per year expected by 2020.  This presents a huge opportunity for Anantara within central Abu Dhabi, and as the only luxury hotel within the protected Eastern Mangroves District which is just 15 minutes away from the airport and 10 minutes away from the city centre, Eastern Mangroves Resort & Spa by Anantara will provide a truly unique destination experience for our guests.”

Eastern Mangroves Resort & Spa by Anantara will be the company’s fifth property to open in the UAE.  Its current portfolio includes the award-winning Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Annatara, located in the legendary Liwa Desert, Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara on Sir Bani Yas Island, and Al Yamm Lodge and Al Sahel Lodge, due to open on Sir Bani Yas Island towards the end of 2011.