Al Ali Property Investments have signed an aggreement for Accor to manage the new Novotel being built in Al Barsha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. API H&R is a privately owned company with Mr. Jassim Mohammed Abdul Rahim Al Ali as CEO and was launched by Al Ali Property Investments (API). The objective is for API H&R to invest in and own hotels and resort complexes throughout the UAE.

Strategically located on the front line of Sheikh Zayed Road in Al Barsha area, the contemporary styled Novotel hotel rises to 34 storey featuring 437 thoughtfully furnished and spacious rooms in addition to 90 serviced apartments.

This modern four-star property provides a full range of services including specialty restaurants, all day dining, bar, six meeting rooms, a business centre and a ballroom that can be divided into three smaller venues of 110m2 each. It boasts also a 300m2 fitness centre, swimming pool with deck and bar.

Christophe Landais, Managing Director for Accor Middle East stated, ‘The objective behind the expansion of the Novotel brand throughout the Middle East is simply a matter of giving business and leisure customers what they want - an alternative to five-star hotels. There’s a huge gap in this fast growing market.

‘Novotel aims to take the lead to satisfy this valuable customer segment by offering comfort and convenience at a sensible rate for domestic and international travelers. Furthermore, Novotel being a family orientated hotel, children can stay free on bed & breakfast basis whilst sharing their parents’ room.’

Novotel Barsha, which will be ready to welcome guests during 2008, will be in the same lineage as Dubai Novotel WTC (412 rooms). By 2009, there will be 23 new Novotel hotels throughout the Middle East, making a total of 6,681 rooms.

Mr. Al Ali commented, ‘There is billion of dollars worth of construction, infrastructure and airport development currently taking place in the region, due mainly to the current boom. The hotel market should not only keep pace but also offer customers a varied choice of accommodation. With Novotel, Accor shows it has the right idea. In fact, we are proud to be associated with such a renowned and internationally respected brand.’

With 168,000 people in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world’s largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services with two major international activities:

Hotels: Over 4000 hotels in 92 countries (more than 470,000 rooms), casinos, travel agencies and restaurants

Services: to corporate clients and public institutions: 19 million people in 34 countries use a broad range of services (food vouchers, people care and services, incentive, loyalty programs) engineered and managed by Accor.
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