After much anticipation, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal has opened its doors today. The 532-room luxury resort is the first Ritz-Carlton hotel in Abu Dhabi and the ninth property in the Middle East for the luxury hotel operator.

The property features 447 luxurious guestrooms and suites, in addition to 85 private one- and two-bedroom villas.

“We are delighted to open our first hotel in the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, a city we have waited to be in until finding absolutely the 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 around the world.”

Inspired by 15th to early 17th century Renaissance architecture and the urban planning of the city of Venice, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is located at the waterfront and consists of ten stately buildings arranged in a crescent formation.

Overlooking the 1,600 square meter pool, the backdrop of the luxury hotel is the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Features include beautifully manicured lawns, unique water features, and private beaches over an expansive 57-acres. Leisure and business travellers can enjoy 85 one- and two-bedroom villas complete with spacious outdoor terraces, separate arrival palazzo and private butler service.

The 1,550 square meter Roma Ballroom can accommodate up to 900 guests and divisable by three, the ballroom also provides an exclusive elevator directly from the private Bridal Suite into the venue.

Two expansive marble foyers with natural daylight, 14 additional meeting rooms, and a traditional majlis (literally meaning “a place of sitting” in Arabic) ensure The Ritz-Carlton is the perfect venue for all special celebrations and events.

The property includes ten 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 modern Southeast Asian restaurant with an open kitchen specializing in noodles and dimsum; Mijana, a contemporary Arabic restaurant, showcases the very best in traditional Lebanese and regional cooking; while The Forge, a signature steak house, serves specialty cuisine in a stylish 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 coffee café; Alba, the lobby lounge serving Afternoon Tea; Sorso, a traditional Ritz-Carlton lobby bar; Al Fresco, the pool restaurant; plus two pool bars round out the remaining food and beverage offerings at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal.

A 1,600 square meter outdoor pool, one of the largest in UAE; a fully-equipped health club; and the Ritz Kids Club are just a few of the other leisure facilities available for guests to enjoy.

Made up of 200 small islands, Abu Dhabi’s draws over 2 million international visitors to annually.