Hilton Worldwide has partnered with the Al Habtoor Group to convert two hotels in Beirut to the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand and to develop the very first Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts property in Dubai, UAE.

The agreement will see Hilton Worldwide enter Lebanon by converting the 195-room Habtoor Grand and the 183-room Metropolitan Palace to the Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand and Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace. Both hotels are located in the heart of the dynamic city of Beirut and are expected to open in early 2012.

The companies also signed an agreement to develop the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, the first luxury resort by the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand in Dubai. Located on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, with unrivalled views of the coastline and some of the Emirate’s most famous landmarks, the 324-room hotel will feature signature restaurants, a luxury health club and spa. The resort is due to open at the end of 2013.

“Beirut is one of the liveliest cities in the world and a leading gateway destination between the east and west.  We have been looking forward to entering Lebanon and are very pleased that we are able to do so with this calibre of properties,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, Hilton Worldwide. “Equally, Waldorf Astoria’s heritage and prestige is a perfect fit for Dubai and it is exactly the right time for this luxury brand to join the expanding number of properties we have planned in the UAE.  Today’s announcement amply demonstrates our ongoing commitment to growing in the Middle East and consolidates our position as a leading hospitality provider in the region.”

Khalaf Al Habtoor, chairman and founder of Al Habtoor Group said: “Hilton Worldwide and Al Habtoor Group are two of Dubai’s biggest corporate names, and our capabilities as hotel developers combine perfectly with Hilton Worldwide’s expertise as hotel operators. They were our partner of choice to help re-establish the two Beirut hotels and we are particularly thrilled to be part of the team launching the legendary Waldorf Astoria name in Dubai.”

Hilton Beirut Habtoor Grand will boast a number of quality business facilities including a business centre, four large meeting rooms and the largest, modern function and conference room in the city with capacity for 2400 people.  Guests can also enjoy a state of the art health club, two swimming pools, three restaurants and two bars. At 3500sqm, the hotel’s spa facility is one of the largest in the region.

Hilton Beirut Metropolitan Palace will feature a business centre, five large meeting rooms and an 820-capacity function room as well as a health club, swimming pool and a choice of four restaurants and two bars.

Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah will feature four signature restaurants, two bars, a private beach and a large luxury health club and spa. The property will also have a business centre, six meeting rooms and a 600-capacity ballroom.

Hilton Worldwide has signed 18 new hotels across the Middle East and Africa this year, taking their total number of hotels in the development pipeline in the region to 40.

City.Mobi

Also in UAE today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Dubai.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Dubai.city.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.