Owned by the Thailand-based Minor International, Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, a leading developer and operator of luxury resorts and spas, is expanding its portfolio across the MENA region with the opening of four new properties by 2011. Following Anantara’s successful inception to the region with Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa (a member of the Conde Nast Traveller 2009 Hot List), the brand is well on its way to opening Anantara Qasr Al Sarab at the end of this year, in the inspiring Liwa desert in United Arab Emirates Empty Quarter (Rub Al-Khali).
Anantara Qasr Al Sarab will be the brands flagship property in the Middle East. Styled reminiscent of a desert fortress, it will be the ultimate in ‘get-away’ luxury boasting 196 guest rooms, suites and villas, a range of desert experiences, the unrivaled Anantara Spa, a conference facilities and children’s playground. Anantara has also partnered with Blue City Company 1 (BCC1) to develop a 122 room luxury resort and spa which will be located in Al Madina A’Zarqa, a natural peninsula some 60 minutes from the historical city of Muscat.
The luxury destination of Al Madina A’Zarqa will offer residents and visitors alike outstanding facilities including the award winning Anantara Spa, exceptional service and a broad range of rooms delivered in an environment of unmatched elegance and refined luxury. Marking Anantara’s entry into the African market the group is set to manage two unique five-star resorts in Morocco. Anantara Marrakech Resort & Spa and Anantara Mogador Resort & Spa will both open in 2011. The two hotels are the first of many planned with H Partners, a Morocco-based hospitality investment company.
Anantara Marrakech will be constructed within the Atlas Golf Resort on a six-hectare plot. As well as 80 guest rooms and suites in the main building, the resort will feature 29 pool villas that will form part of the hotel with a portion being for sale as residences. Hotel guests will be within 10 minutes of the Djemaa El Fna, the center of the Marrakech medina and the heart of the labyrinth of alleyways and side streets of this vibrant marketplace. Additionally, guests will have access to the 18-hole Atlas Golf course.
Anantara Mogador will be located in the first phase of an upmarket development adjacent to the historic town of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. The resort will include 67 lavish pool villas. Tying in elements of local architecture and lush gardens, the resort and spa will evoke a sense of its surroundings and provide guests with unparalleled cultural experiences.
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