The Rocco Forte Collection has unveiled the details of its first property in the Middle East, due to open in Abu Dhabi in fall 2010. The 281-room hotel will be located in the district set to become the new commercial center of the city. The project will be a 12-floor curved glass structure designed by architect WS Atkins and Partners. Interiors are being created by Dubai-based interior design specialists KCA International under the careful guidance of Olga Polizzi, director of design for the Rocco Forte Collection and sister of Sir Rocco Forte. The hotel will have a contemporary feel and, like all the brand’s hotels, will reflect its location by using local artwork and Middle Eastern accents in accessories and fabrics.
The generously proportioned guestrooms will be decorated in shades of green, yellow, and terracotta and will feature large leather panels behind the headboards, curved modern sofas, workstations with comfortable leather chairs, and art work by local artists and the poet Adonis. The spacious bathrooms will all have walk-in showers, large bathtubs, and marble vanity units. There will be two luxurious presidential suites, each measuring 3,100 square feet and featuring two balconies, a large bedroom, a dressing room with walk-in wardrobes, a separate dining room, lounge, kitchen, study, bar area, bathroom, separate guest cloakroom, and artwork by local artist Salwa Zeidan.
The hotel will also feature a host of amenities. F&B concepts include a modern Chinese and Japanese restaurant, a la carte Italian restaurant, tea and coffee lounge, mezzanine bar, and Brazilian poolside bar and restaurant. One of the design highlights of the hotel will be the Sky Bar, which will be suspended on the fifth floor of a 10-story atrium boasting stunning views of the city and coastline below. Meanwhile, the expansive spa will house seven treatment rooms, one double treatment room with a plunge pool, one hydrotherapy treatment room, fully equipped gymnasium, yoga and Pilates studio, and hairdressing and beauty area. In keeping with local culture and tradition, there will be dedicated male and female areas of the spa with separate relaxation areas, changing rooms, indoor heated swimming pools, saunas, cold plunge pools, and hammams. Also planned are a large swimming pool and children’s pool with a large wooden deck and seating area. Meeting and event space includes an executive lounge, seven meeting rooms, ballroom, pre-function space, and traditional Arabic VIP majlis lounge for meetings of local dignitaries and members of the royal family.
The Rocco Forte Collection will continue its expansion into the Middle East with the a 146-room property set to open in Jeddah in fall 2011, a 90-room all-suite golf resort opening in Marrakech in 2011, and a 275-room property scheduled to debut in Cairo in 2013.
