New Dubai hotel to be inspired by Rajasthan architecture

Dubai, Oct 27 (IANS) This West Asian metropolis, home to a booming hotel industry, will soon see a new five-star hotel architecturally inspired by the royal palaces and forts of Rajasthan.

Nakheel, a leading real estate developer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and India's Bharat Hotels have floated joint venture Cavern Hotel and Resorts, which will develop the Grand Fort Dubai here.

The new hotel, to be built on a hilltop in Nakheel's new Al Furjan development, will have 293 rooms and is scheduled for completion in 2010.

'Through the Grand Fort Dubai, we will be able to showcase the unique blend of Indian hospitality with the best of contemporary international style,' said Jyotsna Suri, chairperson and managing director of Bharat Hotels, in a statement after the formation of the joint venture.

The Grand Fort Dubai will be designed in the Indo-Sarcenic style, reminiscent of the great forts of Rajasthan.

The development will be surrounded by a fort wall and will be adorned with terraces, embattlements, domes, balconies and carved archways.

The hotel has been conceptualised as a citadel and will have an outer public area and an inner sanctum for guests.

'This is Bharat Hotels' entry point into the Middle East and they bring with them a trusted and impressive track record,' Yousuf Kazim, general manager of Cavern Hotels and managing director of Nakheel Joint Ventures, said.

'We are delighted to be able to work with them on such a landmark project, which is going to take on a prominent position within the Al Furjan development.'

Bharat Hotels operates its hotels under the 'Grand' brand name.

This includes the Intercontinental The Grand hotels in New Delhi, Mumbai and Goa, InterContinental The Grand Palace in Srinagar, The Grand Ashok in Bangalore, The Grand Laxmi Vilas Palace in Udaipur and The Grand Temple View in Khajuraho.

Nakheel's Al Furjan development is a combination of apartments, hotels and commercial and mixed-use plots.