Al Raha Beach Hotel welcomes over 500 guests and dignitaries for official inauguration
Abu Dhabi’s first boutique hotel opens under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

(Abu Dhabi, December 7, 2005): Tourism industry leaders and dignitaries, joined Danat Hotels & Resorts management for a glittering night to celebrate the official opening of the Al Raha Beach Hotel - Abu Dhabi’s first boutique property.

The hotel was opened by Mubarak Matar Al Hameiri and Hamad Al Shamsi, Chairman and General Manager respectively of International Capital Trading (ICT).

The event was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Al Raha Beach Hotel welcomed more than 500 guests for a cocktail reception and dinner by the pool followed by a dramatic fireworks display. Soft lighting, traditional Arabic music and a live classical band flown in directly from Vienna specially for this event created a festive atmosphere.

International cooking stations were scattered across the lawns of the property for the guests to experience a night of the highest standards of service and culinary delights from around the globe that the hotel reserves for its guests day in and day out.

General manager Kamel Zayati, said: “They say the best things come in small packages and the Al Raha Beach Hotel is certainly a reflection of the Danat image. An exceptional find, a rare pearl.

“We could not have created this extraordinary destination without the many people who shared our determination. So my thanks go to our owners, to our head office, our guests industry partners and last but not least my team here at Al Raha.

“The whole team has been working very hard towards this evening and I am glad to see that all the guests have enjoyed their time here at Al Raha and had an experience they will remember for a lo9ng time. We hope to welcome all of them back soon.”
(ends)

Notes to the editor:
Danat Hotels & Resorts, a division of the Abu Dhabi-based National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H) manages two five-star resorts, the Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna and the Al Raha Beach Hotel, as well as a cluster of four-star properties in the emirate. The hotels are either owned and/or managed by the group, or where the group is the owner-representative.

The National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H) was formed in 1996 in response to the need to develop both tourism and commerce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially Abu Dhabi.

The Corporation was formed as a semi-government organisation. NCT&H’s primary objective is to promote Abu Dhabi as an international destination, manage hotels and provide transportation and industrial catering services.

Contact for media information:
Mohamed Tawil / Laura Scorza
Strategic Solutions for Al Raha Beach Hotel
Tel +971 4 3903030; email media@strategicsolutionsonline.com