Four Seasons' Dubai hotel scrapped

From Middle East Hotelier 15 and 18 June '09
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The first Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts UAE property scheduled to open in 2011 at Dubai Festival City will no longer go ahead after construction was called off by developer Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE).
The 400-room hotel was expected to complete the Four Seasons Golf Club development in the Al Badia district of Dubai Festival City when it opened in 2011.
“It’s always been the owner's intent to have the golf club as part of the hotel operator’s [Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts] badge, but given the fact the hotel is not going forward the golf club will be re-branded,” said Four Seasons Dubai Festival City regional vice president and general manager Bahram Sepahi.
InterContinental Dubai Festival City will operate Al Badia Golf Club having secured the management contract from developer Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate (AFGRE).
The former Four Seasons Golf Club, situated in the Al Badia district of Dubai Festival City, will be re-branded Al Badia Golf Club by InterContinental Dubai Festival City from July 1.
The news follows an exclusive report by HME on Monday that complex master developer and manager AFGRE had called off construction on the first UAE Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts property — expected to complete the golf-club development when it opened in 2011 — resulting in the rebranding of the golf club.
“We're proud that InterContinental has been selected to manage the prestigious Al Badia Golf Club. This is testament to the excellent relationship that has been fostered with Al-Futtaim and recognises the strength and global consistency of the InterContinental brand,” said IHG chief operating officer for the Middle East and Africa John Bamsey.
The golf club will be an extension of IHG's current Dubai Festival City portfolio that includes the InterContinental Dubai Festival City, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City and InterContinental Residence Suites. AFGRE senior managing director Brett Schafer commented: “The selection of IHG to manage and operate the 7303-yard, Robert Trent Jones II-designed Al Badia golf course and clubhouse is consistent with Al-Futtaim’s strategic relationship with IHG.
“The marriage of the well-known Al Badia brand with IHG's globally acknowledged management expertise promises to further enhance Dubai Festival City's international image as an outstanding business and lifestyle destination with great hospitality and leisure offerings,” added Schafer.