EUROPE’S leading luxury hotel brand, Rocco Forte Hotels, has announced the name of its flagship property in the Middle East as the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi.

As the first property within the group to bear the name of its chairman and CEO, the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi name underscores the significance of this newly constructed building as the company’s flagship Middle East offering.

The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi is a visually striking glass structure of fluid lines encasing 281 generously-sized bedrooms, with Abu Dhabi’s largest spa, and three unique dining destinations, blending seamlessly into the future commercial district of the emirate’s capital. The group’s first hotel in the Middle East is on track to open its doors by the fourth quarter of 2011.

Spanning 11 levels, the 28,000-sq-m project has been developed in conjunction with Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) and the UAE’s Al Farida Investments Company. Featuring a spectacular 10-storey wave-shaped tower with a blue and green glass façade, the property will offer stunning views of the city and the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi will be surrounded by beautiful public gardens and an adjacent high-end shopping galleria.

“For more than a decade, Middle Eastern executives and leisure travellers alike have come to make up a significant proportion of guests visiting our 13 existing properties in Europe. Therefore, in response to existing client demand, we believe the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi will be a compelling destination for such guests, in addition to catering to a wide range of travel, leisure and event needs,” said Rocco Forte Hotels Chairman and CEO, Sir Rocco Forte.

Conveniently positioned between the airport and downtown areas, close to the exhibition centre and Yas Island, the hotel combines contemporary Arab artwork including pieces by Lebanese artist Salwa Zeidan with the contemporary and luxurious vision of Olga Polizzi, sister of Sir Rocco Forte and award-winning design director for Rocco Forte Hotels.

Each of the 281 rooms are liberally proportioned, with leather accents and seating. The hotel includes two exceptionally spacious and luxurious presidential and royal suites. For the business travel and events markets, there is a separate floor containing seven meeting rooms, a business centre and a ballroom which can accommodate 500 seated guests, as well as a pre-function area. A VIP majlis, special bridal preparation rooms and a dedicated events team are also available. Guests seeking relaxation can enjoy a 2,000-sq-m spa including a vichy shower suite, fully-equipped gymnasium and yoga/pilates studio.

The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi marks the Rocco Forte Hotels’ first foray into the Middle East and will be followed by a 146-bedroom property opening in Jeddah in 2013, an all-suite golf and spa resort with private, luxury villas in Marrakech in 2014, a 275-bedroom property in Cairo in 2014 and a 82-room property in Luxor in 2014.