Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (M&C), the hotel arm of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Singapore based Hong Leong Group Singapore, has expanded its hotel operations into the Middle East. M&C has been awarded management contracts to operate two five-star hotels, the Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi and the Millennium Hotel Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both hotels are scheduled to open in this Spring and Summer respectively.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
“Middle East is a key destination for the global business community and we are delighted to announce these developments which represent our first presence there,” said Mr Kwek Leng Beng, Executive Chairman of Hong Leong Group and Chairman of M&C.
The Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi
The Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi which stands on Khalifa Street on the Corniche in one of the most prestigious locations in the city has 20 floors consisting of 325 bedrooms. It is targeted to cater for international business and leisure travellers who expect the utmost service. All rooms feature the latest in room facilities including satellite television, internet access and three telephone lines.
To help launch this first-class hotel, M&C has appointed Mr Franz Zeller as the General Manager of the Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi. Mr Zeller, which had a long and distinguished career in hotel management, was previously the General Manager of the five-star Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore and Senior Vice President of Operations for Asia Pacific at Millennium & Copthorne International, where he oversaw the operations of the nine Millennium & Copthorne properties within the Asia Pacific region.
The Millennium Hotel Sharjah
The 250-room Millennium Hotel Sharjah which is currently under construction is located on the north side of the central lake in Sharjah and rises 23 floors, offering spectacular panoramic views of the city. The hotel also includes a grand ballroom with capacity to accommodate events for over 350 people and two restaurants. The accommodation will be a mix of large bedrooms and also feature an executive floor and Royal Suite.
“These two hotels are ideal fit for the M&C portfolios and together with the guidance of an experienced GM, we are confident the hotels will become amongst the most prestigious five star properties in the United Arab Emirates,” added Mr Kwek.
M&C is one of the world’s top 23 largest hotel owner and operator. Ranked as one of Asia’s largest hotel group, M&C has a stable of 85 hotels located in 13 countries worldwide. The operations of majority of its hotels are under the Millennium and Copthorne brands. Out of which, 5 hotels are managed under its subsidiary company, Hong Kong listed City e-solutions (CES). Last year alone, saw M&C venturing its operations into the Galapagos Island, Ecuador and also the German market with the signing of the strategic alliance with Maritim Hotels.