Four Seasons demonstrates strong commitment to the region with its ninth annual sales development road show in the GCC

Dubai, UAE, 17 April, 2013 - Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts highlighted its growing footprint in the Middle East, announcing updates on key regional properties - including the highly anticipated Four Seasons Resort Dubai, located at Jumeirah Beach - during the Dubai leg of its GCC-wide sales development road show.

Four Seasons swept the region with a delegation comprising 10 GMs from Asia-Pacific the Middle East and Europe, led by President Hotel Operations Europe, Middle East and Africa Christopher Norton.  The company hosted a series of workshops and receptions in key GCC cities such as Manama, Jeddah, Riyadh, Kuwait and Doha before heading to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

At the top of the list of regional updates was news on progress of the company's first resort in the UAE, due to open in Q4 2014. 

Construction on Four Seasons Resort Dubai, located at Jumeirah Beach, is on schedule and making strong headway with main structural works completed on the five-storey property and interior installations due to commence. With 237 rooms, including 49 suites, and a prime beach-front location with convenient access to the main commercial district on Sheikh Zayed Road, the Resort will target an almost equal mix of leisure and business guests. The Resort will be home to multiple restaurants, and poolside dining. The function spaces which have beachfront access will include a 600 square metre (6,458 square foot) ballroom and five meeting rooms. The Resort will also be home to a world class spa, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and private beach club.

"Work on Four Seasons Resort Dubai, on the site of Jumeirah Beach is progressing rapidly and we are very excited about what we believe will be an outstanding addition to the Dubai hospitality landscape. This is a market in which we've been keen to have a presence for many years. We expect to enter it with a resort that exemplifies what guests around the world find synonymous with Four Seasons - a physical product that reflects the best of destination and a service offering that is intuitive, warm and exceeds expectations," said Norton.

Norton confirmed that the development pipeline for Four Seasons in other key Middle East and North African cities was also forging ahead, further solidifying the company's presence in the MENA region.

Properties currently under construction include Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay (due to open mid 2014) and Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca (due to open mid 2014).  While active projects in the preliminary stages include Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island, Four Seasons Resort Oman, Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait City and Four Seasons Hotel Jeddah.

"The Middle East is one of our most active regions in terms of development, and having properties in almost every capital city in the GCC within the next few years will serve to further consolidate our presence in the market. Our firm commitment to the region also goes beyond a robust development pipeline to include continuous investment in the physical product and service innovation at our existing Middle East properties.  Several hotels have recently engaged in renovations covering rooms, suites and entire floors, as seen at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, as well as newly conceptualised restaurant offerings such as Nusantao at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, 8 at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, The Roof - an exciting rooftop bar and terrace at Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, and Aura at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence," said Norton.

"Moreover, Four Seasons continuously looks for ways to create extraordinary experiences for our guests on property and within each destination - experiences that meet real travel needs and are truly memorable for business travellers, families, couples and guests looking for inspiring accommodation, dining and spa offerings," he added.

Beyond the company's plans in the Middle East, Norton also highlighted several other exciting new Four Seasons openings on the cards in the months ahead.

Leading the way is the new Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St Petersburg, Russia due to open in summer this year. The 177-room property occupies one of St Petersburg's most storied architectural gems - The Lion Palace - which has been meticulously restored to bring the hotel to life.

Four Seasons is also due to open another landmark property in 2014 - Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. The 434-room and 64-suite property will include three restaurants including a rooftop steakhouse with views over the nightly fireworks spectacle of the Magic Kingdom. Guests will be able to enjoy a totally customised stay that can range from an exclusively Four Seasons experience, to a complete Disney experience or a combination of the two.

Other key openings in the future include Four Seasons Hotel Shenzhen in China (due to open in Q3 2013);  Four Seasons Hotel Moscow (due to open in 2014), the recently announced Four Seasons Hotel Madrid which will be part of the Canalejas Project in the Spanish capital, and Four Seasons Hotel Sao Paolo in Brazil which will be part of the Parque de Cidade Complex.

-Ends-

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continual innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. From elegant surroundings of the finest quality, to caring, highly personalized 24-hour service, Four Seasons embodies a true home away from home for those who know and appreciate the best. The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees - people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service. Founded in 1960, Four Seasons has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels and residences in major city centres and desirable resort destinations around the world. With 90 properties in 37 countries, and more than 60 projects under development, Four Seasons continues to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding. For more information on Four Seasons, visit press.fourseasons.com and follow on Twitter at @FourSeasonsPR.

For more information please contact:
Shaahima Fahim
TRACCS
Tel: +9714 3672530
TRACCS 24/7 Media Hotline: +97150 9448389
Email: shaahima.fahim@traccs.net

© Press Release 2013