Bin Salem to open hotel

Bin Salem Holding has taken its first step into the hospitality sector with the groundbreaking ceremony for its five-star Grand Corniche Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

Work on the Dh650 million property was inaugurated by Salem Mohammed bin Salem Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi-based company, and Li Yi Shyan, Singapore’s Trade Minister. The 35-storey tower is due to open in December 2009.

The management contract for the project – owned by Bin Salem Holding subsidiary Bin Salem General Trading Enterprises – has been awarded to Jacobs International Holdings while Singapore’s Surbana will work as the design consultant.

“This will be our first entry into the hospitality sector,” said Ahmed Mohammed bin Salem Al Dhaheri, Deputy Chairman of the holding company and CEO of the subsidiary.

The hotel will have 308 rooms and 125 suites and the complex will include 140 furnished serviced apartments, a business centre and a swimming pool.