Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), has recently completed a round of inspections across the authority’s latest authentic and luxury hospitality projects in Sharjah, namely “Al Bait Hotel” at the Heart of Sharjah, and Mleiha’s newly announced “Fossil Rock Lodge”.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi explored the latest build-up progress of Al Bait Hotel site, Sharjah’s luxury and heritage hospitality property and the largest-of-its-kind in the region, in the presence of HE Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq; and Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, COO of Shurooq, as well as numerous staff members from Shurooq.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi overlooked the progress at the hotel’s heritage houses, which are being renovated from the outside and redesigned from the inside, to provide a unique mix of premium and cultural experiences to guests and visitors.
Once inaugurated, Al Bait Hotel, rated as a 5-star luxury hospitality property, will immerse guests and visitors in the Emirati way of life, the local traditional living environment, as well as rich Emirati architectural details.
During the visit, Shurooq announced that the hotel’s development has exceeded 70 percent, and will hopefully be complete in 2018. Providing guests with an innovative hospitality experience, seamlessly blending the traditional with the modern. The Authority also reported that the management of the hotel will be undertaken by the GHM Group of luxury hotels from Singapore, who enjoys a strong international reputation of providing best-in-class services.
Al Bait Hotel is the first 5-star luxury hotel on a heritage site in the UAE. Being built on an AED 100 million budget. It will feature 54 luxury guestrooms and suites, hotel facilities including five cafés and restaurants, one that will serve round the clock, a traditional Arabic tea and coffee parlour, business centre, museum, library, retail outlets, spas for men and women and other amenities.
The hotel is also connected to one of the oldest marketplaces in the country, Souq Al Arsah, providing its guests with one-of-a-kind experience to see and feel one of the emirate's oldest souqs from their doorstep.
A second inspection visit was made by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi and the delegation to Fossil Rock Lodge, a modern hospitality facility being developed as part of the second phase of the of the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism project.
Shurooq announced that the project progress that has reached 60 percent completion. Slated for an end-of-year opening, this unique property will enable visitors and guests to enjoy a high level of authentic and eco-tourism hospitality, encompassing warm privacy, and world-class amenities.
The Lodge will accommodate only up to 10 guests at a time, guaranteeing unhindered serenity, relaxation and tranquillity. The project features a restaurant with 42 indoor and outdoor seats, allowing visitors to the venue pure relaxation and sweeping views of the majestic Mleiha desert. Neighbouring Mleiha desert, Fossil Rock Lodge will be an unrivalled desert retreat for lovers of golden dunes and desert flora and fauna.
Sheikha Bodour commended the teams’ tireless efforts in preserving the heritage and historical spirit and footprint during the overall development of both projects, which reflects the authority’s mission to position Sharjah as a unique and authentic cultural tourism destination in the region.
The Lodge forms part of the “Sharjah Collection” portfolio of projects. The Sharjah Collection is Shurooq’s new hospitality brand, which includes other authentic, small-scale hospitality projects such as Al Badayer Lodge, King Fisher Lodge, and Bait Khalid Bin Ibrahim.
Al Bait hotel and the Fossil Rock Lodge are poised to show Sharjah’s heritage and historic tourism in new light. The two facilities represent the remarkable efforts to preserve Emirati culture, architecture, history and civilisation. Both destinations are anticipated to attract tourists and visitors who are interested in exploring the region’s authentic history and the way the founding fathers lived; and in experiencing Emirati hospitality represented by high-end facilities and first-class services, meeting every aspiration of tourists and visitors.
