One of New York's historic hotel names, the Waldorf-Astoria, is coming to Ras al Khaimah.
A Waldorf-Astoria hotel, Hilton's most luxurious brand, is scheduled to open in the emirate in the fourth quarter of this year, the management company announced yesterday.
In its more than 100 years in business, the New York hotel has hosted countless world leaders and celebrities.
The new property "is the perfect hotel to mark the brand's entry into the UAE and further strengthens our partnership with Ras al Khaimah", said John Vanderslice, the global head of luxury and lifestyle brands at Hilton Worldwide.
Hilton already manages two hotels in Ras al Khaimah, with a property under its Doubletree brand also under development in the emirate.
Ras al Khaimah's Arabian-themed and "palatial" Waldorf-Astoria will have 349 rooms, several outdoor swimming pools and 10 bars and restaurants, including four fine-dining restaurants.
The hotel, which is being developed by Al Hamra Group, is to be part of a mixed-use development that includes an 18-hole championship golf course, a 600-metre private beach and a convention centre.
The millionaire William Waldorf Astor opened the 13-storey Waldorf Hotel at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street in Manhattan in 1893, on a site that was later sold for the development of the Empire State Building. Four years later, the Waldorf was joined by the Astoria Hotel, built on a site next door by Waldorf's cousin, John Jacob Astor IV.
The first Waldorf-Astoria was closed in 1929, and two years later the second Waldorf-Astoria hotel opened in its current location on Park Avenue.
rbundhun@thenational.ae
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Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
World ranking (at month’s end)
Jan - 257
Feb - 198
Mar - 159
Apr - 161
May - 159
Jun – 162
Currently: 88
Year-end rank since turning pro
2016 - 279
2015 - 185
2014 - 143
2013 - 63
2012 - 384
2011 - 883
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)