Historic Ain Al Fayadha Resort gets £6m renovation
One of Abu Dhabi’s longest running hotel properties, Ain Al Fayadha, will re-open its doors next month in Al Ain, the emirate’s heritage heartland, after a three year hiatus, under new management and with a £610 million renovation, as it looks to capitalise on the Oasis City’s growing popularity.
Owned by Al Qudra Holding and managed by, One To One hotels, the 36km² property – which will be renamed One To One Resort - Ain Al Fayadha - will open in two phases. The first, which comes online next month, will include 56 luxury one and two bedroom villas as well as a signature, contemporary restaurant set on a meandering boating lake.
Phase two, which is scheduled for end of June, will include the re-opening of the 26-room boutique 4 -star hotel, two additional restaurants, spa, gymnasium, salon, three swimming pools, children’s playground, tennis, volleyball and football pitches and a traditional 1,000 seater Arabic tent for socialising, eating and relaxing in the lee of the Jebel Hafeet, the emirate’s highest outcrop.
In addition, a dedicated race track for camel and horse racing, as well as instruction, will also run as part of the second phase, and will be open to the public and guests.
“The hotel has a near 30-year legacy in Al Ain and we want to rekindle that nostalgia and create a new, modern experience whilst maintaining the qualities that made the property so special in the first place,” said Philippe Harb, Hotel Manager, One To One Resort - Ain Al Fayadha.
“We have set ambitious targets in the pursuit of breathing life back into this historic property, and are confident of launching a hotel that seamlessly blends a deep-rooted heritage with a contemporary twist.”
A study is also being undertaken to turn the current duck pond into a fish reserve, allowing guests to catch their dinner and have it prepared at one of One To One Resort - Ain Al Fayadha’s restaurants. There’ll also be an organic farm with all locally grown products being exclusively used in the hotel’s restaurants.
And a golf course is also being developed on site to complement the resort’s offering and is expected to open this summer.
“The hotel has been designed to let guests take advantage of privacy and comfort in their own room. All of our modern hotel rooms and villas are surrounded by natural lush green gardens. A range of lavish in-room features and amenities complete the ambiance of a home away from home, delivering a modern residential style experience. From sumptuous bathrobes and slippers to high speed Internet access and flat LCD televisions, every detail of our resort is at once stylishly simple yet exceedingly sophisticated,” said Harb.
“We are also looking at increasing room stock beyond its original plans with the addition of 30 to 60 luxury VIP tented chalets on site. More details of this will be announced shortly.”
According to Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, total hotel guest arrivals to Al Ain in 2011 was 266,000 – a figure the authority expects to swell to 400,000 by 2013.
Al Ain, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited settlements, continues to see increased prominence in the destination’s overall tourism strategy. Having recently been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the city has recently seen an increase of in attraction openings – most notably the Wadi Adventure aqua park which is within walking distance of Ain Al Fayda – something Harb believes will be a major draw for the hotel.
“They old adage location, location, location couldn’t be truer for One To One Resort - Ain Al Fayadha. We are a short walk to a UNESCO World Heritage site and the Green Mubazzarah hot springs, a stone’s throw from the family orientated Wadi Adventure waterpark and within driving distance of Al Ain city centre and the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort. We have something for everyone,” added Harb.