Having announced its decision to carry out an exclusive project on Al Reem Island in September, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has now signed an exclusive partnership agreement with ALDAR Properties - calling for the development of three additional first class hotels in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

One management agreement has already been concluded for a modern 500-room luxury hotel on Yas Island that is supposed to open its doors in 2010. The centrally located Mövenpick Hotel Yas Island is only a stone's throw away from theme parks, a huge shopping mall, Formula 1 race track and golf course, which are also under development.

Among the new hotel's amenities will be six restaurants and bars, an exhibition hall for events of all kinds, a multipurpose ballroom, eight meeting rooms, a business centre, a generous and luxurious spa area, and swimming pools.

"Thanks to our agreement with ALDAR Properties, we have a great opportunity to further establish Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in the emirate of Abu Dhabi," stated Andreas Mattmüller, Senior Vice President Middle East and Asia Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. "The hotel planned for Yas Island will be in a prime location for entertainment, shopping as well as relaxation, and represents an ideal inaugural project for this long term partnership."

The two other hotels are currently in the planning stages.

"We're looking forward to a successful long term relationship with Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts," says Ron Barrott, CEO of ALDAR Properties. "This partnership highlights and strengthens our strategic intention of cooperating at exceptional locations with this internationally recognised hospitality brand, as well as our goal of positioning Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates as world class destinations."

"ALDAR Properties is the right partner for us when it comes to moving forward with, on one hand, our expansion in the United Arab Emirates and Abu Dhabi in particular, and on the other, the realisation of high quality hotel projects," comments Jean Gabriel Pérès, President and CEO of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.