With next month's launch of the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, the first property outside the Far East for the Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, the group is spearheading a development drive in the region that will number three properties and 1,400 rooms and apartments in three years.

The Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai is due to open mid June 15, followed by Traders Hotel, Dubai in August and Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort, Muscat, Oman, in July 2005.

Commenting on the expansion, Bernhard Haechler, general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, said: "This will be an exciting three years as we develop a presence in the Gulf. Dubai is an attractive and popular destination for Asian and European travelers, making it the ideal location for us to open our first hotel in the region and to debut Shangri-La's legendary hospitality."

Haechler stressed that while the hotel's main target audience will be business and convention, thanks to its location just five minutes away from the city's new Convention Centre, he added that leisure travel would play its part too.

"We believe that the hotel will also appeal to the leisure sector, through the intrinsic brand promise of the Shangri-La name, which is familiar to many who have visited the Far East."

Shangri-La has signed a management agreement with the UAE-based Al Jaber Group to operate the deluxe five-star Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai. This will be Shangri-La's first hotel in the Gulf, a region the group has targeted for expansion, and it will also be the Al Jaber Group's first deluxe hotel project.

The impressive 200 metre multipurpose complex features 301 guestroom and suites, 126 serviced furnished apartments as well as facilities ranging from Chi, an expansive health club on the fourth floor including gymnasium, squash courts and spa, to extensive business centre facilities fulfilling every business executive's needs.

Boasting some of the largest rooms on the strip, this property enjoys stunning ocean and city views. A variety of different rooms and suites range from the Presidential Suite sized at 343 sq.m to deluxe rooms at 45 sq.m. Each beautifully appointed room, reflecting warm yet contemporary décor is accompanied by a superior service internationally associated to the Shangri-La group of hotels. Dual telephone lines with voicemail and broadband data port allows the business traveller to conduct important transactions in the comfort of their own room. Other facilities such as satellite movie channels, designer amenities from Aigner and Trusardi as well as same-day laundry and dry cleaning services ensure that all guests have a smooth and pleasurable stay.

Maintaining the tradition found in all Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts, Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai offers an exclusive retreat called the Horizon Club. The Horizon Club offers the discerning traveler an exclusive lounge serving complimentary breakfast, morning/afternoon tea and evening cocktails, personalized check-in and check-out services, a private meeting room and a host of other executive benefits. In addition to the executive services there is a dedicated health club and swimming pool for the exclusive use of the Horizon Club Floor guests.