This is big news indeed for Bristol hotels: the fabulous Le Bristol in Paris, one of the truly greats, is to open a new hotel in Abu Dhabi. Frank Marrenbanch, chief executive of Oetker Hotel Collection, which will manage the property, says the facility will bring a dash of French luxury to the capital.
Le Bristol Abu Dhabi will be built on the western side of Abu Dhabi Island and have 250 rooms and suites. Building will begin next year, and the hotel will open in 2012.
Sultan al Hameli, the managing director of the government joint-venture partner NCTH, said, "Le Bristol Abu Dhabi is definitely more than five star. It’s going to be a deluxe hotel. It’s going to be something more than what is available in the market.”
• Le Bristol will be the 4th Bristol in the Middle East, joining the eminent Le Bristol in Beirut, and the Bristols in Amman and Kuwait City.
Meanwhile Le Bristol continues to win accolades - Michelin has awarded the hotel's chef Eric Fréchon 3 stars for his creations in what is known as "Sarkozy's canteen" - the Elysée Palace is just across the Road, and it's the president's favourite restaurant. François Simon of le Figaro is not so impresssed. He has made a secret video of a meal there. His bill for a meal for two was 531 euros.
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BARGAIN BRISTOL: Hotels in Abu Dhabi, the fifth-most expensive in the world last year, have begun cutting their rates by up to 15 per cent. In Warsaw, the prestigious Le Merdien Bristol – ranked 11th among the 50 best European hotels, outstripping Ritz Hotel in Paris, according to the American monthly Travel & Leisure – prices have also dipped. Its famous Paderewski suite (pictured), containing the pianist/prime minister's bureau and armchair usually costs around 600 euros a night, but, says a report on Polish radio, you could now probably get it for more like 100 euros.Back to the latest news
