Rocco Forte Hotels to develop further in the Middle East

Rocco Forte Hotels Is a collection of luxury hotels located in 11 exciting and cultural city destinations throughout Europe delivering 'The Art of Simple Luxury'. Aiming to continue to share this unique experience with international guests, Rocco Forte announces their focus on investment opportunities within the Middle Eastern Market; as one of the key markets for luxury travel and hospitality, and specifically in Saudi Arabia.

The upcoming Jeddah property is located in the heart of the city’s fashionable shopping district (the second largest retail destination in the Gulf), close to the Corniche, a 20 minute drive from the airport and a short distance from the central business district. The Jeddah property will be the 12th hotel in The Rocco Forte Collection.

The two-tower 19-floor hotel will consist of 159 rooms, with a high proportion of suites, and 50 serviced apartments. Visitors and locals will have the choice of a 90-seat restaurant and a second 70-seat fine-dining venue. Other facilities include a business centre, a 700sqm ballroom, a 1000sqm of conference space, and a fully equipped health club including 20-metre swimming pool.

During ATM, Brand Manager Richard Power will be on hand to talk more on these exciting new projects, overseeing marketing, distribution, media relations and internal communication for the Rocco Forte collection. Power helped found the company in 1996 when he was the Commercial Director, becoming Managing Director for the operations in the UK and France in 2003, Managing Director, Sales & Marketing in 2006 and taking up his current role in 2007.

General Manager of Hotel Savoy, Florence, Edward Leenders will also be at ATM this year, on his first visit to the region. With 16 years in the hospitality industry, Dutch-born Leenders oversees all aspects of the iconic Florence hotel and is responsible for its day to day operation and strategic direction. Located in the heart of Florence, on the Piazza della Repubblica and close to the city’s renowned Duomo. The hotel has 102 rooms and suites, and is just a short walk from the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio. The hotel’s elegant décor is contemporary Italian in style with subdued neutral tones, tasteful fabrics and subtle tributes to the designer fashion houses of Florence throughout.