New Dubai, UAE July 2010: Three senior executives from Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts abandoned their shoes and socks in a moment of fun during a pre-opening inspection at Dubai’s new hotel on the block, the Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel, scheduled to open in August.
Andreas Mattmuller, the group’s Chief Operating Officer – Middle East & Asia with Jan Kaiser, General Manager, Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel and Michael Nugent, General Manager of the upcoming Mövenpick Hotel Deira were fast to spot an opportunity to paddle in one of the two water pools located in 396-room hotel’s Grand Hall.
Kaiser, said that the Grand Hall, or Al Bahou, is set to be the ‘hub of the house’. “Al Bahou is huge yet inviting and has numerous signature photo opportunities for visitors, including 88 mammoth, eastern-style lanterns dangling elegantly into the wonderful lobby area.”
He said that in a desire to create an interactive ambiance the lobby provides numerous seating areas geared to meetings and rendezvous. “Al Bahou is a perfect place to ‘kick off your shoes’, just as we did.
“You can sit back and watch the world go by, meet friends, or even hold a business meeting – as we have created numerous nooks and crannies.” He said that it is also the ‘gateway’ to six of eight equally iconic restaurants and bars.
The Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel is part of the multi-faceted ‘Ibn Battuta Square’ and sits alongside the famed Ibn Battuta Mall and Cineplex, a double-block, 12-story upscale office and apartment facility.
