Emirates Hotels & Resorts opens Green Lakes Serviced Apartments in Dubai

Emirates Hotels & Resorts has soft-opened Phase One of the latest edition to its portfolio - the Green Lakes Serviced Apartments, the company's venture into the luxury serviced apartments market, and its second city-based property in Dubai. The Green Lakes Serviced Apartments are located in the much sought-after Jumeirah Lake Towers precinct.

Tony Williams, Senior Vice President, Resorts & Projects said, “Offering the comforts of a glamorous home with the services of a luxury hotel, serviced apartments are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional hotel stays. Recent statistics released by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) reflect an escalating demand for serviced apartments in Dubai. GCC countries have been particularly fast in catching on to this cost-efficient option, and have alone showed the largest market share, making up 37% of serviced apartment visitors last year.”

According to DTCM the number of serviced apartment guests rose by 11% in 2007 and stays averaged at 4.29 nights. Dubai’s deluxe serviced apartments had an average occupancy of 81% last year. Over 200,000 visitors from the European Union utilised luxury serviced apartments last year, led by the United Kingdom with nearly half of these visitors.

Mr Williams added, “Serviced Apartments are growing in popularity worldwide, as their convenience, comfort, and cost benefits are realised, especially amongst those requiring longer-term stays. In Dubai regular business travellers, family groups, and a large number of corporate consultants and contractors require accommodation for periods of up to three or four months, and they choose to have a home rather than a standard hotel room as a base. Equally we see a strong demand for even longer-term stays; where the convenience of serviced apartments means that residents have none of the individual hassles associated with having to sort, register and take care of monthly utility bills, maid and maintenance services, and the numerous other domestic chores associated with renting.”

The Green Lakes’ 141 one-bedroom, 29 two-bedroom, and 11 three-bedroom luxurious apartments each have generously-sized bedrooms, fully-fitted kitchens with all appliances and generous, open-plan living and dining areas. Bespoke en-suite bathrooms and luxury furnishings complete the setting. Some apartments have dedicated rooms for domestic aids; a facility welcomed by families. Every apartment is equipped with flat screen LCD satellite TV’s, DVD / CD players, ipod docking stations and broadband internet.

The first guests of Green Lakes have already started checking in, and as the Jumeirah Lakes location matures in the following months it is set to become a popular location for Dubai visitors, as well as for longer-term residents. Panoramic views of the Emirates Golf Club and the convenience of easy access to the Dubai Marina, Mall of the Emirates, the Sheikh Zayed Road commuter routes, and the surrounding business districts of Media City and Jebel Ali are all attractions.

Green Lakes’ range of services covers daily housekeeping, full reception, concierge, guest relations, security, maintenance of the apartment and valet parking services. For the fitness-conscious, the state-of-the-art Health Club features a fully-equipped gymnasium with an excellent range of cardiovascular and weight training equipment, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and a rooftop, temperature-controlled swimming pool.

First opened at the Harbour Hotel & Residence – a sister property at Dubai Marina – Counter Culture, a trendy New York deli-style restaurant, bakery and coffee bar with an urban cool feel and relaxed atmosphere will launch its second outlet at the Green Lakes in July 2008. Guests will be able to enjoy a wide range of organic, homemade, and wholesome menus prepared using fresh and in-season produce in line with the restaurant’s 'farm-to-fork' purchasing. Counter Culture will also provide hotel guests with in-room provisions.

Guests staying at Green Lakes have direct access to the Timeless Spa facilities at the Harbour Hotel & Residence. The Timeless Spa, Emirates Hotels & Resorts’ signature spa brand, provides relaxation massage beauty treatments developed by specialists and complemented by an extensive range of treatments and products from globally-renowned Sodashi and Babor.

Green Lakes has launched introductory daily rates starting from Dhs 790 inclusive of tax and service, as well as competitive monthly and annual rates for long-stay guests.

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