Ritz-Carlton makes a bet on Tunisia and Morocco with 3 new properties

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has announced the brand's latest property in its growing North Africa portfolio.

The Ritz-Carlton Marrakech and its first property in Rabat, Morocco, which will become the third property in the brand's growing North Africa portfolio.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company expects the resort to open in December 2014.

The resort will benefit from 100 luxury guest rooms, 15 one-bedroom suites and five two-bedroom suite villas expected to appeal to dignitaries and government delegations from around the world.

Further properties currently under construction in North Africa include The Ritz-Carlton, Tunis, Carthage, a resort featuring 129-suites, situated close to the world heritage site of Carthage, and Morocco a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Tamuda Bay, featuring a 98-luxury room hotel with 35 pool villa suites, a beach club and an 18-hole Nicklaus design golf course.

The Marrakech resort is owned by Jnan Amar Company, a subsidiary of Al Amal Investment Company (SIAMA) part of Azmi Abdelhadi Group of Saudi Arabia.

Construction of the property is due to commence in the fourth quarter of 2013, with completion of the hotel projected for the third quarter of 2016. "We are honoured to have been selected by Jenan Amar, SARL to manage this unique property," said Herve Humler, President and COO, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. "We believe that the unique location of the resort, with stunning views on the High Atlas Mountains, within such an upscale community of Marrakech, coupled with the diverse culture and rich heritage of the wonderful city itself, will offer our discerning guests an incredibly attractive and aspirational destination to explore."

Asked about additional growth in the North African region for The Ritz-Carlton, Humler added, "The Ritz-Carlton, Marrakech will be our fourth property in North Africa, each one offering a different proposition, indigenous to the style and location of the hotel or resort. Expansion in this region is unquestionably an essential part of our future growth strategy."

(c)2013 the Khaleej Times (Dubai, United Arab Emirates). Distributed by MCT Information Services.