The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. Announces New Resort In Marrakech, Morocco

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., the leader in luxury hospitality, has announced the brand's latest property in its growing North Africa portfolio.  The Ritz-Carlton Marrakech is owned by Jnan Amar Company, a subsidiary of Al Amal Investment Company (SIAMA) part of AzmiAbdelhadi Group of Saudi Arabia.

The resort will be developed around the Jenan Amar Polo Fields, which is part of an upscale community on the Takerkoust Road, 20 kilometres from the city centre of Marrakech and 12 kilometres from the Lalla Takerkoust lake and nature reserve. The stunning fortress style resort will feature 60 hotel suites and 20 hotel villas of two, three and five bedrooms, bars and restaurants, a luxury spa and related leisure facilities. Jnan Amar Polo Resort development is envisaged as a powerful growth driver for tourism in the Marrakech region of Morocco, and the varied luxury components of the project coupled with its world-class polo fields will create a new lifestyle dynamic to the region.

Godwin Austen Johnson is the lead architect and interior designer, with the project already at the detailed design stage.  The master development of the community has been completed including the roads, and the main polo field. 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 honored to have been selected by Jenan Amar, SARL to manage this unique property," said Herve Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer, 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."

Mr. Ammar Abdelhadi, Chief Executive Officer of the Jenan Amar SARL, said, "We are delighted to partner with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company to manage the resort.  The long and storied legacy of The Ritz-Carlton is a natural fit with Morocco's own historical heritage, and the prestige of the brand is akin to the exclusivity of the community in which the resort will be located."

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."

Further properties currently under construction in North Africa are The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat, a 120-room hotel situated within the prestigious Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, The Ritz-Carlton, Tunis, a resort featuring 129-suites, situated close to the world heritage site of Carthage and Tamouda Bay, and Morocco a Ritz-Carlton Reserve,Morocco a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Tamuda Bay, an exclusive upscale resort nestled along the unspoiled waters of the Mediterranean, approximately 60 kilometers east of the city of Tangiers, featuring a 98-luxury room hotel with 35 pool villa suites, a beach club and an 18-hole Nicklaus design golf course.

About the SIAMA

SIAMA has been operating in Morocco since 1985 and has achieved numerous developments. AzmiAbdelhadi Group's main business in Saudi Arabia is in oil & gas engineering services, in addition, owns a portfolio of diversified interests in trading, contracting, manufacturing and insurance companies.

About the Ritz-Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 82 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company website at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR)

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.