Emaar's hotel unit postpones France, Indonesia plans

Emaar's hospitality unit has postponed plans to expand its The Address Hotels + Resorts branded projects in France and Indonesia, it was reported on Monday.

The Domaine de Lavagnac in the South of France was due to open in 2011 but has been “postponed until further notice”, an Emaar spokesperson told Hotelier Middle East.

The 650-key luxury resort developed by Residence De Lavagnac SARL in Languedoc-Roussillon had marked Emaar’s homegrown five-star hotel brand The Address Hotels + Resorts' entry into Europe when announced in May 2009, it said.

The first five-star tourism development in Languedoc comprising a 17th century chateau renovation included 430 serviced residences to be managed by The Address Hotels + Resorts.

Emaar also said that The Address Lombok, due to open in 2015 as part of the $600m Lombok Project, a major tourism development on the Indonesian island, was also on hold indefinitely.

Emaar confirmed that its other signed projects were still under development, although some were delayed.

The Address Retreat Marassi Golf & Spa due to open in 2012 has been pushed back to 2014 alongside The Address, Uptown Cairo which had originally been slated to open in 2013.

The Address Jnan Amar Polo Retreat in Marrakech, Morocco, is now due to open in 2013, one year later than planned.

Emaar confirmed its The Address Istanbul, Turkey and The Address Resort Marassi, Egypt were both on track to open in 2014 as planned.

When asked to comment on the delays, a spokesperson said in a statement: “The Address Hotels + Resorts has a strong pipeline of projects, across various markets globally.

“Apart from fully established properties in Dubai, The Address has also signed agreements to manage luxury resorts in key international markets in the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Europe.

“Details of the new and up-and-coming projects will be announced in due course.”