Capital Gate to open by end of this month

Hyatt's second property in Abu Dhabi, Hyatt Capital Gate, is set to open at the end of this month. The five-star hotel, housed in the Capital Gate Tower which is part of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) building was originally scheduled to open in 2009, but experienced a number of delays because of building constraints due to the unusual shape of the building which tilts at an 18 degree angle. "Because of its unusual shape with each room being unique in size and shape there have been difficulties in the fit-out. But we consider its unique shape a selling point," said Ashwini Kumar, general manager of the Hyatt Capital Gate. The hotel comes online as a number of five star hotels open across Abu Dhabi including Hyatt's other property, the Park Hyatt resort on Saadiyat Island, the Jumeirah at Etihad Towers on the Corniche, and the Rocco Forte hotel near Zayed Sports City. Article continues below Competition "There is more and more competition and occupancy is not going to be the same as in 2007 to 2008, however demand is growing," said Kumar. Despite this boost in supply, Kumar is expecting strong occupancy rates from January onward with major exhibitions driving business into the capital. "The first two to three months will take time for the hotel to be established but after January the corporate businesses and exhibitions such as the Future World Energy Summit will start coming back to the city," he said. While occupancy rates across their properties in the UAE have been softer this festive season compared to last year, Peter Fulton, Managing Director of Hyatt SW Asia, said they are expecting buoyant occupancy rates for next year. "Rates are still in reflection of what's going on in the economic cycle of the world and 2012 is going to see some more inventory coming online, but we expect that demand will absorb the supply," said Foulton. The close of 2011 also saw Hyatt announce its plans to open the Park Hyatt Doha for 2016. Asia Outside the Middle East, Hyatt has turned its focus towards extending its network across Asia. In 2012, Hyatt plans to expand rapidly into India with the Hyatt Regency Chennai, Park Hyatt Hyderabad and Hyatt Place in Bengaluru. However, by the close of 2012, industry sources expect that the number of hotel rooms will have doubled over 2008 numbers in some key markets across the GCC and India, placing considerable pressure on all hoteliers. "So far India hasn't grown at the same rate it has in the other years. The growth isn't quite as high as expected due to economic conditions," said Foulton. Outside the South West Asia region, Hyatt has seen the debut of the Andaz brand in Shanghai (the first Andaz brand hotel in Asia), the opening of Hyatt 48 Lex in New York City, the introduction of the first Hyatt property in Tanzania, the opening of Hyatt Danang Resort and Spa in Vietnam, and the re-opening of the Hyatt Regency's property in New Orleans.