Warwick Hotels expands locally

Will manage four properties countrywide

Warwick International Hotels (WIH) announced a plan to expand in the local market as well as in the MENA region. The global hotel management chain will manage four hotels and resorts locally. WIH has a portfolio of 50 hotels, resorts, and spas worldwide.

WIH perceives Lebanon as a land of opportunities, despite the current instabilities, according to Jamal Serhan, WIH's Chief Operating Officer, MENA. “Lebanon is the crossroads of the Middle East and since WIH wishes to establish its presence there, we consider it essential for us to be in Beirut and other parts of the country,” he said.

Warwick has signed a management contract with the owners of the Palm Beach Hotel, Ain El Mreisseh. The hotel was renamed ‘Warwick Palm Beach Hotel’. WIH has recently started to revamp the hotel’s decoration. The rooftop restaurant is being rebuilt and will be ready to operate this summer. Another food and beverage outlet will also be added and is expected to kick start operations by the end of this year.

“We chose Palm Beach because it has a wonderful architecture and it reminds people of Beirut’s past,” Serhan said. He said: “The hotel has one of the best locations in Beirut and the views from the rooms are unrivaled.”

WIHis also managing the Pangea Resort in Jiyeh. The deal was announced last year. "Around 70 new rooms are being added to the resort," Serhan said.

In addition, WIH will undertake the management of two upcoming hotels. The properties, still under-construction, are located in Zalka and in Ain Aar. Both hotels will be named Stone 55, and are expected to be operational by mid-2014.

According to Serhan, WIH will establish a regional office in Beirut to support the implementation of its expansion across the MENA. "We are fully aware of the present difficulties in the country but we believe the Lebanese people are resilient and we are confident that Lebanon will overcome its current difficulties,” he said.