Following the signature of an agreement with RAK National Hotels, the upscale brand Marriott International will operate two new properties in the Emirates starting in 2017, growing its local portfolio to five hotels.

RAK National Hotels, subsidiary of the group RAK Hospitality Holding, chose Marriott International's upscale brand to take over the management of two properties located in the Emirate of Ras el Khaïmah, in the northeast of the country. The two hotels were previously operated by Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts. The transition of the two properties to management by The Ritz-Carlton will begin in December, prior to the launch of renovations needed to officially join the The Ritz-Carlton in June 2017.

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert will include 101 private villas with swimming pool, several dining options, a spa, as well as an equestrian center. The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Hamra Beach will offer 32 villas, each with a swimming pool, restaurants and a spa. The first is located at the edge of the desert to bring its guests as close as possible to the sand dunes of the Emirate, while the second overhangs the Al Hamra beach.

These additions will bring the number of properties operated under the The Ritz-Carlton brand in the United Arab Emirates to five. Its local portfolio already includes The Ritz-Carlton Dubai International Financial Centre (341 rooms), The Ritz-Carlton Dubai (294 rooms), and The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal (447 rooms). As of January 1,2016, the new group consisting of Marriott International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts is the leading hotel operator worldwide in terms of number of rooms, with 5,640 hotels totaling 1,108,852 rooms worldwide, according to data published by Hospitality ON.

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