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Bringing the total number of properties to five in Jordan for the Swiss group the opening of the new Mövenpick Resort Tala Bay Aqaba is set to welcome guests from August 2009.

The Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts portfolio continues to prosper in Jordan with the addition of a stunning 5-star resort in Tala Bay-Aqaba. Owned by Zara South Coast Development Company (a subsidiary of Zara Investment Holding), Mövenpick Resort Tala Bay Aqaba will be the fifth hotel in Jordan to be operated by the renowned Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts group. The new resort is located on the southern shores of Aqaba, making Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts the only group to be serving both of the city’s north and south beaches.

"We are extremely happy to witness the opening of this magnificent property. We have really put our heart into it and we have made sure that we spared no effort in turning this property into a unique first class resort catering to all sorts of guests” said Lina Annab, general manager - Zara Investment Holding. “I am happy to confirm that Mövenpick Resort Tala Bay Aqaba is a continuation of Zara's endorsement through its strategic investments all over Jordan of the potential of tourism in Jordan in general and in Aqaba in particular”.

“We are confident that this new resort will expand and build on the successful partnership and synergy proven over the past decade between our company and Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts” said Annab.

The Mövenpick Resort Tala Bay Aqaba is situated in Tala Bay, a new exclusive residential community on the southern shores of the Red Sea. The resort is located 15 minutes away from the city centre of Aqaba, 20 minutes away from King Hussein International Airport and one hour away from the historical city of Petra and Wadi Rum.

“This is a significant milestone for the Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts profile here in Jordan and we anticipate that this new property will do very well with both leisure visitors and business travellers” says Bruno Huber, general manager Jordan Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

The resort’s 306 spacious and modern rooms all enjoy spectacular mountain and Red Sea views. The resort operates eight restaurants and bars, which include Najel, an all-day dining restaurant, Casalingo an Italian fine dining outlet, Sejan the al fresco poolside restaurant, as well as various bars, including Baraka Lobby Lounge, Mello Chill-Out Bar, Siraj – the Arguilah Terrace, Azure Pool Side Bar and The Bop night spot.

The resort's meeting and conference facilities are designed to suit every need ranging from wedding parties to meetings and seminars for groups or individuals and incentive packages.

Leisure facilities are plenty with three large swimming pools, a large water slide, lazy river, ornamental fountains and waterfalls. Other facilities include a diving centre, children’s activity centre, an open-air amphitheatre, banquet services, and a shopping arcade.

The resort will introduce Jordan’s first purpose-built family bedrooms with separate bedrooms for parents and for children.

By the beginning of 2010, Mövenpick Resort Tala Bay Aqaba will complete the dedicated wellness area comprising of a Zara Spa, a salon, a nail studio and a fully equipped gym followed by an additional 150 rooms slated for completion in the second phase of the hotel project.