Tourism and hospitality

We are experienced in all aspects of the hotel industry and have worked on transactions in Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, the Maldives, Oman and Qatar. We advise hotel owners, developers, private financiers, banks and many of the world’s leading hotel operators on all aspects of their hotel projects.

Our work covers financing and acquisition of hotels, including everything from hotel apartments to small boutique hotels to hotel chains, construction and development and advice on franchising, sustainability and other branding issues.

Our experience gives us an unrivalled insight into the often complex legal requirements of the hotel industry and has enabled us to build up an invaluable understanding of the commercial and practical aspects of our clients’ businesses.

• We advised Mubadala Development Company in relation to its negotiations with Rosewood Hotels in connection with the development and management of a five-star hotel on Sowwah Island which will include the development of branded hotel apartments. This involved the negotiation of the hotel operation agreements, drafting of the community management documentation and producing a precedent sale and purchase agreement in relation to the branded apartments.
• We advised a large regional real estate company in relation to its proposed portfolio of serviced apartment buildings in Dubai including the negotiation of all documentation with the serviced apartments’ operator.
• We advised a large local land-owning company in relation to the development and management of a five-star hotel on the Jeddah Corniche to be managed by a renowned five-star hotel operator. This included the detailed review, amendment and negotiation of all hotel documentation.
• We advised a local developer in connection with the management and operation of the first five-star Shariah compliant hotel. This included the provision of detailed advice on the technical services agreement, management agreement, marketing and central services agreement and trademark licence agreement.

We offer you

• Extensive experience in the region with dedicated hospitality and tourism lawyers based in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Dubai with vast local knowledge in all aspects of tourism and hospitality transactions
• A strong commercial awareness of the issues that are key to our tourism and hospitality clients that enables us to advise in a pro-active and commercial manner
• An impressive track record in hotel development, operation, mergers and acquisitions, and dispute resolution
• Guidance and updates on the latest legal developments