Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, has recently completed a round of inspections across the authority’s latest authentic and luxury hospitality projects in Sharjah, namely "Al Bait Hotel" at the Heart of Sharjah, and Mleiha’s newly announced "Fossil Rock Lodge".

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi explored the latest build-up progress of Al Bait Hotel site, Sharjah’s luxury and heritage hospitality property and the largest-of-its-kind in the region, in the presence of Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq, and Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, COO of Shurooq.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi overlooked the progress at the hotel’s heritage houses, which are being renovated and refurbished, to provide a unique mix of premium and cultural experiences to guests and visitors.

During the visit, Shurooq announced that the hotel’s development has exceeded 70 percent, and will be completed in 2018.

Al Bait Hotel is the first 5-star luxury hotel on a heritage site in the UAE. Being built on an AED 100 million budget, it will feature 54 luxury guestrooms and suites, hotel facilities including five cafes and restaurants, among other amenities. The hotel is also connected to one of the oldest marketplaces in the country, Souq Al Arsah, providing its guests with one-of-a-kind experience to see and feel one of the emirate's oldest souqs from their doorstep.

At the Fossil Rock Lodge, a modern hospitality facility being developed as part of the second phase of the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism project, Shurooq announced that the project's progress had reached 60 percent completion, and is slated for an end-of-year opening.

Sheikha Bodour commended the teams’ tireless efforts in preserving the heritage and historical spirit and footprint during the overall development of both projects, which reflects the authority’s mission to position Sharjah as a unique and authentic cultural tourism destination in the region.