Abu Dhabi takes a punt with MGM Mirage

ABU DHABI – High rollers will not get a free ride at the proposed MGM Mirage when it opens here in 2012.

MGM Mirage will manage the US $3 billion non-gambling hotel resort in partnership with the Abu Dhabi government’s development firm, Mubadala Development Co.

The project, planned for 50 acres on a downtown waterfront site on Abu Dhabi Island, will consist of an MGM Grand hotel and two other MGM branded luxury hotels with more than 1,200 rooms.

The property will allow MGM Mirage to expand its database of customers and cross-market them to other properties, but casino players who rack up frequent stays in Las Vegas, will not be offered complimentary stays in Abu Dhabi, where gambling is illegal.

The development will include an arena with up to 12,000 seats, retail shops and restaurants, waterfront residences and private yacht berths, said Gamal Aziz, president of the companies’ joint venture firm MGM Mirage Hospitality.

MGM Mirage will develop and manage the project for a fee while Mubadala will own it.

The MGM Grand Abu Dhabi is the first project of MGM Mirage Hospitality, a joint venture firm the companies set up in April to develop non-gambling hotels and resorts around the world. Aziz said the group is looking for other sites to develop.

Aziz said demand is high among international visitors to Las Vegas for the mix of luxury hotel rooms, nightlife and entertainment that MGM Mirage plans to offer “in their backyard,” Aziz said.

“They will get the experience they will look for – extraordinary entertainment, great spas, a great retail experience, great restaurants and nightclubs,” he said.

“That’s what really distinguishes us from the other hotel companies: the spirit of energy and entertainment, not the dull stale environment that many of our competition provide.”