The Manhattan Grand Hotel, the largest hotel built in the Greater Male' Region, was officially inaugurated yesterday in Hulhumale' Phase 1.
The opening ceremony held last night was graced by Finance Minister Hassan Zareer. The event was also attended by Ibrahim Naeem, Managing Director of World of Business Private Limited, the company operating the Manhattan brand.
The Manhattan Grand features 158 rooms, four restaurants, and a 7,500-square-foot event hall. Consistent with five-star standards, the property offers luxury amenities, including a swimming pool and other high-end services.
In addition to its hospitality facilities, the Manhattan building houses several government offices and dedicated spaces for media outlets. The operating company reportedly invested $1 million to develop this "Media Village."
Ibrahim Naeem, head of the operating firm, also owns the renowned Raanba Restaurant. Under his company, Silver Spoon, he manages Raanba, Centro Fine Dining, and the Manhattan Business Hotel in Male'.
The project at the site of the Manhattan Grand Hotel was initiated by the State Trading Organisation (STO) in 2007. Although STO completed the concrete structure at a cost of approximately $34 million, the hotel remained unopened for years.
Efforts to bring the hotel to fruition involved 17 potential investors from the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. The project was finally completed and opened through a partnership between Naeem and Dubai’s Deep Seafood Company, following 11 months of work.
The Manhattan Grand Hotel is projected to contribute approximately $3 million annually to the state in land rent and taxes.
