Hotels and Travel

Abu Dhabi takes a punt with MGM Mirage

High rolling gamblers will not get a free ride at the proposed MGM Mirage when it opens in Dubai in 2012.

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

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

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

The development will include a 12,000 seats arena, shops and restaurants, waterfront homes 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.