Dentons has advised long standing client Sunflower FZE on its management agreement with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) to launch the first Hotel Indigo in the UAE. Dentons work on the project included assisting Sunflower with all legal matters relating to the design and construction of the hotel, corporate set-up advice as well as the negotiation of its hotel management agreement and technical services agreement with IHG.

Located in the Business Bay District, the 285-room hotel will feature an infinity pool, fitness centre, meeting space and views of the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. The project marks Sunflower’s first foray into the hospitality industry and will also be IHG’s second Hotel Indigo in the Middle East, joining Hotel Indigo Riyadh King Abdullah Financial District in Saudi Arabia, set to open in 2016.

Commenting on the project, Dentons' Hotels & Leisure Partner Joby Beretta said, "We are delighted to have supported Sunflower on this exciting project, which reflects the continued level of hotel investment in Dubai in the run-up to Expo 2020. It also highlights the increased interest and buzz around the neighbouring d3 (Dubai Design District) area, from which the hotel design takes inspiration.”

Jitendra Bhatia, director of Sunflower FZE said, “Dubai as an investment market has evolved tremendously over the four decades since we have been here. Travel and tourism has picked up pace and we are looking at a growing service economy which is in need of more hotel rooms to cater to a rising proportion of GCC and international travellers.”

Dentons has extensive experience in the hotels and leisure sector across the Middle East, having advised on major hotel projects such as Atlantis the Palm, the W Hotel Palm Jumeirah and Etihad Towers in the UAE, Barr Al Jissah Resort in Oman, Fraser Suites in Doha, Club Méditerranée SA in Egypt as well as ZamZam Pullman Grand Suites Hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Dentons team was led by Hotels & Leisure Partner Joby Beretta, assisted by Construction Partner Ian Dalley, Senior Associate Joe Carroll and Associate Sara Costa Apostolides.