Dubai:  InterContinental Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement with RAK properties to develop InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort in Ras Al Khaimah.

The 300-room property will be located on the Coast Road, which connects all UAE emirates. The resort is set to open in 2010 as part of the Mina Al Arab development - a Dh10 billion ($2.7 billion) mixed-use leisure and holiday complex situated along a 13 kilometre (eight mile) beach.

John Bamsey, chief operating officer, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Middle East and Africa, said: "With Ras Al Khaimah looking to quadruple the number of tourists by 2010 to 100,000, the emirate is really beginning to mark its place on the global travel map. InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort is one of the 11 InterContinental properties currently in the development pipeline across the Middle East and Africa region and we are looking forward to offering a truly authentic Arabic experience along with unrivalled access to this largely undiscovered destination."

InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort will incorporate extensive food and beverage options including a 150-seater, all-day dining restaurant, three speciality restaurants, two bars, a lobby lounge and an outdoor pool bar. While its state-of-the-art facilities, including two high-tech meeting rooms, a business centre and several retail units, are expected to appeal to corporate bookings and business guests, those looking for a more relaxing experience will enjoy the leisure amenities that include the health-club, gym, spa and pool.

InterContinental Mina Al Arab Resort will offer access to Ras Al Khaimah's natural assets - quality coastline, mangrove forests, unspoilt desert, the Hajjar mountain range and a Bedouin culture dating back 7,000 years.

The Mina Al Arab project is set to include a theme park, Thalasso Therapy centre, marina and a heritage village. The development will also contain a cluster of 3,500 residential units and 388 residential villas, a traditional Arabian souq, 310 hectares of open spaces, ecological preserves and landscaping, traditional 'abra' water taxis, medical facilities, numerous cafes and restaurants and a range of leisure and sports facilities.