Blue Beach Resort, Gaza
The Blue Beach Resort is a luxury beach resort hotel that opened in Gaza in the summer of 2015.
The hotel features cabana boys serving clients on its private beach, and an Olympic-size swimming pool.[1] Guests stay in 162 "chalet-style" rooms set in landscaped grounds with views of the Mediterranean.[2][3] It is part of the entertainment district along Al-Rashid Street in Gaza City that features "dozens of new and modern resorts, chalets and coffee shops,"[4] other neighborhoods also have upscale shopping malls, apartment buildings, and entertainment venues.[5]
Blue Beach joins the five-star hotel Mashtal, built in 2011, at the high end of the Gaza luxury hotel market.[1]
The Washington Post describes the hotel as one of a number of luxury businesses catering to wealthy Gazans.[1] According to economic analyst Nizar Sha’ban, “Most foreigners who visit the Strip and stay in its hotels are journalists, aid workers, UN and Red Cross staff."[4]
References
- Booth, William (25 August 2015). "Gaza Strip's middle class enjoys spin classes, fine dining, private beaches". The Washington Post. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (31 July 2015). "'Blue Beach' resort offers Gazans a glimpse of the good life". Al Arabiya. Reuters. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- Burson, Tim (12 August 2015). "The Gaza Strip's Beautiful New Resort". Paste. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- "Israeli siege turns Gaza into resort city". Middle East Monitor. 14 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- Collins, Liat (18 August 2016). "Pooling resources and last resorts". The Jerusalem Post.