Image: The resort has 249 bedrooms and a spa

Hilton Worldwide has signed a contract with Al Hamra Real Estate Development company to take over the management of the 249-bedroom Al Hamra Fort Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

As part of the deal, the property will receive a comprehensive facelift and will be rebranded as Hilton Al Hamra Resort and Spa. While the hotel will keep its Arabic fort-style villas, it will undergo extensive renovation to enhance and update its facilities.

Due to open as a Hilton property during Q1 2013, facilities will include a large resort spa, eight restaurants, a health and fitness club, a private beach and a range of swimming pools.

The new hotel will become the fifth Hilton Worldwide property in Ras Al Khaimah joining Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa; Hilton Ras Al Khaimah; DoubleTree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah; and the upcoming Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah.

Hilton Worldwide now has 52 properties across the Middle East and Africa - seven of which have opened this year - including 10 hotels in the UAE. It has 35 hotels in the pipeline, including the first Waldorf Astoria in the country.