The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has unveiled plans to open its first property in Rabat the capital city of Morocco bringing the number of hotels in the group’s North African portfolio to three.

The owner of the urban resort is Moroccan-based Sienna Investment Group and the architectural and design team consists of Scape Design Associates as the landscape designers, and architects, WATG.

Construction is now underway on the property and The Ritz-Carlton expects the resort to open in December 2014.

The resort will be situated a 10 minute drive from the city centre, within the grounds of the The Royal Golf of Dar Es Salam, designed by Robert Trent Jones over 40 years ago.

The golf estate which comprises three courses is set within a 1,087 acre oak forest. The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat will feature 120 guestrooms, 15 one-bedroom and five two-bedroom villas, expected to appeal to dignitaries and government delegations from around the world.

Herve Humler, president, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company said: “The heritage of Rabat, combined with the unique location within a world-class golf estate, will provide an incredibly appealing proposition for the affluent global traveller.”

Other properties currently under construction in North Africa include The Ritz-Carlton, Tunis, Carthage, a resort featuring 129-suites, situated close to the world heritage site of Carthage and Morocco a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Tamuda Bay, an exclusive upscale resort nestled along the unspoiled waters of the Mediterranean. It is situated 60 km east of the city of Tangiers, featuring a 98-luxury room hotel with 35 pool villa suites, a beach club and an 18-hole Nicklaus design golf course.