When it is finished the hotel is expected to have 200 rooms, two restaurants, three bars, a ballroom, 10 meeting rooms, a spa with eight treatment rooms and an outdoor swimming pool.

The hotel in the Black Sea resortwill be located at the heart of the city's historical centre and will feature a pedestrian area behind the hotel that converges with the beachside promenade.

Sochi is also due to be a host city when Russia stages the FIFA World Cup in 2018. 

"Hyatt Regency Sochi represents a key opportunity to increase preference for Hyatt's brands in one of Russia's top tourist destinations," said Peter Norman, senior vice-president of real estate and development for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts for Europe, Africa & Middle East.

"While the 2014 Games have heightened Sochi's profile, it has long been a popular destination for travellers in the region."

Construction of the hotel is an international affair, including the involvement of British firms.

"Hyatt Regency Sochi is a priority project for us," said Sergey Demin, chief executive officer of Snegiri Development.

"We have engaged the best architects and designers from the Scottish architectural firm RMJM and the French interior designer Valode & Pistre.

"We have also engaged Rasen Construction, a leading Turkish contractor, for construction of this complex and unique project.

"We are confident that Hyatt Regency Sochi will become the centre of resort life in Sochi and the premier five-star hotel in all of the famous Black Sea Riviera."

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