Category Archives: Hotels

Millennium Central Kuwait Downtown partners with Rotana to host their musicians and production teams participating in Hala February concerts. Providing a blend of culture, shopping and entertainment experience, Hala February features 11 singers from around the Arab world to perform a month-long festival of mega concerts. The 11 singers participating in these concerts are – Mohammad Abdo, Abdullah Al-Ruwaished, Rashid Al-Majid, Nawal Al-Kuwaitiyah, Asalah Nasri, Angham, Nabeel Shuail, Majid Al-Mohandes, Hussein Al-Jasmi, Balqees Fatahi, and Motref Al-Motref. To show their love and support for the Arabian music culture and to celebrate the liberation of Kuwait, Millennium Central Kuwait Downtown has collaborated with Rotana. Through this alliance, the hotel will not only host the musicians, but they also serve as a substitute rehearsal venue to practice and gear up for their respective performances. The shows are taking place at The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC), known as the Kuwait Opera House. Alaa Selim, General Manager at Millennium Central Kuwait Downtown, said, “We are extremely proud to support in this mega festival by hosting a huge share of the rehearsals for the Hala February. It’s the most joyful time in the country, and we as a leading hospitality provider are always keen to facilitate public occasions as well as celebrate with our guests their special moments.”

Accor is set to introduce Novotel in Oman. It entered a new strategic partnership with Sundus Investments, to manage the 215-key Novotel Muscat Airport. The two-year-old property will undergo a modest revamp including décor and signage alterations to reflect Novotel’s signature contemporary-led brand experience, with further modifications including a reimagined lobby planned in the future. With some of the capital’s most ambitious mixed-use developments on the property’s doorstep and the new world-class Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) also nearby, the hotel will meet growing local and international demand for high-quality midscale accommodation. “Partnering with Sundus Investments to raise Accor’s first Novotel flag in Oman marks another significant step in our regional expansion strategy as we look to collaborate with leading developers in strategic locations where we can leverage our portfolio of dynamic brands, with Oman a priority market. Following this agreement we can showcase our takeover expertise and demonstrate the potential of our flagship midscale concept in a fast-growing destination, paving the way for more joint hospitality projects across the Sultanate,” said Mark Willis, CEO, Accor Middle East & Africa. Ahmed Al Ardhi, Chairman of Sundus Investments, said, “Our investment and development strategy is aligned to the Sultanate’s economic diversification plans as set out in Vision 2020 and Vision 2040, with tourism identified as a key growth sector, and as we consolidate our portfolio and embark on our next growth phase, we are partnering with leading international hotel operators such as Accor to ensure our hospitality projects set world-class standards.”

Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi has enhanced its already extensive offerings by investing AED 5 million in upgrades to its meetings, events and room facilities. Ideal for business travellers, the 527-key deluxe hotel is located a short drive from Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center, the Eastern mangroves, Corniche, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, embassies and the business district. Alongside a dedicated club lounge floor, the property offers award-winning dining and recreational facilities, and intuitively curated M!CE spaces. With the recent investment and upgrades, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi now offers cutting-edge audio visual technology in all guest rooms, meeting and conference rooms, and also in its 700-capacity Onyx Ballroom, which spans 785 sqm and is divisible into three separate rooms. Desmond Hatton, General Manager Dusit Thani, Abu Dhabi, states “In resonating with the vision of ‘2020: Towards the next 50’, we aim to poise ourselves as industry leaders offering avant-garde innovative M!CE and hi- tech in-room services, ensuring every visit to our hotel is convenient and everyone is always connected. With this 5 million dirhams investment we seek to position ourselves as a preferred partner for corporate travellers, planners and agents across the globe.”

Jannah Hotels and Resorts was invited to attend a 4-day Belgrade Fair held from February 20-23, 2020. The event marked the gathering of leading brands of travel and tourism, hotel and catering service provider. Desert Adventures brings in the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Jannah Hotels & Resorts with their exclusive partner Wayout to take part in the trade fair. Representing the hotel brand, Ossama Charrouf will be meeting clients from Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and Croatia to reach the emerging markets in Dubai and set an agreement for their remaining winter and summer plans. “Representing the Jannah Hotels & Resorts brand in the Belgrade Travel Fair 2020 is an honour and pleasure as I will be meeting new connections and taking brand new deals with me coming back to the UAE,” Ossama Charrouf, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Jannah Hotels & Resorts concluded.

Pullman Hotel Sharjah officially opened last week, the inaugration was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and in the presence of His Excellency Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourist Development Authority; Hassan and Abdul Mohsen Al Hammadi, CEO of Manazil Real Estate Group, the owner of Pullman Hotel Sharjah, Mark Willis, CEO Middle East & Africa, of Accor, and many other VIPs, businessmen, guests and media representatives. In this regard, HE. Khaled Jassim Al Midfa asserted the vital role of the hotel and hospitality sector as a main pillar in fostering the development of tourism in Sharjah. His Excellency also touched upon the strong presence of Sharjah on the global tourism map and the achievements and projects that added to the thriving tourism sector, with the support and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. Commenting on the opening, Eng. Abdul Mohsen Al Hammadi, CEO of Manazil Real Estate Group, the owner of Pullman Hotel Sharjah, said, “Pullman Hotel Sharjah is an extension of our hotels portfolio, managed in collaboration with Accor, the fastest growing in hotels management and hospitality industry in the region. It adds more value to the Group’s extraordinary achievements in the hospitality sector in line with the exceptional continuous growth of the tourism sector in Sharjah which proved itself as a leading tourism destination regionally and internationally.”

ibis Styles has opened a third property in Dubai. The 351-room ibis Styles Dubai Airport will cater to the modern cosmopolitan travellers of today who are looking for a surprising and joyful experience. The new opening is set to contribute to the vibrant UAE hospitality industry. Strategically situated in Al Garhoud near the Dubai International Airport, ibis Styles Dubai Airport is designed to provide for travel needs of both business and leisure guests, be it for a spirited brainstorming session at the Creative Terminal, a relaxing night on the hotel’s signature Sweet BedTM, a wholesome, healthy meal or Grab & Go specialty coffee at Le Styles Café and everything else in between. “ibis Styles Dubai Airport is your trendy home away from home. Its modern, stylish and reflects the cool spirit of the city of Dubai. Young professionals who are visiting for work or play and families or couples looking for casual accommodation on weekends will find ibis Styles Dubai Airport hotel the new go-to,” comments Frank Béchemilh, Cluster General Manager. At ibis Styles Dubai Airport, hospitality is taken to another level. “As casting criteria, the potential candidates submitted a short video telling us why they should be selected to join our league of superheroes. The shortlisted were allowed to showcase being the hospitality superhero in our very own version of “ibis Styles has got talent”. Superheroes were tested as to how they would present themselves in a certain situation to surprise and delight the guests while exceeding their expectations,” prides Béchemilh. “Dubai is now the world’s fourth most visited city and as we prepare for the much-awaited opening of the Expo 2020 we expect more visitors. Travellers looking for …

JW Marriott announced the opening of JW Marriott Muscat, setting the stage for distinctive experiences in Oman’s historic capital. Located in the heart of Muscat’s new business hub, within the Sultanate’s largest urban development project Madinat Al-Irfan, the hotel is an integral part of the prestigious Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) precinct. Directly linked to the OCEC, it also provides easy access to key city landmarks including Muscat Old Town, Royal Opera House, Old Souq and Mattrah Corniche. Overlooking inspiring surroundings, JW Marriott Muscat features 304 guest rooms and suites, many of them offering views of Oman’s wadis, spectacular natural valleys flowing with water. With 2500 square metres of banqueting space flooded with natural daylight and equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology, the new property is the perfect place to host artfully choreographed meetings and events. Whether it’s a small board meeting, a large conference, a social gathering or a wedding, the hotel offers space and choice with two large ballrooms and six meeting rooms. Directly linked to the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) precinct, JW Marriott Muscat invites business travellers to benefit from the acclaimed ‘Events by JW’ service, including multi-lingual and experienced event planners and tailored menus. JW Marriott Muscat houses the largest Executive Lounge in the country and is the first hotel to have an exclusive lounge for airline crew. Mitzi Gaskins, Vice President & Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott, said, “The hotel’s extensive offerings encourage guests to live in the present and pursue their best selves while immersing themselves in the culturally authentic experiences of this enchanting city.”

Manazil Real Estate Group unveiled its latest development, Pullman Hotel in Sharjah, which will open soon, to address the increase in tourists choosing this vibrant emirate as their destination. The five-star property will be managed by Accor Middle East and is considered the latest addition to Manazil Group’s projects. Building and developing high-quality projects in the hospitality and health care sectors, Manazil is internationally renowned for projects with unique designs and architecture, including Marjan Island Resort and Spa, with panoramic view of the Gulf; Terhab Hotel and Towers Jumeirah (Jumeirah Village Dubai); and Terhab Hotel & Residence Sharjah Eng. Abdul Mohsen Al Hammadi, CEO of Manazil Real Estate Group, the owner of Pullman Hotel Sharjah, said, “The prime location, close to Sharjah Expo is a key feature, as Sharjah is increasingly attracting the region’s most important expos and conferences, supported by the Government of Sharjah and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority,” Al Hammadi continues, “Pullman Sharjah includes Oriana Hospital, the first of its kind in the region to promote medical tourism, supported by the Sharjah government. Through the five-star Pullman Sharjah, we aim to provide medical tourism and entertainment products for everyone. Furthermore, we are targeting GCC markets, some of the main markets for medical tourism, as well as European, Asian and African markets,” he concluded.

Radisson RED is all set to debut in Dubai this February at Dubai Digital Park. Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis brings RED’s forward-thinking style to the desert. Presenting a playful twist on conventional hotel stays, culinary hangouts with a casual feel, buzzing social scenes, integrated technology and bold design personality, it comprises of 104 contemporary designed rooms, 8 suites and 59 apartments made with millennial nomads in mind. The first ever Radisson RED in the Middle East, Dubai residents and visitors alike can expect RED signatures such as laid back service for an easy atmosphere, multiple social hubs throughout the hotel, design concepts that tune into the local and meeting spaces delivered with contemporary flair. Connection is key, so every Radisson RED guarantees high-speed wifi, digiwalls, I-Work stations and TV streaming devices. F&B is flexible – from buzzing round-the-clock social spaces to grab and go concepts for cravings that turn up unexpectedly. Fashion, music and art are top of the list meaning bold art-pieces and installations round every corner, region-led collaborations, mood music in communal spaces and dressed down RED teams to keep things casual.     Stuart Birkwood, Curator, Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis, commented, “We love our location in Dubai’s first smart city and we look forward to Dubai Digital Park growing around us into the epicentre of the UAE’s advancing technology. RED brings innovation, fun and a fresh approach to the city’s social scene – with artwork created by local talents and integrated technology such as our digital social streaming content wall.”

Millennium Hotel and Convention Centre rewards its guests this year with exquisite packages during ‘Hala February’. Organised by Rotana Production Company, Hala February kicked-off this year on February 6 starting with a huge concert for Mohammed Abdu, the renown Saudi artist, to be held in The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC), known as the Kuwait Opera House. During Hala February, guests can experience the true meaning of authentic hospitality when they book a standard room in Millennium Hotel and Convention Centre whether for individuals or families at very special rates, and they get in addition to the complimentary breakfast KD15 credit to be spent in any of the food and beverages’ outlet within the hotel including Shisha café. They can also avail 25 per cent discount on laundry and 25 per cent on spa treatments. Ahmed Serafi, General Manager at Millennium Hotel and Convention Centre Kuwait, said, “Hala February is being held every year in commemoration of the liberation of Kuwait, and it’s the right time to visit Kuwait and experience a blend of cultural events, shopping and entertainment. It’s the most important and joyful festival in the country, and we observe it as mandatory for leading hospitality providers to facilitate public occasion and celebrate with their guests their most special moments.” Fayad Emad, Director of Sales and Marketing in Millennium Hotel and Convention Centre Kuwait, commented, “We have been always keen to be the pioneers who create and design special packages that provide every guest with a personalised experience.”