Category Archives: Hotels

Dubai Retail, the retail management arm of Dubai Holding, has announced that JRG Dubai, its home-grown restaurant management company, has rebranded as Sarood Hospitality, marking a new era for the UAE-born company. Part of Dubai Retail’s strategic efforts to propel the emirate’s food and beverage industry and establish Dubai as an innovative force in the global hospitality sector, the creation of Sarood Hospitality comes as Dubai Retail aims to reinvent a number of its unique F&B outlets to continue to be ahead of market trends, while meeting the needs of increasingly sophisticated consumers. As a full-service hospitality brand, Sarood Hospitality’s portfolio includes Al Nafoorah, The Noodle House, Pierchic, Flow, The Duck Hook, Hillhouse Brasserie, Khaymat Al Bahar, Pai Thai, Perry & Blackwelder’s, Segreto, and Trattoria Toscana. “Sarood Hospitality is much more than a name, it is a vision and philosophy that sets a clear direction for the future of Dubai Retail as an independent leader in restaurant management and unique concepts born in Dubai,” said Nabil Ramadhan, CEO of Dubai Retail. “Sarood refers to the traditional woven mats decorated elaborately and used in the presentation of food during meals. We chose Sarood Hospitality because the name symbolises how the company’s iconic restaurant brands are already interwoven in the fabric of Dubai and serve as true symbols of hospitality and multi-faceted sustainability,” added Ramadhan.

Emaar signed a MoU with Beijing New Aerotropolis Holdings (BNA) recently to jointly develop a Business and Tourism Complex, integrating retail, entertainment, office, hotel hospitality, convention, sport, art and lifestyle functions in a one-stop solution. Emaar and BNA will share resources in order to establish the Aero-Economic Area. This collaboration signals that Emaar is very seriously eyeing entering into the mega development of China and leveraging its long experience in building key projects and attractions. This MoU also opens up a new spectrum of opportunity to bring Emaar’s iconic projects and premium lifestyles to China. Emaar is a leading global property developer and provider of premium lifestyles based in Dubai, UAE, and present in 13 countries. The group has a land bank of 1.6 billion square feet in the UAE and key international markets including Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Dubai Creek Harbour. Emaar has built landmark projects in the Middle East, North Africa, the United States, Europe and South Asia, which deliver ideal lifestyles. The group also plays an important role in the China-UAE strategic partnership, and is actively exploring the Chinese market in response to The Belt and Road policy.

The latest deal to be signed was the new Holiday Inn at the upcoming Dubai Deira Islands which will soon be a very popular destination. The signing is aligned with IHG’s strategy to increase its mid-scale offering in the Middle East and cater to the diverse profiles of guests visiting the region. Expected to open in 2023, the 170-key hotel will be in close proximity to the city centre (15-minute drive) and airport (10-minute drive). Ideal for business and leisure travellers, Holiday Inn Dubai Deira Islands will feature well-appointed guest rooms, excellent facilities including a business centre, three meeting rooms (432 sqm in total) as well as a state-of-the-art gymnasium and outdoor pool for guests to relax and rejuvenate. Furthermore, guests will have two dining options offering an excellent selection of food and beverages. Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said, “This is the sixth signing for our mid-scale portfolio in the Middle East, this year, and we are very pleased with the strong progress we are making in this segment. We are excited about this new venture and look forward to welcoming guests to this highly anticipated location in 2023.” Partnering with IHG for Holiday Inn Dubai Deira Islands, Ravi Sankar said, “IHG is a trusted brand with a long-standing history in the Middle East and we are proud to partner with them to open Holiday Inn Dubai Deira Islands. I am confident that the strategic location combined with IHG’s signature hospitality, will successfully cater to the needs of the modern business and leisure traveller.”

Radisson Hotel Group has launched its new multi-brand and mobile-first global website, RadissonHotels.com, which also serves as a unique platform for Radisson Rewards members. Complementing the revamped site will be the Radisson Hotels App, available by the end of July 2019. This online landmark brings the group a step closer to becoming one of the industry’s digital leaders. The enhanced RadissonHotels.com allows guests and loyalty members to explore the group’s entire portfolio of more than 1,100 hotels worldwide – and to easily book a stay in just a few clicks. For both new and existing Radisson Rewards members, RadissonHotels.com and the Radisson Hotels App will deliver a personalised digital experience. Due to its intuitive user interface, the website and the App will be the main hubs for earning, viewing and redeeming points – as well as seeing all the benefits of Radisson Rewards in one place. Eric De Neef, Executive Vice President & Global Chief Commercial Officer for Radisson Hotel Group, said, “The launch of RadissonHotels.com is a key milestone on our journey towards the top. Having one single touchpoint for all our brands will strongly enhance the user experience and drive SEO value. RadissonHotels.com is a core commercial initiative of our five-year operating plan, which is transforming our business and aiming to make Radisson Hotel Group the company of choice for guests, owners and talent.” The full website will initially be available in English, Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish and Swedish. Additional language support will be brought online progressively – allowing as many guests and members as possible to access RadissonHotels.com in their native language.  

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is celebrating the more than 100 Hotel Indigo properties around the world with the launch of a shoppable hotel room that allows anyone to buy direct from the best artists and craftspeople from around the world, in one place, on social media. Inspiring us to be more curious and explore the stories of neighbourhoods we have yet to experience, Shop the Neighbourhood, with Hotel Indigo shines a spotlight on the local neighbourhood stories that inspire the distinctive designs of each property. Curated artisans and local makers are featured in the shoppable room, including hand-selected items from celebrity milliner Gladys Tamez (Hotel Indigo Los Angeles – Downtown), Trabi Safari (Hotel Indigo Berlin – East Side Gallery), Hilary Grant (Hotel Indigo Dundee), Les-Ottomans Home Design (Hotel Indigo Venice Sant’Elena), famed street artist Lee Quiñones (Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York) and Muzen radio (Hotel Indigo Hotel Indigo – Bangkok Wireless Road). Jason Moskal, Vice President, Global Marketing, Hotel Indigo, commented, “We are excited to bring together the best of local design and for the first time ever, give consumers the chance to take a little piece of our incredible neighbourhoods home with them. It’s been such an adventure working with the local artisans to bring this concept to life.” Henry Reeve, IHG’s Director of Interior Design in Europe, said, “Each of the 100 or so hotels in the Hotel Indigo portfolio is completely different. We work tirelessly with local businesses and artisans to ensure that the heart and soul of each Hotel Indigo truly represents the neighbourhood in which it resides.”  

OYO Hotels & Homes has announced the launch of its premium offerings for business travellers, Capital O,  in the UAE. With this, OYO has further expanded its growing presence in the Emirates and is on track to achieve its target of offering 12,000 rooms in 150 hotels in all the 7 Emirates by 2020. The first Capital O 187 Action Hotel is located in Ras Al Khaimah and another one – Capital O 167 Moon Valley Hotel Apartment – is in Bur Dubai. Capital O is the ideal choice for new-age corporate travellers, as it offers the perfect amenities for business & leisure stays. These premium hotels are located in prime locations and specially curated to deliver OYO’s quality-assured experience at an affordable price. Capital O hotels are equipped with high-speed WiFi, 24*7 food and beverages with in-room services, buffet-style breakfast and premium amenities, including OYO branded toiletries. OYO has received an overwhelming response to the Capital O offering in India and currently it has 700 hotels in 200+ cities across the country as part of its growing portfolio. With this launch, discerning travels to the UAE can enjoy the same premium and elegant hospitality experience in Capital O hotels.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is continuing to expand its footprint across Saudi Arabia with the signing of voco Makkah in partnership with Maad International, among the Kingdom’s largest hospitality real estate development companies. The property will be the largest voco in the world, when operational in early 2020, and it will cater to the growing number of religious tourists in KSA. The 4,200-room hotel will take IHG’s portfolio in the country to over 19,500 rooms, solidifying IHG’s position as one of the largest hospitality players in Saudi Arabia. voco Makkah will occupy a premium location within the greater Maad Hospitality Towers Development, a mega mixed-used development that includes restaurants, lounge areas, event halls and separate male and female prayer halls. Situated in one of the most sought-after locations in the Holy City, the new hotel is within walking distance of Masjid Al Haram, and it will provide an ideal base for pilgrims along with an exceptional guest experience including over 20,000 sqm of dining and meeting facilities. Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said, “We are honoured to enter into this agreement with Maad International, which is one of the most renowned hospitality development companies in the Kingdom. We look forward to catering to the influx of pilgrims at voco Makkah, which will provide a welcoming, comfortable and a reliably different experience during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.”

In keeping with the mid-market sector UAE’s homegrown brand Citymax launched its second hotel in the Al Barsha area and the fifth across the UAE on June 27, 2019. The opening follows the successful launch of Citymax Hotel Ras Al Khaimah in November 2018, and enhances the Citymax portfolio up to five hotels in operation across the GCC, as well as a sixth Citymax Hotel in Aswan, Egypt. Known for its personality of ‘vibrant simplicity’ and providing its guests with an unforgettable stay, Citymax Hotel Al Barsha will follow in the same steps, but with an added sense of appeal. This Citymax property is uniquely positioned to cater to business travellers looking for the comforts of a well-known brand, but the exclusivity and warmth of a boutique hotel. The hotel boasts 120 spacious rooms, including 24 twin rooms and 96 queen rooms. Each floor of the hotel has only 10 rooms, providing a sense of privacy in the heart of bustling ‘New Dubai’.  The property hosts a meeting room, with a capacity of 8-10 delegates. One of the most unique features in this property is the special floor dedicated to women travellers who would require a little more privacy, hence the whole floor with 10 rooms are dedicated only for women, catered by women. “The introduction of Citymax Al Barsha is a milestone for both Citymax Hotels and the UAE hospitality sector, as we’re now in a position to offer a niche audience quality accommodation that perfectly suits their business needs, whilst at the same time amplifying the unique warmth of a boutique-style hotel,” says Joanne Williams, General Manager of Citymax Al Barsha.

The award-winning Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is celebrating 10 years as a leader in wellness at its luxury spas worldwide. Over the past decade, the Group has launched a range of signature concepts, products, and treatments that have helped to establish the Group’s spas as some of the best in the world. Examples of innovation include a collaboration with global health and fitness platform Grokker to bring wellness into the guestroom with a range of complimentary in-room health and fitness videos; the launch of Mindful Meetings by Mandarin Oriental, designed to enhance and energise meetings and conferences with creative solutions that are based on five key elements of wellness: nourishment, movement, stillness, connections and wellbeing; and relaxing Digital Wellness treatments and practical tips that encourage guests to take a break from today’s ever-present technology. In addition, the Group has invested in a number of expertly trained Mandarin Oriental Specialists to provide guests with bespoke, specific treatments and experiences that can be hard to find elsewhere. These include podiatry specialists, TCM specialists, a Turkish Hammam Master, Shaolin Kung Fu Master and Thai massage therapists. The Group started their celebration of innovations achieved over 10 Years of Wellness on Global Wellness Day, June 8, 2019, with complimentary wellness activities at all hotels and resorts worldwide. For the rest of the year, guests are encouraged to rediscover some of the Group’s most popular, ground-breaking signature treatments and products. Those who book the Group’s signature Oriental Qi massage between Global Wellness Day and September 8, 2019 will receive tip sheets for exercise, balance and breathing together with a signature oil that relates to their own personalised element to use at home.

The third property in the portfolio of Hyatt properties in the Old Dubai area opened recently as Hyatt Place Wasl District joining the two other earlier properties, Hyatt Place Dubai/Al Rigga and Hyatt Place Dubai/Baniyas Square in increasing the number of contemporary yet affordable hospitality offerings in the city. The opening of the property brings Hyatt hotels in the UAE to 10 properties. Hyatt Place Dubai/Wasl District offers 202 guestrooms, including 10 suites, with separate spaces to sleep, work and play, as well as a Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper, 105 well-appointed apartments comprising of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments that feature kitchenette, modern utility services and more. Meeting spaces amassing over 300 square metres, are designed for clients hosting stylish and flexible small-scale business meetings, conferences or celebrating special occasions. “We look forward to hosting guests both local and international alike as we introduce them to the modern comforts of a Hyatt Place property. The hotel will provide travellers with a unique stay through the design, amenities and warm hospitality offered by the entire team,” shared Fathi Khogaly, Cluster General Manager, Hyatt  Corporation. “The decision to introduce a third Hyatt Place property stems from its seamless integration into the city’s contemporary appeal, prioritising consistent development,” said Kurt Straub, Vice President of Operations, Middle East, Africa and South West Asia, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “We’re seeing an increased guest demand for our select service portfolio and as such are meeting these demands across the UAE and KSA. We plan to continue to expand our brand presence across the Middle East, as part of our pipeline of development for the region.”