Category Archives: Hotels

The trade and promotion arm of Yas Island Abu Dhabi ‘Experience Hub’ announced a strategic agreement with Hotelbeds, the world’s leading business-to-business bedbank, which will result in a new and wider distribution of leisure and entertainment experiences to the international travel trade. The agreement was officiated during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, with representatives at the Yas Island stand were Experience Hub’s General Manager Marina Cipriano, and Vice President, Sales, Bruno Wiley. Hotelbeds was represented by Michael Lynden-Bell, Beyond The Bed Sales & Sourcing Director – MEAPAC at Hotelbeds,  and Mahesh Ammanath, Regional Sourcing Manager at Hotelbeds. Speaking about the signed agreement, Marina Cipriano, General Manager, Experience Hub, said, “Yas Island is now firmly established as a unique tourism destination which offers visitors to the UAE a diverse mix of leisure and entertainment, including three award-winning theme parks. Partnering with Hotelbeds will allow us to showcase Yas Island’s offerings to an even wider audience abroad and support our efforts to connect international markets to our one-of-a-kind destination.” Michael Lynden-Bell said, “We are very excited and pleased to confirm that a strategic agreement has been forged with Yas Island, one of the world’s fastest growing leisure and entertainment destinations. This news reflects our commitment to Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole, and demonstrates the confidence that partners, such as Experience Hub, place in our business-to-business bed and ancillary bank to access incremental and high-value clients”. Experience Hub will broaden its product distribution network and reach, driving increased awareness of Yas Island as a leisure and entertainment destination, while Hotelbeds – along with its Beyond The Bed division – will expand its offering beyond accommodation to include packaged …

The Chief Operating Officer for Central Hotels, Abdulla Al Abdulla, stated that the Arabian Travel Market is the most important exhibition for them as a home-grown brand and it is a privilege to present their expansion plans. Central Hotels showcased for the first time the launch of a new 5-star hotel featuring 206 luxe studios and suites overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The C Central Beach Hotel The Palm is all set to welcome guests early this summer and will be the fourth hotel to open under the Central Hotels banner. The contemporary resort will offer a rich array of facilities including five exceptional restaurants and bars, a fully-equipped fitness centre, spa and swimming pool as well as fabulous conference and banqueting facilities. Abdulla Al Abdulla said, “It is great to expand our footprint in Dubai and enhance our portfolio of hotels at this historic time when the emirate is preparing to host Expo 2020. C Central Beach Hotel The Palm enjoys an iconic location and will give travellers the opportunity to revel in unique experiences with its state-of-the-art facilities and distinctive service. We are committed to develop hotels that meet the diverse needs of residents and visitors to our destination and support the remarkable vision of Dubai.” The beach-front resort is ideal for leisure seekers, honeymooners and families.  Ammar Kanaan, Group General Manager of Central Hotels, said, “C Central Beach Hotel The Palm is a stunning property equipped with premium lifestyle amenities. We look forward to opening our doors and welcoming guests to experience our heart-warming hospitality. Looking ahead, we are confident in the strong outlook for tourism in the UAE and glad to contribute to its success as a …

Home-grown brand Rotana underlining its continuing expansion is showcasing its growing portfolio of world-class hospitality offerings at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019. Now in its 26th edition, the key industry event offers an outstanding platform for Rotana to share the latest updates on its performance and upcoming openings in the region and beyond. Rotana currently operates 65 hotels in 23 cities across 12 countries, including an impressive 9,694 keys at 35 hotels in the UAE alone. With a pipeline of ten hotels scheduled to open before the end of 2020, the stage is set for the company’s sustained expansion. Among the most highly anticipated of Rotana’s upcoming openings in 2019 is the Johari Rotana in Tanzania, a spectacular five-star hotel in Dar es Salaam that marks the company’s entrance to the East African market. Rotana is set to make another country debut in Q3 2019 with the opening of the Bosmal Arjaan by Rotana in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Also launching during Q3 2019 is the Dana Rayhaan by Rotana in Dammam. The new hotel will add 285 keys to Rotana’s inventory in Saudi Arabia, which currently consists of six hotels. Rotana’s expansion will continue in 2020 with the launch of Centro Corniche, Al Khobar (253 keys), Slemani Rotana, Sulaymaniyah (240 keys), the company’s third hotel in Jordan, Centro Amman (200 keys), Al Jaddaf Rotana (338 keys), Cayan Cantara Arjaan by Rotana (329 keys) and Cayan Cantara Residences by Rotana (489 keys) in Dubai, and Imam Reza Rotana, Mashhad (272 keys). Reflecting on the importance of the event, Guy Hutchinson, Acting CEO of Rotana, commented, “We are delighted to participate in ATM 2019, which offers unrivalled opportunities to connect with key …

TIME Hotels, the UAE-headquartered hospitality company and hotel operator, is set to announce plans to open five new properties across the Middle East during 2019 – as it targets 35 properties by 2025. The properties, which will see the growth and launch of existing as well as new TIME Hotel brands to key territories throughout the region, were unveiled during Arabian Travel Market 2019. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said, “We currently have 15 properties in operation across the UAE and wider GCC with new additions in Dubai, Sharjah and Saudi Arabia scheduled for this year as well as extending our presence to Egypt — further supporting our strategic business plan to increase our total portfolio to 35 properties across the Middle East by the end of 2025. ” TIME Hotels will debut its TIME Express Hotels brand with the opening of a property in Sharjah, during the third quarter of 2019. The three-star TIME Express Hotel Al Khan will feature 55 keys in total. In Dubai, TIME Asma Hotel is scheduled to open during the second quarter of 2019. The four-star property, located in Al Barsha, will feature 232 rooms including 12 suites. TIME Hotels opened its second property in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of April. Featuring 28 deluxe apartments — comprising four one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units – TIME Dammam Residence is located 35 minutes from King Fahad International Airport and just minutes from various shopping and dining destinations in Dammam. Joining TIME Dammam Residence in the kingdom will be TIME Golden Tower Al Khobar. Scheduled to open in August 2019, the 65-key property will be strategically located on Al Khobar Main Street and within close proximity …

The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, the new waterfront dining and leisure destination from master developer Nakheel, is on display at the 2019 Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The seafront attraction, already a magnet for UAE residents and tourists, will be under the travel industry spotlight at ATM, where Nakheel is looking to create new partnerships with travel agents, tour operators and hotels to promote the destination on a global scale. Located five kilometres out to sea, at the tip of the world-famous Palm Jumeirah, The Pointe has 70 waterside restaurants, shops and attractions, with a spectacular, choreographed fountain coming soon. The Pointe will form part of the Dubai stand at ATM, which, as the leading global event for the Middle East’s travel industry, attracts more than 39,000 travel professionals, government ministers and international media each year. Operated by Nakheel Malls, the retail arm of Nakheel, The Pointe has a car park for 1,600 vehicles, with its own Palm Monorail station on the way.

IHG signed a global partnership agreement with Seera Group, the largest travel and tourism company in the Middle East with a prominent local, regional and international presence. The significant direct connectivity distribution agreement, which was announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, will provide Seera Group (formerly Al Tayyar Travel Group) with access to IHG’s current global portfolio of 15 brands and over 5,600 hotels, in more than 100 countries, for the leisure travel category. Seera Group will also have access to automated real-time pricing and inventory across IHG’s portfolio. Commenting on the signing, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG, said, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Seera Group. IHG has ambitious growth aspirations for the region, and the exciting agreement will allow us to connect with a wider audience of leisure travellers. Leisure travel is a growing category amongst the region’s domestic and outbound travellers, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a number of projects initiated under the KSA National Vision 2030. Our global portfolio of well-known brands and hotels, coupled with the partnership, will allow us to be able to bring both greater awareness and choice to the travellers in the region.” The agreement will provide IHG with access to Seera Group’s extensive regional network of retail branches and call centres, as well as the group’s leading consumer travel brand Almosafer and its UAE-focused OTA tajawal, strengthening IHG’s visibility and sales capabilities. Abdullah Al Dawood, CEO of Seera Group, said, “Seera Group is fast becoming the partner of choice for hotel brands looking to harness the power of the Middle East’s travel industry, and with a new partnership, IHG will gain exposure to our …

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) unveiled three new luxury hospitality projects worth AED 130 million at ATM 2019, which are nearing completion and slated for an official launch in the second half (H2) of  2019. Situated in three distinct historical and natural sites across the emirate of Sharjah, the three projects are Al Faya Lodge at Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism, Kingfisher Lodge at Kalba, and finally, the Al Badayer Oasis being developed in the Al Badayer desert. The projects are poised as world-class additions to Shurooq’s growing portfolio of leading cultural and eco-tourism projects in Sharjah. They make up the ‘Sharjah Collection’ brand, developed and launched by Shurooq and managed by Mysk by Shaza Hotels. Designed to provide guests with comfort, privacy and amazing views overlooking the Indian Ocean and a forest of mangrove trees surrounding its natural location, Kingfisher Lodge is one of Sharjah’s leading eco-friendly hospitality projects. Nestled in central Sharjah, the Al Faya Lodge and Al Badayer Oasis are located in Sharjah’s Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism destination, and the Al Badayer desert, respectively. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, COO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said,  “Shurooq is highlighting its stellar portfolio of hospitality and eco-tourism projects such as Al Bait Hotel, Al Faya Lodge, Kingfisher Lodge, Al Badayer Oasis, Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism project, Al Noor Island and many more at ATM 2019, to educate visitors and investors about the emirate’s tourism sector and lucrative investment opportunities it offers”. Shurooq is participating in ATM 2019 as part of the Sharjah Pavilion under the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority’s (SCTDA) in Hall 4 at DWTC.

Cristal Group unveiled Cristal Amaken Hotel, a four-star hotel with 268 contemporary rooms and suites, designed to offer Cristal’s signature hospitality.  It is the first Cristal Hotel in Riyadh, located in the heart of Riyadh’s second Industrial City and the third Cristal property in the Kingdom. The hotel’s facilities include a state-of-the-art business centre, executive club lounge, valet parking, and outdoor pool. You can relax and unwind at the Cristal Spa which includes a health club with jacuzzi, steam & sauna, and a lavish Turkish bath.  The rooms and suites are enhanced with a variety of features including pillow top mattress, premium linen, IPTV, an executive desk, complimentary high-speed WiFi access, tea & coffee facility, and a spacious bathroom with rain shower. Cristal Amaken Hotel boasts three new dining outlets. You can taste Italy’s classic dishes at Alto Italian Restaurant, or indulge in a wide selection of international dishes at Viewz restaurant where a premium Buffet and a la carte meals are served.  You can also relax and enjoy signature desserts, coffees and teas at Blendz lobby café. The hotel also provides solutions to your event needs, be it a conference, business luncheon, workshops, weddings or receptions.  With a capacity of 300 guests, the conference hall is designed for maximum flexibility with modern audio visual equipment providing a comfortable meeting environment.  Outdoor catering services are also available. To commemorate the hotel’s opening, an introductory offer of 25 per cent discount on room rates is available until June 1, 2019.  Cristal Group together with its partners, Staywell Hospitality Group and Prince Hotels & Resorts currently operate across 16 countries with over 122 hotels and resorts.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will to showcase its latest innovative guest experiences and global expansion plans at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019 in Dubai. Building on its long history of constantly enhancing guest experiences through its innovative approach to luxury hospitality, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will be highlighting the recent launch of ‘Take Your Time: Daily Discoveries’, a collection of on-property experiences that invites guests to celebrate the culture of each destination. The experiences are designed to encourage guests to truly connect with the world and the people who matter most in their lives. Simon Casson, President – Hotel Operations—Europe, Middle East and Africa, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, said, “At Four Seasons, we have a long legacy of innovation – not only in terms of how we leverage technology to enhance our offering and services, but also in the way we embrace and celebrate innovation as a way to constantly elevate the guest experience. Whether it is by inviting guests to connect with Four Seasons people and destinations in more meaningful ways, such as through ‘Take Your Time’, or providing real-time assistance through the Four Seasons Chat service, innovation has always defined our approach to creating unforgettable luxury hospitality experiences for our guests.” “While technology clearly has a vital role to play in shaping the future of the hospitality industry, we recognise that the human touch remains key to delivering authentic personal care that makes each and every guest feel treasured and understood. We will continue to evolve our services in line with the changing needs of travellers, but without compromising on our fundamental belief in the power of deep personal connections, which remains at the heart of …

Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments Dubai is set to reveal updates on its four new upcoming properties at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) currently underway. The introduction of new living concepts was inspiration behind the foundation of Two Seasons Hotel Management Company — the one that reflects the ever-changing trends towards the specialisation of hospitality products catering to a variety of travellers including corporate guests, business and leisure groups, families and children, long-term guests and independent travellers. The Two Seasons brand represents deluxe hotels and guarantees guests fine accommodation, excellent services and unique atmosphere. The creation of the home-grown brand will certainly enhance guest interaction by offering personalised services and quality standards to guests. Following the same concept and guideline as the first hotel of the brand, Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments in Al Barsha boasts of 188 stylish lifestyle hotel rooms and is expected to open by 2021 with a swimming pool, all-day dining restaurant and a health club. New Seasons Resort and Spa in Dakhla City, Morocco boasts of a beachfront location and will house 120 supreme luxury rooms and suites, along with 24 villas of two-, three- and four-bedrooms. The resort is expected to open by 2022 and falls under a new concept of luxurious, trendy and charming that echoes a new season of lifestyle hotel start up. New Seasons Boutique Hotel, Rabat City, Morocco is a lifestyle property that will have 24 elegant and stylish units and suites with an organic farm is located in the capital of Rabat. Expected to open by 2022, this hotel also falls under a new concept of luxurious, trendy and charming that echoes a new season of lifestyle hotels start-up.