Category Archives: Hotels

Citymax Hotels from Landmark Group is set to open its first property in the Olaya district of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by mid 2019. Citymax Hotel Riyadh is the brand’s first hotel in KSA and the second to open outside the UAE. The opening comes at a time when mid-market hotels are on the rise and are poised to provide continued competition to the luxury hotel segment, by offering rooms with contemporary amenities at competitive rates. The three-star property will offer 65 rooms, as well as an all-day dining restaurant, Citycafé and a Lavazza coffee shop. Other facilities include meeting rooms and a fully-equipped gym and sauna. With long-stay guests identified as a key audience for the property, Citymax Riyadh will cater to both business and leisure travellers. The hotel is close to many local attractions, including Kingdom Towers, the Ministry of Interior and Al Faisaliah Mall. Aly Shariff, Chief Operating Officer, Citymax Hotels, said, “Mid-tier travel as a whole is on the rise, which puts us in a favourable position as the demand is certainly growing. This is especially true in Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to drive economic diversification has had a major impact on the hospitality industry.”

Further expanding its footprint in the African market, Rotana has signed a hotel management agreement with Mullion Contractors to manage a new five-star hotel and hotel apartments in Nairobi. Set to open in 2022, the new property will be situated at Upper Hill, a popular business district in the city of Nairobi. With 200 hotel rooms and 100 hotel apartments, the upcoming hotels will be operated under the ‘Rotana Hotels & Resorts’ and ‘Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana’ brands. The agreement for the new hotel comes a month after Rotana signed up for its first property in the Republic of Zambia. The planned five-star hotel is scheduled for opening in 2021 in the heart of the south-central African country’s capital city Lusaka. When opened, the new properties in Kenya and Zambia will join the company’s portfolio of operating hotels in the African continent that includes Al Salam Rotana, Khartoum, Sudan; Kin Plaza Arjaan by Rotana, Kinshasa, DR Congo; and Grand Rotana Resort & Spa, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The new hotel and hotel apartments will bring Rotana’s total inventory in Africa to 2,028. Nasser Al-Nowais, Chairman, Rotana, said, “Setting foot in Kenyan market with a five-star hotel and hotel apartments is closely aligned with our vision of strengthening Rotana’s presence in Africa and bolstering our global portfolio further. We will continue to seek new opportunities to offer Rotana’s branded accommodation on the continent that is increasingly becoming popular among tourists and corporate travellers from around the world.” Offering guests with all the comforts and the luxury for a pleasant and memorable long stay experience, both hotels in Nairobi will feature key hospitality offerings, including signature dining restaurants, executive lounge, ballroom, state-of-the-art …

Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi has inaugurated the first boutique five-star luxury resort in Sharjah — Al Bait Sharjah. The property becomes the first five-star luxury hospitality brand in the UAE built on and inspired by rich Emirati heritage and culture. The official opening, which was led by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, was also under the presence of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman, Sharjah Media Council; Sheikh Salem Bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, Director — Office, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Director, Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD), and a number of senior officials from Sharjah’s state entities, along with local and international journalists and influential personalities. Al Bait, which translates to ‘The Home’ is part of an Emirati conservation project in Sharjah spearheaded by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq). The hotel is the latest on GHM’s illustrious international list of hospitality properties, and features a collection of four heritage houses once owned by local families closely intertwined with Sharjah’s history. The five-star luxury resort is located in Heart of Sharjah – a major cultural heritage site in the UAE. Raising the bar and pioneering luxury hospitality in Sharjah, the resort is set to put the destination on the map. The boutique property, which is valued at AED 200 million, is home to 53 luxury rooms and suites, and a range of facilities and amenities, including an array of dining offerings inspired by Middle Eastern and Far Eastern cuisines, a luxury hammam, a helipad for the ultimate …

After nearly two years of renovation by Emaar Hospitality Group, Address Dubai Mall opens with a new chic look set for the sparkling season of cheer. The rooms take on an inspiring new look and feel with lavish furnishings. Private balconies open to mesmeric views of Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain. Karat, the lobby lounge, is fresher and sophisticated, and serves contemporary and modern Arabic culinary delights. Cez is where you can retreat for a sumptuous lunch. The café serves luscious lattes to ice-cold frappés. Opening soon is the club lounge, exclusively reserved for guests of club rooms and suites. Address Dubai Mall is also home to one of the largest open-air lap pools in Downtown Dubai, its allure enhanced by the exotic pool-side restaurant, Cabana, which will welcome guests shortly. Adding to the choice of Address Dubai Mall as one of Dubai’s definitive wedding venues is a Bridal Sales Centre, that serves as a preview showcase, and a VIP multi-purpose room. The spa at the mall has an elegant new look and assures the blissful experiences of refinement and rejuvenation that nourish both mind and body. Olivier Harnisch, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Address Dubai Mall once again underlines our strategy of creating exceptional lifestyle environments under our Address Hotels + Resorts.”

SIHOT, a customer-centered technology solution managing various aspects of hotel operations, was launched recently at Dubai HITEC 2018. Developed by GUBSE AG in Germany, the solution helps local hoteliers to adopt latest technologies in the fast development and tech progress challenges in the hospitality industry. It combines different modules, from PMS and CRM, to self check-in terminal and web app for the guests, into one manageable application for hoteliers. With Dubai’s high ambitions to attract 25 million tourists by 2025 and the growing numbers of hotel rooms available (additional 155,000 by 2020), local hoteliers are looking for new ways to attract more guests. Having noticed the challenges of hoteliers in the Middle East, SIHOT has partnered with BizGate Marketing & Consultancies to help industry professionals enhance their guest experience. David Warren, Director, International Sales, SIHOT, siad, “We understand the challenges Middle East hoteliers are facing. We want to help them to manage everyday operation using just one complex solution, as well as staying ahead by adopting the latest tech trends.” Mohamad Masri, Managing Director, BizGate Marketing & Consultancies, said, “We’ve been observing the considerable growth of rooms supply this year and it’s the crucial time for hoteliers to optimise their operations and enhance their guest experience.”

Jumeirah Group has opened the group’s first luxury “eco-conscious” resort, Jumeirah at Saadiyat, nestled on the pristine shores of Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. The resort provides a luxurious and environmentally-sensitive holiday, perfect for honeymooners and families looking for an island escape. The beautifully-designed modern, sunlit rooms overlook the Arabian Gulf and the panoramic suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. Besides, it offers three outdoor infinity pools, a kids’ pool and Bodyism Wellness Centre. The 2,700 square metre haven of tranquillity and quiet sophistication features a grand Moroccan hammam, 15 treatment rooms with male and female facilities, saunas, hydrotherapy pools, steam rooms, salt rooms, experience showers and a traditional Arabic rasul room – a cleansing ritual which promises to leave spa lovers feeling relaxed with beautifully exfoliated skin. Linda Griffin, General Manager, Jumeirah Saadiyat Island Resort, said, “This Resort is a place like no other. Located next to one of the most spectacular beaches in the Arabian Gulf, every aspect of the resort’s design has been influenced by the beauty of this location.” A ten-minute drive from Abu Dhabi city centre, guests can explore the island’s 9 kms of mesmerising white beach and the crystal clear waters of the Arabian Gulf which provide a feeling of relaxation and harmony. Golf aficionados can enjoy the close proximity to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the Arabian Gulf’s first beachfront course.

Emirates Flight Catering has been selected to lead the hospitality and operations for the New Zealand pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai which will take place from October 2020 to April 2021 with participation from 190 countries. The New Zealand pavilion restaurant will be central to the country’s participation at Expo 2020. International visitors will experience premium New Zealand food and beverage products, prepared by Emirates Flight Catering’s skilled chefs. Saeed Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Flight Catering, said, “New Zealand is a high-profile destination and its innovative approach to hospitality will allow us to showcase our expertise in food, beverage and hospitality, and to provide a world-class experience to anyone who visits the pavilion. The opportunity to work alongside New Zealand and its visitors to Expo 2020, a milestone event for the United Arab Emirates, is something we’re incredibly proud of.” Members of Emirates Flight Catering’s experienced culinary team, made up of 1800 chefs from 52 countries, will visit New Zealand early next year to source food and beverage products from experienced exporters for the pavilion restaurant. Clayton Kimpton, New Zealand’s Commissioner-General to Expo 2020, said, “New Zealand’s manaakitanga or warm hospitality is part of what makes us special. We’re excited to partner with Emirates Flight Catering to share our pavilion experience and New Zealand’s food and beverage with the world at Expo 2020 Dubai.” The agreement with New Zealand at Expo 2020 is further evidence of Emirates Flight Catering’s expertise and expansion outside of its core flight catering business. The company recently commenced construction of its vertical farming facility in Dubai. It’s also expanding further into retail and consumer sectors, combining its culinary and production expertise to produce premium …

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is set to increase its footprint in Dubai with three new managed hotels as part of the Deira Waterfront Development by Ithra Dubai. The 282 rooms and suites at Wyndham Deira Waterfront will appeal to up-scale travellers looking for tailored services and amenities to match, with its extensive meeting, fitness and leisure facilities, including a rooftop pool with views over the Gulf. Days Hotel Deira Waterfront will give mid-scale travellers a fresh burst of energy with its 131 quality rooms and suites, as well as an all-day dining restaurant and meeting facilities. Lastly, travellers on a budget will find 90 reasonably priced rooms at Super 8 Deira Waterfront, alongside a restaurant and café. The hotels will operate under the Wyndham, Days by Wyndham, and Super 8 by Wyndham brands. Also known as the Deira Enrichment Project, Ithra Dubai’s development is a mixed-use area situated along the Dubai creek in the southern part of Deira. Communal facilities, public amenities and open spaces will create a dynamic urban community along the shores of the Dubai Creek and will deliver key commercial growth opportunities for the city. The addition of three new hotels to the first phase of the development will also draw domestic and international business and leisure visitors looking for accommodation suited to a range of budgets. Issam Galadari, Director and CEO, Ithra Dubai, said, “Ithra Dubai’s development in Deira will enhance this busy and bustling part of Dubai, and will add to its rich tapestry woven by communities past and present. The collaboration with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will bring a new dimension to the area’s hospitality services, and will elevate and facilitate new pathways for …

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments (GSHA) continues to be the preferred accommodation of visitors from India as shown by the increased interest received by the team at a tourism roadshow held in Delhi recently. Over 400 trade professionals comprising key travel and tour operators, wedding planners and upmarket leisure operators from the city attended the roadshow organised by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). Mohammed Khoori, General Manager, said, “The roadshow opened up new opportunities to tap agents who are not familiar with Golden Sands Hotel Apartments. It was the ideal platform to interact with a significantly higher number of travel agents and tour operators that market a new segment of travellers from India. The main market segments that we are looking at tapping in India this year are the group series departures and the family segment travellers who will be heading for the New Year and Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2019. Our main focus on expanding and consolidating ties with the new travel segment was to reach out to a larger audience and gain a higher market share.” Earlier in the year, the team of GSHA joined another DTCM roadshow and visited the cities of Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad and Mumbai and met potential partners and buyers.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed an official management agreement with ACICO Gulf Real Estate to rebrand former Nassima Royal hotel as IHG’s upscale brand Voco. Globally, IHG launched Voco in June 2018 to strengthen IHG’s offer in the $40 billion upscale segment, which is expected to grow by a further $20 billion by 2025. Commenting on the landmark signing, Kenneth Macpherson, Chief Executive Officer Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, IHG, said, “IHG has identified significant growth opportunities in upscale hospitality and the signing of Voco Dubai is a significant step in this direction. We are excited to partner with the esteemed ACICO Gulf Real Estate, and are confident that it will be a popular choice amongst travellers visiting Dubai. The Dubai market is ever-changing and maturing. In the UAE alone, the unbranded accommodation market makes up 60 per cent of the total hospitality sector. As such, we believe that the Emirate now requires a unique offering like Voco to cater to mindful and self-determined audiences. Voco combines the best of individual high-quality upscale hotels, with the best of IHG. It’s a brand that forms the heart of a newly built hotel or celebrates what already makes an existing hotel successful. Most importantly, guests can enjoy the freshness of unique hotels under a name they can trust.” Ghassan Alkhaled, CEO and Vice Chairman, ACICO Group added, “We are proud to partner with IHG to open the first Voco in the Middle East. Powered by the strength and scale of the IHG system and charm of the newly-launched brand, we are confident that Voco Dubai will be a great success and a preferred choice for business and leisure travellers looking for an upscale …