Category Archives: Hotels

Abu Dhabi witnessed a double digit increase in the number of hotel guests during August compared to the same period in 2016, helping to drive the total number of guests staying in the emirate to more than 3.1 million for the first eight months of the year. Figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism, formerly known as Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, reveal that 426,912 hotel guests stayed at the emirate’s 166 hotels and hotel apartments in August, a rise of 13 per centover the same month last year. The total number of hotel guests so far in 2016 is up 7 per cent in comparison to the comparable time frame in 2016, with occupancy standing at 68 per cent. H.E. Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, Department of Culture and Tourism, said: “We are encouraged by August’s figures and the increased growth, during a month which is traditionally a quieter time of the year for hotel guests. Our annual Abu Dhabi Summer Season, which ran from July 20th until August 20th, once again proved highly popular with domestic visitors and we saw key international markets all show notable growth during the month due to concentrated promotional and marketing campaigns locally, regionally and internationally. “As the year moves on, we expect to see further progress, not least due to the highly-anticipated opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi on November 11th which has rightly attracted huge interest from across the world. We still have some opportunities to increase length-of-stay at our hotels and maintain revenues, but we are actively addressing these things as we constantly strive to improve our destination’s appeal with concerted international marketing campaigns in tandem with our 11 overseas offices.”

With an aim to attract high-end travellers, Marriott will open doors of its 300-room Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai, on October 15, offering a clear view of the iconic Burj Khalifa. This will be followed by the debut of The Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai slated for December, 2017. W Palm is scheduled to open early next year and the second W in Amman Jordan by Q1 next year. The St. Regis Cairo is the next big property to open by December and the sophisticated Edition Hotel Abu Dhabi will see the light of day next year, reveals Neal Jones, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. In terms of mid-scale brands, two Aloft properties will come up one next to Deira city center and the other at the Palm.

According to the latest Middle East and Africa Hotel Construction report by Top Hotels Projects, commissioned by The Hotel Show Dubai 2017, the UAE has been identified as the busiest country for hotel construction in the Middle East and Africa and 83 hotel projects are set to open next year. The region currently has more than 200 hotel projects in the pipeline, with Dubai (164 projects), Abu Dhabi (25 projects) and Ras Al Khaimah (12 projects) seen as the busiest areas for hotel construction in the UAE. Some of the most anticipated hotel openings include Dubai’s Rosemont Hotel and Residences, Curio Collection by Hilton (730 rooms) and Fairmont Abu Dhabi Marina Hotel & Residences (812 rooms).

Luxury Swiss hotel, part of Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort, is looking forward to welcoming first Middle East guests to the new five-star luxury Bürgenstock Hotel, in Switzerland, as it opened its doors. The newly-built hotel, with its modern architecture and contemporary design, boasts 102 rooms and suites and is sure to prove popular with travellers from the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on stunning luxury. In Switzerland, tourism from Gulf countries represents US$ 430 million.Amenities at the stunning hotel include the Spices Kitchen & Terrace, Bürgenstock Terrace, Lakeview Bar & Lounge, Lakeview Ballroom, Cigar Lounge, cinema and private dining and Sky Boutique. Further surrounding buildings inaugurated include the Grand Residence Suites, Panorama Residence Suites, Diamond Domes (event and tennis) and an outdoor tennis court. Bruno H. Schöpfer, Managing Director, Bürgenstock Selection, says, “We are delighted to welcome our first guests to the Bürgenstock Hotel. The hotel is perfect for travellers from the Middle East, with luxury at the very heart of everything we offer.”

Emaar Hospitality Group has unveiled Address Harbour Point, a premium luxury hotel and serviced residences project in Dubai with views of the waterfront and Dubai Creek Tower. The 6 sq km mega-development is only 10 minutes from the Dubai International Airport. Featuring 202 rooms and suites, Address Harbour Point is part of a 1.4 million sq ft development that will also feature Address Residences Harbour Point – a collection of branded apartments, as well as a range of food & beverage outlets and retail choices. Address Dubai Creek Harbour comprises two towers, 65 and 53 storeys each, which are located next to Creek Heights, a collection of luxury waterfront homes. Address Residences Harbour Point will offer a choice of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes and an exclusive ‘Sky Collection’ of 4- and 5-bedroom penthouses on the upper levels. A glass pedestrian bridge connecting the two towers also offers vantage viewing points of Dubai Creek Harbour and beyond. Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Dubai Creek Harbour is a smart city of the future, and with Dubai Creek Tower, the iconic observation deck at its heart, the mega-development is billed to be a popular tourist and lifestyle destination. Address Harbour Point will be a remarkable addition to the mega-development and to Dubai’s hospitality sector, offering the premium luxury experience associated with the Address brand. The project stands out for its design, waterfront location, fascinating views and wide range of amenities that will add value to guests and residents.”

Marriott International, in co-operation with Cornell University, launched ‘Tahseen’ programme, a training programme that focuses on fast-tracking next-generation Saudi leaders in hospitality. The launch event was held at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. Introducing the programme, David Leman, Marriott International’s Chief HR Officer Middle East & Africa, said, “With hands-on training, expert guidance, and invaluable, full exposure to the business of running a hotel, the ‘Tahseen’ programme will set participants up for a bright future in the industry. We’re very excited to see the begin their onboarding programme following today’s inauguration.” Developed in conjunction with Cornell University and supported by key partner DUR Hospitality, ‘Tahseen’ was specifically launched for Saudi nationals and will run over a course of 12 to 18 months. The programme offers graduates six months of cross-exposure to all departments, as well as six to 12 months of departmental specialisation led by a team of professional leaders across Marriott’s participating hotels, as well as a managerial opportunity at the end of the course. It also provides graduates access to Marriott International’s world-renowned core management development programmes.

Hilton and Tilal Properties have signed an agreement to come up with a new property adjacent to Tilal Mall by 2021. This will be the second Double Tree-branded property in Sharjah. DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Tilal Mall will offer 200 guest rooms, an outdoor pool and café, a restaurant, lobby lounge, fitness centre and business centre. Hilton announced the DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Suites in April 2017, which offers 254 suites and serviced apartments. Together with the new DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Tilal Mall and its existing Hilton Sharjah on Corniche Road, Hilton will operate three hotels in the emirate. According to Tilal Properties, the 2 million square meters (21.5 million sq. ft.) Tilal Mall will be Sharjah’s largest shopping mall and will open before the end of 2020. The mall is part of the AED 2.4 billion (US$ 653m) Tilal City mixed-use Tilal City community project and will offer a hypermarket, a fashion corner with exclusive brands, a family entertainment centre, a multi-screen cinema and Tilal Boulevard, a restaurant area featuring a selection of culinary outlets. A 65-hectare recreational park is being landscaped in the area next to the mall. Strategically located on the Emirates Road (E611), close to Al Dhaid interchange, Tilal City is just 10 kilometres away from Sharjah’s International Airport and within convenient commuting distance to nearby emirates, with Dubai only 2 kilometres away.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Astir Palace Vouliagmeni S.A. have announced plans to bring the first Four Seasons Hotel to Greece on the Astir Palace peninsula. Following extensive upgrades to the existing hotel, the new hotel will debut as Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens in spring 2018. Located 25 kilometres south of Athens and 24 kilometres from the Athens airport in the area of Vouliagmeni along a pristine shoreline of the Aegean coast, the new hotel will bring Four Seasons’ signature service to Greece for the first time. The peninsula, stretched across 30 hectares (75 acres) of pine-dotted and scenic landscaped gardens, also comprises upscale retail and dining options, including Matsuhisa Athens by Nobu; Astir Beach, a unique seaside concept; Astir Marina; and high-end seafront residences. “Astir Palace has always been a landmark destination of international stature, located in the Athenian Riviera, one of the most coveted areas in Greece,” says Stelios Koutsivitis, CEO, Astir Palace Vouliagmeni S.A. “We are strongly committed to embrace its legacy and elevate Astir Palace to a world-class premium destination. Our redevelopment plan includes the hotel’s complete renovation, a significant upgrade of Astir Marina, the advancement of Astir Beach, the development of up to 13 high-end residences, and the creation of Peninsula Park.

Marriott Hotels has launched its TestBED programme in the Middle East & Africa. First launched by Marriott Hotels across Europe in 2016, the unique 10-week accelerator programme gives start-ups the opportunity to test their products within an operating Marriott Hotel in a major city. The programme is open to seed and early stage start-ups with products or services that are ready to pilot in a live hotel environment. It offers them an invaluable opportunity to gain worthwhile feedback from guests and associates to help further develop and perfect their product. Participating start-ups are hand-picked in an effort to uncover those that can revolutionise a guest’s stay, reinventing the hotel experience throughout the region. Those selected will also be offered mentoring and global exposure. While the start-ups are not required to relocate for the duration of the programme, they may need to travel since the majority of this period will be spent in action within a Marriott Hotel. This will be the first year that the initiative is available in the region, and the programme will begin its roll-out in the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi-based hospitality and entertainment group, Al Hokair announced the expansion of MENA Hotels in the UAE with the opening of MENA Plaza Albarsha Dubai. The official ceremony was held in the presence of Majed Al Hokair, Vice Chairman, Board of Al Hokair Group. Founded in 2008 by Al Hokair Group, MENA Hotels currently boasts a portfolio of eight projects including five in Saudi Arabia, two in Jordan and one in the UAE. Making the announcement, Sami Al Hokair, CEO and Co-Founder, MENA Hotels, stated, “We are delighted to debut MENA Hotels that is a family-oriented, affordable lifestyle brand, into the UAE. MENA Plaza Albarsha Dubai is an exciting addition to our portfolio of hotels as we continue to expand our presence in the region. Al Hokair is a trusted name in hospitality and we are confident that the great experience our guests associate with our hotels will position MENA Plaza Albarsha Dubai as a preferred address in the city. Our strategy is to invest in high-growth markets such as Dubai and we believe this latest property will prove to be a valuable asset for us and will generate superb financial returns for the company.” Located in close proximity to the Mall of the Emirates, MENA Plaza Albarsha Dubai has been conceptualised to be a distinctive and elegant address for discerning business and leisure travellers. Featuring 90 rooms and suites, the hotel is equipped with facilities including two dining outlets, a spa and a gym. Elaborating on the brand’s vision, Fadi Mazkour, Regional Director, Branding & Business Development, MENA Hotels, said, “By the end of 2018 we expect to reach 18 hotels with over 2000 rooms. This incredible growth is supported …