Category Archives: Hotels

Aiana Hotels & Resorts, a global hotel management company, continues to strengthen its position within the Middle East region with the appointment of Arshad Sayed as the Regional Director of Sales for the GCC. In line with the upcoming launch of their first property in Saudi Arabia – Aiana Makkah, this new appointment solidifies Aiana’s commitment to create a globally respected hospitality brand that represents the best of Indian hospitality through exemplary service, design and operating concepts. Aiana Hotels & Resorts’ regional sales office will be based in the Jumeirah Lake Towers vicinity, one of Dubai’s largest free zone areas.  Amruda Nair, Joint Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aiana Hotels & Resorts said, “Driven by experience and passion, Arshad brings a terrific blend of business and analytical skills that will ensure the solid growth of the Aiana brand across the GCC. With three properties opening in the next year in the GCC there is no doubt that he will work closely with our strategic leadership team and be a key player in establishing AIANA Hotels & Resorts as a leading hotel brand in the region fulfilling a gap in the market for experience-driven, lifestyle oriented accommodation lead by a strong Indian service ethos.”

Royal Continental Hotel has launched its first hotel in Deira, Dubai, with 168 rooms and suites with modern leisure facilities and multi-cuisine dining options spread over 11 floors. The four-star luxury hotel with a unique combination of traditional Arabic design and urban elements of modern architecture offers an unmatched technologically-advanced experience through innovative in-room facilities. Strategically located minutes from Dubai International Airport, the hotel aims to target business travellers and tourists alike. Sultan Al Menhali, CEO, Royal Continental Hotel, said, “We are delighted to announce the launch of our first hotel in the Middle East. Aligning ourselves with His Highness’ vision of focusing on family, Royal Continental Hotel is Sharia compliant and designed keeping in mind the importance of families spending leisure time together. Accelerated towards Dubai’s vision for 2020 and with our expansion plans we are positively looking forward to contribute to the key objective of attracting 20 million visitors per year by 2020 and position Dubai as the ‘first choice’ for the international leisure and business traveller.” Wajeed Bagwan, General Manager, Royal Continental Hotel, said, “Royal Continental Hotel is introduced to the Middle East region with an aim to cater to the growing numbers of guests looking at the region for business and holiday needs offering them with a relaxed contemporary surrounding, perfectly suited to both a short city break or an extended vacation. We are enthusiastically looking forward to our regional growth in the coming years.”

The latest addition to the 204-roomed property located in close proximity to Mall of the Emirates is the launch of the new meeting room with its title “Rendezvous”. It can accommodate up to a maximum of 55 guests for a cocktail reception, 35 theatre style, 28 classroom style, 24 boardroom and 21 in U shape. Provided with state of the art technology with wireless audio visual facilities, Wi-Fi connection, 84 inch LED TV display presented with VGA and HDMI connection and the general material such as flip charts, note pad, name card and an innovative range of food and beverage offerings for the guests. As the area is 75m2 all participants at the meeting can engage themselves in discussions and would be ideal for companies who would prefer to book a boardroom away from their own office in order to generate new ideas or have a small function for staff or a specialized training programme, etc., in this very modern space.

Marriott International, Inc is gearing up to launch its second Marriott Hotel brand property in Abu Dhabi, Marriott Hotel Al Forsan developed by Al Forsan Hotels LLC, under the leadership of the property’s Executive team who will drive the new opening. Positioned in Al Forsan International Sports Resort, located within Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, the 400-bed five-star Marriott Hotel Al Forsan showcases the Marriott Hotels brand innovation by offering sophisticated design, modern services and amenities that enable the next generation of travellers to ‘Travel Brilliantly’ through every aspect of their stay. From modern guest rooms, high-tech meeting rooms, six signature culinary offerings to extensive sports facilities including an equestrian centre and polo field, a waterski and wakeboarding lake and two indoor paintballing areas – it really does offer something for everyone whether a leisure or business traveller. Richard Bleakley, General Manager of the Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi stated ahead of the hotel’s opening:  “We are extremely proud to open Marriott Hotel Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi, a property that we believe offers facilities unlike any other resort, not just in the capital but the entire UAE. I am fortunate to be leading an incredibly experienced and diverse team made up of more than 50 nationalities, who bring their strengths and expertise to position the property as a destination within a destination. We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome guests to experience a combination of sophisticated design and innovation, as well as delivering an unrivalled hospitality experience in the capital.”

Fourzone Décor, a UAE-based interior contracting and fit-out company, has recently signed a AED30 million hotel apartment project with Shine Properties, a leading construction company in the region. The hotel apartment project located in Business Bay will be managed by a leading international hospitality brand once completed and will target luxury travellers from the Middle East looking for premium furnished apartments. Ajish Nambiar, Marketing Director, Fourzone Décor, said: “We are proud to begin 2017 with a new project for Shine Properties. We are extremely proud to be associated with Mr Mohammed Salem Al Menhali who is such a reputed builder in the market. We look forward working him in other projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Dubai.The construction sector is booming in this part of the world with Dubai being the most active construction market so we are optimistic that the region’s interior and fit-out contracting industry will also grow. This is a situation that will continue this year as investors pushes ahead with projects to ensure delivery before Expo 2020 so we are on track and we plan to keep it that way till the years to come.” Recent reports indicated that the region’s interior and fit-out contracting industry will grow by nearly 20 percent and the market is expected to cross $12.5 billion by end of 2017. Hospitality segments hold majority of the total spends on interiors, followed by commercial and residential sectors.As the fit out contracting company for the hotel apartment project, Fourzone Décor will be handle all interior finishing work like flooring, ceiling, woodworks, furniture, furnishing and decorative lights.

The global wellness industry grew 10.6 per cent to become a $3.72 trillion market in 2015, with the spa market a key driver according to new research from the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). The research mirrored the growth in the MENA region of the tourism-related industry with the UAE at the forefront of growth. The burgeoning sector will be showcased once again at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) as the dedicated Wellness & Spa Lounge returns for 2017. Over 35 exhibitors representing some of the world’s most recognised health and wellness hospitality destinations will attend with an increase of 40 per cent on last year’s numbers. According to research from Colliers Experiential Travel Series: Wellness, Spa and Medical Travel 2017, the UAE spa industry is estimated to be valued at AED1.7 billion, accounting for 14 per cent of the MENA spa market, and expected to surpass AED1.85 billion by 2020. Dubai currently has more than 200 spas in operation, with 25 new hotel spas expected to open this year. Furthermore, the Dubai hotel spa market continues to experience increasing demand according to the Colliers report with a 9 per cent increase in the average number of treatments sold per day in H1 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. “The global wellness industry has witnessed incredible growth in recent years as more and more people incorporate healthy habits into holidays and corporate travel, with an increasing trend of travelers willing to commit their time and money to wellness proving to be a major driving force when making vacation decisions. The surge of interest in this specialist tourism industry vertical has resulted in a 40% increase of exhibitors and dedicated wellness and spa …

UAE developer Nakheel and Thai hotel group Centara Hotels and Resorts have signed a joined venture agreement to create a 550-room, AED500 million beachfront resort with waterpark at Deira Islands in Dubai. Under the agreement, cemented in Bangkok by Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and Centara Chairman Suthikiati Chirathivat, the two companies will deliver an upscale resort on a prime stretch of beach on Deira Islands – Nakheel’s new, 15.3 sq km, world-class tourism, leisure, retail and entertainment hub that will contribute significantly to the Government of Dubai’s tourism vision. Nakheel’s joint venture with Centara is the latest development in the company’s aggressive expansion into Dubai’s hospitality sector and its second international joint venture for Deira Islands. The first, an 800-room, AED900 million all-inclusive resort and waterpark with Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts, was confirmed in February last year. As the first Centara establishment in the UAE, the new resort will cover an area of 295,900 sq ft. Features include a waterpark, dining facilities, business centre, kids’ club, spa and fitness centre. The resort is anticipated to have soft opening in 2019 and grand opening in 2020. Centara Hotels & Resorts is part of Central Group, one of Thailand’s most prominent family-owned conglomerate holding companies that is involved in merchandising, real estate, retailing, hospitality and restaurants. Centara’ s portfolio currently includes around 14,000 room keys across 65 hotels and resorts under six distinctive brands in Asia, Indian Ocean, and the Middle East.

Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, has announced the completion of phase one of its AED70 million extensive renovation programme which has been undertaken across its public areas including the Lobby Lounge and Dunes Café. The renovation project, which began in June 2016, has taken over 5.5 million minutes of man-time from the start to the end of phase one.  Phase two includes the renovation of 302 rooms and suites to be completed in 2018. A stunning ‘wave’ chandelier designed by bespoke chandelier designers, Lasvit, hangs in the entrance of the hotel weighing the equivalent of over 700 bags of sugar. Another spectacular chandelier hangs in the two-storey staircase connecting the lobby and dining outlets. In the lobby itself, plentiful flashes of gold and ruby red detailing reflect the jewels of traditional Arabian souks. In addition, 4,212 hand-cut, blue, tiger’s eye stone tiles have been pieced together to form the entry walls to the six lobby elevators. The stone is also featured on the tables in the Lobby Lounge. Tiger’s Eye is a semi-precious stone believed to hold soothing qualities and has been introduced to bring a further sense of calm to the surroundings.

Lapita Hotel officially opened its doors to receive its first guests. A part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, the region’s largest integrated theme park destination, Lapita is an exotic Polynesian themed resort hotel with 504 rooms, including 60 suites and 3 private villas. Room tariff may range from AED 1400 to AED 4500. Drawing its inspiration from the exotic Polynesian tropical landscapes, the hotel features colourful flowers, lagoon style pools, luxurious guest rooms and themed children’s activities. It is centrally located and easily accessible from Dubai and Abu Dhabi and only 63km from Dubai International Airport, 69km from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 23km from Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport. Within walking distance, hotel guests can have access to three department stores, family attractions, international dining and over 125 brands.

Langham Hospitality Group announced an agreement with Advanced Hotels Company to manage a luxury urban hotel in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Langham, Jeddah will feature extensive banqueting and meeting space totalling in excess of 3,500 square metres. These will include a 480-seat grand ballroom that is linked by a private elevator to a 380-seat ballroom that is located directly above the former (both outfitted with private pre-function areas for added exclusivity), a variety of adaptable conference rooms with the latest in audio-visual equipment, prayer rooms, and three dedicated bridal and groom suites.Strategically located within the downtown core directly across a new shopping complex and with a 360-degree view of the city and Corniche, The Langham, Jeddah is expected to open in the summer of 2018. The agreement was signed in the presence of H.E. Mohammed A. Al-Amri, General Manager, Jeddah, Makkah Province for the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage. Robert Warman, Chief Executive Officer of Langham Hospitality Group said, “We are delighted to introduce the Langham brand to Jeddah as we have been searching for the ideal location in the Kingdom to add to our portfolio. The creative design of the hotel’s façade and interiors along with the luxury facilities of The Langham, Jeddah, underlined by our legendary award-winning service, will provide an exceptional destination for our guests.” Mohammed Yousef Al Hasan, Chairman and Founder of Advanced Hotels Company stated, “We are proud to partner with Langham Hospitality Group to bring the impeccable service standards and unrivalled heritage from Europe’s first grand hotel to the city of Jeddah.” Guests who prefer to live the high life may choose to stay in the opulent two-bedroom Royal Suite …