Category Archives: Hotels

Aloft Hotels opened in Muscat marking the brand’s debut in the Sultanate of Oman. Anchored in design, culture, and music, the 193-guestroom hotel brings the brand’s bold modern style to the capital and its vibrant social scene with buzzing open spaces to connect. Each of the urban inspired, loft-style guestrooms feature high ceilings, plush platform beds and 50-inch LED TVs. The modern bathrooms feature walk-in rainfall showers and custom Aloft bath amenities. “Oman is a thriving leisure destination for travellers who seek original experiences and warm hospitality,” said Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President – Premium and Select Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “Driven by bold design Aloft Muscat is a place for creative self-expressers to meet and mingle.” “With this first venture into the hotel market, we were eager to apply the knowledge and expertise we have gained from 35 years in real-estate development to create an exciting, fresh new destination,” said Mr. Aadil Thomas Alexander, Owner and Executive Director. “Aloft Muscat represents a space where style is necessary, connectivity keeps up with you, social scenes are vibrant, and the only direction is forward. As well as being a hot spot in its own right, the hotel will act as a wonderful base to explore the dynamic city of Muscat and the intriguing expanses of the rest of Oman.” The hotel’s signature public spaces are designed as innovative, comfortable places to socialize and relax. At the sleek Re:mixSM lounge, guests can enjoy a game of pool, with day-to-night lighting and music to switch up the vibe. Dining destinations include the brand’s signature bar W XYZ®, an outdoor space to enjoy a meal at Arcade, which offers global craft …

Surrounded by awe-inspiring human and natural heritage, The Chedi Hegra will be the first hotel to welcome guests to a uniquely authentic luxury experience deep in the ancient Nabataean site in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU has selected luxury hotel management company GHM to operate the hotel as The Chedi Hegra. Situated within Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and opening by Q4 2023, The Chedi Hegra will offer 35 bespoke guest rooms, each with its own distinct connection to the Hegra landscape, a breathtaking testimony of human expression within the natural environment. RCU is building the hotel directly into several existing structures, including an old railway station and surrounding buildings, Hegra Fort, and others. Structural and exterior walls, some with historical mud-brick construction, are being preserved and integrated with modern architecture. The vast majority of the UNESCO World Heritage Site will remain untouched by construction and carefully preserved by RCU to maintain the integrity of Hegra’s incredible human and natural heritage. RCU has also ensured all design and construction efforts align with the Sustainability Charter for AlUla, including a light-touch tourism approach, imaginative infrastructure, planting of native flora, and an all-electric mobility system. Where possible, the project will use local construction materials and work with local businesses and labour, and the hotel is expected to create at least 120 jobs once fully operational. The property will feature three fine-dining restaurants, a café, and a full-service spa and pool, with many of the buildings connected by an overhead art canopy focused on wind movement and natural light. The on-site restaurants will each offer unique experiences for hotel guests and others visiting Hegra. One of the restaurants inside the old railway …

As part of its Journey Through Time master plan, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) will further expand the accommodation offering in AlUla with Dar Tantora by The House Hotel, an immersive and authentic hospitality experience in AlUla Old Town. Dar Tantora will also house a pool and spa as well as a restaurant and café. RCU is developing the 30-room landmark property by restoring several historical mud-brick buildings using contemporary engineering methods and time-honoured techniques. The development will showcase the Old Town village as a vibrant cultural hub. The rooms will be adorned with traditional décor, furniture and artistic accents, incorporating storytelling elements that capture the area’s intangible heritage. Local artisans received specialised training to participate in the restoration endeavours. The project reflects RCU’s comprehensive efforts to revive AlUla Old Town with tourism as the engine of development and job creation. RCU is driven by an ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability in its comprehensive regeneration efforts, including the Sustainability Charter that governs each project’s economic, social and environmental impacts. For delivering on this vision, AlUla Old Town was recognised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation as a “Best Tourism Village” in 2022 John Northen, Vice President- Head of Hotels and Resorts, Royal Commission for AlUla, said, “Dar Tantora by The House Hotel will allow guests to live the rich heritage of the AlUla Old Town historical village. Steeped in the past yet embracing progress, this hotel encapsulates RCU’s vision for a diverse range of accommodations as we continue to deliver on our plans for more than 5,000 keys by 2030.” “We take immense pride in operating Dar Tantora by The House Hotel, a location that seamlessly weaves …

Hilton announced the signing of a management agreement for a new hotel in Jeddah. The hotel is owned by AlAhli REIT Fund, a listed investment fund managed by SNB Capital. In the coming years, Hilton expects to grow its portfolio in Saudi Arabia to more than 75 hotels across multiple award-winning brands. “Saudi Arabia represents a significant opportunity for Hilton to grow its portfolio and, with the announcement of this DoubleTree by Hilton property in an exceptional location, we look forward to further expanding our full service footprint across the country,” said Carlos Khneisser, vice president, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton. “Our partnership with the SNB Capital reaffirms Hilton’s desire to work with great partners and our strong commitment to the private sector.” A brand debut in Jeddah, DoubleTree by Hilton Jeddah Al Andalus Mall will open next year, following an extensive renovation programme that will see significant upgrades to both guest rooms, restaurants, recreation facilities and more. The hotel will offer guests 164 contemporary guest rooms and serviced apartments, two unique food and beverage experiences, state-of-the-art fitness offerings including a gym and an outdoor pool, and seven meetings and events spaces. This upscale hotel is situated on the King Abdallah Road, and is linked to Al Andalus Mall, one of Jeddah’s most popular shopping destinations and immediately adjacent to the first upcoming Sulaiman Al Habib Hospital with 330 beds. The hotel is a 10-minute drive from several renowned educational, medical and entertainment facilities, as well as Jeddah’s downtown and a 20-minute drive from the King Abdulaziz International Airport. DoubleTree by Hilton Jeddah Al Andalus Mall will participate in Hilton Honors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton’s 19 …

Alila Hinu Bay in Salalah is preparing for a 60% rise in stays during the ‘Khareef’ season. Unravelling in mid- June until 31 August, the province will transform into an oasis with light drizzles and cool air. Guests can enjoy the only Monsoon season in the GCC during the summer, while exploring the rolling landscapes, exquisite marines and a plethora of waterfalls. The five-star luxury resort is prepared to embrace the dewy season with experiences and activities in anticipation of attracting new tourists that have never visited the Sultanate before. This is following the recent announcement of visa-free entry for over 100 countries. “With the gaining popularity of the Salalah area, and the incredible transformation that Khareef brings, I am confident that this coming Khareef season will see an unprecedented influx from both GCC visitors, and also new markets. The marvel of Khareef is definitely one to be experienced, and with our once-in-a-lifetime experiences portfolio that highlights the wonders of the season, we are looking forward to welcoming guests from all over to share this with us.” said Juan Paolo Alfonso, General Manager, Alila Hinu Bay. Perched just by the shore in a secluded location which overlooks the shores of Oman’s southwest coast, the resort promises a tranquil escape for all. Alila Hinu Bay delivers a ‘Surprisingly Different’ experience, where guests can enjoy an intimate weekend staycation or a family holiday. For those looking for a refreshing getaway, the resort offers expansive rooms and spacious villas, equipped with a private pool and tranquil outdoor bathtub. Guests can also dine with fresh local produce and ingredients used across the menus at Sea Salt and The Orchard restaurant. The luxurious Alila Spa …

Accor announced the signing of a cooperation agreement with the leading Georgian development company Archi to open the first Mövenpick in Georgia on the Black Sea coast in 2028. Mövenpick Kobuleti will deliver the best of Swiss hospitality, high-end gastronomy, exciting family offerings and children’s’ facilities thanks to the Mövenpick Family brand program as well as additional privileges and access to the global ALL – Accor Live Limitless loyalty program. “We are thrilled to present our premium Swiss brand Mövenpick on the Black Sea coast in Georgia. Kobuleti is rightfully considered one of the best resorts for a relaxing family holiday. It has a unique combination of the mild subtropical climate, clean well-maintained beaches and ancient architectural monuments, and of course, we couldn’t pass by this destination. We are confident that the new opening will make a significant contribution to the resort’s popularity among international travelers and residents. The tourism market in Georgia is one of the most promising in our region, and Accor aims to take a leading position in it. We are grateful to our partners for their trust and are looking forward to bringing this wonderful project to life,” – notes Alexis Delaroff, COO of Accor New East Europe. The new hotel will occupy several floors in one of the high-rise buildings on the eastern coast of the Black Sea within walking distance from a well-equipped beach with small pebbles. Kobuleti resort is perfectly suited for a comfortable family vacation, thanks to its long coastline, fresh air and mineral springs. For travelers who prefer sports activities and experiences, there are facilities for paragliding, jet skiing, paddle surfing, kayaking, and flyboarding. The exclusive Mövenpick Kobuleti will offer 120 …

Knight Frank Middle East announced a collaboration with Pan Kingdom Holding Saudi Arabia to focus on Asset Management Project for a newly constructed 2,000 room hotel in Makkah. Turab Saleem, Partner & Head of Hospitality at Knight Frank MENA, expressed excitement for the collaboration, stating that with 20 years of Asset Management experience in the region, Knight Frank Middle East is eager to contribute to the success of the project. The collaboration will see Knight Frank not only overseeing the hotel project but also providing expertise in brand development and business planning for Pan Kingdom’s growing hospitality portfolio. The partnership aims to cultivate new hotel assets in the Kingdom in alignment with the 2030 vision.

Red Sea Global (RSG) has become the first Saudi hospitality entity to achieve the prestigious Green Key certification for its Turtle Bay Hotel at The Red Sea. Turtle Bay Hotel is a self-operated property with 90 employees – 50 percent of whom are Saudi nationals from the local community, and 30 percent are Saudi females. The hotel was officially opened in September 2021 and is an advocate for training young Saudi talent entering the hospitality sector. “As we shape the blueprints for regenerative, responsible tourism, we continue to root our efforts in transparency and accountability. The Green Key certification demonstrates we are being true to our word and living up to the expectations we set ourselves for sustainable growth. Such critical evaluations are key to holding us to account, while galvanizing the sector towards a collective journey into a new era of regeneration,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. The world’s leading independent certification for excellence in sustainable tourism was awarded to the hotel in recognition of exceptional efforts towards environmental protection, conservation, and regeneration, as driven by RSG’s pioneering approach to responsible development. The hotel was independently assessed by the Green Key Global, a leading international environmental certification body, which conducted a rigorous audit that tracked against 77 criteria across 13 applicable categories. The hotel is powered by RSG’s wider vision to run all operations via 100 percent renewable energy and deliver a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040 through the protection and enhancement of key habitats crucial to biodiversity. Turtle Bay Hotel makes optimal use of all natural resources. For instance, strategies are in place to ensure zero waste in sent to landfill and we eliminated …

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, set to open in Q4 2023, will lead a new generation of Jumeirah Group’s ultra-luxury portfolio. The new resort will feature 303 rooms, 84 suites, as well as 82 one-, two- and three-bedroom glamorous serviced residences set amid private landscaped gardens. As light and uplifting as a softly salted sea-breeze, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arabs’ accommodation is styled to transform the nautical glamour of a bygone era into a haven of modern living.  It encompasses specially-integrated wellness and leisure destinations and an impressive line-up of signature restaurants, including a new concept comprising four restaurants in one. With all rooms offering a panoramic vista over the Arabian Sea, this statement property will mark a new epoch for Jumeirah Group – all of which will result in one-of-a-kind experiences and life-changing discoveries.

Kinan International and Elaf Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a management agreement in addition to supervising the preparation of designs for the construction of the hotel within the Aliat Mall project in Medina for 15 years. The mall also includes an area of modern retail stores, restaurants and a cinema, in addition to the hotel. The key goals of the MoU between Elaf Group and Kinan International Real Estate Development Company includes overseeing the implementation of 230 rooms and suites in line with the highest standards set out by the Ministry of Tourism, as well as demands of the visitors of Medina, with an investment of more than 220 million Saudi Riyals. The project is estimated to be completed in the first quarter of 2025. Eng. Jamjoom, said: “We are delighted to partner with Elaf Group, a prominent company in the hospitality and tourism sector of Saudi Arabia. We anticipate the MoU with Elaf Group to significantly contribute to the national strategies of enhancing the standards of living by boosting the quality of hospitality services offered to pilgrims and Umrah performers, which will further give them the opportunity to enjoy the one-of-its-kind Saudi Arabian hospitality. The new project will feature unique and remarkable architecture in Medina. It is expected to be a vital addition to the tourism and hospitality sector of the Kingdom, as it expects to witness massive growth. Our MoU with Elaf Group will contribute to this growth, by providing exceptional services to pilgrims and visitors through this new hotel.” Dr. Ezzat, said: “We are happy to sign this MoU with Kinan International Real Estate Development Company. In line with the MoU, we seek to …