Category Archives: Hotels

The Tower Plaza Hotel Sheikh Zayed Road recently signed the partnership as one of the hospitality partners for the VIP guests arriving at the most crucial event of the year COP28 UAE, scheduled to take place from 30th November to 12th December 2023 at Expo City Dubai which will be a milestone moment when the world will take stock of its progress on the Paris Agreement. This will bring in high level participation from across the globe placing Dubai yet again as one of the most important event hubs in the world. Speaking with TravelTV Middle East Haitham Galal, General Manager of The Tower Plaza Hotel shared,  “COP 28 UAE will be one of the unique conferences happening related to sustainability, environment and climate, this will bring in a lot of visitors across the globe to Dubai.” The first Global Stocktake (GST), will provide a comprehensive assessment of progress since adopting the Paris Agreement. This will help align efforts on climate action, including measures that need to be put in place to bridge the gaps in progress. The COP28 UAE Presidency will work to ensure that the world responds to the GST with a clear plan of action.

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a franchise agreement with DIA SARL to debut IHG’s premium brand, voco, in the Lebanese capital. A conversion property, voco Beirut Central District is scheduled to be rebranded by the end of this year, adding 123 rooms to IHG’s portfolio in the country. Globally, with 46 open hotels and over 50 hotels in the pipeline, voco continues to be a key driver of IHG’s overall growth in the conversion space. The distinctive brand, voco offers a premium experience to guests and combines the informality and charm of an individual hotel with the quality and reassurance of a global and respected brand. Since launching globally in 2018, voco has enjoyed rapid growth with multiple signings across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA), including markets such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt. The signing of voco Beirut Central District marks the brand’s debut in the Levant region. Located in one of the most prominent areas in the Lebanese capital, voco Beirut Central District will offer proximity to various popular attractions including the high-end F&B strip of Zaituna Bay, Beirut Waterfront, and Beirut Souks.  In addition to best-in-class guest rooms, the hotel will feature an outdoor pool, a rejuvenating spa and a well-equipped gym for guests looking to unwind. voco Beirut Central District will also house a business center and a dedicated theater area, as well as four meeting rooms including a banquet-style room. For guests looking to indulge in exceptional culinary experiences, the new hotel will offer three dining options and a destination rooftop bar, catering to diverse preferences. voco Beirut Central District will also benefit from the strength of IHG’s …

The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) and 19th edition of Arabian Hotel Investment Conference will take place in Abu Dhabi as FHS-AHIC from 25-27 September 2023 with TravTalk Middle East as media partners. This will bring together senior hospitality leaders, owners and investors and  feature three days of dealmaking and impactful industry discussions under the theme ‘Focus on Investment’. Organised by The Bench, FHS brings together the Middle East and Africa’s industry leaders for discussions, deals and insight on the continued growth of the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. Leaders from some of the world’s most dynamic hospitality brands who have confirmed to speak include Accor Chairman & CEO Sébastian Bazin, Camil Yazbeck, Global Chief Development Officer of Accor; Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO of Rotana; Kevin Jacobs, Chief Financial Officer and President, Global Development for Hilton, and Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Global CEO of JLL Hotels & Hospitality. Among the names representing the real estate, asset management, consulting, banking and investment community are Mariam Al Musharekh, Executive Director of Human Resources at Miral Group; Raed Kuhail, Executive Director of Digital & Technology at Miral Group; Giuliano Gasparini, Head of Hospitality Asset Management at Wasl Group; Dale Qi Shen, Vice President, Director – Real Estate Structuring & Advisory of Mashreq Bank; Andrew Gilmore, Principal Economist at The Economist Group, and Nick van Marken, Managing Director van Marken Consulting. Stephen Sackur, Presenter of HARDTalk, will return to FHS as MC for the event. Technology will once again be at the forefront of the FHS 2023 programme with leaders discussing the future of the hospitality and travel tech stack. Confirmed speakers include Cenk Sidar, CEO and Co-Founder of Enquire IA. “We are excited to announce …

Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites announces its upcoming rebranding to Avani+ status, following a series of notable additions to its facilities. With a collection of stylish meeting rooms complemented by a range of social spaces and services at the all-new Avani Club, the hotel is set to renew its position as the flagship Avani property in both the city and the region, offering an elevated experience to both business and leisure guests. Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites will join a prestigious group of sister properties that have been selected as “+” hotels and resorts for their exceptional offerings. These include Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel and Avani+ Khao Lak Resort in Thailand and Avani+ Luang Prabang in Laos. The Avani+ designation is reserved for properties with a prime location, offering guests a front-row seat to the best that each destination has to offer. Along with a standout location, Avani+ properties also feature destination dining, state-of-the-art AvaniFit gyms, cutting-edge design, and dedicated social living areas. Avani Palm View Dubai’s latest culinary addition, La Sirène, is an urban lifestyle eatery and terrace that pays homage to the vibrant coastal culture of Lebanon. The menu has been meticulously crafted to provide guests with a genuine taste of the ‘Pearl of the Middle East,’ featuring must-try dishes including sea bass sababiyah and double-cooked octopus, as well as an extensive range of hot and cold mezze. For those seeking a casual bite with friends or a leisurely lunch with colleagues, La Sirène also offers a range of Lebanese street food favourites with a twist. Guests can indulge in desserts like the knafeh and mafroukeh while enjoying sweeping views of Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, …

Sunway Resort Hotel at Sunway City Kuala Lumpur is inviting families to experience a fun-filled vacation with an attractive new package that includes outstanding accommodation in its brand-new family rooms and suites, plus plenty of amenities and activities to keep little ones inspired and entertained. “The Ultimate Kids Vacation” package offers two adults and two children an unforgettable two-day (one-night) stay in a Waterventure Terrace or Family Fun Suite, including welcome amenities for young guests, daily buffet breakfast, free kids’ meals at The Resort Café’s buffet lunch, complimentary access to Wonderland Explorers and Waterventure, plus afternoon tea, evening cocktails and canapés at the Premium Leisure Lounge. Sunway Pals members will also be treated to five times points! Package is priced at MYR 1,799++ for stays from 21st April until 30th September 2023. Following the hotel’s recent once-in-a-generation transformation, Sunway Resort Hotel offers a choice of bright and spacious accommodation that intuitively caters to families. The new Waterventure Terrace rooms offer 45 square metres of space for two adults and two children, kids’ bath amenities, bathrobe and slippers, and a terrace which provides direct access to Waterventure, the resort’s aqua play zone where children can make a splash in shallow pools and a water playground. For action-packed stays, the 45-square metre Family Fun Suites are colourful and uplifting spaces that can comfortably sleep two adults and two children, with two IPTVs and a separate entertainment zone including karaoke, gaming consoles, big screen entertainment and complimentary kids’ snacks and sweets. Every room at Sunway Resort Hotel is also now integrated with state-of-the-art technology including a 55-inch IPTV, complimentary Wi-Fi, smart curtains, motion sensor night light, wireless chargers, a walk-in chromotherapy shower and …

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the upcoming opening of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche, further cementing its presence and growth plans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the heart of Al Khobar – one of the key leisure and commercial destinations in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province – and close to its renowned corniche, the new hotel is expected to open in August and will allow guests to immerse themselves in the vibrant city centre atmosphere or soak up stunning coastal views. With 79 well-appointed rooms spread across 12 floors, the property will feature modern interiors that reflect the brand’s fresh, approachable, and vibrant core attributes. Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche adds to Wyndham’s portfolio of 13 operational hotels in the country under the Wyndham Garden, Ramada, Ramada Encore, Howard Johnson, Hawthorn Suites and Super 8 by Wyndham brands. The latest opening in Saudi Arabia builds on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts strong foothold across the Middle East and Africa with almost 70 hotels and a development pipeline of more than 25 additional properties across the region. The hospitality industry is one of most promising sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with its Vision 2030 goal of attracting 100 million tourists by 2030. Panos Loupasis, Market Managing Director for Türkiye, the Middle East and Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said: “Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche embodies the brand’s ethos of contemporary comfort and warm hospitality. This latest opening marks an important step in our expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we recently re-introduced direct franchising and management rights for our Ramada brand and are investing in local resources to …

Frasers Hospitality has further expanded its presence in the Middle East with the entry into a new management agreement to operate Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain. This is in partnership with Seef Properties. This development cements Frasers Hospitality’s presence in the Middle East region. The development comes as Frasers Hospitality strengthens its long-standing partnership with Seef Properties through an extension of its existing management agreement of Fraser Suites Seef Bahrain to 2031. The newly anticipated Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain will offer 63 gold-standard serviced apartment units across a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, spread over three floors. This will include nine one-bedroom serviced apartments, 44 two-bedroom serviced apartments and 12 three-bedroom serviced apartments, perfect for those seeking comfort in accommodations fitted with the latest technologies and modern furnishings. Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain forms part of the Al Liwan mixed-use development under Seef Properties which has been designed to embody the essence of the ‘Live, Work and Play’ lifestyle and is nestled within the neighbourhood of Hamala with a direct connection to the Al Liwan Mall in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s primary entertainment district. The development is ideal under the Fraser Suites brand due to its unique ability to cater to the highly-premium lifestyle needs of extended-stay guests. The name, Al Liwan, reflects cohesion, unity, and togetherness, inspired by the culture of the region and speaking to the desires of discerning guests. Alongside Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain, the new district offers numerous dining options, cafés, and leisure opportunities. At the core of the development lies the Central Plaza, a generous open space created for communal gatherings and entertainment, providing a city retreat for both visitors and …

Radisson Hotel Group announces the signing of Radisson Collection Resort, Marsa Alam Port Phoenice in Egypt. This signing debuts Radisson Hotel Group’s third brand in Egypt, Radisson Collection, and is a fantastic addition to the current portfolio, bringing the Group’s footprint in the country to eight hotels in operation and under development. It also reflects the transformation of the Group in the region. Radisson Collection is a unique collection of iconic properties, reflecting an authentic local influence, living design, and vibrant social scene. In the collection of exceptional hotels, no two are ever the same and each has a unique character authentic to its locality. The modern design blends elegance in form and function, making the hotels the ultimate destination for those who value a vibrant and luxurious lifestyle. Scheduled to open in early 2025, the resort will be situated in Port Phoenice on the Red Sea, a waterfront premier integrated resort community boasting luxury residents, golf estates, water activities, retail centers, hospitals, and schools and easily accessible from Marsa Alam International Airport (only 35 minutes’ drive away). The resort location makes it an excellent spot for a vacation, with venues for dining, entertainment, boutique shopping, cultural expedition, activities, and lively nightlife located all nearby. The newly built resort will comprise of 294 rooms, including 20 suites, all carefully curated with a mix of Mediterranean and Italian architecture. The resort will offer a lobby lounge, one all-day dining restaurant, one high-end specialty restaurant, as well as a stunning beach restaurant, and a beach bar with mesmerizing sea views. The resort will also offer a fitness center, diving center, a theatre, kids club, several pools, and direct access to the beach. …

According to a report from Accor, highly-personalised service is becoming the key differentiator for travel advisors. The report, titled ‘Tailor-Made Touch or Digital Efficiency?’, looks at the strategies, technologies and trends impacting leisure travel advisors in the recovery and beyond. It says that while continually digitally transforming their operations is of course vital, even more important is to develop the services and nurture the partnerships that can help them delight and connect with their customers on a level that is beyond what alternative intermediary models can achieve. The report, focused on the European market, outlines how the pandemic accelerated the transformation of the leisure travel intermediary market, with the widespread adoption of digital technology and many key players shifting their models in a bid to become platform businesses or b2b technology providers. It supports the notion that, used properly, technology from messaging platforms to payments and artificial intelligence can be travel advisors’ best friend, helping them to optimise their capacity with a wide variety of inventory; access powerful digital distribution channels; better understand their customers, market themselves and provide more sophisticated and efficient services. However, it argues that even more key to travel planners’ success as they evolve is the ability to get close to their customers, to provide the high-touch personalised service now expected by travellers. Saskia Gentil, SVP Sales, Europe & North Africa at Accor, explained: “Consumers increasingly value the ability of travel advisors to remove the stress from their trip, tailor it to their preferences, plan every last detail in a flexible way, and be the reassuring presence that takes care of problems when they arise. “The ability to provide this bespoke level of service is a …

Minor Hotels announces the expansion of its luxury Anantara brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its upcoming debut in Trojena, the unique year-round mountain destination in NEOM. Situated at the heart of NEOM, 50 kilometres from the Gulf of Aqaba coast, and with a high elevation up to 2,600 metres, Trojena will be home to the Gulf’s first outdoor ski resort, staging world-class sporting events, art exhibitions, concerts, and cultural festivals. With its central location, mountain landscape and surrounded by nature, Trojena will redefine luxury living and travel offerings as a global sanctuary of well-being. Like the rest of NEOM, Trojena will be powered by renewable energy while sustainably protecting the region’s rich cultural and environmental heritage. The new 270-key Anantara resort will offer a selection of guest rooms and suites, including some with private pools, and all with spectacular lake or mountain views. Dining options will include two specialty restaurants, an all-day dining restaurant with a show kitchen, a café and high tea lounge, in addition to a rooftop majlis café. Curating personal travel experiences for discerning travellers with a wide scope of interests, the property will be home to a multitude of facilities. These include an Anantara Spa with separate male and female wet areas and treatment rooms plus multiple hammams, a fitness centre, a spectacular infinity pool with mountain and lake views, a star gazing deck, an outdoor cinema, kids and teens clubs, and a sports and activity pavilion with a wide range of activities including padel tennis, camel and horse riding, and guided walks around the lake and mountain area. It will also be accessible via helicopter, with its own on-site helipad, while meeting …