Category Archives: Hotels

Premium destination, Vienna is ready with its new luxury experiences for the travelers from the GCC as they announce some of their latest openings from the airport to hotels etc. Summer is the main time of the year where GCC travelers explore and spend their family vacation in the lap of luxury in cooler areas in Europe. “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from the GCC region, so that they can experience the premium destination Vienna first-hand. Vienna has a host of surprises for the luxury-loving guest from the GCC region, who prefer the more tasteful things in life. And it wouldn’t be Vienna if the extravagance were not accompanied by a hint of the city’s typical charm.” Matthias Schwindl, Media Manager Middle East at the Vienna Tourist Board In Vienna luxury can take a highly traditional form. Although the Austro-Hungarian monarchy ceased to exist in 1918, the high quality standards set by the former purveyors to the imperial court continue to have their place in the modern era. Around 500 companies were granted the royal k. u. k. (kaiserlichen und königlichen) warrant, making them Hoflieferanten. With this honor came the right to supply the Imperial Court with goods and services. Whether they had the imperial seal or not, in Vienna these long-standing local companies and their artisanal traditions continue to shape the city’s unmistakable appearance and fuel unique shopping experiences in the twenty-first century. Since 29 March 2022 Vienna International Airport put Terminal 2 once again into operation, ensuring a new travel experience for passengers. The oldest airport terminal was completely modernized and expanded to encompass new features. Travelers can take advantage of a modern and very exclusive …

Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road recently welcomed Tour Operators from East Europe as part of the Saudi Tourism Authority’s first familiarization trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In an aim to establish further business ventures and attract international travelers, the familiarization trip allowed participants from ten tourism agencies from across Eastern Europe. Participants experienced Riyadh’s rich culture and hospitality firsthand while discovering the city’s diverse landscape and unique offerings. The two-day itinerary included an in-depth personal hotel tour and sight inspection of the facilities and amenities by Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road’s General Manager, Mahmood Omar, and Director of Sales, Bashar Naji, followed by a trip to the city’s top attractions. Commenting on the visit, Mr. Mahmoud Omar said: “We were honored to have been the first hotel to welcome the Eastern European Tour Operators to Riyadh, allowing guests to receive their first experience of the city in the comfort of our hotel.” He continues: “This is a fantastic opportunity as the hotel is ideally positioned in the city, providing guests with ease in access to the city’s top attractions and shopping malls. We look forward to welcoming international guests in the future with the support of the Tourism agencies. The hotel is ready to create strong roots in the hearts of those across the globe.”  

Saudia Airlines has announced the resuming of its direct flights to Mauritius this May, and One&Only Le Saint Géran welcomes Saudi travellers to discover this exclusive tropical peninsula, flanked by the warm ocean and a tranquil lagoon. Long celebrated as the iconic luxury retreat in Mauritius, One&Only Le Saint Géran retains what guests have always loved – a sense of seclusion on its own private peninsula with a beachfront and calm lagoon unlike any other resort on the island. The luxury resort’s rooms, suites and exclusive villa offer ample space for relaxation, exploration, and celebration, a haven for the perfect family holiday in Mauritius. One&Only Le Saint Géran offers a host of one-of-a-kind experiences for guests to discover, designed exclusively for One&Only and tailored to each individual guest’s preferences. Saudi guests can unearth a side of Mauritius they never knew existed with illuminating excursions and hands-on experiences; from vibrant culinary journeys through to thrilling deep-sea fishing experiences, guests can discover protected nature reserves and take advantage of privileged access to unrivalled locations and colourful local characters. The dining experience at One&Only Le Saint Géran celebrates Mauritius and its fusion of cuisines, spices and culture, delivering an exciting, world-class experience for guests. Saudi guests can choose to dine at PRIME, One&Only Le Saint Géran’s celebrated and transformed steakhouse; Tapasake, exciting pan-Asian, tapas-style fusion cuisine on the edge of the lagoon; L’Artisan, an artisanal bakery serving barista prepared coffee, tempting pastries and light bites throughout the day; La Terrasse with its stunning views and celebration of Mauritian, Indian, Chinese and Mediterranean flavours prepared live; Le Badamier, idyllically located beneath the tropical sway of the Badamier trees and overlooking the Indian Ocean, serving …

Phoenix Marketing Services organised a special breakfast conference for travel trade from the GCC countries to introduce a country rich in heritage, culture and adventure – the beautiful Uzbekistan. The event, hosted by the National airline Uzbekistan Airways, was attended by Maksad Ikramov, Regional Manager, Gulf Countries and Shukhrat Mirsaidov, Head of Marketing & Network Strategy. Accommodation partner was Amirsoy, a beautiful mountain resort, represented by Davronbek Niyazov, Sales and Marketing Director, Amirsoy, along with Dolores Travel Group, a leading DMC headed by CEO Farkhad Rasulev. Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, HE Abdulaziz Akkulov graced the occasion, along with Vladmir Jollibekov, Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of Uzbekistan. In his opening address, HE Abdulaziz Akkulov stated that the connection between the two countries mainly go back in time with its rich history, which places them as a must visit destination. The main fact is that both locals and residents of the UAE are able to travel with visa-on-arrival status, which is a positive sign in travel, as the visa is the first hurdle to discover any destination. Shukhrat Mirsaidov, Head of Marketing & Network Strategy, Uzbekistan Airlines, said that they are “very happy” to present the airline once again in the market and to be present at the Arabian Travel Market. “Most are not aware that we operate a direct flight seven days a week from Dubai and Sharjah connecting Uzbekistan with the Middle East,” he said. Davronbek Niyazov, Sales and Marketing Director, Amirsoy, shared, “We are bringing a unique product located in Uzbekistan, which is the winter and summer activity with skiing and the high luxury facility to stay in our resort which cater to larger families.” Farkhad Rasulev, CEO, Dolores …

Evolvin’ Women, a social enterprise dedicated to the empowerment of women in developing countries, are announcing a new partnership with Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts,  a Dubai national champion and an acclaimed luxury hospitality leader — operating 23 Jumeirah branded properties in eight countries. The partnership with Jumeirah Beach Hotel will provide women participating in the Evolvin’ Women programme with vocational training, skills development and potential job placements through a pivotal 2-year joint programme. The programme will begin online where, Evolvin’ Women candidates will receive mentorship and workshops. Following the training program, the women will be offered the opportunity to take up job placements at Jumeirah Beach Hotel and continue their professional development, ahead of going back to their home countries. Assia Riccio, Founder of Evolvin’ Women, said: “The aim of this partnership is to empower the unemployed women we work with, to follow their passion for hospitality.  Programmes like Evolvin’ Women offer access to world class hospitality brands like Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts where they can hone their skills, engage with industry professionals, and learn the highest standards of service excellence, which the UAE is well-known for. Once they go back to their home countries, they take with them much needed skills and competencies that will allow them to excel professionally, support their communities and contribute to advancing their societies.” Four women from Evolvin’ Women training programme have already onboarded and started working in Dubai. Cleopatra Mutoki from Zambia and Honorine Uwamurera from Rwanda have been successfully integrated within the hotel team as waitresses and Nadine Rucinga from Rwanda as a Guest Services Agent. The successful completion of the programme at Jumeirah Beach Hotel will support the expansion of the …

Marriott International, Inc. announced it has signed an agreement with The Red Sea Development Company to debut its distinguished Ritz-Carlton Reserve brand off the west coast of Saudi Arabia. Slated to debut in 2023, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is expected to form part of the eagerly anticipated Red Sea destination and offer a highly personalized leisure experience that blends intuitive and heartfelt service with stunning natural beauty and indigenous design. Nujuma will be the first property from the brand in the Middle East and joins an exclusive collection of only five Ritz-Carlton Reserves worldwide. “We are thrilled to bring our most luxurious brand, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and its exemplary experience to the Middle East. Perfectly situated on one of the most anticipated regenerative tourism projects in the world, the resort will blend seclusion and sophistication to provide a highly personalized luxury escape,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. Nujuma will be situated on a pristine set of private islands, which are part of the Red Sea’s Blue Hole cluster of islands. Surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty and designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, the resort is expected to feature 63 one to four bedroom water and beach villas. Plans also include a range of luxurious amenities and exceptional services including a lavish spa, swimming pools, multiple culinary venues, a retail area and a variety of other leisure and entertainment offerings including a Conservation Center. Ritz-Carlton Reserve offers a complete escape to the unexpected: a private and transformative travel experience that is centered around human connection and brings together unique elements of the local culture, heritage and environment.  For the most discerning travelers seeking …

UAE’s Stella Stays announces its expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, introducing the first tech-enabled residential hospitality concept in the region. The highly anticipated Stella Stays Riyadh Olaya Tower will open its door in June 2022, as a significant milestone in the company’s impressive growth trajectory. Stella Stays Olaya Tower offers modern, fully equipped, tech-enabled apartments and hotel suites, a co-working space, recreational and commercial amenities. Stella Stays offers holidaymakers, business travellers, and residents a seamless hospitality experience, through leveraging ground-breaking technology and modern service. Guests and residents in Saudi Arabia will be able to use the Stella Stays app to navigate the entire journey – from booking and managing their stays, checking in, controlling smart home systems, to ordering a wide range of guest services. Payment terms are flexible and can be made through various methods, including debit, credit cards and crypto payments. Riyadh and Jeddah are strategic locations for Stella Stays’ expansion with more than 1 trillion dollars of real estate and infrastructure developments underway. The Kingdom’s economy has fueled solid growth in residential construction with developers progressing a booming number of freehold apartment projects. Saudi Arabia also offers some of the most attractive set-up costs in the real estate sector in the region. Commenting on the expansion, Mohammed Al Ghussein, Chairman of Stella Stays said: “We are extremely proud of our launch in Saudi Arabia, and we believe that our vision for the future of living and hospitality aligns perfectly with Vision 2030, in transforming the Kingdom into a world economic centre with blossoming tourism and entertainment industries. The speed of national development is phenomenal, with around 730,000 homes to be added to Riyadh by 2030. …

Canal Central Hotel Business Bay will focus on attracting travelers from Germany, France, UK , Italy, North America, Canada, Australia and GCC who contributed to the property’s record occupancy rate of 90% during the first quarter of the year. The team met with tour operators and key stakeholders at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East’s premier travel show, the team gathered additional information to further understand the travel requirements of these travellers to acquire a more significant share of the market. “We were very excited to participate in this year’s edition of Arabian Travel Market after two years. This year was packed as the industry learnt the latest travel trends and new and potential markets and reinforce our valuable partnership with key players in the industry. ATM also gave us an excellent opportunity to leverage awareness about our facilities, especially since international travel has resumed, and Dubai has lifted most of the travel restrictions,” said Abdulla Al Abdulla, General Manager, Central Hotels Group. In addition to the new segment, Canal Central Hotel Business Bay showcased its summer promotions to continue attracting travellers from its top source markets, including the UK, Russia, Germany, France, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “This is an exciting time for the region’s tourism industry and offers a myriad of opportunities for the Group. Our portfolio caters to corporate and leisure guests, and our great business and leisure facilities are perfect for a holiday, business trip, or short break,” added Al Abdulla. This summer, the 278-room property will offer a 25% discount on the best available rate and a 15% discount on food and beverage. Guests will feel at home with spacious rooms, …

JW Marriott announced the opening of JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea. Surrounded by the tranquil Sea of Marmara, the new luxury hotel offers guests a transformative and elevated stay to nourish the mind, body and spirit within Istanbul’s serene Atakoy district. “JW Marriott combines a legacy of extraordinary hospitality with a refreshing commitment to mindfulness and wellbeing that resonates so deeply with today’s global traveller,” said Bruce Rohr, Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott. “JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea embodies this holistic approach to the guest experience from its JW Garden where organic herbs are harvested for use by the culinary team, to its robust fitness and wellness classes and introspective, intentional design. We know these principles will be the perfect complement to this breathtaking location.” Styled by London-based firm KCA International, the hotel’s aesthetic draws inspiration from Turkey’s vibrant textures and marries them with the JW Marriott brand’s serene sensibility. The lobby has a unique flying carpet art installation that pays homage to traditional Turkish crafts with a contemporary twist. Signature bespoke lighting by the artist Khuan Chew found throughout the hotel showcases a modern interpretation of Turkish culture. From tranquillity pools in the lobby to tucked-away garden spaces, opportunity awaits around every corner for guests to escape in a moment of calm reflection. “With breathtaking views and exhilarating activities for travel enthusiasts, JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea is ideal for guests seeking to enjoy meaningful moments as they explore this historic destination,” said Candice D’Cruz, Vice President – Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “As with all JW Marriott hotels, mindfulness and connection to place are thoughtfully woven into the hotel’s nature-focused design, …

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has captured the imaginations of both market leaders and emerging players in the region’s inbound and outbound travel industry, as it announced two new mega projects in the luxury hospitality sector at the 29th edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM), taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre until May 12. Alongside these global announcements, three of Shurooq’s latest projects in luxury hospitality that are making eco-tourism in the region more appealing than ever, also made their ATM debut. Raising Sharjah’s profile as a leading destination in the region for heritage-inspired travel, the first Shurooq project which made a global debut on the ATM 2022 stage is: The Serai Wing, Bait Khalid bin Ibrahim – a pearl merchant’s 19th century family home in the Heart of Sharjah district, which Shurooq is converting into a modern 12-key boutique wing of The Chedi Al Bait. Launched by Shurooq in 2017 and managed by GHM Hotels, The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah, is a 53-key hotel offering luxurious Emirati hospitality and bespoke experiences. Scheduled for completion in Q4 of 2022, the property will provide unique insights into traditional Emirati life, taking guests on a journey through the home of a family living in Sharjah, as it was, over 100 years ago. Alongside world-class accommodation and hospitality, additional guest attractions include access to the facilities of the Chedi Al Bait Hotel and access to Heart of Sharjah’s souqs and heritage areas. The second project Shurooq unveiled is the Najd Al Meqsar Village. Nestled in the mountainous terrains of the picturesque coastal city of Khorfakkan, the destination is being developed to bring travellers and residents a brand-new opportunity to experience …