Category Archives: Hotels

Raffles plans to double its footprint of resorts over the next three to five years. The brand’s resort development pipeline includes sought-after destinations such as Macau (China), Sentosa (Singapore), Manama (Bahrain) and Jaipur (India). With many markets seeing a robust return to leisure travel following more than a year of disruptions and pent-up demand, Raffles Hotels & Resorts enters an exciting phase of growth which will see the revered brand add several new resort destinations to its worldwide portfolio of hotels, resorts and residences. A heritage luxury brand known for creating landmark properties in key destinations around the world. “Resort travel is rapidly increasing in demand and we are seeing an uptick in resort developments in several markets around the world,” said Agnès Roquefort, Chief Development Officer of Accor, the global hospitality group that owns the Raffles brand. “The pandemic has awakened people’s desire to travel further, visit dream destinations and experience the world together – in small groups or with the whole family.” Adds Stephen Alden, CEO Raffles & Orient Express, “At Raffles, we are fusing our illustrious heritage with modern hotelcraft to create places of comfortable wonderment and enrichment for our well-travelled guests. As we look forward to the next chapter in the brand’s storied history, diversifying our portfolio with a broader array of resorts and experiences will play an important role in enabling us to achieve this goal. Several of our extraordinary resort projects are making headlines with the opening of Raffles Udaipur and more recently with the opening of Raffles The Palm, Dubai – places filled with the legendary spirit of Raffles, with its peerless service, sense of calm in a hurried world, and the promise …

Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay has enjoyed prime occupancy rates since opening its doors to guests back in July 2021. Nestled in the heart of Bahrain Bay and directly connected to the newest retail and leisure destination in the Kingdom, The Avenues – Bahrain, the 192-room hotel includes 35 suites, all with breath-taking bay and sea-facing views. The newly opened Hotel truly provides an ideal experience for business travellers and families alike, be it for a short weekend stay, for longer periods, or looking to enjoy staycations; wherein 70% of the guest rooms offer connecting rooms, most of the suites offer a convenient kitchenette complete with a microwave and sink. Throughout the hotel, the beautifully designed spaces and waterfront views result in a sanctuary of wellness, where carefully curated dessert earthbound tones and Kingdom’s sea-inspired and neutral colour palettes create an oasis of calmness and relaxation. “We truly deliver a unique and serene experience at the Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay, providing our guests with the exceptional service the Hilton is known for. Besides the stunning views offered throughout the hotel, of either Bahrain Bay or the sea, the design of each and every room echoes a sense of relaxation and well-being. We have enjoyed unparalleled occupancy rates since opening, despite the ongoing situation which has affected the hotel industry across the world, and look forward to continuing to welcoming guests be it from neighbouring regions or from around the world” commented Manuela Brode, General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay. The upscale hotel also benefits from flexible meeting spaces with state-of-the-art facilities, a fully equipped fitness center, and an infinity pool overlooking the sparkling Bahrain Bay. In addition …

Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA announced the opening of its second property in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Grand Millennium Gizan.  The hotel was inaugurated by His Royal highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of Gizan Region, in the attendance of His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sheikh, Minister of Education and Chairman of Higher Education Fund, and His Excellency Dr. Marie bin Hussein Al-Qahtani, president of Gizan University and the Secretary-General in charge of the Higher Education Fund Turki Al-Zamie and the Deputy Emirate of Jazan Region, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sager and a number of officials. Hamid Sidine, Chief Operating Officer of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa, said: “We are thrilled to open this new hotel in Gizan in line with Saudi vision 2030. We at Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA are always keen on our expansion plans in the region and we trust that we are filling a market gap with Grand Millennium Gizan.” Jalal Nasser, General Manager of Grand Millennium Gizan, said, “We look forward to welcome our esteemed guests in our new hotel right in the heart of this new fascinating area. And with the offerings we have, we are confident that we will be the hotel of choice for family and business travellers alike.” The new hotel is conveniently located on the beach within the Gizan University Complex. Those traveling between the hotel and King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Airport can enjoy a 20 minute drive along a straight road. The hotel is also only 10 minutes away from the shopping centres in the city. Grand Millennium Gizan will be the biggest hotel in the vicinity …

Club Med announced its return to Spain after over 20 years, with its new resort, Club Med Magna Marbella. The property, which will be nestled at the foot of the Sierra Blanca Mountains, will open its doors to guests on May 14, 2022. Conveniently located near Spain’s south coast, in the region of Andalusia, which is often referred to as “the garden of Europe”, Magna Marbella is just a 20-minute walk from both sandy Mediterranean beaches and Marbella’s city centre. It is also just a one-hour drive from Gibraltar, Ronda, and Malaga or two hours from Granada, Seville, and Cadiz, making it the ideal base to explore the rich Arab-Andalusian history and natural wonders of the region, including the Doñana Natural Park and Caminito del Rey. Club Med Magna Marbella boasts 14 hectares of lush garden, five swimming pools including a family waterpark and adult-only Zen Zone, two restaurants, Suenos and the Tierra Gourmet Lounge, and three bars for guests to try local food and drinks. The resort will also offer Club Med’s world-class children’s clubs for all ages (from 4 months to 17 years of age), where kids will be able to enjoy Andalusian inspired art and culture activities. The Family Fun Zone will feature water games, a playground, mini-golf and a zipline with Magna Marbella offering a wide array of activities, including golf, archery, tennis, flying trapeze, and more. Six padel tennis courts will be available within the resort’s grounds. For those looking to relax and unwind, a wellness area with 14 treatment rooms, including a double indoor-outdoor relaxation room and steam room, will feature treatments at Spa by CINQ MONDES. Guests will also be able to enjoy fresh …

The wait is finally over; with the Expo 2020 taking place from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022, Rove Hotels is excited to invite Rovers (guests) to grab the best seats in the house at the event’s only on-site hotel: Rove Expo 2020 – now open. Located adjacent to Al Wasl Plaza, Rove Expo 2020 will offer Rovers (guests) from across the globe, the perfect gateway to regroup, recharge and re-think the future, completed with all of the Rove-brand favourites under one roof. Bookings can be made via www.rovehotels.com, or by calling +971 4 561 9999 and are inclusive of Expo 2020 tickets, which can be used for the full duration of the stay. Funky interiors, sustainable amenities, and fuss-free hospitality entails the entire #RoveExperience. Rove Expo 2020 features 312 king, twin and accessible Rover Rooms, as well as 19 Rover suites. It will also boast of several dining and social outlets, including The Daily, a grab&go Rove Café and The Bar, along with a rooftop swimming pool and sundeck overlooking Al Wasl Plaza. Hosting a District 2020 space showcasing the future of the Expo 2020 Dubai site and the MENASA Emirati design platform featuring contemporary design products. Rovers can expect 100% sustainable in-room amenities, late check out times, self-service locker rooms, and much more. Recipient of the prestigious Green Key certification, Rove Expo 2020 has been built with strict environmental guidelines as well as the latest technologies in energy efficiency, food waste reduction solutions and so much more – all in line with Rove’s strong spirit of #sustainability. Connectivity as a cornerstone of the brand, The Expo 2020 Dubai site is very well connected to the rest of …

Centara Hotels & Resorts will expand its global collection of world-class resorts with the opening of Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai on 14th October 2021, a fantastic new family-friendly destination which is inspired by mythical Thai and Arabian adventures and promises fun-filled, activity-packed stays for all ages. The new resort – a joint venture with world-leading master developer Nakheel, creator of the award-winning Palm Jumeirah and the new Deira Islands waterfront city – will bring a new concept in hospitality to Dubai, in line with the emirate’s tourism strategy. To celebrate its launch, Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai has created an opening offer with rates starting from just AED 499++ per night, including daily breakfast. Up to two children stay and dine for free when ordering from the kids’ menu. Nestled in a prime waterfront setting on the Deira Islands, overlooking the Arabian Gulf just 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport and just minutes away from the newly opened Souk Al Marfa seafront souk and marketplace, this brand-new themed resort offers 607 rooms and suites, ranging from Superior, Family and Mirage Rooms to Junior and Two-Bedroom Suites with 32 to 95 square metres of bright, contemporary space and panoramic city or sea views. Mirage represents Centara’s themed family resort concept, where the whole family’s, and especially the children’s, happiness is at the heart of the experience. Parents can rest assured that their youngsters will enjoy unforgettable, inspiring stays, with a wonderful water park, multiple kids’ clubs, a colourful candy-themed children’s spa, and the dedicated Mirage Family Lounge, a club lounge experience for all the family. The rooms are perfectly suited to families, with flexible bedding options including bunk beds that …

Ishraq Hospitality, a division of the Mohammad & Obaid AlMulla Group, announced the launch of its newest upscale hotel in the new part of Dubai located next to Expo Dubai 2020 site. Holiday Inn Dubai Al Maktoum Airport comes in line with the company’s expansion plans in the region and is adjacent to another successful property owned by the company; Staybridge Suites Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport which comprises a total of 606 rooms. The hotel also enjoys a strategic location as it is in proximity to Expo Dubai 2020, next to Al Maktoum International airport and top attractions such as Dubai Park & Resorts. Holiday Inn Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport is set to become a leading business destination with its 300-pax pillarless ballroom, boardroom with daylight, meeting rooms, business centre and a co-working environment. It also caters to the needs of families and leisure guests as it provides a perfect destination to escape the city hustle for a staycation with more than 600 rooms and apartments, perfect for families, where kids eat and stay for free under 12 years old. The hotel has a large 24/7 gym, spa, hair salon, yoga studio, pool bar & lounge, and the South Central; lounge, kitchen, bar and terrace. Chady Kanaan, General Manager of Holiday Inn Dubai Al Maktoum Airport and Staybridge Suites Dubai Al Maktoum Airport, added: “Now that we have our two hotels open and running, we are looking forward to receive our esteemed guests in our new properties right in the heart of in this new business hub. And with the offerings we have, we are confident that we will be the hotels of choice for family and business travellers alike.” Alexander Suski …

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) in Saudi Arabia is taking the concept a step further by carving a luxury hotel into a rock mountain for its future guests to literally immerse themselves in. Set in one of the most dramatic desert landscapes in the world, the Desert Rock resort is being integrated into the stunning mountainside and offers panoramic views of the mountain canyons below and a canopy of stars above. As part of The Red Sea Project, TRSDC recently revealed a first look at Desert Rock’s designs, which are intended to celebrate Saudi Arabia’s spectacular natural beauty and Nabatean heritage.  “Since the inception of the Desert Rock project, creating a development that combines luxury, sustainability and an immersive experience for our guests has been at the heart of it all,” said John Pagano, TRSDC CEO. “We cannot wait to welcome guests to enjoy a stay at this unique property.” Inspired by the surrounding beautiful mountains, volcanoes and wadis, Desert Rock will feature 48 villas and 12 hotel suites. A variety of accommodation styles will be available to best meet guests needs, from ground level dwellings to crevice hotel suites midway up the mountain. An impressive feat of engineering, a select number of rooms will sit within the excavated rock-scape, giving guests access to stunning views of Saudi Arabia and opportunities for star gazing, all from the comfort of your room.  The unique rock formations included in the resort architecture were produced by a series of cataclysmic seismic events thousands of years ago, and so the architecture has been designed to keep this natural beauty while also reducing energy consumption, supercharging the ecosystem, and regenerating native flora. This innovative architecture …

Accor is expanding its luxury portfolio in the UAE with the introduction of the Sofitel brand into the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Set to open in 2023, the property will become a landmark resort for the group in the region. The group is collaborating with Al Hamra, the leading real estate development and investment company in Ras Al Khaimah, with plans to expand its hospitality portfolio. The group is focused on developing premier lifestyle destinations, including luxury hospitality and leisure developments. Benoy Kurien, Group CEO of Al Hamra, said: “We are committed to supporting Ras Al Khaimah’s transformational growth to make it the topmost liveable destination through its urban developments of the future. As the first destination to be certified safe and to record significant growth in tourism and hospitality following the pandemic, the Emirate is focused on strengthening its tourism infrastructure and we will contribute to this by bringing exceptional hospitality experiences. Through our partnership with Accor to bring the Sofitel brand to the Emirate, we strengthen our portfolio of hospitality and leisure assets, in addition to revolutionizing the hospitality landscape in Ras Al Khaimah Nestled between the Arabian Gulf and Hajar Mountains, the resort is set alongside a private beach, surrounded by landscaped gardens and an 18-hole golf course. Set on the pristine coastline of Ras Al Khaimah, the destination offers visitors an unparalleled experience with a unique topography. The landscapes vary from the highest mountain in the UAE, terracotta deserts to lush mangroves, white sandy beaches and the longest stretch of coastline in the UAE. The property is located less than one hour drive from Dubai International Airport. “We have been witnessing an accelerated economic growth …

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG®) and SRG Holding have opened the third Staybridge Suites hotel in the UAE in the heart of Dubai, on the picturesque Sheikh Zayed Road in the middle of all the city action. This 48-story tower sets a familiar and eye-catching feature to Dubai’s iconic skyline and is located opposite the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a few steps away from the metro station. The property is surrounded by variety of leisure, dining, shopping and entertainment destinations like City Walk, Coca Cola Arena, La Mer and Dubai Downtown, which includes the city’s most Instagram-able and popular landmarks such as The Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountains and Burj Khalifa. Staybridge Suites Dubai Financial Center is designed to meet the needs of extended-stay travelers looking for a break from the travel norm. When travelling for days, weeks or months at a time, guests want something more than the standard hotel experience and Staybridge Suites offers additional space, home-like comforts and public areas that facilitate a real sense of community. Each of the 360 studios, 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites comes equipped with a fully fitted kitchen and living space including top-of-the-line Siemens and Smeg appliances, smart TVs and your very own washer/dryer. Guests will even find all the cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery you’ll need to make them feel right at home. The generously sized suites create a sense of an all-day freedom that you’ll simply never get in a typical hotel room. Many of the 360 apartments feature their own balcony from which to enjoy spectacular views of the city or the sea. Several interconnecting units offer greater flexibility for families or small groups traveling together. Guests can also expect …