Category Archives: Hotels

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the extension of its Moroccan footprint with the opening of four hotels in beloved tourist destinations Al Hoceima, Taghazout Bay, and Saïdia. Located in the south, north and northeast of Morocco, the four hotels consist of three inviting resorts and a comfortable seaside residence, bringing the Group’s fast-growing Moroccan portfolio to more than 10 hotels in operation and under development.   “We are delighted to be boosting the presence of our flagship Radisson Blu brand as well as our resort and Serviced Apartment offerings across Morocco. Morocco is one of our key focus markets in Africa where we are looking to reach 15 hotels in operation and under development in the country by 2025. Offering a base to disconnect in the continent’s number one surf village in Taghazout Bay or soak up the rich culture and superb scenery in Al Hoceima and Saïdia, the addition of the residence and three resorts perfectly complements our current footprint in the country. Travelers can now look forward to experiencing our Yes I Can! hospitality while enjoying endless tranquillity and relaxing summer days whether on a family holiday, romantic getaway, or solo vacation,” says Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group.   Radisson Blu Resort, Al Hoceima – Situated on one of the most scenic Mediterranean bays, Radisson Blu Resort, Al Hoceima is surrounded by 64 acres of cedar forest and is ideally located on the Sfiha beachfront. The hotel features 432 luxury rooms and suites with modern decor and breath-taking ocean and garden views. Located just 20 minutes from Al Hoceima’s international airport, Cherif Al Idrissi, the resort provides …

As hospitality’s doors finally reopen, the sector is quickly getting a sense of the evolved “digital-first” world in which it’s now operating. The past year has seen a significant step change in the adoption of technology and digital services, but while some hospitality businesses were able to welcome online models, huge swathes of the industry were forced to remain dormant, leaving many digital advancements relatively untested or stagnating. Now, the whole sector must quickly accelerate its digital transformation to fuel long-term recovery, or risk customer abandonment and falling further behind.   According to research by Aruba, a HPE company, as of last year the hospitality sector was in a healthy – but not leading – place in its adoption of advanced technologies and moving computing to the Edge. Over half of hospitality IT leaders had started to implement trials or applications in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) (55%), Internet of Things (IoT) (70%) and machine learning (57%). However, that compares to figures of up to 75% for AI in the financial services industry, or 77% for IoT in retail, distribution, and transport.   But it was also already struggling significantly with the data these new technologies produces. A quarter (25%) of IT leaders in hospitality said there was too much data for their systems to handle, and that they could not process the data they collected quickly enough to act (25%). With data levels increasing exponentially over the past year, thanks to the Covid-induced rise of smart technologies, IoT sensors, and connected devices the depth of data sprawl will only be greater.   To get a handle on all this data and deliver the type of differentiated customer experiences …

Shaza Hotels maintains ambitious growth plans in the Middle East with various properties to open in the coming years in Jeddah, Dubai, Salalah and Doha. The expansion plans include Mysk Jeddah, Mysk Kuwait, Shaza Salalah, Shaza Doha and Mysk The Palm, on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai that is to open its doors in time for EXPO 2020 Dubai. Another dazzling destination in the pipeline is The Mysk Moon Retreat, settled amidst the sandy desserts of Mleiha region in Sharjah, it is set to open in 2021, offering luxury glamping tents with private pools and unique service standards unheard to the region In KSA, Shaza is already a household name in the hospitality sector as it operates three luxury hotels in three prime locations: Shaza Makkah, one of the first in line hotels in Jabal Al Ka’abah overlooking Al Masjid Al Haram, Shaza Madinah, right next to Al Masjid Al Nabawi, and Shaza Riyadh, in the buzzing heart of the capital next to Al Rajhi grand mosque. Shaza also operates Mysk by Shaza Al Mouj Muscat, overlooking the vibrant marina of Al Mouj in Muscat, and the four retreats of Sharjah Collection by Mysk including Mysk Al Faya Retreat, Mysk Kingfisher Retreat, Mysk Al Badayer Retreat, and the soon to be opened Mysk Moon Retreat at Sharjah. Each of these retreats offer a unique perspective of glamping atmospheres, service rituals, and guest experience that are unheard of in the region, making them serene, luxury, contemporary, and bespoke retreats. Shaji Abu Salih, Corporate Director of Business Development at Shaza Hotels, said, “The Middle East and GCC in particular make the key feeder markets for Shaza Hotels. We aim to become a true …

GCC is one of the main markets for Turkey especially during summer. This year Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul is inviting guests from the region to immerse themselves in Turkish culture, art and natural beauty with a range of new city experiences with their new campaign. When it comes to cities that combine history, beauty and culture with art, style and creativity, there are few places on earth that can compete with Istanbul. And there are few people who know the city like the team of local experts at Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul. Tapping into these deep-rooted connections throughout the city,  Shangri-La has created a series of curated experiences that invite guests to rediscover the best of Istanbul this summer. The new experiences make every Istanbul adventure even richer for guests, whether they’re jewellery lovers, art aficionados, or just love getting out on the water. Loved by celebrities including Elizabeth Hurley, Halle Berry and Whoopi Goldberg, Sevan Biçakçi launched his first collection of extraordinary jewellery in 2002, having spent years working as an apprentice with master craftsmen in Istanbul’s famed Grand Bazaar. His unique pieces are a reflection of Istanbul in miniature, incorporating Ottoman history, art and traditional motifs, with one of his most famous pieces to date incorporating a miniature of the Hagia Sofia mosque embedded into a ring. On this Shangri-La-curated half-day tour, guests will visit Biçakçi’s store deep in the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar for a close-up look into the intricacies of his designs, including one unique and highly desirable piece that is usually under wraps and off-limits to visitors. A must for lovers of jewellery and Ottoman style, the experience is priced at EUR 250 per person for a minimum …

IHG Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is expanding its presence in Egypt with four new Hotel Indigo branded properties. As part of a Management Agreement signed with real-estate specialists Mountain View, IHG will introduce the world’s first globally branded boutique hotel brand, Hotel Indigo, to Egypt with Hotel Indigo Mountain View North Coast, Hotel Indigo Mountain View iCity New Cairo, Hotel Indigo Mountain View iCity  6th of October City and Hotel Indigo Mountain View Ain El Sokhna. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, and Dr. Assem el Gazzar, Minister of Housing and Development.   The four new hotels will reflect the unique ethos of Hotel Indigo – to serve the curious – by creating an immersive hospitality experience that draws on the history, rhythm and pulse of each of the four distinct neighbourhoods, providing diverse vantage points to view the country and its culture. All new built properties will cater to a broad range of travelers as leisure and business tourism rapidly rebounds across the country.    Speaking on the agreement, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “Egypt is one of the most dynamic tourism markets in the region with a great vision for the future of leisure and business travel. We have a long-standing legacy in the country and are proud to continue to support the development of its hospitality sector through the introduction of our boutique, lifestyle brand, Hotel Indigo. Our partnership with Mountain View, one of the most forward-thinking developers in Egypt, is testament to our continued commitment to bolstering the hospitality sector with more versatile properties, diverse offerings and immersive experiences for domestic as well as new segments of international visitors that are expected to visit Egypt as travel returns. Through …

The UAE welcomes a new experience-driven, hospitality group to the market, Limestone Lab, a company with a vision of introducing new and innovative hospitality concepts to the UAE social and dining scene. With the notion of “re-imagining” hospitality experiences, Limestone Lab is set to roll out a lineup of unique concepts to the market between Q4 of 2021 and Q4 of 2023, with a disruptive approach to the traditional brick-and-mortar models. The company’s solid pipeline of bespoke F&B venues will be nothing short of innovative and cultural, boasting of interactive experiences, socially-elevated ambiances, which will be paired with culturally-infused cuisines and themes. Limestone Lab will also bring together a team of prominent designers, architects, hospitality experts to create thoughtfully designed properties located in unexpected destinations. All the venues will be unified by a common goal: to create spaces and experiences that hold lasting memories. Founded by Dubai-based serial entrepreneurs, Hassan Ballout and Hani Doueik, the formation of the company was an inherent process sparked by the passion of these two businessmen, accompanied by their extensive hospitality expertise, to bring truly inspirational F&B and nightlife concepts to the UAE. Ballout, CEO of Limestone Lab, is most known for his recent position as Chief Growth Officer for Seven Management, where he launched and managed Seven Sisters and Antika Bar in Dubai. Ballout has in addition co-created and rolled out 12 virtual restaurant brands in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait & Saudi Arabia, including Tawook Nation, Luca, Japang and Vigilante, to name a few. Alongside Ballout, Hani Doueik will also serve as the Co-Founder and COO of Limestone Lab. Doueik prides over a decade of experience in consulting multiple international brands within creative advertising …

It was recently announced that Sun Siyam Resorts regional office will be opened in Dubai, which will enable the hospitality group to tap into the GCC market following a rise in travel as we near the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Since opening its first resort over 20 years ago, Sun Siyam Resorts have grown to own and manage five luxury private island properties in the Maldives and a boutique beach retreat on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Each resort is unique, but what unites them all is the genuine warmth and heartfelt hospitality of their people, many of whom have been with the hospitality group from the beginning. Previous Emirates Holidays’ Product and Contracting Manager, Manica Radjou, speaks on the “exciting opportunity that this new office will bring by opening many doors for the resort, attracting a new demographic and customer base within the UAE and Middle East.” Stepping in as Director of the Dubai office, Radjou has the experience needed to take the Sun Siyam Resorts to new heights within the GCC. Beginning with the intent to promote inbound tourism to the Maldives, Sun Siyam Travels was established in 1990, founded by Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Group. The opening of a Dubai based office will allow the company to begin expanding their operation globally with attentive focus on the GCC region to gain market share for its portfolio. Sun Siyam Resorts, has announced that Siyam World, their fifth property in the Maldives, a stand-alone brand in its collection is due to open on 28th October 2021 – a revolutionary resort, located on a stunning natural island nestled in the Noonu Atoll …

Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay has officially opened its doors to guests in time for the upcoming Eid Al Adha holidays. The 192-room hotel, located in Manama, is the first to open under Hilton’s portfolio of brands in the Kingdom of Bahrain.  Nestled in the heart of Bahrain Bay and directly connected to the newest retail and leisure destination in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Avenues Mall, the Hilton Garden Inn also offers unrivalled proximity to the Kingdom’s bustling business district and prime shopping areas. Located a mere 15-minute drive to the newly opened Bahrain International Airport, the hotel is ideally located nearby key cultural destinations and iconic tourism landmarks in the likes of the Bahrain National Theatre, Bahrain National Museum, and the heritage-steeped Manama Souq, to name a few. The hotel boasts 192 spacious rooms (including 35 suites), all with breath-taking bay and sea-facing views and complete with curated furnishings that meet the daily lifestyle needs of guests, such as a clutter-free desk, a sleek 55-inch LED screen, and complimentary access to Wi-Fi. Catering to a wide variety of experiences be it for a short weekend stay or for longer periods, 70% of the guest rooms offer confirmed connecting room . Each space is artfully accentuated with earthbound tones and sea inspired design notes and neutral colour palettes, creating a sanctuary of style and calmness.  Additional features include flexible meeting spaces with state-of-the-art facilities, and a fully equipped fitness center alongside an infinity pool and jacuzzi. In addition to a room service menu, the hotel offers unique food experiences through its restaurant Together& Co serving guests breakfast, lunch and dinner with glittering waterfront views of Bahrain Bay. “As Hilton Garden …

Radisson Hotel Group welcomes back guests this summer with exciting new hotel openings and new property signings, as the Group is ready for the rebound of holiday and business travel. With over 90% of the Group’s hotels across EMEA open again, Radisson Hotel Group is pleased to welcome its business and leisure guests with flexibility and safety top of mind. Building on the success of the Group’s five-year expansion and transformation plan, Radisson Hotel Group is ready for the rebound of travel and remains solidly committed to becoming the brand of choice for owners, partners, and guests.   With the addition of 33 new hotel signings with close to 4,500 rooms across its EMEA portfolio, Radisson Hotel Group has achieved a strong start to 2021 and remains prudently optimistic about business recovery in the second half of 2021. The Group plans to open around 30 properties in 2021, including iconic hotels in popular summer holiday destinations such as Turkey, Dubai, Italy, France, UK and Poland. One of the most exciting new properties to discover is Radisson Collection Hotel, Bodrum, a stunning premium lifestyle hotel located in Bodrum’s most tranquil and magnificent Aspat Bay on the Aegean coast. Destinations such as France, Switzerland, UK, Russia, the UAE have proven popular amongst guests, with occupancy rates continuing to increase. The UK and France specifically have experienced a strong increase in demand where the Group expanded its presence with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen Centre in the historic city center of this medieval city, and a new hotel from the Group’s latest brand, Relais de Margaux, a member of Radisson Individuals in the famous Bordeaux wine region. Other additions to the Radisson …

IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the opening of Crowne Plaza Dubai Jumeirah in partnership with the region’s reputed hospitality group, Ishraq Hospitality. Established as one of the world’s largest upscale and fastest growing hotel brands, Crowne Plaza has presence in over 60 countries, with locations in busy cities, airport and resort locations; everywhere modern travellers want to stay. Being a brand designed for people who are more digital, more mobile and more connected than ever before, Crowne Plaza Dubai Jumeirah offers modern business travellers the perfect blend of balancing work and life so guest feel fulfilled and successful. The 252 room and suites hotel offer guests a distinct sense of place with stunning views or the Burj Khalifa, Jumeirah beach and the city. Located in the heart of Jumeriah 1, Crowne Plaza Dubai Jumeirah’s excellent location enables its guests to be within reach of Dubai’s key leisure and business areas. Crowne Plaza Dubai Jumeirah is an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers alike as guests can enjoy a relaxing day at Jumeirah Beach or visit nearby lifestyle or shopping landmarks. The renovated rooms and suites include 32 family connecting rooms and come with a number of technology-driven features to provide guests with a harmonious stay experience day and night. From USB outlets throughout the hotel, to unlimited high-speed wifi and Chromecast TVs, the generously sized guestrooms are brimming with technology-led features designed to blend the 9-to-5, 5-to-9 day. Accompanied by IHG’s Sleep Advantage program, which includes plush bedding, pillow menus, aromatherapy spray, sustainably sourced amenities and a bedtime ritual guide, the guestrooms are there to restore, inspire and rejuvenate. Crowne Plaza …