Category Archives: Hotels

Hilton announced the opening of Hilton Bahrain City Centre Hotel & Residences, introducing a new era of residential-style living and world-class hospitality in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Ideally located in the heart of Manama’s Al Seef District, this new property blends the comforts of home with the sophistication of Hilton hospitality. Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, officially inaugurated the property. The opening marks a new milestone in Bahrain’s luxury hospitality scene. Mr. Mahmood Mohamed Faqeeh, the owner of the hotel, highlighted the project’s strategic importance and expressed pride in bringing a flagship premier living property to the Kingdom. With 594 elegantly designed studios, one, two and three-bedroom suites, and penthouses, Hilton Bahrain City Centre Hotel & Residences offers a fully equipped kitchen in each room and modern amenities, creating the perfect home-away-from-home experience for extended stays, families, and long-term guests. With most rooms boasting sweeping views of the Bahrain skyline and the Arabian Gulf. Perfectly positioned adjacent to Bahrain City Centre Mall and within close reach of pristine beaches, the hotel is less than five kilometers from Bahrain Financial Harbour, The Avenues Mall, and Bahrain Exhibition Centre. Just 17 minutes from Bahrain International Airport, the property is ideally suited to both business and leisure travellers. Dining is an integral part of the Hilton Bahrain City Centre experience, featuring four unique venues. The Collective Café specialises in artisanal coffee, premium teas, elegant pastries, and afternoon tea service. The Collective restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine, crafted using locally sourced ingredients, along with artisanal breakfast options. Super Bass introduces a fun, all-American burger concept to Manama, while the Pool Lounge provides a relaxed setting for …

The latest addition to Rixos Hotels’ All-Inclusive portfolio is Rixos Murjana. This expansive property situated in King Abdullah Economic City presents the Kingdom’s largest kids club, the most thrilling integrated waterpark, the finest wellness rituals, gourmet dining, and so much more. Set along the untouched shores of the Red Sea, the soon-to-open Rixos Murjana is a self-contained paradise where everything you desire is effortlessly within reach. Consistently offering guests hospitality experiences that transcend the ordinary, this new Rixos Hotels’ property in Saudi Arabia is set to redefine hotel stays in the Kingdom. Spanning 275,000 square metres, the very best of indulgence, relaxation, and adventure come together in an All-Inclusive experience like no other – all-encompassing, uncompromising, and unmatched. As Saudi Arabia’s largest all-inclusive resort, every detail has been carefully crafted to create extraordinary stays for all ages. Complete with personalised service, contemporary comfort, and captivating Hijazi architecture that blurs the lines between elegant interiors and stunning coastline, Rixos Murjana allows every moment to flow seamlessly. Among its standout features are the serene, Maldivian-inspired overwater villas at Club Privé, offering a truly elevated escape, alongside 488 beautifully appointed rooms and suites tailored to every style of stay. Guests can savour their stay at their own pace by lounging on the 600-metre private beach, indulging in rejuvenating treatments at Anjana Spa, enjoying immersive live entertainment, or joining expert-led fitness classes at Exclusive Sports Club. At the heart of the resort’s offerings is a curated culinary journey: from global flavours at Terra Mare’s international buffet, to exquisite steaks at Alâ Aksam, and Mediterranean charm at MykOrini, inspired by the spirit of Mykonos and Santorini. Guests can also enjoy the relaxed elegance of Piazzetta …

Kerten Hospitality is expanding its presence in the Kingdom with Cloud 7 Al Murjan Island Resort – Dammam, a bold new addition to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province waterfront. Cloud 7 Al Murjan Island Resort – Dammam will feature 74 overwater chalets, introducing one of the region’s most distinctive coastal hospitality concepts. The resort will also be home to Nyssa Beach, a ladies-only beach club offering a spa, wellness and fitness facilities, elegant salon services, and curated social and workspaces—an inspiring destination designed to enrich and empower the women’s community of Dammam. Designed by Zuhair Fayez Partnership under the vision of Dr. Zuhair Hamed Fayez; one of Saudi Arabia’s most influential architects who recently celebrated 50 years of shaping the Kingdom’s architectural landscape, the resort is part of a visionary, mixed-use development blending hospitality, leisure, entertainment, and wellness. Marwan Al Qaydy, CEO of Koushan Real Estate Development Company, “The development of Al Murjan Island marks a defining milestone for us, as it brings to life one of Dammam’s most iconic mixed-use destinations. As a self-contained island, it is designed as a vibrant hub where hospitality, entertainment, lifestyle, and leisure seamlessly come together on a single world-class waterfront, redefining premium coastal hospitality in the Eastern Province. Our partnership with Kerten Hospitality reinforces our commitment to delivering unmatched quality and guest-centric service. Together, we aim to set a new benchmark for hospitality in Dammam, ensuring every visitor to Al Murjan Island enjoys an experience defined by innovation, authenticity, and exceptional service.” Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality, commented, “Al Murjan Island represents the kind of purposeful destination that defines our vision for hospitality in Saudi Arabia. Together with Koushan Real Estate Development Company, we …

Valor Hospitality Partners and King Khalid Tourism & Hospitality Campus University have signed a cooperation agreement designed to develop talent and strengthen hospitality capabilities across the Aseer region. This partnership goes beyond academic collaboration; it represents a shared investment in empowering Saudi youth and supporting the Kingdom’s tourism transformation under Vision 2030. Rooted in the cultural richness of Abha and the broader Aseer community, the partnership bridges education and industry through structured internships, training programmes, applied learning, mentorship, guest lectures, research collaboration, and defined employment pathways and create a career for the Saudi nationals. The focus is to equip Saudi students not only with operational skills, but with the confidence, leadership mindset, and cultural authenticity needed to shape the future of Saudi hospitality and the rest of the world. Valor Hospitality brings to the Kingdom its globally established fully integrated management and operations solution and its distinctive philosophy, “A Whole World of Local,” which blends international standards with local identity to create meaningful guest experiences and unlock long-term value for communities and investors. Julien Bergue, Co-Founder and Managing Partner – Middle East, Africa & Asia at Valor Hospitality Partners, said: “This partnership goes to the heart of who we are. We are not only operators, but we are also enablers of growth. By working alongside King Khalid tourism & hospitality University, we are supporting and empowering a new generation of Saudi hospitality professionals who carry both world-class training and the warmth of authentic Saudi and middle eastern hospitality. The Kingdom’s tourism future will be shaped by its people, and we are proud to contribute to that journey.” Jana Bader, Country Head of Business Development (KSA) and Regional Director of PR & …

Mantis – Accor’s conservation-focused hospitality brand – announced the signing of Basiqat by Mantis, an eco-luxury resort in Al Uyaynah, 40 minutes from central Riyadh, developed by design&build in partnership with GIB Capital and the Tourism Development Fund (TDF). The hotel development, Basiqat by Mantis, will comprise two distinct sites, with the entire complex scheduled to open at the end of 2026. It will feature a total of 218 keys, including 90 suites, 66 villas, 10 Zad Palace Suites, and 52 desert tents. The amenities will include thoughtfully designed dining venues, landscaped gardens, a full hydro spa with separate male and female facilities, indoor and outdoor pools, beauty salons, a yoga pavilion and a health café. The development will also include a souk, a dedicated kids club and event and conference spaces, offering a combination of luxury and cultural immersion for families, travellers and corporate guests alike. Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reforms, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has opened its doors to the world, transforming into a must-visit destination for luxury seekers and culture enthusiasts. Driving this transformation, pioneering hospitality brands such as Mantis are turning ambition into reality offering guests immersive encounters with Saudi Arabia’s landscapes, culture, and heritage while setting new benchmarks for sustainable and experiential adventure. True to Mantis’ philosophy of harmony between Man and Nature, Basiqat will champion sustainable, cultural and authentic connections with the environment. “The signing of Basiqat by Mantis marks an exciting milestone in our journey across the GCC,” said Craig Erasmus, CEO, Mantis Collection. “This project embodies our philosophy of responsible luxury, expressed through design and experiences that celebrate Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and heritage. Basiqat by Mantis …

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia (MoT) and TOURISE 2025, Shaza Hotels has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for four new projects – Shaza Riyadh Stables Resort, Mysk Residences in Riyadh and Mysk Al Haramain Hotels – 3 & 4 in Makkah – during the inaugural TOURISE 2025 summit, held from 11 to 13 November 2025 in Riyadh. The signings represent a significant step in Shaza Hotels’ expansion across the Kingdom and underscore the brand’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s long-term vision 2030 to advance tourism and destination development. Shaza also announced an ambitious pipeline of USD 950 million worth projects across the globe in key destinations like Maldives, Turkey, Kuwait, Indonesia, Iraq, USA, Kenya and Libya at TOURISE 2025. Shaza proudly partners with region’s reputed investment houses like Al Rajhi Investments Saudi Arabia, Adante Realty LLC Oman and FSM Hospitality Company Saudi Arabia in bringing these projects live and functional. Commenting on the development, Mr. Simon Coombs, President and CEO of Shaza Hotels, said: “We are pleased to be part of TOURISE 2025 under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism for the signing of four new MoUs that reflect the strength and diversity of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality landscape. Each project – Mysk Residences Riyadh, Shaza Riyadh Stables Resort, and Mysk Al Haramain Hotels – 3 & 4 in Makkah – has been conceived to address distinct guest segments, from business and leisure travellers to long-stay residents and pilgrims. These partnerships underline Shaza Hotels’ expanding presence in the Kingdom and our commitment to working with visionary owners to deliver authentic experiences and world-class hospitality.” “Each of these four developments has been strategically conceived to harness key …

Pullman Hotels & Resorts announced its brand transformation and vision for the future — a milestone designed to inspire, energize, and strengthen Pullman’s position as one of the world’s most dynamic hotel brands. The brand transformation marks a bold new era for Pullman Hotels & Resorts. The refreshed hotel experience introduces a new design language, energizing guest experiences, and a renewed approach to meetings and social gatherings. “Pullman’s transformation marks the start of an exciting new era,” explains Benoît Racle, Global Brand President, Premium, Accor. “This is a complete reimagining of how Pullman connects people and ideas. Each hotel becomes a place of exchange, where energy, culture, and creativity collide. It is a privilege to unveil this new chapter at TOURISE — a global stage that mirrors our own ambition to shape the future of travel — and marks the beginning of a movement that will continue to unfold across our hotels worldwide.” With more than 150 hotels in over 40 countries and 70+ additional addresses in the pipeline, Pullman continues to expand its reach across key markets in the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific, Europe, and Africa. The next phase of the transformation will be brought to life through new flagship openings, including Pullman Royal Key Wellness Resort in Guadeloupe, Pullman Kolašin Breza in Montenegro, and Pullman Tokyo Ginza in Japan, which exemplify the brand’s forward-thinking approach to design, connection, and creativity. Executives unveiled a first look at the transformation this week at TOURISE, a landmark new global platform launched by the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) that aims to reshape the future of tourism. Designed to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s tourism vision, TOURISE unites governments, investors, and global brands to …

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced that it is updating the Abu Dhabi Hotel Classification Manual to reflect travel trends and deepen relationships with stakeholders by providing guidance on quality standards. The manual establishes clear standards in categories from housekeeping to soundproofing to safety, and is used to determine a hotel or resort’s star rating from one to five stars. First produced in 2007, featuring mandatory minimum criteria and rating criteria, the manual was updated in 2018 to add a guest experience index, mystery shopping and product designators. The new edition is designed to build on this work and add further refinements, creating a global benchmark for hospitality excellence and guest experience. HE Saleh Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “The updated Hotel Classification Manual will deliver on Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 by positioning Abu Dhabi as a thought leader in global hospitality regulation and enhancing the emirate’s alignment with international benchmarks while showcasing unique service excellence elements. It provides granular detail and guidance that chart a clear path for hotels as we meet the strategy’s goal of increasing visitors by more than half between 2023 and 2030.” The updated manual will have changes in three main areas. It will reflect current global best practices, expand category definitions to widen coverage to more hotels and resorts, and introduce accolades to recognise hotels that exceed expectations in specific areas. Visitors, hotels and investors will all benefit from the update: visitors through elevated and more consistent hotel experiences, hotels through new opportunities to differentiate their offering via specialised classifications, and investors through streamlined infrastructure requirements that reinforce Abu Dhabi’s …

IDeaS has signed a master service agreement with Adeera Hospitality in Saudi Arabia. The agreement provides a framework for Adeera Hospitality to implement IDeaS solutions across the entirety of their upcoming luxury properties in Saudi Arabia. Wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Adeera Hospitality is a hotel management company responsible for developing distinctive new Saudi hospitality brands. Adeera’s ambitious plans include launching a portfolio of 60+ all-new hotels among multiple brands over the coming five years. IDeaS was selected as Adeera Hospitality’s strategic partner for its best-of-breed solutions, proven expertise, and reputation for reliability and scalability. The adoption of IDeaS G3 RMS will enable hotels and resorts managed by Adeera to optimize their revenue strategies through powerful forecasting, precision pricing and effective inventory management capabilities. The first hotel in the roll-out is the Grand Hotel King Fahd Financial District in Riyadh, scheduled to open in 2026. Thomas Grundner, Chief Commercial Officer of Adeera Hospitality, said“Our partnership with IDeaS represents a significant step forward in establishing Adeera’s commercial framework. As we gear up to unveil a new era of Saudi-born hospitality brands, it is crucial that our hotels implement cutting edge data intelligence and revenue management from the very beginning. IDeaS technology and expertise will empower us to enhance pricing strategies, improve forecasting accuracy and elevate performance throughout our expanding portfolio guaranteeing that we provide tangible value to our owners and outstanding experiences to our guests.” Adeera Hospitality was particularly drawn to IDeaS’ advanced Group Evaluation functionality, which enables rapid assessment of a group’s total value as well as the impact of any potential displaced business. Additionally, the breadth of IDeaS’ forecasting and dynamic revenue optimization capabilities offers the flexibility for …

Mandarin Oriental announced the opening of Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, the Group’s second property in the city. Located within Wasl Tower, an architectural masterpiece on Sheikh Zayed Road, the hotel brings Mandarin Oriental’s signature blend of Asian heritage and local character to the heart of Downtown Dubai, curating a vertical boulevard where hospitality, culture and commerce unite. The urban property features 259 elegant guestrooms and suites, 224 private residences and 10 dining venues, all crowned by a rooftop helipad designed for discreet VIP arrivals. Developed in partnership with Wasl Hospitality, the hotel sets a new benchmark for contemporary luxury in the city. Designed by UNStudio and engineered by Werner Sobek, Wasl Tower is defined by its sculptural twisting form and the region’s tallest ceramic façade. Innovative ceramic fins enhance airflow and support natural cooling, whilst integrated energy-efficient technologies position the building as a model for sustainable vertical living. The interiors, by London-based G.A Group, draw from Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage and the dynamic character of Downtown Dubai. The hotel’s guestrooms and suites feature warm, understated palettes and custom furnishings, alongside expansive views of the Arabian Gulf or the Dubai skyline. A curated art collection runs throughout the property, featuring works by regional and international artists in hues inspired by the desert landscape. Sitting atop the hotel, are The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai — the brand’s first residential development in Dubai, set to launch in 2026 — offering a lifestyle defined by privacy, service and skyline views. Dining is at the heart of the hotel’s experience, beginning with Yù & Mì, a modern Chinese bar and restaurant inspired by the cultural energy of 1960s Hong Kong. At the forefront, Yù serves …