Category Archives: Hotels

Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel won ‘Best Luxury Halal Hotel’ at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Philistine Kharbouch – General Manager – Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel shared, “From the warm welcome to the meticulously planned program, every detail was handled with care and professionalism. It was evident that a tremendous amount of effort and dedication went into organizing such a successful event. Winning an Arabian Travel Award is a significant achievement and can instil a sense of pride. It reflects recognition for the hard work, dedication, and excellence of service performed by Jannah Burj Al Sarab Team. Definitely winning such Award is powerful motivator to strive for setting high standards, benchmark for excellence , responsibility which is driven by a commitment to maintaining and enhancing this positive image and reputation.”

Swissotel Al Ghurair Dubai won the title as ‘Best Family Friendly Hotel’ at Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Amal El Ansari – General Manager – Swissotel Al Ghurair Dubai shared, “It was an extremely well organized event, bringing together and recognizing industry leaders and innovations. Swissotel Al Ghurair and the team is extremely thrilled to win the Best Family-friendly hotel, third year in a row, proving that the efforts of the hotel and its colleagues in making it the best family-friendly destination in Dubai.”  

Banyan Tree announced the opening of its first resort in Dubai to coincide with the country’s 52nd Union Day celebrations on December 2, 2023 . Banyan Tree Dubai, which offers a full range of dining and leisure facilities, is located on the waterfront of the beaches of Bluewaters Island Dubai, Dubai Holding’s long-standing luxury and vibrant living destination. Known for offering a complete blend of ideal destinations for residential, retail, hospitality and leisure. The resort has a sleek contemporary design and a deep sense of belonging, seamlessly harmonizing with the unique architectural features of the surrounding Dubai Marina. Stretching 500 metres along the pristine and clean private beach, this charming landmark offers a mesmerizing view of the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf and the iconic Ain Dubai wheel. The resort also features three swimming pools equipped with climate control. Peter Hechler, Senior Vice President and Head of Regional Operations for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Banyan Tree Group, said: “We are delighted to open Banyan’s first resort in Dubai, which coincides with the UAE’s Union Day celebrations, noting that the project was implemented in partnership with a group of prestigious partners such as Inismor and Dubai Holding. “We are confident that Banyan Tree Dubai will attract visitors and travellers looking for both leisure and business destinations thanks to its central strategic location, and will be an ideal attraction for couples looking for wedding and honeymoon venues. We look forward to welcoming our visitors to Banyan Tree Dubai, which offers the highest standards of Arabian hospitality and luxury.” Banyan Tree Resort in Dubai consists of 178 rooms, all featuring unique designs designed by leading company Blink Design, offering an …

dusitD2 kenz Hotel emerged winner in the category as ‘Best Business Hotel’ at the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Bassam Zakaria, Cluster General Manager – dusitD2 kenz Hotel & Dusit Princess Residences – Dubai Marina shared, “Our winning streak for 2 consecutive years in Arabian Travel Awards reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence at both our properties. This year’s awards night was exceptional, filled with entertainment and served as a grand celebration of the hard work of all hoteliers and industry partners throughout this year. We are honoured to bring Dusit’s signature Thai-inspired hospitality to Dubai, and we are eager to provide more exceptional services and transformative experiences for our valued guests and patrons in the exciting times ahead. This award not only acknowledges our past achievements but also motivates us for 2024, spurring us on to surpass even greater milestones, setting new standards in hospitality and guest experience.”

The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance has launched a ground-breaking new digital version of the Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality at COP28 in Dubai. This cutting-edge tool provides hospitality companies with a clear roadmap to accelerate their ESG progress, enabling them to navigate the stages of the pathway with ease. The latest edition of the Pathway includes over 80 pages of comprehensive guidance, as well as brand-new resources and case studies showcasing best practice. Developed by and for the industry over a period of two years, the Pathway underwent rigorous consultation with the Alliance’s hospitality and affiliate donor members, expert partners, and sustainability professionals from academia and consulting firms. Today’s update introduces a Progress Tracker, developed in collaboration with EY, which allows companies to understand and record their progress along the Pathway, providing valuable insights to measure their impact. The digital pathway offers comprehensive guidance, including checklists, tools, and resources, addressing 10 crucial topics within an ESG framework. In the hospitality industry, with its complex ownership and management structures, it can be challenging to identify responsibilities in sustainability. This Pathway aims to support the entire sector, from sustainability leaders to those just beginning their journey, in embracing sustainability. Speaking at the UNWTO Side event at COP28, Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, highlighted how this first-of-its-kind resource sets out a clear and ambitious journey for the entire sector to embark on together. Mandziuk affirms, “At the Alliance, we believe that every hotel can and must go beyond minimizing negative impact and work to truly give back to the community, the destination, and the planet, regardless of their starting point. This digitised version of the Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality provides …

Slated to open in 2027, Marriott International, Inc. signed an agreement with Palm Hills Developments to open The Ritz-Carlton Cairo, Palm Hills, signaling a commitment to strengthening its portfolio of properties across the company’s luxury brands in Egypt. The hotel will be located in Palm Hills West Cairo, in close proximity to the Great Pyramids of Giza, “We are thrilled to work with Palm Hills Developments to bring a new level of exceptional luxury and unrivaled elegance to West Cairo,” said Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East, Marriott International. “Cairo is a sought-after leisure destination synonymous with some of the world’s most outstanding historical and cultural sites. We continue to see a opportunities to thoughtfully grow our iconic brands in Egypt and other destinations where we know our guests want to travel most.” Expected to open in 2027, the luxury property is expected to include 150 guestrooms and 50 one-, two- and three-bedroom serviced apartments, and will bring The Ritz-Carlton’s legendary service and exquisite design to West Cairo. Comprehensive facilities are anticipated to include five dining destinations, a spa, fitness centre, pool, children’s club and state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities. Commenting on the signing, Palm’s Hills Developments Chairman and Group CEO, Yasseen Mansour said, “We would like to welcome Marriott International as our new prominent collaborator in Palm Hills October as we are always eager to work with best-in-class partners, and bringing Ritz-Carlton on board is a milestone for our company, that aligns perfectly with our strategic vision of encouraging the tourism sector along with elevating the offerings of the real estate industry in Egypt. This collaboration underscores our commitment to complement PHD’s communities and hence maximize their …

Millennium Place Hotel Mirdif emerged winner as the ‘Best 4 Star Lifestyle Hotel’ at Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Shady Dawad – General Manager – Millennium Place Hotel Mirdif shared, “The Arabian Travel Awards is a fascinating assembly of innovators in the hospitality industry. Being consistently named the Best 4-Star Hotel is an incredible experience. This demonstrates our dedication to providing excellent guest service. The award is a powerful inspiration for us to ignite our zeal and strive for even greater heights in the year 2024.”    

Rocco Forte Hotels announced that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a significant minority stake in the group. The Forte family will retain majority ownership and control. The arrangement sees the Italian entity CDPE Investimenti (CDPEI) selling its entire stake. PIF’s investment will include an element of primary equity which will accelerate the brand’s expansion in both existing and new global markets, building on the group’s track record of growth and development that includes eight new properties opened or committed in recent years. Sir Rocco Forte will remain Executive Chairman, alongside Olga Polizzi, who will continue as Deputy Chairman. Charles Forte, Lydia Forte and Irene Forte will also continue to hold key roles in the business. Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval. Sir Rocco Forte, Executive Chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, said: “PIF is an excellent partner for us going forward. We have established an extremely good relationship during the course of our negotiations. They share the same vision for the brand and the future strategy of the group with the same ambition to take a long-term view. I look forward to working with PIF to expand the group and improve the high level of service we offer our customers. “We thank CDPEI for having shared the past fruitful eight years during which we both successfully accomplished the mission we shared when we started the journey, having significantly enhanced the value of the company and increased the group’s presence in Italy and across Europe.” Turqi Al Nowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments Division at PIF, said: “Our investment in Rocco Forte Hotels reflects PIF’s confidence in both the …

Copthorne Hotel Dubai walked away as the winner of ‘Best 4 Star Hotel’ at Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Shady Dawad – General Manager – Copthorne Hotel Dubai shared, “The Arabian Travel Awards is a fascinating assembly of innovators in the hospitality industry. Being consistently named the Best 4-Star Hotel is an incredible experience. This demonstrates our dedication to providing excellent guest service. The award is a powerful inspiration for us to ignite our zeal and strive for even greater heights in the year 2024.”    

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) hosted its inaugural Emirati Hospitality Ambassadors Forum, a new platform that empowers and connects UAE nationals working across the emirate’s tourism sector. The event saw the participation of DCT Abu Dhabi leadership and over 80 Emirati tourism professionals from across the sector, representing diverse roles such as tour guides, agents, marketers, and managers, among others. The annual forum was incepted to highlight the pivotal role Emiratis play in delivering authentic experiences for visitors, and to facilitate networking and the exchange of invaluable insights about Abu Dhabi’s rapidly growing tourism and hospitality sector. HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “As we continue to grow and elevate Abu Dhabi’s tourism landscape, we must ensure our community of Emirati tourism and hospitality ambassadors are given the tools and resources needed to deliver authentic and unforgettable experiences for all. The Emirati Hospitality Ambassadors Forum will amplify the voices of our Emirati talent, while leveraging their unique perspectives to steer and evolve Abu Dhabi’s hospitality industry.” The Emirati Hospitality Ambassadors Forum aligns with DCT Abu Dhabi’s mission to cultivate a dynamic, diverse and inclusive tourism sector, one that celebrates the rich heritage and warm hospitality that defines Emirati culture.