Category Archives: Hotels

AlUla Development Company signed a hotel management agreement with Six Senses, to open Six Senses AlUla in Saudi Arabia in 2027. The agreement was signed by Fabien Toscano, Chief Executive Officer of AlUla Development Company, and Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Six Senses, and in the presence of AlUla Development Company Managing Director Naif AlHamdan during a ceremony at Maraya – Guinness World Record holder of being the world’s largest mirrored building – located in AlUla. Luxury hotel Six Senses AlUla will span across 1,200,000 square meters and will be built within a breathtaking natural oasis adorned with lush palm groves, embraced by dramatic red-sandstone cliffs. It will feature 100 guest villas and 25 residences, which will be designed to seamlessly integrate with AlUla’s breathtaking natural landscape. Naif AlHamdan, Managing Director of AlUla Development Company commented that the agreement represents the company’s commitment to increase luxury hospitality offerings in one of the most ancient archaeological sites, adding: “We are working to enrich the hospitality offerings and experiences in AlUla so that we can enable visitors to explore its rich history amidst its natural picturesque setting.” Fabien Toscano, Chief Executive Officer of AlUla Development Company, commented on the partnership, “We are excited to join hands with Six Senses to open a one-of-a-kind luxury hotel in AlUla. The venture aligns with our commitment to elevating the hospitality offering in AlUla and marks another significant stride in our pursuit of sustainable development, contributing to the economic diversification and transformation of Saudi Arabia in line with Vision 2030.” Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Six Senses, commented on the venture, saying, “Bringing to life the drama and beauty of a site with unprecedented …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced the successful completion of an investment deal with Kingdom Holding Company (KHC). The SAR 2bn Joint Venture (JV) brings together RSG and KHC in a 50/50 partnership to develop and own the Four Seasons Resort Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, expected to open in early 2025. The highly anticipated luxury resort is situated on Shura Island, the main hub island at The Red Sea destination. It will offer 149 rooms and suites, plus 31 residential properties, as well as six restaurants and lounge outlets, meeting and events spaces, a marine discovery center, and a Kids For All Seasons space. “This partnership strengthens our unwavering commitment to transforming the tourism landscape in Saudi Arabia. We share a common vision of creating extraordinary destinations that not only drive economic growth and job creation, but also preserve precious ecosystems, aligning perfectly with the aspirations outlined in Vision 2030,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. Eng. Talal Ibrahim Almaiman, CEO at Kingdom Holding Company, said: ” We are proud to partner with RSG in the execution of one of the Kingdom’s most exciting projects and look forward to creating value for our respective shareholders. This investment will form part of our broader strategy on further investments in the Saudi Arabian high growth market.” Shura Island will be home to 11 resorts in total, and will include residential properties, an 18-hole championship golf course, a 118-berth marina, and an exceptional retail, dining, and entertainment experience. The collaboration between RSG and KHC comes at a time when tourism in the Kingdom is experiencing remarkable growth. Tourism’s share of GDP has already shot from a modest 3% to an impressive 7% since …

ENVI Lodges has partnered with Oman’s Ministry of Defence Pension Fund to develop a sustainable mountain lodge in the heart of Al Jabel Al Akhdar. Marking ENVI’s foray in the Sultanate, the ecolodge will provide a unique mountain stay experience while promoting environmental conservation, a brand proposition aligned to the Oman National Tourism Strategy 2040 target of 11.7 million visitors and 80,000 hospitality keys focused on nature, adventure and sustainable initiatives. The Ministry of Defence Pension Fund’s representative said: “Partnering with ENVI Lodges to open the first ecolodge of its kind in Oman, is a strategic move that contributes to the responsible development of the Sultanate’s tourism industry. The lodge will appeal to the growing number of travellers seeking eco-friendly accommodation and authentic destination experiences, reinforcing Oman’s reputation as hotspot for nature and adventure.” When it opens in 2025, ENVI Al Jabel Al Akhdar will feature 40 luxury expedition tents designed by Tenthouse Structure, a renowned South African architect of tented wilderness developments. Each unit will overlook the Hajar mountain range and offer guests an elevated adventure experience while minimising environmental impact. These precision-engineered, hand-crafted tents will be insulated and include a heating system for the winter season, ideal for Al Jabel Al Akhdar, which sits at 2,000 metres above sea level. Facilities will include a farm-to-table restaurant, some private pools, fitness and wellness centre, library, guest arrival area, an Insta-worthy swimming pool, a kids club, and kitchen garden, while an adjacent events space will host community activities such as markets and food trucks. The lodge will offer guests the chance to explore nearby villages, interact with local farmers and hike to discover the hidden treasures the famous Omani mountain …

Red Sea Global (RSG) revealed Thuwal Private Retreat, an exclusive, buy-out only island destination set to welcome guests next year. Located on a pristine 1.7-hectare sandy islet in a spectacular coral archipelago on the Red Sea coast, the intimate destination offers stunning natural beauty complemented by discreet architecture, offering ultimate luxury in complete privacy. The island resort boasts a spacious main three-bedroom villa, three one-bedroom suites, a beach club, gym and wellness center. The curated travel experience begins as soon as guests arrive, entering via a private jetty to be greeted by the guest experience team at a stunning welcome center. “Thuwal Private Retreat has been created to allow guests the chance to disconnect from the stresses of daily life, and instead reconnect with their closest companions. Our belief is that the sublime Red Sea coast combined with tailored luxury experiences will deliver a peerless escape for the most discerning travelers,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. The creation of Thuwal Private Retreat represents a new phase for Red Sea Global, with the destination sitting separately to The Red Sea and Amaala, and as a wholly RSG-owned brand. There are no third-party hospitality or hotel operators involved for the first time in RSG’s development history. “This is a milestone for us personally. It is the latest project we can reveal since we announced our expanded portfolio of projects last year and it is significantly advanced in terms of delivery. It is also the first time we are creating a destination owned and operated end-to-end by the expert team here at Red Sea Global, from development and planning to accommodation and guest services,” added Mr. Pagano. In line …

The First Group partners with Charge&Go marking a significant milestone in sustainability, The Group will be installing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations at its six hotels, making it Dubai’s first hospitality company to embrace this forward-looking practice for the environment. Underpinned by a resolute dedication to environmental protection and guest comfort, the initiative solidifies The First Group hotels’ position as a premier destination for sustainable hospitality. By adopting eco-conscious measures, the Group caters to the growing desires of environmentally aware travellers. More than just a convenience, this endeavour underscores the brand’s pledge to a greener planet, further enhancing its reputation as an industry leader in responsible hospitality in a competitive market. The EV charging stations will be located across six of the brand’s properties – The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle, The First Collection Business Bay, Tryp by Wyndham Dubai, Wyndham Dubai Marina, Citadines Metro Central Dubai, and Grand Heights. Muammar Nasir Al Rukhaimi, CEO, Etisalat Services Holding (ESH), subsidiary of e& said: “This partnership demonstrates our dedication to ‘Charge&Go’ and our support for electric mobility in UAE. We are committed to leading the conversations on sustainability and exploring the limitless possibilities with technology. Today, innovation goes beyond ground-breaking products and solutions; it also involves making choices that benefit the environment and generations that will inherit this planet from us.” “We take great pride in this significant milestone alongside our valued partner, Charge&Go as it exemplifies our commitment to sustainability within the dynamic realm of hospitality. As the UAE steers towards a sustainable economy, we acknowledge our key role as a partner in shaping an environmentally conscious future. This initiative underscores our commitment to being catalysts of positive change …

NH Collection Dubai The Palm is pleased to announce the launch of its vegan friendly rooms, the very first vegan-friendly rooms in Dubai. As a leading sustainable hotel, NH Collection Dubai The Palm has strived to minimise its environmental impact since its launch earlier this year. The property boasts an in-house water bottling plant, eliminating the need for plastic water bottles. Additionally, solar panels generate hot water, and condensed water from the air conditioning system is repurposed for irrigation purposes. Taking sustainability to the next level, NH Collection Dubai The Palm will be offering vegan-friendly rooms starting from October 2023. These rooms will feature a wide range of sustainable and vegan amenities, ensuring a compassionate and responsible stay for guests. The vegan friendly rooms will offer duvets, pillow fillings, and mattress toppers made from sustainable materials. Guests will also find a selection of vegan amenities in the room, along with compostable amenities and vegan snacks. The wet amenities are 100% vegan, while the dry amenities are carefully crafted from sustainable products, completely free from animal-derived ingredients and never tested on animals. NH Collection Dubai The Palm goes beyond the in-room amenities and extends its commitment to sustainability throughout the hotel experience. Shower caps and sanitary bags provided are compostable, while pens and pencils are plantable, allowing guests to leave a positive mark on the environment. Furthermore, all dry amenities are thoughtfully packaged in natural, plastic-free materials. To complement the eco-friendly ethos, NH Collection Dubai The Palm exclusively uses vegan-friendly wet amenities in their rooms. These products are free from sulphates, parabens, silicon, and gluten, creating a vegan-friendly and cruelty-free experience for guests. NH Collection Dubai The Palm also embraces innovative …

Elaf Group announced the official opening of the Joudyan Red Sea Mall Hotel. This luxurious 5-star hotel represents a significant milestone in the group’s journey, reaffirming its commitment to establishing new standards for the hospitality experience, enhancing the quality and efficiency of hotel services, and elevating the comfort of guests and visitors in the Kingdom of Hospitality. The grand opening ceremony of the Joudyan Red Sea Mall Hotel was a remarkable occasion, graced by the presence of Dr. Abdulraouf Mannaa, Chairman of the Board of Elaf Group and Dr. Adel Ezzat, CEO of Elaf Group, along with members of the Board of Directors, partners, and senior officials. The launch of the new hotel is in line with the group’s commitment to supporting the goals of the “Saudi Vision 2030”, aimed at strengthening the role of the tourism sector as a vital economic contributor and enhancing private sector participation in Saudi Arabia’s development journey. This strategic step is a testament to the Elaf Group’s ongoing efforts to diversify and expand its investment portfolio, tangibly contributing to enhancing KSA’s competitiveness and reinforcing its position in the tourism and hospitality sector. The official opening of Joudyan Red Sea Mall hotel is a result of strenuous efforts to achieve the main goal of the Elaf Group to become the preferred brand for Saudi hospitality. The group’s commitment to upholding the highest standards in the sector aims to support and empower the national tourism ecosystem, solidifying the principles of excellent hospitality and modernity by establishing a robust and comprehensive value chain. The development also holds significance as it comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is preparing to attract 100 million tourists and 30 million …

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the launch of an extensive global brand evolution. As part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, InterContinental is set to yet again reimagine the luxury travel experience, striking a harmonious balance between freedom and familiarity. This transformative journey is driven by the brand’s long held belief that travel can expand minds and connect cultures, enhanced by cutting-edge technology, innovative design, and the exceptional talents of InterContinental’s diverse team members. InterContinental aims to captivate the imaginations of modern luxury travellers by satisfying their desire for knowledge and culturally rich experiences. This holistic evolution includes new offerings and experiences, a fresh brand culture, unique brand differentiators, and a game-changing food and beverage and hotel design strategy tailored to the traveller of tomorrow. With InterContinental hotels in the world’s finest cities from Rome to Shanghai, and 93 new hotels and resorts in the pipeline, these concepts will shape the future of InterContinental. Tom Rowntree, Vice President of Luxury Brands at IHG Hotels and Resorts, said: “This isn’t a rebrand or repositioning; rather, it’s a comprehensive transformation from start to finish of InterContinental, ensuring we stay at the forefront of crafting a luxury experience for the modern luxury traveler. Collaborating with our 215 hotels worldwide, we are committed to delivering precisely what todays and tomorrows guests, owners and colleagues require. “At its core, this brand evolution revolves around our exceptional team members globally. Alongside a new brand service platform, we’re introducing a fresh brand culture and a range of programmes aimed at attracting and retaining the finest talent in the industry. Our colleague brand culture is grounded in InterContinental’s …

Sofitel Dubai The Palm unveils its ultra-luxury Signature Collection of bespoke suites and villas. This boutique hotel experience promises exceptional stays, seamlessly merging the French Riviera charm with the allure of Dubai. Ready for reservations from November 1, 2023, the Signature Palm Suites cater primarily to guests aged 12 and above; making them a dreamy escape for couples enjoying their honeymoon or those celebrating special occasions. Sofitel Dubai The Palm’s pivotal expansion marks a significant milestone in the resort’s unwavering commitment to world-class sophistication, propelling it into unparalleled luxury hospitality. The journey of personalised luxury and exquisite art de vivre begins at the enticing Signature Palm Suites and continues to the majestic Eden, Palm, Riviera, and Beach Villas. Each bespoke space is an impeccable sanctuary of serenity and seclusion. The prestigious hotel has a pipeline of captivating projects set to launch before the year’s end. Christophe Schnyder, Managing Director at Sofitel Dubai The Palm, commented, “We are always determined in our vision to provide unparalleled luxury experiences for our guests. Recognising the evolving landscape of luxury hospitality, our introduction of the Signature Collection suites and villas signifies thoughtful diversification. By curating an exquisite adult-only sanctuary alongside our esteemed family offerings, we aim to elevate and cater to the desires of our discerning clientele, solidifying our commitment to redefine regional hospitality benchmarks”. The newly unveiled Signature Palm Suites epitomise luxury. Designed with precision for the cultured traveler, these suites have elegant interiors, offering a realm of uniqueness with an exclusive check-in experience. The suites have access to a dedicated butler service and bespoke honeymoon amenities as well as privileged access to The Premier Lounge, Sofitel FITNESS, the tranquil retreat of Sofitel …

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, managed by Hospitality Management Holding (HMH), is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation by launching an innovative onsite water bottling plant system. This initiation represents the first of its kind among hotels in the Northern Emirates, aiming to eliminate the use of plastic bottles, preventing approximately 300,672 plastic bottles from entering the environment annually. His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority graced the launch and commended the unwavering commitment to sustainability of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah.  He reiterated, “Let me congratulate Coral Beach Resort Sharjah for taking a leap in sustainability as a property in Sharjah. I would like to commend everyone in your team for believing in the importance of sustainability, its impact in our day today life in general. We are very glad that you started this and looking forward to having more companies to follow the initiative.” Plastic waste reduction has become a primary focus at Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, with plastic bottles constituting a significant portion of the property’s plastic waste, particularly in food & beverage outlets and guestrooms. By implementing this unique water bottling plant, the resort is on its way to eliminating single-use plastics, contributing to a cleaner and greener future. Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager at Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, said, “We are dedicated to reducing our overall environmental footprint while maintaining exceptional guest experiences. Our water filtration system ensures the production of high-quality water, meticulously bottled in our onsite bottling plant room, and made available in hotel guestrooms and food & beverage outlets.” The plastic-free project is part of the resort’s ongoing sustainability efforts.  In March 2021, HMH …