Category Archives: Hotels

St. Regis Hotels and Resorts announced the opening of The St. Regis Almasa with the rebranding of the Almasa Hotel. Located in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt, The St. Regis Almasa is poised to becoMarrme the best address in the heart of the up-and-coming city, which is slated to be the new face of Cairo and the administrative and financial hub of Egypt. “We are delighted to bring our iconic St. Regis brand to the New Administrative Capital together with the National Authority for Management & Investment,” said Guido De Wilde, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International. “This opening is a significant milestone in our journey and underscores the tremendous trust and confidence our owners have in us and in the power of our luxury brands in the region.” General Sherif Salah El-Din Chairman of The National Authority for Management & Investment said, “The National Authority for Management and Investment is excited to collaborate with Marriott International to bring the classic sophistication of the St. Regis brand to the New Administrative Capital of Egypt. The St. Regis Almasa will play a significant role in giving the tourism industry much-needed support and will become the new destination for luxury hospitality in Egypt, playing host to the country’s most coveted events, conferences, and summits.”

Recent hospitality industry reports and analysis published by STR and Colliers International, have revealed that hotels in the UAE have put up a sterling performance, given the challenges of operating during the pandemic last year. To support the hotel industry still further during the vaccine rollout, Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which will take place in-person at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) 16-19 May 2021, is organising a Hotel Summit on Tuesday 18th May. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, “According to STR data, the Middle East region was a top performer globally during 2020, with an average occupancy of 45.9%. One of the best-performing countries was the UAE with an average occupancy of 51.7% and an average daily rate (ADR) of $114. Although these figures were 29.3% & 16.5% down Y-on-Y, given the challenges presented by the pandemic, it is a remarkable achievement and proves just how resilient the hotel sector is in the UAE and wider Middle East. “Furthermore, if we drill down on these figures, ADR in Fujairah and RAK actually rose last year by 7% and 1% respectively, compared with 2019 and over the New Year’s celebrations hotels in Dubai were running average occupancies of 76% with an ADR of $300. I am certain that many hoteliers in the Middle East are now preparing for a V-shaped recovery, especially with the successful rollout of the vaccine and the ensuing herd immunity,” added Curtis. “Moreover, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also indicated that British nationals may be allowed to travel without any restrictions as soon as June 21st, which, given their close ties, would be a major boost for business and leisure travel …

Holidays by flydubai has launched attractive packages for travel to Sarajevo and Tbilisi. The packages start from AED 1,539 and include hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis and return economy class tickets for two people. flydubai passengers looking for a getaway can book these special packages by March 15 for travel by March 20. Sarajevo is a city with a rich history and architecture set against the backdrop of beautiful mountains. The district of Baščaršija is Sarajevo’s vibrant centre and is where most of its sights are located. Hiking, shopping and museum hopping are just a few of the numerous activities this tourist-friendly city has to offer. Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, has been attracting visitors for centuries. Nestled in a valley between the North and South Caucasus mountain ranges, this lively and colourful city has a fascinating old town full of narrow streets, sulphur bathhouses and buildings with distinctive carved wooden balconies. A big part of experiencing Georgian culture is by sampling its amazing food, taking a stroll through its many traditional bazaars or booking a day trip to Kazbegi, one of the most stunning mountain regions in Georgia.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company by a number of properties with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries, today announced the debut of its La Quinta by Wyndham brand in the Middle East with a new 100-room property in Dubai. Expected to open in March 2021, La Quinta by Wyndham Dubai Bur Dubai will be centrally located in the historic Bur Dubai district. Dimitris Manikis, President Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA), Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are on a strong growth trajectory for La Quinta by Wyndham, and this latest addition further highlights our commitment to expand the brand in EMEA and around the world. Dubai is one of the most sought out destinations for travellers from all corners of the globe, making it the ideal location to launch La Quinta in the market. This property perfectly complements our portfolio of over 60 hotels in the Middle East and Africa and we look forward to continuing to grow our robust pipeline in the region.”

Sabre Corporation announced a strategic long-term technology partnership with Louvre Hotels Group, Europe’s second-largest enterprise hotel group counting almost 1,600 hotels across 54 countries and a subsidiary of Jin Jiang International. With this new agreement, Louvre Hotels Group will benefit from SynXis Central Reservations and its industry-leading reach with connections to almost 900,000 travel agents and nearly 700 online channels across the globe, including hundreds of online travel agencies (OTAs) and metasearch engines. Louvre Hotels Group will be able to pursue its ambitious plans to expand its hotel portfolio footprint and global distribution reach while benefiting from improved operational efficiencies. “This partnership with Sabre is a priority to sustain our ambitions, especially in this global context. We constantly develop our network across the world with our brands from 1 star to 5 stars. Therefore, we want to deploy innovative distribution strategies with robust technology solutions, to provide cutting edge solutions to our investors and franchisees while ensuring technical and operational efficiency for our hotels,” said Pierre-Frédéric Roulot, CEO at Louvre Hotels Group. “For us, Sabre Hospitality Solutions is offering the best combination of innovation, platform, security, scale and service.” “In today’s evolving travel and hospitality industry, it is critical that hoteliers have a unified, highly-flexible technology platform that allows them to drive commercial performance, enable operational excellence, and do this on a reliable platform that just works,” said Scott Wilson, president of Sabre Hospitality Solutions. “Sabre’s industry-leading solutions will extend Louvre Hotels Group’s distribution reach with the speed of innovation, performance, and stability inherent in an industry-leading platform while providing the ability to create highly differentiated experiences for both its brands and its guests.”

Marriott is looking at expanding their chain further with the addition of Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah a key destination much loved by international travellers as well as domestic travellers or residents. This property marks the first Marriott Hotels resort in Dubai, the hotel is located on the beach of the iconic Palm Jumeirah. For guests that want to be in the heart of it all, Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah is perfectly positioned with easy access to downtown, the main shopping malls, and business districts. The hotel will feature 608 guestrooms, eight restaurants, and lounges, plus a world-class spa and fitness facility, a kids club, and a private sandy beach offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf beyond.

Rixos Premium Magawish Suites & Villas will take over Hurghada as the brand-new property sets to open on March 15 at the Red Sea Coast. Situated at the heart of the bustling town, the 5-star property passes through a spacious land-scape of over 255.000 meter-squared premises to flash an architectural masterpiece. Aside from the iconic sights, the signature Rixos quality of services is made better with its first-class suites and villa facilities, meeting halls, vast food and beverage options, world-class leisure, sports, entertainment, and spa. Discerning guests and business groups visiting Hurghada will be spoilt for choice as the latest hotspot offers impeccable features to suit outright needs. Vacationers can indulge in an elegant array of 410 suites and villas with the smallest suite flaunting a 53 meter-squared space among other options of Superior Suites, Deluxe Suites, and Lagoon Swim-up Suites with a scenic garden setting, pool, and sea views. Stepping up a notch, guests can take pleasure over a pool area boasting tailored services by a private butler at the Pool Villas and Executive Pool Villas. Corporate guests can conduct conferences and tackle agenda across the property’s exclusive meeting suites, VIP hall, and presidential office with special services to fulfill business requirements. Experience the tastes of the world with endless choices of abundant flavors to satiate your cravings. Relish with international cuisines laid out at the open buffet for an all-day dining experience at the property’s main restaurant, or choose to satisfy your craving out of the 5 A La Carte outlets. From the Turkish delights of Lalezar, the Brazilian gourmet of La Churras-caria, up to other indulgences at Salt, Asian, and People’s, the a la carte scene offers …

Marriott International announced new hotel openings in the region. The latest addition in Amman, Jordan will be the Ritz Carlton expected to be open by Q3 in 2021. It is two stunning towers that will offer an exclusive experience in the heart of Jordan’s buzzing capital city Amman. The Ritz-Carlton, Amman boasts 228 guestrooms including 34 suites and 90 residences, along with the brand’s legendary service. Guests can relax in the elegant Cigar Lounge or indulge in distinguished cuisine at the hotel’sMediterraneanrestaurant, or the rooftop restaurant and bar offering dazzling views across the skyline. The hotel will also feature indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness centre and spa, along with a 1,000 square metre ballroom.

Emaar Hospitality Group announced the opening of its first resort under the Vida Hotels and Resorts brand in Umm Al Quwain. Located on the idyllic beachfront, Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain offers endless attractions to tourists and residents of Umm Al Quwain at the stunning design-led resort. From sophisticated rooms and suites, captivating views of the sea and endless water sports facilities, to wholesome eateries, a vibey rooftop bar, sandy white beach access, and an expansive pool, Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain is the ultimate destination to unwind and come alive with friends, family, and pets in the picturesque location of Umm Al Quwain. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the nearby hidden gem that is the emirate of Umm Al Quwain offering culture, heritage, water activities, and much more. Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain is just a stone’s throw away from Umm Al Quwain’s most popular tourist attractions such as the UAQ Corniche and the UAQ National Museum which offers an invaluable collection of artifacts that were excavated from nearby sites. Explore the Umm Al Quwain Coastal Mangrove just nine minutes from the resort and paddle the serene waters of the Mangrove inhabited by flamingos and cormorants. Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain includes 135 rooms and suites which showcases breathtaking views of the sea and offers mesmerizing sounds of the waves providing the ultimate tranquil experience for guests who stay at the resort. The rooms at Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain offer sleek and stylish furnishings and include in-room technology, complimentary Wi-Fi, with 24-hour concierge service on hand to ensure maximum comfort. For an escape with uninterrupted views of the …

Hotel Show Dubai has launched an initiative for region’s hospitality community from February 18-27, 2021. Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has organised the 10-day event which will see a select group of popular hotels on Sheikh Zayed Road transformed by night into illuminated beacons of hospitality. Each hotel has been partnered with an internationally acclaimed lighting design firm with full creative license to construct a custom exterior façade installation under the theme titled a ‘Celebration of Lighting and Hospitality’. “Following an extremely challenging trading year for the hospitality industry in 2020, and the knock-on effect that the pandemic has had on those industry sectors that support tourism GDP contribution, we wanted to shine a light on the importance of this vital economic backbone,” said Jasmeet Bakshi, Group Event Director at dmg events – the organizer of The Hotel Show Dubai. “Dubai has been a tourism pioneer for decades, from planning and delivering its architecturally iconic skyline to developing an exceptional tourism offering that attracted 16 million tourists in 2019. Illuminate Dubai is a wonderful opportunity for us to highlight our work and the ever-evolving appeal of the emirate’s hospitality sector,” said David McNeil, Director of dpa lighting consultants. For Samer Moukalled, Vice President of headline sponsor Scientechnic Lighting Solutions, “The hospitality industry has long been a backbone to the thriving tourism sector of the UAE, and the idea of using light to reestablish its importance is a major boon for lighting experts like myself. Lighting is often termed the unsung hero and Illuminate Dubai has created a platform to showcase its true power. We are lighting up the city, and what better medium than on the facades …