Category Archives: Hotels

Pullman Hotel Sharjah officially opened last week, the inaugration was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and in the presence of His Excellency Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourist Development Authority; Hassan and Abdul Mohsen Al Hammadi, CEO of Manazil Real Estate Group, the owner of Pullman Hotel Sharjah, Mark Willis, CEO Middle East & Africa, of Accor, and many other VIPs, businessmen, guests and media representatives. In this regard, HE. Khaled Jassim Al Midfa asserted the vital role of the hotel and hospitality sector as a main pillar in fostering the development of tourism in Sharjah. His Excellency also touched upon the strong presence of Sharjah on the global tourism map and the achievements and projects that added to the thriving tourism sector, with the support and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. Commenting on the opening, Eng. Abdul Mohsen Al Hammadi, CEO of Manazil Real Estate Group, the owner of Pullman Hotel Sharjah, said, “Pullman Hotel Sharjah is an extension of our hotels portfolio, managed in collaboration with Accor, the fastest growing in hotels management and hospitality industry in the region. It adds more value to the Group’s extraordinary achievements in the hospitality sector in line with the exceptional continuous growth of the tourism sector in Sharjah which proved itself as a leading tourism destination regionally and internationally.”

ibis Styles has opened a third property in Dubai. The 351-room ibis Styles Dubai Airport will cater to the modern cosmopolitan travellers of today who are looking for a surprising and joyful experience. The new opening is set to contribute to the vibrant UAE hospitality industry. Strategically situated in Al Garhoud near the Dubai International Airport, ibis Styles Dubai Airport is designed to provide for travel needs of both business and leisure guests, be it for a spirited brainstorming session at the Creative Terminal, a relaxing night on the hotel’s signature Sweet BedTM, a wholesome, healthy meal or Grab & Go specialty coffee at Le Styles Café and everything else in between. “ibis Styles Dubai Airport is your trendy home away from home. Its modern, stylish and reflects the cool spirit of the city of Dubai. Young professionals who are visiting for work or play and families or couples looking for casual accommodation on weekends will find ibis Styles Dubai Airport hotel the new go-to,” comments Frank Béchemilh, Cluster General Manager. At ibis Styles Dubai Airport, hospitality is taken to another level. “As casting criteria, the potential candidates submitted a short video telling us why they should be selected to join our league of superheroes. The shortlisted were allowed to showcase being the hospitality superhero in our very own version of “ibis Styles has got talent”. Superheroes were tested as to how they would present themselves in a certain situation to surprise and delight the guests while exceeding their expectations,” prides Béchemilh. “Dubai is now the world’s fourth most visited city and as we prepare for the much-awaited opening of the Expo 2020 we expect more visitors. Travellers looking for …

JW Marriott announced the opening of JW Marriott Muscat, setting the stage for distinctive experiences in Oman’s historic capital. Located in the heart of Muscat’s new business hub, within the Sultanate’s largest urban development project Madinat Al-Irfan, the hotel is an integral part of the prestigious Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) precinct. Directly linked to the OCEC, it also provides easy access to key city landmarks including Muscat Old Town, Royal Opera House, Old Souq and Mattrah Corniche. Overlooking inspiring surroundings, JW Marriott Muscat features 304 guest rooms and suites, many of them offering views of Oman’s wadis, spectacular natural valleys flowing with water. With 2500 square metres of banqueting space flooded with natural daylight and equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology, the new property is the perfect place to host artfully choreographed meetings and events. Whether it’s a small board meeting, a large conference, a social gathering or a wedding, the hotel offers space and choice with two large ballrooms and six meeting rooms. Directly linked to the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) precinct, JW Marriott Muscat invites business travellers to benefit from the acclaimed ‘Events by JW’ service, including multi-lingual and experienced event planners and tailored menus. JW Marriott Muscat houses the largest Executive Lounge in the country and is the first hotel to have an exclusive lounge for airline crew. Mitzi Gaskins, Vice President & Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott, said, “The hotel’s extensive offerings encourage guests to live in the present and pursue their best selves while immersing themselves in the culturally authentic experiences of this enchanting city.”

Manazil Real Estate Group unveiled its latest development, Pullman Hotel in Sharjah, which will open soon, to address the increase in tourists choosing this vibrant emirate as their destination. The five-star property will be managed by Accor Middle East and is considered the latest addition to Manazil Group’s projects. Building and developing high-quality projects in the hospitality and health care sectors, Manazil is internationally renowned for projects with unique designs and architecture, including Marjan Island Resort and Spa, with panoramic view of the Gulf; Terhab Hotel and Towers Jumeirah (Jumeirah Village Dubai); and Terhab Hotel & Residence Sharjah Eng. Abdul Mohsen Al Hammadi, CEO of Manazil Real Estate Group, the owner of Pullman Hotel Sharjah, said, “The prime location, close to Sharjah Expo is a key feature, as Sharjah is increasingly attracting the region’s most important expos and conferences, supported by the Government of Sharjah and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority,” Al Hammadi continues, “Pullman Sharjah includes Oriana Hospital, the first of its kind in the region to promote medical tourism, supported by the Sharjah government. Through the five-star Pullman Sharjah, we aim to provide medical tourism and entertainment products for everyone. Furthermore, we are targeting GCC markets, some of the main markets for medical tourism, as well as European, Asian and African markets,” he concluded.

Radisson RED is all set to debut in Dubai this February at Dubai Digital Park. Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis brings RED’s forward-thinking style to the desert. Presenting a playful twist on conventional hotel stays, culinary hangouts with a casual feel, buzzing social scenes, integrated technology and bold design personality, it comprises of 104 contemporary designed rooms, 8 suites and 59 apartments made with millennial nomads in mind. The first ever Radisson RED in the Middle East, Dubai residents and visitors alike can expect RED signatures such as laid back service for an easy atmosphere, multiple social hubs throughout the hotel, design concepts that tune into the local and meeting spaces delivered with contemporary flair. Connection is key, so every Radisson RED guarantees high-speed wifi, digiwalls, I-Work stations and TV streaming devices. F&B is flexible – from buzzing round-the-clock social spaces to grab and go concepts for cravings that turn up unexpectedly. Fashion, music and art are top of the list meaning bold art-pieces and installations round every corner, region-led collaborations, mood music in communal spaces and dressed down RED teams to keep things casual.     Stuart Birkwood, Curator, Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis, commented, “We love our location in Dubai’s first smart city and we look forward to Dubai Digital Park growing around us into the epicentre of the UAE’s advancing technology. RED brings innovation, fun and a fresh approach to the city’s social scene – with artwork created by local talents and integrated technology such as our digital social streaming content wall.”

Millennium Hotel and Convention Centre rewards its guests this year with exquisite packages during ‘Hala February’. Organised by Rotana Production Company, Hala February kicked-off this year on February 6 starting with a huge concert for Mohammed Abdu, the renown Saudi artist, to be held in The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC), known as the Kuwait Opera House. During Hala February, guests can experience the true meaning of authentic hospitality when they book a standard room in Millennium Hotel and Convention Centre whether for individuals or families at very special rates, and they get in addition to the complimentary breakfast KD15 credit to be spent in any of the food and beverages’ outlet within the hotel including Shisha café. They can also avail 25 per cent discount on laundry and 25 per cent on spa treatments. Ahmed Serafi, General Manager at Millennium Hotel and Convention Centre Kuwait, said, “Hala February is being held every year in commemoration of the liberation of Kuwait, and it’s the right time to visit Kuwait and experience a blend of cultural events, shopping and entertainment. It’s the most important and joyful festival in the country, and we observe it as mandatory for leading hospitality providers to facilitate public occasion and celebrate with their guests their most special moments.” Fayad Emad, Director of Sales and Marketing in Millennium Hotel and Convention Centre Kuwait, commented, “We have been always keen to be the pioneers who create and design special packages that provide every guest with a personalised experience.”

‘Namaste’, Hilton’s guest offering designed to deliver a truly tailored experience for guests travelling from India to Middle East & Africa offers services for destination weddings, bollywood shoots and meetings. ‘Namaste’ is a one of its kind programme ideal for the up and coming Indian globetrotter. Wall-to-wall sunshine, a rich cultural history and massive investment in tourism have put the Middle East on the world tourist map. Across the Middle East, tourism is seen as one of the most viable tax-raising alternatives for oil-producing nations as those revenues start to decline. The United Arab Emirates, for example, is aiming to reduce the hydrocarbon sector’s share of GDP from its current 30 per cent to 20 per cent by 2021, predominantly by boosting income from tourism. Dubai and a few more cities in the UAE, besides Europe, the US and the UK, are among the top destinations for Indian tourists, according to tourism industry officials. Apart from the Middle East, South Africa is also targeting Indian tourists after relaxing its visa rules. The Number of Indian travellers arriving in South Africa has been on the rise over the years, with a surge of 21.7 per cent recorded during the previous years. The demographics too have displayed a noticeable curve, with more and more young persons below 30 years of age opting for South Africa as the destination for adventure tourism, replacing the earlier market of family vacations. “Direct flights to Johannesburg and visa on arrival have further improved the arrivals and the tourism industry in Africa, and we have already seen strong demand from India as a result,” said Jan Van Der Putten, Vice President Operations, Africa and Indian Ocean, Hilton.

Al Habtoor Group (AHG) is set to open a regional office in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, to service its existing European operations and scout for new investment opportunities. The group, with its wide-ranging interests in the hospitality, real estate, automotive, education and vehicle leasing sectors, plans to expand its enterprise reach in new European markets. AHG’s existing portfolio in Europe includes luxury hotels in London, Budapest and Vienna — Hilton London Wembley; InterContinental Budapest; The Ritz-Carlton Budapest; and Hotel Imperial, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Vienna — as well commercial and office properties Dorottya Udvar and Rumbach Centre in Budapest. The group has long considered the European market a sound investment destination, for its ease of doing business, risk-to-reward ratios and the vibrant economies of its various countries. In the past, AHG’s Founding Chairman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor has praised the Hungarian and Austrian governments, crediting them with understanding the importance of foreign direct investment, provision of tax benefits and other incentives to both domestic and international investors. Along with its existing properties and operations in the UK and US, AHG now sees huge potential in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), thanks to its emerging economies, educated and skilled workforces, competitive costs, rapidly upgrading infrastructure, increasing consumer spending and lower inflation rates and corporate taxes. Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman, AHG said, “We have been very successful with our hotels and commercial properties here — which are prime and heritage assets — and look forward to upscaling our operations with other investments in the future. The less-explored markets in Europe are now gaining momentum, offering a competitive edge, an attractive investment climate and higher yield possibilities for foreign players.”

TIME Hotels debuts its TIME Express Hotels brand with the opening of a new property in Sharjah this month. The three-star TIME Express Hotel Al Khan comprises 55 keys in total, spread across five floors, including five suites which feature well equipped kitchenettes and 50 standard rooms. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said, “Built with both business and leisure visitors in mind, this hotel is fully equipped with everything the modern, budget conscious traveller requires, delivering a fresh and stylish environment at unbeatable value for guests not looking to compromise on quality.” TIME Express Hotel Al Khan is located just 15 minutes’ drive from Dubai International Airport, 20 minutes from Sharjah International Airport and a 15-minute walk from Al Khan Beach. The hotel will feature Foodio, an all-day dining outlet which serves sumptuous international dishes as well as authentic Arabic cuisine, offering guests both buffet and a la carte dining options. Guests will also have access to a temperature-controlled rooftop swimming pool as well as a 24-hour fitness centre which is fully equipped with top-of-the-line equipment, a prayer room and underground car parking spaces. The hotel will also feature two multi-purpose conference rooms which are suitable for a range of different events, providing state-of-the-art equipment in an efficient and comfortable environment. Accommodating up to 30 guests, TIME Express Al Khan has an experienced conference and events team on hand to ensure a stress-free and successful delivery of all events.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the debut of La Quinta by Wyndham in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa) market with the opening of the 404-room La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul Gunesli, bringing the brand to travellers outside of the Americas for the first time.  La Quinta by Wyndham is a leading upper-midscale brand at over 900 hotels across North and Latin America, offering contemporary design, thoughtful amenities and friendly service. Wyndham acquired La Quinta’s hotel franchise and hotel management businesses in 2018, further building upon the company’s diverse family of hotel brands and offerings around the world. La Quinta by Wyndham Istanbul Gunesli is one of the latest additions to Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ presence in Turkey, where the company is the largest international hotel group with over 80 hotels all across the country. Dimitris Manikis, President & Managing Director for EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, “We are thrilled to welcome La Quinta and its long-standing reputation for delivering quality, reliability and a great guest experience to the EMEA region, further expanding our offering of brands in such an important market like Turkey. With a record of over 13 million international visitors in 2018 alone and an incredible variety of historical, cultural and business sites, Istanbul is one of the world’s most attractive cities for travel, making it the perfect fit for La Quinta’s European debut.”