Category Archives: Hotels

Rixos Hotels Egypt announced its highly-anticipated reopening, bringing in an exciting new chapter in the Rixos Hotels property after receiving the ‘safety certification’ from the Egypt Tourism Ministry. Rixos Premium Seagate and Rixos El Alamein will be opening its doors to the public on 1st of July, and RixosSharm El Sheikh is set to re-open on August 1. With the ongoing pandemic, Rixos Egypt made sure to meet the general regulations for hotels and tourism by the local tourism ministry in accordance with the World Health Organization’s standards to ensure the safety of both its staff and lodgers. Guests can rest assured that the three leading Rixos Hotels in Egypt complies with the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation in line with the COVID-19 safety precautions. With precise cleaning and sterilisation implementation, vacationers will be ecstatic to experience soaking under the sun with related precautions at the hotel’s pool and aquapark pools. Sunbeds will also be available for guests to use with safety precautions. Guests gets to enjoy the scrumptious treat by the hotel’s main restaurants which will serve as open buffet but with proper food handling. Food choices of guests will be served by the chef themselves. Erkan Yildirim, General Manager of Rixos Egypt said, “Our guests are our top priority, and it is our goal to keep each one of them safe by bringing in a new prevention and safety initiative that focuses on what people value the most – a worry-free- luxury experience throughout their stay with us at Rixos. Even in the midst of adapting to the ‘new normal’, Rixos Hotel will never stop in providing guests the luxurious and first-class quality service they deserve during …

Radisson Hotel Group continues to expand its new brand architecture and further strengthen its presence across EMEA. The new signings re-affirm the Group’s commitment to its ambitious 5-year development plan. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “Our business is based on long term relationships built on trust and responsibility. Despite the unprecedented challenges we face, we continue to work closely with our stakeholders to support the business. We consequently expanded our footprint in Italy, France, Austria, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, the UAE and across Africa. This is thanks to the relevance of our brands and the dedication of our team. We are grateful to our hotel owners for trusting our brands and people” The fifteen new signings mark key milestones: Addition of six new hotels in Africa bringing the total to almost 100 hotels across 32 African markets; Cementing the groups’ position in Ukraine as the largest international operator with 7 hotels and 1,355 rooms in operation and under development; Further cementing the group’s leading position in Russia with two additional hotels; Third signing of the Radisson RED brand in Austria; Two new signings in the most renowned ski destination in Italy boosting the group’s portfolio to 10 hotels in operation and under development; and One new Radisson Blu property on the picturesque island of Santorini, one of the world´s most popular resort destinations.

The 235-room hotel in the heart of Dubai’s Media City extended its working relationship with Culligan Middle East as part of its health and safety measures following the lockdown, introducing a sanitiser produced at the company’s Dubai laboratory. Dubai’s drive to ensure a safe return for tourism has earned a five-star rating from a hotel which is seeing positive signals of business returning on a daily basis. “The government and all the local authorities put in a lot of effort to guarantee a very safe and smooth reopening process for all our hotel and F&B activities,” said Alfio Bernardini, General Manager of the Grand Plaza Movenpick Media City. “We should all be thankful for the way this new phase has been managed, and for the clear marketing and communication strategy by Dubai Tourism to keep Dubai as one of the safest and most desirable travel destinations.” Bernardini said, “As part of our new health and safety measures, the sanitiser is used in all public areas and restaurants to keep a safe environment for guests and team members.” Bernardini is cautiously optimistic about the speed of recovery for tourism in Dubai. “It would be challenging to predict how business will develop overall, as we face a global crisis that has impacted many dynamics at all levels,” he says. “Additionally, some countries that are typically considered key feeder markets for Dubai are not yet fully reopened, so it might take time to recover volumes. Nevertheless, we are slowly witnessing some initial improvements, and positive signals keep increasing on a daily basis. We understand that embracing change, being resilient and becoming more agile have become key factors to properly responding to and being …

Seven Tides has confirmed Minor Hotels will be the new operator of its iconic five-star, 396-key Ibn Battuta Gate property in Dubai. Minor Hotels is now managing the property, which will be rebranded to Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai Hotel, the newest addition to the Oaks Hotels, Resorts, and Suites portfolio, its second branded property in Dubai and its third in the United Arab Emirates. Abdulla Bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides, said, “The hotel first opened in 2010 and we’ve enjoyed an excellent relationship with the previous management company over the past ten years. However, we decided that the Minor Hotels’ Oaks brand was better aligned to our strategic business objectives as we move forward, through and post-COVID-19.” “The Minor Hotels group is no stranger to Seven Tides, we have worked with them on a range of successful projects, including the Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. Having witnessed first-hand the success the group contributes to a property, I am confident this strategic decision will allow us to adapt seamlessly to the parameters of the ‘new normal’,” he added. The five-star hotel is situated opposite Ibn Battuta Mall, which has more than 270 shops, 50 restaurants and a 21-screen cinema. With the Dubai Metro close by, guests can travel conveniently across the city, to many of Dubai’s tourist highlights and business districts. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is only 30 minutes’ drive away, with Dubai Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) also easily accessible and Abu Dhabi International Airport under an hour away. The hotel is also close to the Jebel Ali Freezone and the Expo 2020 site in new Dubai South district, which is expecting 25 million visitors, when the event takes place …

Two Seasons Hotel and Apartments Dubai has achieved scores of 78% in 2017 and 85% in 2019 after an audit carried out by UAE-based FARNEK, Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East. The property received the Gold Status Certification for this year after achieving an outstanding score of 95%. The hotel has achieved major improvements in many of the Green Globe key indicators including carbon footprint per occupied room, and food and waste reduction through the modification of their recycling programmes. Freddy Farid, Managing Director of Two Seasons Hotel Management said, “It’s our intention to improve on this performance and achieve greater sustainability and environmental responsibility in the years ahead. Achieving this Gold Green Globe certification has a positive effect on every aspect of the hotel operation, and will encourage us to implement more green initiatives like our Organic Garden on the penthouse of the hotel, the Soap for Hope programme that has proven extremely successful, with more than 1.5 tonnes of used soap having been recycled into 200,000 new bars each year benefiting 30,000 people of the counties in need, along with many other  community activities such as breast cancer, blood donations, and Emirates Environmental Group recycling efforts.” He added, “Two Seasons Hotel’s guests were always encouraged to be involved in the sustainability programmes by using the recycle bins placed across the property, and making them aware of special initiatives and measures.It is our mission to extend our continuous efforts to raise awareness and encouraging our employees, to be more conscious about the environmental sustainability. This certification also highlights the devotion of our team members from every department for they provide high quality service while being active participants …

Gulf Reps and Aman will work together to bring these unrivaled properties to GCC clients, with a focus on developing regional business to the 32 unique, diverse and awe-inspiring hotels and resorts across 20 countries. Aman was founded in 1988 with the vision of building a collection of intimate retreats – each with the unassuming, warm hospitality of a gracious private home. The first, Amanpuri (meaning place of peace) in Phuket, Thailand, established the concept, and since then Aman has grown to encompass 32 unique hotels and resorts in 20 inspiring destinations across the world, with a further eight coming soon, taking the brand to 40 resorts in 22 countries. “The Aman hotels and resorts are perfectly suited to the GCC traveller looking for privacy, luxury and unrivalled service. In the current climate, where travellers are searching for a a safe and comfortable stay, Aman properties are able to offer a generosity of space and low room count, providing seclusion and wellbeing to all guests. We’re extremely excited to drive business and introduce both the existing and the upcoming properties to our regional market” said Sammy Musa, Managing Partner for Gulf Reps.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront is thrilled to reopen its doors to the public. Located in Dubai’s exciting trend-setting neighbourhood Business Bay, the hotel offers spectacular views of the iconic Burj Khalifa and Dubai Canal. Renowned for its luxury without the stuffiness, its five-star service without the pretention and its friendliness with the right amount of respect. This hotel is famous for its character and lovable eccentricities, starting with the Scottish flag flying high and proudly at its door. Radisson Hotel Group had recently announced its Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol and the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront is proud to announce the successful completion of the SGS Disinfection Monitored and Cleaning Checked mark by SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. The official SGS Disinfection Monitored and Cleaning Checked mark confirms the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront has met the highest cleanliness, disinfection and safety measures and is based on the successful completion of an independent, comprehensive testing by SGS including: a remote in-depth validation to ensure the hotel has implemented all 20-Step and +10-Step protocols for Meetings & Events as outlined and recommended in the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, followed by an on-site audit and specialised inspection which is completed using the latest testing technology. David Allan, Cluster General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Canal View and Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah said, “We remain committed to delivering a clean and safe environment with maximum hygiene standards to protect our guests, team members and partners. We are pleased SGS has validated our full compliance with all the health, safety, disinfection protocols as outlined in the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol which …

Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Dubai JBR announces that it is now a CovidClean certified hotel, after completing and passing an on-site audit by Safehotels. Major protocols that the hotel have in place include: thorough and regular disinfection of all rooms and public areas, placement of safety signages and sanitizers for guests’ use, limited seating capacity in restaurants, temperature check of guests and staff, and wearing of personal protective equipment based on the associates’ tasks, to name a few. Binu Varghese, Hotel Manager, commented, “Our priority has always been the health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and employees. Facing the new normal, we have partnered with a company that is trusted by the hospitality and travel industry to provide peace of mind to our guests during the entire duration of their stay.” The certification, which is valid for a year, is in accordance with the CovidClean Standard of Safehotels Alliance AB. Based in Sweden, SafeHotels is the world’s leading hotel safety and security certification company.

“We are ready to welcome any travellers and guests from July 7, 2020 onwards in the region and Dubai specifically. Under the large umbrella of our initiative, ‘We Care.We Clean.We Welcome.’” said Alexander Suski, Associate Vice President Sales & Marketing, Millennium Hotels & Resorts Middle East, Africa and Turkey. “Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA has kept its guests well-informed with regular updates on the developments of the current situation. It’s essential to communicate any improvement in your services to your clients’ base. Through this campaign, we are endorsing and supporting any marketing activities from DTCM to kick-start Global inbound travel to Dubai, starting in a controlled inbound ‘bubble’ of selected source markets who are approved by Dubai Government,” he said.

“As one of the gateways to global visitors in the Northern Emirates, the reopening of Dubai to international travellers signifies optimism on the recovery of the tourism sector,” said Ravi Santiago – Cluster General Manager – Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman, Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman, and Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche. “We are closely monitoring updates on our existing key source markets including CIS, Germany and GCC, and strengthening our presence in these regions by offering better-value packages to the markets which we expect to recover quickly. For the third quarter, our main focus is boosting our share in the local tourism scene through staycation promos, as we are expecting pick up on international guests towards the fourth quarter of 2020,” he said.