Category Archives: Hotels

Meliã Desert Palm Dubai received their five-star certification from the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Government of Dubai, the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector. Since the hotel’s opening in March 2008, the ownership, management, as well as the supporting entities for the property have all invested in the resort to extend the guest experience and elevate the services the retreat offers, providing a well-rounded stay for guests, including the Desert Palm Polo Club and Desert Palm Riding School. The resort has refined its dining and wellness facilities with the opening of their signature restaurant, RARE, serving the finest grills and Argentinian dishes, while the property’s bespoke spa, Samāna Spa, provides some of Dubai’s best treatments and unique therapies. The retreat’s location amidst lush green polo fields, offers a tranquil escape for relaxation and even makes it an ideal location for destination weddings. Meliã Desert Palm Dubai is also home to fully appointed private pool villas, providing utmost privacy for a revitalising getaway. The evolution of the resort over the last decade or so has allowed for a significant uplift for guests and visitors to the hotel. Nathalie Cockayne, the resort’s General Manager said of the certification, “This has been a decade in the making, and anyone involved in achieving this milestone should be proud. We’re also grateful to the owner for supporting this ambitious plan and for having the vision and encouragement for the team to see this to its conclusion.” Ortiz Enrique, Vice President (EMEA Regional) of Meliã Hotels International, said, “It is a point of pride in our expanding Middle East portfolio, and it’s a tremendous achievement for …

R Hotels unveils its new website and mobile application to allow users to conveniently book at its seven properties in the UAE. The website rhotels.ae and the mobile app ‘R Hotels’, which is free to download and available across all iOS and Android devices, both feature a platform which allows users to choose from seven hotels and directly book their stay. The latest promotions on the short and long-term stays, dining, spa & fitness, and meeting facilities at each hotel are also available on both channels. Other features include: a career section for job opportunities at each property, and a media centre with updates on news and events at the hotels. Guests can choose from R Hotels’ four properties in Dubai namely The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel, Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai, Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Dubai JBR, and ibis Styles Jumeira Dubai; and from its three hotels in Ajman which are Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche, Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman, and Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman. R Hotels is also offering incentives for the first batch of users who will download and book their stay through the app. These include discounted room rates, food and beverage vouchers, and special discounts on restaurants and spa, among others. Sumair Tariq, managing director, R Hotels, commented, “The hospitality industry continues to evolve; our new website and mobile app are part of our enhanced digital strategy for 2020 and the years ahead. In keeping up with the latest trends in the industry, we aim to provide guests with a secure and convenient channel to book their stay at their preferred hotels, and explore the destination.”

Khaled Mubarak Bani Zama, Director of the Industrial Development at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development stated that around 8,000 tourism, leisure and commercial facilities and restaurants in the emirate of Abu Dhabi are eligible to a refund of 20 per cent of the annual rental value on their commercial property leases worth Dh1 billion; according to a report published by Gulf News. “The refunding of 20 per cent of the value of helps support the private sector and enhance confidence in the emirate’s investment environment, thus ensuring the sustainability of businesses in view of the current exceptional conditions facing the world at large,” Bani Zama said. Earlier in May, the department launched a strategic digital service that will enable restaurants, tourism and entertainment facilities within the emirate to apply for a 20 percent refund on the annual rental value of their commercial property leases.The department approved 220 applications from restaurants, tourism and entertainment facilities who applied for a 20 per cent refund on the annual rental value of their commercial property leases, Zami said. The Abu Dhabi government stressed that the refund of 20 per cent of the total rental value paid by investors who started their lease from September 2019 or renewed their contracts during the period from April 1, 2020 until the end of September 2020.The move aimed to help add and enhance the confidence in the emirate’s business environment. The resolution covers all facilities practicing activities of restaurants, cafeterias, tourism and entertainment.

Hotel and Rest.com stressed the need to support domestic tourism sector in light of the global travel movement due to the outbreak of COVID-19, and the isolation measures to combat such pandemic. The website pointed out in a report published today that domestic tourism is an important factor of the national economy, and that the tourism sector in the UAE is currently dependent on domestic consumption and the spending of both the citizens and residents, especially with the impossibility of bringing in foreign tourists until the end of this year or until the emergence of an approved vaccine to formally prevent the virus. Hotel and Rest.com explained that reservations inside the UAE are still very modest because the majority of the population in the Emirates are afraid to go out to spend long vacations because of the precautionary measures and their habit of staying inside the house, so serious and attractive plans should be put in place to encourage local tourism and urge people to spend consumer again. Hotel and Rest.com report indicated that there are a lot of steps which can be taken to stimulate domestic tourism, especially with the preference of many citizens and residents not to move away from their places of residence, which include launching marketing campaigns for tourist places in the country, while providing incentives, special packages and hotel discounts. Resorts, shopping centres, restaurants and entertainment cities reach at least 50% in addition to the possibility to reduce the prices of shopping and hotel accommodations until the end of this year.

Jumeirah sets the bar high with three additional properties within its Dubai portfolio receiving the prestigious Bureau Veritas Safeguard Label. Guests staying at Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf and Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Dubai can be assured of the highest hygiene standards after these three additional five-star hotels followed in the footsteps of Jumeirah Al Naseem to be awarded Bureau Veritas’ Safeguard Label. José Silva, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group, said “I want this milestone to serve as an inspiration to others, to create a socially responsible movement across organisational cultures, our society and the industry as a whole, where we champion a sense of collective responsibility for the safety of others. The Government of Dubai and its tourism authority ‘DTCM’, have led a successful path through this pandemic and restoring guest confidence is a priority, not only for Jumeirah Group, but for all hoteliers. We will continue our mission across our portfolio of properties and demonstrate our commitment to operating our hotels to the highest global standards and supporting the future of our host countries.” Juliano Cardoso, Executive Vice-President, CIF Asia, Pacific and Middle East, said, “By helping adapt to the ‘New Normal’, the Safeguard certification clearly allows our clients to restart operations as quickly as possible with appropriate conditions. In this way, we will contribute to the reopening of hotels and restaurants in keeping with the highest standards of reliability. This certification will undoubtedly benefit the entire industry. Bureau Veritas’ mission is to shape a world of trust. With this label, we have the ability to address the new expectations of our society in terms of health, hygiene and safety as well as transparency.”

Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) announced that many of its luxury and five star hotels across the UAE are operating and back in full swing with strict safety and precautionary measures in place to ensure the wellbeing of all its guests. “We have introduced strict procedures as per local authorities’ regulations across our businesses as we emerge from unprecedented challenges and adapt to the global transformation within the hospitality industry. Staying optimistic for future travel, the safety of all guests and employees is our primary focus and our responsibility being a leading hospitality company. We are continuously monitoring the performance of our businesses and adjusting accordingly whilst some of our hotels benefit from extensive refurbishments to enhance the guest experience.” says Khalid Anib, Chief Executive Officer of ADNH. To welcome guests with something special ADNH have kicked off exclusive getaway offers for the ultimate experience across their hotels in the UAE. Some of the attractive packages designed to guarantee you a memorable stay include: Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas: Delight your family with a seamless staycation and get 50% off the second room for your kids. Complimentary stay for children under 16 years if sharing room with parents, complimentary food & beverage for children under 12 years as well as 50% off food & beverage for children under 16 years. Address Dubai Mall | Address Dubai Marina: Views of the city’s finest sights, escape to Address Dubai Mall or Address Dubai Marina with packages designed with you in mind; rates from AED 449 with 200 DHS back to spend per night. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort: Overlooking the stunning Corniche, escape to a resort catering to your …

Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA partners with Ecolab to deliver the highest level of hygiene and cleanliness to its guests across all its properties in the region. With strict measures and world-class health & safety standards already in place, Millennium Hotels & Resorts goes beyond conventional cleanliness and precautionary measures by providing comprehensive training programs and having every staff member certified as a COVID-19 Champion. Through this collaboration, Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA is maintaining high levels of cleanliness and hygiene. To further enhance health and safety protocols, Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA has introduced the following 10 Key Hallmarks, which will be implemented in the jurisdictions in which Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA operates to the extent applicable based on local health authority guidelines. Kevork Deldelian, Chief Executive Officer at Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, stated, “Our commitment towards a comfortable and safe experience for our guests is an ongoing process and not a one-time measure. We will continue to seek partnerships with innovative solutions providers to elevate our services and be proactive in adapting modern, smart, science-backed and effective solutions. For that end, we capitalise on the stewardship and expertise of our employees supported by the tools and expertise of Ecolab.” “Through this partnership, Ecolab will play a vital role in driving the latest hygiene expertise, programs, training and support to help ensure clean and safe environments, across all the proprieties in the region to ensure a positive guest experience,” stated Hulya Ibrahim, Vice President and General Manager of Institutional for Ecolab in MEA.

Rotana is promising guests peace of mind from check-in to check-out with the launch of its new ‘Rotana Safe Space’ health and safety programme. Understanding that consumer expectations have drastically changed since the global COVID-19 outbreak, the initiative focuses on what guests now value most – a contactless hospitality experience throughout their stay using tools such as the Rotana app or their own devices and significantly enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices certified by leading water, hygiene and energy technologies and services provider, Ecolab. The hospitality firm, which operates 69 properties across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey, has also partnered with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, testing, verification and certification company, to monitor and verify cleanliness and hygiene procedures at every property. Bolstered room-cleaning procedures that come with an ‘Unlock your Safe Space’ assurance for guests are a focal point of the Rotana Safe Space programme and range from full disinfection processes using intense aerosol methods to strict chemical and thermal treatments for bed and bath linens. “We have embraced the latest technology, boosted our employee training and strengthened our already stringent health and safety procedures to launch a new programme that gives guests peace of mind throughout their stay. Rotana Stay Safe focuses on what is most important to guests right now – contactless experiences and services and robust cleaning and disinfection practices verified by global experts, providing them with reassurance that when they stay with us, they are safe in our care,” said Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana.

JA Resorts & Hotels focuses on flexibility and adaptability as they introduced a new wave of strategies, policies and tools for travel trade partners including new booking technologies, a new website dedicated to travel industry professionals, new B2B communication tools and e-learning opportunities, incentive schemes and fully flexible cancellation policies. Thomas Grundner, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, JA Resorts & Hotels remarks, “We have used this downtime productively and really examined where we can streamline our communication and improve our processes in relation to our travel trade partners. Its clear that we need to be nimble, expect constant change and take a speed-to-market approach with any changes. The answer of course lies in Digital, and using technology as much as possible, hence we are introducing 5 new tools and initiatives to take us into the future in a flexible and adaptable manner” JA CONNECT is an initiative from JA Resorts & Hotels designed to assist trade partners and corporate clients across the globe. It is the new connectivity and distribution platform available to all partners which allows partners to connect, shop and book all JA Resorts & Hotels online and in real-time, book both contracted and dynamic rate plans and have easy access to rich content such as high-resolution images and fact sheets for all room types and suites within the portfolio. The new platform reduces the time lag and potential errors of static rate loading ensuring instant access to rates, availability and offers without having to email or call the hotels directly, offering a seamless booking process and real-time confirmations for both bookings and cancellations JA CONNECT will also automate payments for credit and non-credit customers using both …

A panel of industry experts explained during the opening day of ATM Virtual as to how developing a global set of transparent hospitality standards relating to health, safety and hygiene will be key to regain the trust of travellers in a post COVID-19 landscape. The panel which was moderated by industry consultant Gemma Greenwood, also included Tim Cordon, Senior Area Vice President for Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, Christopher Lund, Head of Hotels, Colliers International, Middle East & North Africa, Simon Casson, President of Hotel Operations, EMEA, Four Seasons and Raki Phillips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “Building confidence will be key as we look ahead to the post-COVID-19 hospitality recovery. Not only is it important that our workers have confidence that their health and wellbeing is of prime importance, but for consumers too. They will need full reassurance that our properties are safe, secure and following the highest standards when it comes to hygiene and cleanliness,” said Cordon. Phillips said, “It’s important that hotels don’t drop their room rates. Hotels need to adapt to a new normal with increased sanitisation at the forefront, while being creative with their offerings and embracing innovative technologies which can help differentiate them from their competitors.” “One way of achieving this consumer trust, and I believe the hospitality industry in the UAE is leading the way in this respect, is by partnering with accreditation agencies such as the Bureau Veritas to ensure your property is following disinfectant and sanitisation protocols implemented by government bodies and abiding by the highest levels of hygiene,” said Lund. Casson added, “While we are doing everything we can to ensure the wellbeing and safety of …