Category Archives: Hotels

TIME Hotels, the UAE-headquartered hospitality company and hotel operator, is set to announce plans to open five new properties across the Middle East during 2019 – as it targets 35 properties by 2025. The properties, which will see the growth and launch of existing as well as new TIME Hotel brands to key territories throughout the region, were unveiled during Arabian Travel Market 2019. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said, “We currently have 15 properties in operation across the UAE and wider GCC with new additions in Dubai, Sharjah and Saudi Arabia scheduled for this year as well as extending our presence to Egypt — further supporting our strategic business plan to increase our total portfolio to 35 properties across the Middle East by the end of 2025. ” TIME Hotels will debut its TIME Express Hotels brand with the opening of a property in Sharjah, during the third quarter of 2019. The three-star TIME Express Hotel Al Khan will feature 55 keys in total. In Dubai, TIME Asma Hotel is scheduled to open during the second quarter of 2019. The four-star property, located in Al Barsha, will feature 232 rooms including 12 suites. TIME Hotels opened its second property in Saudi Arabia at the beginning of April. Featuring 28 deluxe apartments — comprising four one-bedroom units and 24 two-bedroom units – TIME Dammam Residence is located 35 minutes from King Fahad International Airport and just minutes from various shopping and dining destinations in Dammam. Joining TIME Dammam Residence in the kingdom will be TIME Golden Tower Al Khobar. Scheduled to open in August 2019, the 65-key property will be strategically located on Al Khobar Main Street and within close proximity …

The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, the new waterfront dining and leisure destination from master developer Nakheel, is on display at the 2019 Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The seafront attraction, already a magnet for UAE residents and tourists, will be under the travel industry spotlight at ATM, where Nakheel is looking to create new partnerships with travel agents, tour operators and hotels to promote the destination on a global scale. Located five kilometres out to sea, at the tip of the world-famous Palm Jumeirah, The Pointe has 70 waterside restaurants, shops and attractions, with a spectacular, choreographed fountain coming soon. The Pointe will form part of the Dubai stand at ATM, which, as the leading global event for the Middle East’s travel industry, attracts more than 39,000 travel professionals, government ministers and international media each year. Operated by Nakheel Malls, the retail arm of Nakheel, The Pointe has a car park for 1,600 vehicles, with its own Palm Monorail station on the way.

IHG signed a global partnership agreement with Seera Group, the largest travel and tourism company in the Middle East with a prominent local, regional and international presence. The significant direct connectivity distribution agreement, which was announced at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, will provide Seera Group (formerly Al Tayyar Travel Group) with access to IHG’s current global portfolio of 15 brands and over 5,600 hotels, in more than 100 countries, for the leisure travel category. Seera Group will also have access to automated real-time pricing and inventory across IHG’s portfolio. Commenting on the signing, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG, said, “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Seera Group. IHG has ambitious growth aspirations for the region, and the exciting agreement will allow us to connect with a wider audience of leisure travellers. Leisure travel is a growing category amongst the region’s domestic and outbound travellers, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a number of projects initiated under the KSA National Vision 2030. Our global portfolio of well-known brands and hotels, coupled with the partnership, will allow us to be able to bring both greater awareness and choice to the travellers in the region.” The agreement will provide IHG with access to Seera Group’s extensive regional network of retail branches and call centres, as well as the group’s leading consumer travel brand Almosafer and its UAE-focused OTA tajawal, strengthening IHG’s visibility and sales capabilities. Abdullah Al Dawood, CEO of Seera Group, said, “Seera Group is fast becoming the partner of choice for hotel brands looking to harness the power of the Middle East’s travel industry, and with a new partnership, IHG will gain exposure to our …

Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) unveiled three new luxury hospitality projects worth AED 130 million at ATM 2019, which are nearing completion and slated for an official launch in the second half (H2) of  2019. Situated in three distinct historical and natural sites across the emirate of Sharjah, the three projects are Al Faya Lodge at Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism, Kingfisher Lodge at Kalba, and finally, the Al Badayer Oasis being developed in the Al Badayer desert. The projects are poised as world-class additions to Shurooq’s growing portfolio of leading cultural and eco-tourism projects in Sharjah. They make up the ‘Sharjah Collection’ brand, developed and launched by Shurooq and managed by Mysk by Shaza Hotels. Designed to provide guests with comfort, privacy and amazing views overlooking the Indian Ocean and a forest of mangrove trees surrounding its natural location, Kingfisher Lodge is one of Sharjah’s leading eco-friendly hospitality projects. Nestled in central Sharjah, the Al Faya Lodge and Al Badayer Oasis are located in Sharjah’s Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism destination, and the Al Badayer desert, respectively. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, COO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), said,  “Shurooq is highlighting its stellar portfolio of hospitality and eco-tourism projects such as Al Bait Hotel, Al Faya Lodge, Kingfisher Lodge, Al Badayer Oasis, Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-tourism project, Al Noor Island and many more at ATM 2019, to educate visitors and investors about the emirate’s tourism sector and lucrative investment opportunities it offers”. Shurooq is participating in ATM 2019 as part of the Sharjah Pavilion under the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority’s (SCTDA) in Hall 4 at DWTC.

Cristal Group unveiled Cristal Amaken Hotel, a four-star hotel with 268 contemporary rooms and suites, designed to offer Cristal’s signature hospitality.  It is the first Cristal Hotel in Riyadh, located in the heart of Riyadh’s second Industrial City and the third Cristal property in the Kingdom. The hotel’s facilities include a state-of-the-art business centre, executive club lounge, valet parking, and outdoor pool. You can relax and unwind at the Cristal Spa which includes a health club with jacuzzi, steam & sauna, and a lavish Turkish bath.  The rooms and suites are enhanced with a variety of features including pillow top mattress, premium linen, IPTV, an executive desk, complimentary high-speed WiFi access, tea & coffee facility, and a spacious bathroom with rain shower. Cristal Amaken Hotel boasts three new dining outlets. You can taste Italy’s classic dishes at Alto Italian Restaurant, or indulge in a wide selection of international dishes at Viewz restaurant where a premium Buffet and a la carte meals are served.  You can also relax and enjoy signature desserts, coffees and teas at Blendz lobby café. The hotel also provides solutions to your event needs, be it a conference, business luncheon, workshops, weddings or receptions.  With a capacity of 300 guests, the conference hall is designed for maximum flexibility with modern audio visual equipment providing a comfortable meeting environment.  Outdoor catering services are also available. To commemorate the hotel’s opening, an introductory offer of 25 per cent discount on room rates is available until June 1, 2019.  Cristal Group together with its partners, Staywell Hospitality Group and Prince Hotels & Resorts currently operate across 16 countries with over 122 hotels and resorts.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will to showcase its latest innovative guest experiences and global expansion plans at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019 in Dubai. Building on its long history of constantly enhancing guest experiences through its innovative approach to luxury hospitality, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will be highlighting the recent launch of ‘Take Your Time: Daily Discoveries’, a collection of on-property experiences that invites guests to celebrate the culture of each destination. The experiences are designed to encourage guests to truly connect with the world and the people who matter most in their lives. Simon Casson, President – Hotel Operations—Europe, Middle East and Africa, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, said, “At Four Seasons, we have a long legacy of innovation – not only in terms of how we leverage technology to enhance our offering and services, but also in the way we embrace and celebrate innovation as a way to constantly elevate the guest experience. Whether it is by inviting guests to connect with Four Seasons people and destinations in more meaningful ways, such as through ‘Take Your Time’, or providing real-time assistance through the Four Seasons Chat service, innovation has always defined our approach to creating unforgettable luxury hospitality experiences for our guests.” “While technology clearly has a vital role to play in shaping the future of the hospitality industry, we recognise that the human touch remains key to delivering authentic personal care that makes each and every guest feel treasured and understood. We will continue to evolve our services in line with the changing needs of travellers, but without compromising on our fundamental belief in the power of deep personal connections, which remains at the heart of …

Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments Dubai is set to reveal updates on its four new upcoming properties at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) currently underway. The introduction of new living concepts was inspiration behind the foundation of Two Seasons Hotel Management Company — the one that reflects the ever-changing trends towards the specialisation of hospitality products catering to a variety of travellers including corporate guests, business and leisure groups, families and children, long-term guests and independent travellers. The Two Seasons brand represents deluxe hotels and guarantees guests fine accommodation, excellent services and unique atmosphere. The creation of the home-grown brand will certainly enhance guest interaction by offering personalised services and quality standards to guests. Following the same concept and guideline as the first hotel of the brand, Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments in Al Barsha boasts of 188 stylish lifestyle hotel rooms and is expected to open by 2021 with a swimming pool, all-day dining restaurant and a health club. New Seasons Resort and Spa in Dakhla City, Morocco boasts of a beachfront location and will house 120 supreme luxury rooms and suites, along with 24 villas of two-, three- and four-bedrooms. The resort is expected to open by 2022 and falls under a new concept of luxurious, trendy and charming that echoes a new season of lifestyle hotel start up. New Seasons Boutique Hotel, Rabat City, Morocco is a lifestyle property that will have 24 elegant and stylish units and suites with an organic farm is located in the capital of Rabat. Expected to open by 2022, this hotel also falls under a new concept of luxurious, trendy and charming that echoes a new season of lifestyle hotels start-up.

Dubai-based hospitality and travel group company First and Foremost Travel Connections, is launching a dynamic B2B hotel booking system at Arabian Travel Market 2019, having recently signed a partnership agreement with UK hotel and travel distribution company Centrium Systems. “We will market Centrium’s cloud-based software, throughout the Middle East, Indian Ocean, SE Asia and Africa. Through its XML gateway, we can provide direct connectivity between hotels and resorts and contracted blue chip tour operators, many of which feature international brands. In addition, we can offer real time availability, instant, dynamic rate adjustment, up-to-date inventory control, along with instant reservation and confirmation,” commented Michael Scully, Managing Director, First and Foremost Hospitality Group. “The travel industry is a highly fragmented market with an overwhelming number of wholesalers and tour operators, each with their own specifications, policies and procedures. As such it is Centrium’s simplicity and effectiveness that are the keys to its success,” added Scully. Centrium accommodates a much simpler and most importantly, a cost-effective and time sensitive shortcut to integrate disparate channels, by acting as a single hub or gateway for multiple hotel wholesalers. The gateway requires minimal installation and can also be connected to any existing booking engine or GDS.  “Centrium’s distribution model reaches over 100 tour operators, 6,000 travel agents and through more than 100 direct connections interfaces with major tour operators such as British Airways Holidays, Virgin Holidays and dnata, to name but a few,” said Scully. With increased visibility and direct connectivity between hotels and tour operators, hotels can offer tour operators an open inventory, giving them access to the hotel’s inventory through their property management system (PMS) to make direct bookings from their allocation or to free-sell …

Emaar Hospitality Group announced that it will open four new hotels in Dubai under its premium luxury Address Hotels + Resorts and upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts, this year. Further, Rove Hotels, the joint venture of Emaar Properties and Meraas, will open a new hotel, further adding to the contemporary midscale hotel choices in the city. Two hotels will open under Address Hotels + Resorts – both in Downtown Dubai: Address Fountain Views and Address Sky View. The new hotels to open under Vida Hotels and Resorts are Vida The Hills and Vida Harbour Point. The new Rove Hotels property to welcome guests this year is Rove At The Park. All the hotels have commenced online booking and the response from guests is strong. Chris Newman, Chief Operating Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said, “The five new hotel openings this year further cement our credentials and competencies as the leading homegrown hospitality provider, welcoming visitors from around the world with a diverse portfolio of hotels that meet their lifestyle aspirations. The new hotels also strengthen our role as the Official Hospitality & Hotel Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, with the city gearing up to welcome over 25 million visits during the six-month period of the much-anticipated event. We are committed to supporting the Dubai Tourism Strategy to welcome 25 million annual visitors by 2025 through our robust portfolio of upcoming hotel projects and will also focus on expanding our geographic footprint through new hotel management agreements.” The hotels to open this year are located in central locations and will appeal to both business and leisure guests, who seek refreshing hospitality experiences in Dubai, one of the world’s top 10 tourist …

BlueBay Hotels, the eleventh Spanish hotel company regarding international presence and the twelfth largest group in terms of hotel rooms, is consolidating its growth in the Middle East with the opening of the Blue Diamond AlSalam Resort (5*GL) in Fujairah (United Arab Emirates). “With this new opening we’re confirming our commitment to high-end tourism in the Middle East, and we’re also strengthening our presence in MENA, where we already have nine hotels in strategic areas such as Dubai, Mecca and Medina. This area is showing strong potential for tourism and is a central element in our current and future growth,”  says Jamal Satli Iglesias, Chairman of BlueBay Hotels. The design of the hotel recovers traditional and luxurious oriental craftsmanship in its details and spaces, along with functionality provided by the western concept, which is something that’s highly demanded by travellers. “The hotel boasts the very latest advanced technology while also maintaining the essence of luxury hotels in the area. Guests may expect to experience an authentic Arab tradition with contemporary touches and spend enjoyable time in an exceptional environment,” explains Ramón Hernández, BlueBay Hotels’ CEO. The resort is one hour drive from the Dubai International Airport and close to major tourist attractions in the emirate. Located on the beachfront, the hotel’s rooms offer tourists the ultimate in luxury and wellness through a harmonious fusion with nature. It has 377 grand luxury rooms and suites, each with a balcony or terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean, offering spectacular views. BlueBay Gourmet offers unforgettable and exotic dining experience featuring a wide variety of international cuisines, prepared by an elite group of global award-winning chefs. The resort boasts several world-class restaurants and cafes specializing …