Category Archives: Hotels

Fairmont Hotel Riyadh boasts an impressive representation of women in its leadership team, highlighting the hotel’s commitment to diversity, bringing a wealth of experience and fresh perspective. The hotel’s female leaders play crucial roles in driving strategic initiatives, enhancing the guest experience, and fostering a culture of excellence, with their backgrounds and extensive expertise contributing to the property’s continued success and innovation. Stéphanie Timsit, Director of Operations, Stephanie brings over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality, specializing in pre-opening operations and project management, having successfully led projects at some of the world’s most luxurious properties. Stephanie’s journey embodies a relentless pursuit of excellence alongside a dedication to innovation within the hospitality realm, having devised seamless collaborations, drawing upon her extensive experience in project management and finance. From overseeing refurbishment project to navigating complex financial landscapes amidst challenging operational environments, she has consistently demonstrated an ability to lead cross-functional teams towards extraordinary outcomes. At Fairmont Hotel Riyadh, Stephanie spearheads daily operations, integrating all efforts across departments to elevate guests’ experiences to unprecedented levels of excellence. Joining her in steering the property towards success is Maya Hoteit, the Director of Sales and Marketing. With more than 18 years of experience, Maya has played a pivotal role in the success of various prestigious properties across the Middle East. Throughout her career, Maya has been responsible for developing hotel business plans and strategies, managing strategic account plans, and providing valuable customer insights to adapt to dynamic markets. She has demonstrated a strong ability to foster community and public relations, deliver exceptional customer service, and establish key practices for sales and marketing. Adding to her repertoire of achievements, Maya has coached and developed team …

Dubai Summer Surprises this year unveiled that they have partnered with over 100 plus hotels and attractions for their latest campaign aimed at special activities to residents and visitors curated for every family member.  Opening this weekend it will last until 1st September 2024. Curating an exceptional line-up of thousands of exceptional offers and sensational things to do, see, and explore, Dubai is gearing up to transform this summer into a season of endless possibilities at pocket-friendly prices and great value for anyone and everyone. The iconic Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) returns for its biggest and most exciting edition from 28 June to 1 September, promising residents and visitors a summer well spent with reduced prices, unbeatable promotions, and big savings. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the city will come alive for 65 days of non-stop fun with a jam-packed calendar of electrifying events, incredible shopping experiences, brilliant bargains, thousands of offers and things to do, alongside astounding prizes, diverse gastronomy, and never-seen-before hotel and attraction offers. Commenting on the launch of DSS 2024, Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festival & Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “This year’s Dubai Summer Surprises features the biggest summer line-up launched to date. Promising a memorable summer for everyone, we’ve designed an exceptional DSS programme that features thousands of offers and things to do for everyone, from families to friends and couples, and from value seekers and luxury explorers to adventure hunters. Catering to every preference and price point, Dubai has set out to outdo itself yet again as it offers a compelling alternative to traditional summer destinations, with world-class entertainment, endless offers, exciting adventures, and a vibrant culinary scene. We …

Sindhorn Wellness by Resense, the renowned spa facility at Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, continued to be recognised the second consecutive year as the 1st Thailand’s Best Hotel Spa at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 held recently. This prestigious accolade further solidifies the hotel’s commitment to providing exceptional wellness experiences for its guests. Travel + Leisure’s reader-voted awards celebrate the finest in hospitality across Asia-Pacific. The winners span a variety of categories, from urban luxury to beach resorts, unique spas, picturesque pools, top airlines to cruises, travel agencies, and immersive experiences. Nestled in the heart of the multi-award-winning Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, this urban temple of self-discovery and well-being is the Kingdom’s most extensive wellness offering. Spread over two floors with over 4,000 sqm of facilities, it is the perfect combination of spa, fitness, and wellness experiences – a retreat from the everyday with its wide variety of effective treatments and health modalities designed to help one live and feel better. A unique highlight is a thermal facility featuring saunas, a cold chamber, a tepidarium lounge, a Moroccan hammam, a Vichy shower, a flotation tank, Rasul mud room, allowing one to benefit from the earth, water, heat, and cold. The members’ club includes high-performance gym equipment, individualised coaching by personal trainers, group classes that include HIIT, virtual spinning, body combat, bungee fly, Pilates reformer and Presso recovery, and access to the stunning 25-metre saltwater pool overlooking the city. Christian Ruge, General Manager of Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, expressed his delight at receiving the award, saying, “It is a pleasure that Sindhorn Wellness by Resense has received this prestigious award for the second year. This achievement was made possible …

Accor signed a partnership agreement with Egypt’s Q Real Estate Development Company to develop a new Novotel property; Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman to debut in Egypt slated to open in 2027, featuring 240 spacious and modern rooms as well as a host of thoughtful wellbeing and entertainment offerings. Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman is the latest announcement for Egypt’s northern coastline, which has seen a rise in development in recent years, transforming the destination from a domestic hotspot to a global travel destination. Accor’s partnership with Q Developments marks the Egyptian real estate company’s first hotel project in Q North, a well-established, mixed-use development, located just minutes away from luxury coastal development Marassi. The hotel is accessible by a one-hour 30-minute drive from Alexandria Borg el Arab International Airport and a three-hour drive from Cairo. Boasting a low-rise build and seafront location, Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman will offer guests well-appointed, comfortable and modern accommodations, ensuring guests can take time to rest and reenergise. The hotel will feature one restaurant, a trendy café, a pool bar and a rooftop bar – offering panoramic vistas across the Mediterranean Sea. Energizing wellness and entertainment offerings will include a cutting-edge fitness centre, spa, outdoor swimming pool and padel courts – capitalising on the sport’s rising popularity in the region. Water sports activities will also be available to guests from the beachfront. While primarily aimed at leisure travellers, Novotel Sidi Abd El Rahman will also cater to the MICE market with a 600 square metre ballroom – perfect for weddings and celebrations – and four 50 square metre meeting rooms primed for conferences and team-building activities. Present at the signing, Duncan O’Rourke, Chief …

Mandarin Oriental, Muscat has opened its doors marking the Group’s debut in the Sultanate of Oman. The distinctive architectural design of this urban resort and branded residences takes full advantage of the views over the Arabian sea, while its location in the heart of the city in Shatti Al-Qurum, a prestigious neighbourhood, is perfectly positioned to explore Muscat’s intriguing ancient architectural treasures and vibrant culture. Enhancing its heartfelt charm is the breathtaking backdrop of the majestic Hajar Mountains. Mandarin Oriental’s legendary service, combined with distinctive dining concepts, a world-class spa and authentic Omani-inspired experiences, will ensure that the much-anticipated resort will bring a new level of exceptional hospitality to the country. To mark the occasion, the hotel’s official opening ceremony was graced by esteemed guests including His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, and His Highness Sayyid Asaad bin Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Affairs and the personal representative of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman. Their Highnesses were welcomed by Nicolas Dubort, General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Muscat, who commented: “It is our great pleasure to introduce this beachfront gem to the local community and the world, as we commit to delivering exquisite experiences that honour Omani hospitality, mirror its rich culture and set the benchmark for its luxury offerings. This charming resort truly captures Muscat at heart”. Envisioned by renowned French interior designer Xavier Cartron, the hotel’s architecture draws inspiration from the richness and diversity of Oman’s culture, inviting guests to embark on a journey of discovery. Entering the hotel lobby through grand Omani wooden doors, guests experience a seamless blend of influences from various …

Hilton London Metropole has announced a new two-bedroom family-friendly room category and amenities following a surge in summer bookings from the GCC region. In 2023, over 65% of all summer bookings at the hotel were made by guests from the GCC, reflecting the property’s increasing popularity among regional travellers. The new two-bedroom family suites can sleep up to six and provide an elevated and luxurious space with contemporary aesthetics, his and her sinks and a stunning main living room space to go alongside the main king size bedroom. The spacious suites also have a separate king size bedroom with an ensuite, spacious contemporary room with adjoining living space, both fitted with an impressive 55-inch TV, WiFi and air conditioning. The living spaces have a kitchenette for added convenience and, as with all suites, come with exclusive access to the executive lounge. Voted Best Family Hotel in the UK at the International Travel Awards 2023, the hotel’s latest announcement follows an impressive multi-million-pound revamp completed last year with enhanced facilities to suit the needs of GCC travellers. The extensive refurbishment, which includes the new room category, also included the three King One Bedroom Deluxe Suites, 13 King One Bedroom Executive Suites and a stunning three-bedroom penthouse with breathtaking views of the London skyline. “We are thrilled to expand our family-focused offering to better cater to our new and loyal guests from the GCC who made up more than half of our summer bookings last year. Our two-bedroom family suites, along with our other carefully curated amenities, including a prayer room and curated halal menus featuring authentic Middle Eastern inspired dishes, affirm our commitment to providing a comfortable home-away-from-home experience for our …

NEOM Hotel Division has joined The World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance- its 50th member. Consisting of now 50 members, the Alliance works to address critical challenges impacting the planet, people, and places worldwide. NEOM Hotel Division, which is focused on creating and operating hotels of the future that have sustainability at their core, shares the Alliance’s belief that collaboration is the key to unlocking solutions for the hospitality sector and paving the way for a more sustainable future. One of NEOM Hotel Division’s key contributions will be piloting the groundbreaking Net Positive Hospitality Academy, a sustainable training system launched in Q4 of last year. This innovative online platform equips the industry with scalable knowledge assets, tools, and modules, empowering hospitality professionals with the skills and resources necessary to drive meaningful change across the industry. Glenn Mandziuk, Chief Executive Officer of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, said: “I am thrilled to welcome NEOM Hotel Division to the Alliance, especially as our 50th member. Together, we can make a tangible impact on the hotel industry. NEOM Hotel Division is at the forefront of our industry’s sustainability innovation journey to lead all hotels towards Net Positive Hospitality. Additionally, they mark an important milestone as our first member headquartered in Saudi Arabia.” Chris Newman, Executive Director at NEOM Hotel Division, said: “We are excited and honored to be joining the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. We share the same commitment to the principles of environmental responsibility and sustainable and regenerative practices. The Net Positive Hospitality Academy has the potential to have a wide-reaching impact across our industry. Central to the Academy is collaboration – real progress can only be made by working together and we look …

The Spanish hotel chain Palladium Hotel Group strengthens its international presence with its arrival in the Middle East with The Unexpected Al Marjan Island Hotel & Residences. This new project, announced in partnership with Al Marjan and Almal Real Estate Development, will feature 442 hotel rooms and residential units under the brand The Unexpected Hotels & Residences. Inspired by the iconic Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, this collection focuses on guest experience and introduces the branded residences segment. Located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, the development will include a sophisticated beach club, exquisite restaurant, and captivating infinity pool, all adjacent to the Wynn Resort Island and overlooking the picturesque Arabian Gulf. The Unexpected Hotels & Residences will keep the innovative spirit of Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, preserving its visual identity with recognizable elements like its typography, characteristic color, and iconic hummingbird. This new venture aims to elevate luxury and exclusivity to a new level, in line with the demands of today’s discerning travelers.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts  announced the opening of  The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort, marking the debut of the brand in Oman. The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort features 250 lavishly appointed guest rooms and suites including one-to-three-bedroom duplexes, offering expansive ocean, golf course or city views. Guest rooms feature private balconies, walk-in wardrobes, large bathrooms and luxurious amenities and are filled with natural light by floor-to-ceiling windows. The legendary St. Regis Butler Service, a personalised hallmark of the brand for more than a century, ensures that each guest’s individual preferences are anticipated at every turn. Blending local heritage, avant-garde design and the timeless glamour of the St. Regis brand, the resort, developed by Alfardan Group, introduces the signature hallmarks born at New York’s finest address of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, to the region’s luminaries. “The debut of the St. Regis brand in Oman marks a significant milestone as we continue to grow our portfolio of the best addresses around the world,” said Jenni Benzaquen, SVP The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and Bulgari Hotels & Resorts. “Oman is known for its vibrant cultural heritage, pristine landscapes and warm hospitality. We look forward to inviting guests to experience this thriving leisure destination, coupled with the anticipatory service and cherished rituals for which the St. Regis brand is renown.” Located in the heart of Al Mouj, one of Oman’s most exclusive neighbourhoods known for its luxurious beachfront living, the exquisite resort is a gateway to the captivating cultural wonders of Oman including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Al Hajar Mountains, the natural pools of Wadi Shab, and the crystal water of Daymaniyat Islands. The resort is positioned on the tranquil shores of …

Stirling Hospitality Advisors made two announcements, one was to bring in an upper midscale brand hotel on Al Marjan island in Ras Al Khaimah with 300 – 350 keys and the second was the launch of a new Development Advisory Vertical designed to provide hospitality developers with a comprehensive services package that will include essential support throughout the entire development process. Under the new Development Advisory Vertical, Stirling Hospitality Advisors will coordinate the project on behalf of the owner from concept ideation to development and construction, until the hotel is fully operational. Commenting on the launch, Tatiana Veller, Managing Director at Stirling Hospitality Advisors said: “We have successfully positioned ourselves within the heart of the action in Ras Al Khaimah, and are delighted to be able to capitalize on the huge opportunities that are available here, and the rapid market growth. With our expertise and resources, we hold the keys to successful hotel development. We’re excited to launch our new development advisory vertical, further cementing our leadership in the industry.” Under the new vertical, the hotel development process will start with Stirling Hospitality Advisors assisting the investor with concept creation, feasibility study, hotel operator/brand search, and negotiation. Following this, the expert team will continue overseeing and coordinating all stakeholders throughout the development process, anticipating potential problems that a first-time developer might not foresee. Led by Michael Bagdasarov, Senior Advisory Manager at Stirling Hospitality Advisors, the team has already begun servicing clients under the new vertical with two projects underway. This includes a complete development advisory services agreement with BB Holding for an upper-midscale branded hotel on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, with approximately 300-350 keys. Having successfully helped BB …