Category Archives: Hotels

Marriott International announced an agreement with Landmark Sabbour to bring the W Brand to Cairo, underscoring the growing demand for luxury in Egypt. Expected to open in 2024, W Cairo will be situated in 1-Ninety – a 300,000 sqm mixed-use development in the emerging New Cairo district featuring retail space, commercial and residential components. To be located just 25 kilometres from Cairo International Airport, the new hotel will add its own vibrant W experience to the ultra-modern urban landscape of New Cairo. Known for seeking out new/next destinations in buzzworthy markets around the globe, W is poised to welcome guests and locals to the new-build locale as the city’s reputation for ground-breaking design grows as fast as its skyline. When W Cairo opens in 2024, the hotel will embody W Hotels’ work hard, play hard philosophy with a signature WET Deck (pool deck), AWAY Spa and FIT Fitness Centre alongside 350 stunning rooms and suites. The hotel is also expected to offer multiple food and beverage venues, plenty of spaces to mix and mingle, plus meetings and events space which will include a 500-square-metre Great Room. “We are excited to collaborate with Landmark Sabbour to redefine modern luxury in one of the most awe-inspiring travel destinations in the world. This signing not only illustrates our commitment to Egypt but also reinforces the increasing demand for the W Hotels brand in this region and around the globe,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President & Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. Eng. Amr Sultan, Managing Director of Landmark Sabbour, added, “Our collaboration with Marriott International represents another milestone in our growth; it further demonstrates our commitment to collaborate with industry leaders and …

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group signed management contract to manage and brand, the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Group will take over management of the property from January 1, 2020. It will be Mandarin Oriental’s second hotel in the United Arab Emirates following the opening of Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai in early 2019. The hotel will be rebranded as a Mandarin Oriental property, following a phased renovation over two years, during which time the hotel will remain open. The work will encompass significant upgrades to guestrooms and recreational amenities, as well as new food and beverage facilities. The Emirates Palace hotel sits on a 1.3 km private beachfront, featuring 394 guestrooms and suites, 12 restaurants and bars, 40 meeting rooms, a concert grade auditorium and a ballroom that can accommodate up to 2,500 people. Leisure facilities include a marina, two swimming pools, a spa and two fitness centres. “This is a unique opportunity to manage one of the most high-profile properties in the Middle East and will be an excellent addition to our portfolio in the region. We look forward to bringing the group’s exemplary service standards to Abu Dhabi and to introducing the brand to a new audience,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. “The partnership with Mandarin Oriental represents an important milestone and aims to propel the property’s profile into a new era. We look forward to a mutually prosperous and fruitful relationship with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group,” said His Excellency Sultan Dhahi Sultan Al Humairi, Managing Director of Emirates Palace Company (EPCO).

Hyatt Place Dubai/ Jumeirah has opened its doors in the heart of Jumeirah. Consisting of 204 guestrooms and 84 fully furnished residences, the new hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities. Guests can avail of free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the property, complimentary breakfast, as well as use of the fitness centre and rooftop temperature-controlled swimming pool. Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah enjoys a prominent location along Al Mina Road, near the exclusive Jumeirah neighbourhood and provides easy access to the city’s iconic landmarks and popular attractions such as the Etihad Museum, the Dubai Frame, Gold and Spice Souk, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, and popular beach destinations, including La Mer and Jumeirah Beach. The property is within short distance from the Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai International Airport. “We are pleased to open the doors to Hyatt Place Dubai/Jumeirah, the flagship property of the Hyatt Place brand in Dubai and the fourth operational property in the region. The opening of this hotel will allow Hyatt Place to continue taking the guest’s experience to new heights – through style, innovation and 24/7 conveniences that ensure a seamless experience for today’s multi-tasking traveller,” said Fathi Khogaly, Cluster General Manager, Hyatt Place Dubai.

TIME Hotels Management has announced the signing of a new agreement to operate two additional properties in the UAE. TIME Hotels took over day-to-day operations of the newly-branded TIME Onyx Hotel Apartments Al Qusais and TIME Moonstone Hotel Apartments in Fujairah following the signing of a management agreement onsite during Arabian Travel Market 2019 in Dubai between Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels and Ali Mohamed Obaid Al Qutami, Managing Director, Jams HR Solutions. Commenting on the new management agreement, Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said, “This new partnership further reinforces our steady and focused growth strategy to expand our footprint in the UAE with further openings in Dubai, and Sharjah, as well as other properties across the region in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.” TIME Onyx Hotel Apartments, Al Qusais, comprises 176 rooms including 42 studios, 99 one-bedroom apartments and 35 two-bedroom apartments. The property features an all-day dining restaurant, coffee shop, a business centre, prayer room and a gift shop. Meanwhile in Fujairah, TIME Moonstone Hotel Apartments feature 89 keys including 13 one-bedroom apartments and 76 two-bedroom apartments, an all-day dining restaurant, fully equipped gym and sauna and steam rooms. Ali Mohammed Obaid Al Qutami, Managing Director, Jams HR Solutions, said, “As a dynamic hospitality company, TIME Hotels was appointed to manage both properties because it is renowned for consistently delivering a value-driven hospitality experience. Not only do TIME Hotels have a wealth of experience successfully running midscale properties in the UAE, GCC and wider MENA region but they are excellent at cross-selling their properties and have exceptional relationships with both GCC travel agents, as well as international tour operators.”

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continues to ramp up its expansion across the Middle East with the opening of two new hotels in Muscat, Oman. Marking the introduction of the Wyndham Garden and Ramada Encore by Wyndham brands to Oman, the openings underscore Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to strengthening its presence in the market and further support Oman’s ambitious Vision 2040 programme, which includes a focus on developing the country’s mid-market hotel sector and creating more job opportunities, in a bid to welcome 11 million visitors to the Sultanate by 2040. Over the past year, the Sultanate has become an increasingly popular destination for travellers, witnessing an increase of more than 25 per cent in inbound visitors in the first six months of 2019 alone. Set across eight floors and bringing 143 new rooms and suites to the city, Wyndham Garden Muscat Al Khuwair is expected to open later this month. Ramada Encore by Wyndham Muscat Al Ghubra is expected to open in March 2020 and will be located in the heart of Muscat, next to the Al Ghubra roundabout on Sultan Qaboos Street. Panos Loupasis, Vice President Development, Middle East, Eurasia & Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, “We want to bring diverse accommodation choices to travellers across the Sultanate, and support Oman in its ambitious 2040 tourism plans, particularly on developing its mid-market hotel sector. With their unrivalled locations in the heart of Muscat’s business and leisure district, these newest additions to the Wyndham Garden and Ramada Encore by Wyndham family are the perfect properties to complement our growing offering in the region.”

Nakheel is marking a key milestone in its hospitality business strategy with the opening of the Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai. The hotel was inaugurated on December 9, 2019 by Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and William E. Heinecke, Founder, Chairman and Group CEO of Thailand’s Minor International, owner and operator of the Avani brand. The new-build, 18-storey Avani is the second Nakheel hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall and one of several in operation or under construction in the developer’s hospitality project portfolio. Located less than a minute’s walk from the world-famous mall and its 400 outlets, Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai has 360 guest rooms, including 15 suites, a pool deck with dining and recreational facilities, an all-day dining restaurant, a coffee shop, gym, meeting facilities and parking for 128 vehicles. The hotel is also accessible via Dubai Metro. Ali Rashid Lootah, Chairman, Nakheel, said, “Nakheel continues to play a key role in enhancing Dubai’s hospitality offering in line with the emirate’s economic and tourism goals, and we are proud to partner with Minor Hotels to bring the Avani brand to Ibn Battuta Mall. With more than 21 million visitors a year, the mall is a world-leading destination where quality accommodation is in demand, as is clear from the constantly-high occupancy rates of our first hotel here.” William E. Heinecke, Chairman, Founder and Group CEO, Minor International, commented, “Minor Hotels is thrilled to officially inaugurate Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai today, which represents both a fantastic addition to the brand’s fast-growing portfolio and our first new-build Avani in the Middle East region. We are confident that the property will be very well received in the Dubai market and look forward to working with …

Miral and Warner Bros. announced the world’s first Warner Bros. (WB) branded hotel – The WB Abu Dhabi, is currently being developed on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Set to open in 2021, construction of the USD 112 million hotel is well underway and is now 40% complete. The WB Abu Dhabi will be located adjacent to the award-winning Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi theme park and is set to be a major addition to Yas Island’s immersive hospitality and leisure attractions. The hotel will introduce a new international benchmark for hospitality experiences, offering Warner Bros. fans the unique opportunity of staying at a WB themed hotel while visiting the Island’s other award-wining entertainment and leisure attractions. With a design and concept inspired by the world-famous Warner Bros. brand, the hotel will offer premium amenities and deliver an elevated hospitality offering through distinctive experiences for leisure and business travellers. Commenting on the development, H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral, said, “We are excited to announce the development of the world’s first Warner Bros. themed hotel, here on Yas Island. This is yet another step in our journey to position Yas Island as one of the top global destinations for entertainment, leisure and business. Our partnership with Warner Bros. is a unique collaboration that adds another dimension to the outstanding immersive experiences available on Yas Island.” Pam Lifford, President of Warner Bros. Global Brands and Experiences, commented, “Following the successful debut of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, we are thrilled to expand our presence in the region with the studio’s first-ever branded hotel. This new venture will pay tribute to Warner Bros.’ legacy of rich entertainment, offering fans a unique way …

Hyatt announced the growth of its portfolio of lifestyle hotels across the Middle East. The planned expansion includes the opening of the first Hyatt centric branded hotels in the United Arab Emirates, the State of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the first Andaz branded hotel in Dubai, and the second Alila branded property in the Sultanate of Oman. These lifestyle properties will provide luxury and adventurous travellers with unique experiences in hand-picked destinations and are expected to add more than 1,300 keys to the region, bringing the number of Hyatt lifestyle hotels in the Middle East to seven by 2023. There are currently two Hyatt lifestyle hotels in the Middle East; Alila Jabal Akhdar, a luxury boutique resort perched 6,562 feet (2,000 metres) above sea level in the Al Hajar Mountains of Oman, and Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, located in the iconic Capital Gate building, the world’s furthest leaning hotel at an impressive 18-degree incline. Kurt Straub, Vice President of operations for the Middle East, Africa and South West Asia for Hyatt, said, “The Middle East is seeing a rising demand for lifestyle hotels. At Hyatt, we aim to grow with intent. The five planned openings in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman cement our commitment to the region and will provide an enhanced lifestyle experience for our guests.” The expected growth includes the debut of Hyatt’s fastest-growing lifestyle brand across three countries, with the projected openings of Hyatt Centric Dubai La Mer (2020), Hyatt Centric West Bay Doha (2020), and Jabal Omar Hyatt Centric Makkah Hotel and Residences (2023). Located in the heart of …

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, a new hotel under Ramada by Wyndham brand in Deira to open its doors in late November 2019. Ramada by Wyndham Dubai Deira Hotel is situated in the heart of Dubai’s historical and cultural district of Deira, 10 minutes away from Dubai International Airport and minutes away from Dubai’s first Shopping Mall, the vibrant Al Ghurair Center. The hotel has undergone a multi-million renovations, upgrading all its facilities including bedrooms, restaurants, public areas, and technology. The hotel has 173 bedrooms and suites, two restaurants and a rooftop pool. Ahmed El-Bassyouni, Head of Hospitality at Al Ghurair Hospitality, said, “We are delighted to see the continuing growth of our hospitality portfolio with the addition of such a well-known and loved international hotel brand as Ramada by Wyndham. We are extremely proud of this new partnership with Ramada by Wyndham and we are committed to continuing the new partnerships for Al Ghurair to grow our portfolio and bring more quality hospitality options to those visiting or staying in the UAE.” Al Ghurair Properties, the real estate development arm of Al Ghurair Investments offers a wide portfolio of residential and hospitality properties that strategically respond to the needs of both UAE residents and tourists to the UAE, priding themselves on their relentless commitment to quality and timely completion. Al Ghurair Properties currently own 5 other hotel properties in the Deira area, including Swissôtel Al Ghurair, Swissôtel Living, Star Metro Hotel and Apartments, Nojoum Hotel Apartments and Kings Square.

Al Qana developed by Al Barakah International Investment (BII) in Abu Dhabi, revealed ‘The Bridge Wellness Hub’, one of its seven destinations. ‘The Bridge’ is an integrated lifestyle wellness hub that has been carefully designed to be a disruptive space within its industry. The construction of the concept has commenced already and will open its doors for the first time in Q4 2020 to coincide with the grand opening of Al Qana. The uniqueness of ‘The Bridge’ concept comes from a combination of two ideas. One space that bridges all aspects of one’s life, work, play, and personal & physical development. The second idea is the combination of science and art to deliver a superior design-driven intuitive experience, yet grounded in academic research and delivery of real results. With a total space area of over 8000 square meters, ‘The Bridge’ will feature seven unique and seamless service tracks (Move – Pause – Taste – Seek – Choose – Expand – Learn). Fouad Mashal, CEO of Al Barakah International Investment said, “The Bridge is set to become the largest wellness offering in the Middle East. We joined forces to disrupt the market and introduce to Abu Dhabi an innovative concept that aims to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of residents by offering a new lifestyle journey. We are confident that The Bridge and the overall Al Qana project will play a key role in cementing Abu Dhabi’s position as one of the most liveable cities in the world and the ultimate destination for entertainment and wellbeing.” Khalid Nahhas, Founder of The Bridge said, “Our partnership with Al Qana aims to bring to the capital, a lifestyle destination that will …