Category Archives: Hotels

A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises LLC welcomed the opening of the four-star Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah, an addition to the growing number of  mid-market properties in the UAE. In support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah’s vision to increase investments in the Emirate, the new Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah was inaugurated in the presence of HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. The event was attended by Faisal Al Moosa, representing AA Al Moosa Enterprises, owner of the Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah, dignitaries, VIPs, corporate guests and the media. The hotel is managed by Wyndham Hotel Group. The property which is previously known as the Ramada Sharjah has recently undergone extensive renovations and upgrade. The hotel now features 343 rooms and suites that will cater to all kinds of business and leisure travellers.

Tourists can now expect to experience a one-of-a-kind shopping destination on their visit to Dubai during the latter part of the year as the emirate is building one of the most exclusive malls in the world with a 365 day miracle garden in the centre. According to Fahimuddin Sharfuddin, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, Cityland Group, “With consistent progress on both the construction and leasing side, we look forward to launching Cityland Mall during the fourth quarter of this year and add a unique dimension in terms of retail to the UAE market. We are working to conclude the leasing activities by adding an additional 30 per cent of leased retail space by year-end.” In terms of construction, 60 per cent of the project has been completed as of February 2018. By the end of Q2, 2018 the site will be open for most of the mall tenants to come in and commence their fit-out works. The landscaping contract for Central Park has been awarded to Miracle Garden Landscaping, the company behind the world-class landscaped projects such as Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Butterfly Garden. The 200,000 sq.ft. Central Park will provide a unique experience for shoppers and has been designed to accommodate 7,000 shoppers at a time in its vast expanse.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed up with Dur Hospitality for a franchise agreement of Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace, under the master franchise agreement signed earlier for four hotels. Currently operating as Riyadh Palace Hotel, the property is expected to be rebranded to Crowne Plaza by June 2018. The hotel totals to 304 rooms, over 1400 sqm of meeting space, a business centre along with an outdoor pool, lounge and a spa. It offers a range of authentic and contemporary cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant and at the Lobby Café. Ahdab, President, Hotel Operations—Dur Hospitality said, “We are delighted to partner with IHG yet again, for their world-class brand Crowne Plaza, making this our second hotel with them, following the opening of Holiday Inn, Tabuk. Riyadh has solidified itself as a commercial hub, attracting business travellers from domestic and international markets.” “Incorporating an element of French design, the hotel is strategically located in the Ministries Area, a popular business district, making it an ideal and convenient location for the business community”, he further added.

The Elaf Group recently opened Elaf Galleria, a five-star hotel in Jeddah. The soft opening of the hotel is part of the Group’s strategic expansion plans aimed at further solidifying its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Elaf Galleria has 364 rooms spread across seven floors on two separate wings enclosed by a vaulted glass and metal roof. The property also features banquet and events facilities, an Executive Lounge and other recreational facilities including a health club and spa. Restaurants providing fine dining inside the hotel include The Kitchen, El-Vaquero, The Birdcage, Milano and Aqua. Ziyad Bin Mahfouz, CEO, Elaf Group said, “The opening of Hotel Galleria by Elaf in Jeddah is in line with ongoing efforts to strengthen our leading presence in the KSA and the rest of the GCC. We remain committed to our goal of supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s objective of reinforcing the national economy with non-oil revenue sources by providing the highest quality of hospitality services to our guests.”

Protea Hotels by Marriott, in partnership with Zambian business giant, Union Gold Zambia Limited, has signed Protea Hotel by Marriott Bonanza Estate, Lusaka. With 241 rooms, the hotel will be the largest operating hotel under the brand in the country. Strategically located within the new upmarket lifestyle hub, the hotel will be within easy reach from the international airport and major city landmarks. “Protea Hotel by Marriott Bonanza Estate, Lusaka will be a significant addition to our fast growing portfolio,” says Volker Heiden, Vice President, Protea Hotels by Marriott, Marriott International, Middle East and Africa. “The hotel’s planned facilities are geared to provide for a range of much-needed amenities in the city – additional conferencing venues, high-end food and beverage services and a spa. Most exciting is the amphitheatre which will attract mega events into the city.” According to Mark O’Donnell, Chairman, Union Gold Zambia, “We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with Protea Hotels for the past 17 years, and look forward to the expansion of our association through the development of this new property. Our new venture will meet the rising demand for quality lodging in the country.”

Smartotels Hospitality is set to open its flagship property, Form Hotel Dubai- a technology-driven upscale design concept hotel in the upcoming neighbourhood of Al Jadaf and Culture Village. Form Hotel Dubai presents a timelessly-designed environment built around brand obsessions and curated add-ons to deliver all that guests value. With a strong visual art and design narrative, and emphasis on wellbeing, Form Hotel Dubai is conceptualised as a sanctuary from the city, in the city, whilst being conveniently located near to major cultural and commercial hubs. The Dubai project has been delivered with the collaboration of Dubai Contracting Company and firm Architecture Studio. Tarek M. Daouk, Founder, Smartotels, comments, “We announced our intention to bring a technology-driven design hotel concept to the UAE precisely one year ago. Today, we’re delighted to be able to confirm that we will be delivering this landmark project to guests both on time and under budget. We believe Dubai’s maturing hotel market is now prepared to welcome a creative hotel offering like ours, and that it is the ideal time to deliver Form, a novel and design-focused boutique hotel aimed at forward-thinking travellers.”

Set to transform the virtual reality entertainment landscape, Emaar Entertainment has announced a first-of-its-kind VR Park in Dubai due to open in the first half of 2018 at The Dubai Mall. The attraction will provide an unprecedented breadth of games, rides and experiences to suit all ages. Combining Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and experiential attractions, VR Park is designed to blur the lines between perception and reality through game changing experiences, spanning wholly immersive rides, educational journeys and interactive games. Focusing on the concept of ‘Shared Escapism’, many of the attractions offer a multi-player experience – allowing visitors to interact with one another and live the experience with family and friends. VR Park has been specifically designed with attractions appealing to all interests, across adrenaline, horror, leisure and more.

Shaza Hotels has signed its third Mysk project in the Middle East, Mysk by Shaza, in Palm Jumeirah. The hotel marks a new milestone for Shaza with the entry of the group into the ever-growing Dubai market that has one of the best performing hospitality sectors in the world. The hotel aims to add a new flavour to the Dubai hotel scene, bringing an intimate and personalised experience for both the corporate market and leisure market. Commenting on the project, Simon Coombs, President and CEO, Shaza Hotels said, “Since the recent launch of Mysk by Shaza, we have been actively looking at signing a project here since the need for upscale hotels in Dubai was one of the reasons that encouraged us to create the Mysk brand. I am very happy that the first Mysk in Dubai will be located in such a prestigious location, and I am grateful for Aqua Properties for having entrusted us with their asset.”

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the opening of Crowne Plaza Riyadh–RDC Hotel and Convention Center. The newly opened hotel will be the seventh IHG hotel in Riyadh and the 31st in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The 326-room hotel is strategically located in the Al Ra’idah Digital City (RDC), a mixed use district expected to accommodate over 20,000 employees and up to 10,000 residents. Crowne Plaza Riyadh–RDC Hotel is in close proximity to the new financial district, the Riyadh CBD, King Saud University, Diplomatic Quarter and lies within 25 minutes of King Khalid International Airport, making it an ideal choice for business travellers. The hotel also offers a comprehensive range of facilities to meet the needs of corporate and MICE guests travelling to and within the Kingdom. The hotel features over 12000 m2 of exhibition and conference space including a three-level circular conference centre, a ballroom, large pre-function areas and 12 meeting rooms equipped with modern digital technology. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s large outdoor swimming pool or re-energise with a game of tennis at the outdoor court. An on-site business centre is equipped with the latest technology to keep guests connected to their business and their families back home.

Dubai’s Gevora Hotel, with 75 floors standing tall at a height of 356 metres, has claimed the title for the tallest hotel in the world by Guinness World Records. Located on the Sheikh Zayed Road adjacent to the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), Gevora was built by Majid Al Attar. With 528 keys consisting of 232 Deluxe Rooms, 265 one-bed room deluxe and 31 two-bedroom suites, the four-star luxury city hotel will now even wear the crown as the tallest hotel from its predecessor JW Marriott Marquis. The opening ceremony of the property was presided over by owners Majid Al Attar, Khalid Al Attar, Ahmed Abdul Rahim Al Attar, Salah Ameen, Mana Al Attar and Mohammed Al Attar. The hotel has been launched at a time when Dubai prepares for the influx of tourists for Expo 2020. The state-of-the-art meeting room facilities in the property will be a key driver for the business clientele in the area who require smaller board room type of facilities. The rooms are fully equipped with a kitchen especially designed for the GCC clientele.