Category Archives: Hotels

InterContinental Hotels and Diamond Developers held a groundbreaking ceremony for Hotel Indigo Dubai Sustainable City, which is set to be a Net Zero Energy Building, where 100 per cent of its energy needs will be met by solar power. The 143-rooms hotel will be located in Dubai’s first sustainable integrated development. The architecture and interior design across the hotel will incorporate sustainability principles at every step of the guest journey. Offering the best in class dining options to guests, Hotel Indigo Dubai Sustainable City will have a neighbourhood café and a specialty restaurant with fresh produce supplies from urban farming facilities that will be merged to hotel grounds and Sustainable City Bio Domes. Furthermore, the guests will be able enjoy various wellness and leisure facilities such as a fully equipped gymnasium, an outdoor pool inspired by cascading natural pools, an outdoor yoga deck within the orchard as well as two treatment rooms with private terraces.

Radisson Blu launched its first hotel in Ajman, UAE. Located just a few minutes away from the city centre, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ajman is also home to the Emirates’ newest entertainment destination with seven distinctive restaurants and bars to experience. The hotel is accessible through the main highways connecting Ajman to Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. It is located in a new and upcoming area – Al Jurf – which is close to government ministries, universities and hospitals, as well as the Hamriyah Free Zone. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Ajman offers upper-upscale and stylish accommodation with 148 guest rooms and suites, all designed with soothing colour tones that reflect the desert sands of Ajman. The hotel upholds the Radisson Blu’s international design heritage with bespoke Arabian artwork reflected in the interiors.

Citymax Hotels launched its new brand identity that is being rolled out in phases across the group’s portfolio of hotels. All operating hotels will be renovated to provide guests with a more contemporary experience while leveraging the brand value of Citymax Hotels. Russel Sharpe, COO, Citymax Hotels, stated, “Citymax Hotels is being revitalised through a series of marketing and product design improvements to meet our guests’ expectations and strengthen our market positioning. Everyone loves something extra- be it extra space, extra comfort, extra connectivity or extra value and that’s exactly what Citymax has to offer.” The first hotel to implement the new brand identity along with product enhancement is Citymax Hotel Al Barsha. The hotel has renovated its reception, lobby, corridors and guestrooms along with bathrooms on first, second and third floors with an imaginative design concept. Other facilities, including the dining outlets, will also be enhanced over the next few months.

Dusit International is set to manage Dusit Thani Zhouzhuang, a luxury hotel in Zhouzhuang, China after signing a hotel management agreement with Kunshan Yuanwanggu IOT Industrial Park Company Limited. Phase one is expected to open in 2018, with phase two following in 2022. Set within the Yungu Pastoral Valley, approximately 50 minutes by car from Shanghai and 40 minutes from Suzhou, the five-star hotel will comprise 30 rooms in traditional houses and 160 hotel guest rooms. The traditional houses will open next year in phase one of the development alongside an all-day-dining restaurant. The main hotel building will open in phase two and will include a dining restaurant, Chinese restaurant with private dining rooms, gym, swimming pool and conference facilities. “We are honoured to be given the opportunity to manage such a luxury hotel in this historic location,” said Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “By exceeding guests’ expectations with each and every experience, the hotel will be perfectly positioned to meet the needs of domestic and international travellers alike.”

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts released its latest property, Mövenpick Suriwongse Hotel Chiang Mai on November 7. The 266-room hotel marked another milestone in the hospitality company’s Asian expansion strategy. Located in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, the hotel overlooks the sprawling Night Bazaar district and is located at a short walking distance to many cultural attractions such as Chiang Mai Old City Wall and Tha Pae Gate. Guests can choose from seven different room categories including Classic, Superior, Deluxe, Premier, Junior Suite, Suites and Family Suites. For diners, the hotel serves Thai and international cuisines at its all-day dining venue which is designed with wooden elements to emulate the style of a local food market. Le Bistrot is a themed Italian-Thai fusion eatery, featuring a terrace with views of the bustling Night Bazaar. For a refreshing drink, the hotel’s Lobby Bar and Rooftop Pool Bar both offer tempting selections, whilst the Sweet House serves freshly brewed coffee and home-made bakery items.

TIME Hotels unveiled its first resort at WTM London with the launch of TIME Beach Villas Resort in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Opening its doors in December 2017, the resort will comprise 61 units with detailed Arabic architecture encompassing a full reflection of authentic Gulf design. Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels, said, “This resort has been built with both corporate and leisure visitors in mind. It is perfect for long staying corporate guests as well as short stay family getaways. We, at TIME Hotels, have an in-depth understanding of these market segments, how to add value and drive in business.” Located close to the beach and at a 20 minutes’ drive from Jeddah International Airport and city centre, the midrange resort will offer fitness and leisure facilities, high-speed WiFi, LED televisions in all rooms along with concierge and business services.

AccorHotels managed Ibis Deira City Centre celebrated their one millionth made beds with a special programme titled ‘Art of housekeeping’. The housekeeping team demonstrated the way to make a bed with a special room concept kept in the lobby for five days. Any guest had the opportunity to witness or even join in making the bed. Ramesh Bappoo, General Manager, Delegate Hotels and ISS said, “We are very proud to announce Ibis Deira City Centre has achieved a million cycles of making beds. It is a milestone and we want to invite everybody to witness the art of housekeeping where they will demonstrate and allow any guest to participate in making the bed right at the lobby.”

Marriot International announced the opening of its second hotel ‘Four Points by Sheraton’ in Nairobi Airport, Kenya. The all-new 172 room hotel features spacious and modern rooms including suites. Strategically situated within the main complex of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the hotel is within easy reach from major highways and overlooks the famous Nairobi National Park. “Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport is a great addition to our East Africa portfolio and strengthens our rapidly growing presence in the region,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. It also offers exciting dining options including an all-day dining, a lobby café and a rooftop bar and grill, Tazama. Guests can also experience the brand’s signature Best Brews programme featuring a local craft pilsner created especially for the hotel in collaboration with the well-known Big Five Breweries.

Hotel guests to all three regions of Abu Dhabi increased in total by 5 per cent in September as compared to the same month in the previous year, according to figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi. Increases for hotel guests have been recorded as 14 per cent in the Al Dhafra Region, 8 per cent in the Al Ain Region and 4 per cent in Abu Dhabi city with a total occupancy rate of 69 per cent. Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, said, “Globally, we have invested heavily in marketing Abu Dhabi as a destination of distinction with an emphasis on its history, culture and heritage. Our strategy is to highlight Abu Dhabi as a wealth of natural and man-made attractions across all regions while providing luxurious yet affordable choices of accommodation.” While September saw a slight drop in domestic tourists into Abu Dhabi, the month was marked by a surge in Chinese hotel guests, recording an increase of 133 per cent in comparison to September 2016. India remained the largest international source market with more than 33,000 hotel guests during the month.

IHG announced the signing of Holiday Inn Cape Town in partnership with Leisure Hotel Holding (Pty) Ltd. Currently operating as Strand Tower Hotel, the property is expected to be rebranded as Holiday Inn by later this year, marking the brand’s debut in the city. With 242 rooms, the hotel will serve all day dining with buffet-style meals and a selection of award-winning estate wines from the nearby Cape Winelands. Holiday Inn Cape Town is also equipped with a gym, sauna and steam room. For business groups and travellers, the hotel offers two large conference rooms and four break-away rooms that are ideal for training and discussion groups. This signing is in line with IHG’s strategy to increase its brand’s visibility and franchise estate in South Africa. South Africa is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists from the Middle East, due to its favourable seasons and rich cultural experiences. According to recent research, the growth in visitors to South Africa from the Middle East represented a 36 per cent increase on the previous year.