Category Archives: Hotels

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, part of A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises launched its redesigned website www.goldensandsdubai.com. Featuring an upgraded design, innovative booking engine, with vibrant photos of the property and its facilities, the new look and feel of the website gives a true reflection of what awaits visitors. Mohammed Khoori, General Manager of Golden Sands Hotel Apartments said, “We are proud to launch our newly redesigned website, a result of extensive research conducted on the latest trends in the travel and hospitality industry. The site offers an easy and user-friendly online booking system for both leisure and business travellers. We invite you to visit the site to get a feel of your “home away from home” destination.” The fresh platform allows users to book rooms by individual unit or by category and checks availability with just a few clicks. Viewers can see special promotions, book and receive immediate confirmation. The website can be accessed using your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone.

MYSK Al Mouj, a flagship hotel of the MYSK by Shaza is to be launched in Muscat this month. With special focus on Arabian lifestyle and culture, MYSK by Shaza is part of Taameer Investment, a leading company in investment and real estate development in the Sultanate of Oman, and part of Golden Group Holding. H.E. Sheikh Salim Al Ghazali, Chairman of Golden Group Holding, commenced the event by stating, “With its strategic location at Al Mouj marina, Mysk by Shaza Hotel will be an added value to the hospitality sector in Oman and an important icon in our group’s portfolio. In terms of tourism developments and investments, our projects are advancing steadily with 3-4 and 5 star hotels in the pipeline.”

Dubai Gourmet, a Meraas company, announced the opening of its new boutique hotel at Qasr Al Sultan. The Qasr Al Sultan Boutique Hotel combines palatial luxury with a style of architecture and décor inspired by the region’s ancient monarchs, or Sultans. Each of the 12 100 sq.m. Royal Suites will have their own private jacuzzi and garden. Distinctive and traditional, the boutique hotel will be a short walk from the bakhoor-scented majlis, traditional souk, food bazaar, library, playground and the historical Dukan Zaman exhibition that have captivated visitors to Qasr Al Sultan since it opened in February, 2017. The boutique hotel is expected to have a similar impact, while showcasing the culture and heritage of the UAE. Abdin Nasralla, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Gourmet said: “Since we first launched Qasr Al Sultan in February, our guests have been captivated by the experiences we’ve created, ensuring that the destination has become a place full of novelty and intrigue for residents and visitors to the UAE. We’re delighted to be expanding Qasr Al Sultan through the Qasr Al Sultan Boutique Hotel, and the Royal Suites we’ve created will add another layer to our cultural offering, which is inspired by traditions that have not just shaped our customs but also our cuisine, art, attire, and lifestyle.” The Qasr Al Sultan Boutique Hotel features natural elements taken from the Dubai landscape, and an interior style designed to create a comfortable and relaxing ambiance. Privacy is at the forefront of the design, with suites boasting exclusive entrances, parking and a private garden for guests to bask in the sun. Guests will also be able to take advantage of room service and a personal butler that …

Abu Dhabi witnessed a double digit increase in the number of hotel guests during August compared to the same period in 2016, helping to drive the total number of guests staying in the emirate to more than 3.1 million for the first eight months of the year. Figures released by the Department of Culture and Tourism, formerly known as Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, reveal that 426,912 hotel guests stayed at the emirate’s 166 hotels and hotel apartments in August, a rise of 13 per centover the same month last year. The total number of hotel guests so far in 2016 is up 7 per cent in comparison to the comparable time frame in 2016, with occupancy standing at 68 per cent. H.E. Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, Department of Culture and Tourism, said: “We are encouraged by August’s figures and the increased growth, during a month which is traditionally a quieter time of the year for hotel guests. Our annual Abu Dhabi Summer Season, which ran from July 20th until August 20th, once again proved highly popular with domestic visitors and we saw key international markets all show notable growth during the month due to concentrated promotional and marketing campaigns locally, regionally and internationally. “As the year moves on, we expect to see further progress, not least due to the highly-anticipated opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi on November 11th which has rightly attracted huge interest from across the world. We still have some opportunities to increase length-of-stay at our hotels and maintain revenues, but we are actively addressing these things as we constantly strive to improve our destination’s appeal with concerted international marketing campaigns in tandem with our 11 overseas offices.”

With an aim to attract high-end travellers, Marriott will open doors of its 300-room Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai, on October 15, offering a clear view of the iconic Burj Khalifa. This will be followed by the debut of The Bulgari Resort & Residences Dubai slated for December, 2017. W Palm is scheduled to open early next year and the second W in Amman Jordan by Q1 next year. The St. Regis Cairo is the next big property to open by December and the sophisticated Edition Hotel Abu Dhabi will see the light of day next year, reveals Neal Jones, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. In terms of mid-scale brands, two Aloft properties will come up one next to Deira city center and the other at the Palm.

According to the latest Middle East and Africa Hotel Construction report by Top Hotels Projects, commissioned by The Hotel Show Dubai 2017, the UAE has been identified as the busiest country for hotel construction in the Middle East and Africa and 83 hotel projects are set to open next year. The region currently has more than 200 hotel projects in the pipeline, with Dubai (164 projects), Abu Dhabi (25 projects) and Ras Al Khaimah (12 projects) seen as the busiest areas for hotel construction in the UAE. Some of the most anticipated hotel openings include Dubai’s Rosemont Hotel and Residences, Curio Collection by Hilton (730 rooms) and Fairmont Abu Dhabi Marina Hotel & Residences (812 rooms).

Luxury Swiss hotel, part of Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort, is looking forward to welcoming first Middle East guests to the new five-star luxury Bürgenstock Hotel, in Switzerland, as it opened its doors. The newly-built hotel, with its modern architecture and contemporary design, boasts 102 rooms and suites and is sure to prove popular with travellers from the Middle East, with a particular emphasis on stunning luxury. In Switzerland, tourism from Gulf countries represents US$ 430 million.Amenities at the stunning hotel include the Spices Kitchen & Terrace, Bürgenstock Terrace, Lakeview Bar & Lounge, Lakeview Ballroom, Cigar Lounge, cinema and private dining and Sky Boutique. Further surrounding buildings inaugurated include the Grand Residence Suites, Panorama Residence Suites, Diamond Domes (event and tennis) and an outdoor tennis court. Bruno H. Schöpfer, Managing Director, Bürgenstock Selection, says, “We are delighted to welcome our first guests to the Bürgenstock Hotel. The hotel is perfect for travellers from the Middle East, with luxury at the very heart of everything we offer.”

Emaar Hospitality Group has unveiled Address Harbour Point, a premium luxury hotel and serviced residences project in Dubai with views of the waterfront and Dubai Creek Tower. The 6 sq km mega-development is only 10 minutes from the Dubai International Airport. Featuring 202 rooms and suites, Address Harbour Point is part of a 1.4 million sq ft development that will also feature Address Residences Harbour Point – a collection of branded apartments, as well as a range of food & beverage outlets and retail choices. Address Dubai Creek Harbour comprises two towers, 65 and 53 storeys each, which are located next to Creek Heights, a collection of luxury waterfront homes. Address Residences Harbour Point will offer a choice of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes and an exclusive ‘Sky Collection’ of 4- and 5-bedroom penthouses on the upper levels. A glass pedestrian bridge connecting the two towers also offers vantage viewing points of Dubai Creek Harbour and beyond. Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Dubai Creek Harbour is a smart city of the future, and with Dubai Creek Tower, the iconic observation deck at its heart, the mega-development is billed to be a popular tourist and lifestyle destination. Address Harbour Point will be a remarkable addition to the mega-development and to Dubai’s hospitality sector, offering the premium luxury experience associated with the Address brand. The project stands out for its design, waterfront location, fascinating views and wide range of amenities that will add value to guests and residents.”

Marriott International, in co-operation with Cornell University, launched ‘Tahseen’ programme, a training programme that focuses on fast-tracking next-generation Saudi leaders in hospitality. The launch event was held at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. Introducing the programme, David Leman, Marriott International’s Chief HR Officer Middle East & Africa, said, “With hands-on training, expert guidance, and invaluable, full exposure to the business of running a hotel, the ‘Tahseen’ programme will set participants up for a bright future in the industry. We’re very excited to see the begin their onboarding programme following today’s inauguration.” Developed in conjunction with Cornell University and supported by key partner DUR Hospitality, ‘Tahseen’ was specifically launched for Saudi nationals and will run over a course of 12 to 18 months. The programme offers graduates six months of cross-exposure to all departments, as well as six to 12 months of departmental specialisation led by a team of professional leaders across Marriott’s participating hotels, as well as a managerial opportunity at the end of the course. It also provides graduates access to Marriott International’s world-renowned core management development programmes.

Hilton and Tilal Properties have signed an agreement to come up with a new property adjacent to Tilal Mall by 2021. This will be the second Double Tree-branded property in Sharjah. DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Tilal Mall will offer 200 guest rooms, an outdoor pool and café, a restaurant, lobby lounge, fitness centre and business centre. Hilton announced the DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Suites in April 2017, which offers 254 suites and serviced apartments. Together with the new DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Tilal Mall and its existing Hilton Sharjah on Corniche Road, Hilton will operate three hotels in the emirate. According to Tilal Properties, the 2 million square meters (21.5 million sq. ft.) Tilal Mall will be Sharjah’s largest shopping mall and will open before the end of 2020. The mall is part of the AED 2.4 billion (US$ 653m) Tilal City mixed-use Tilal City community project and will offer a hypermarket, a fashion corner with exclusive brands, a family entertainment centre, a multi-screen cinema and Tilal Boulevard, a restaurant area featuring a selection of culinary outlets. A 65-hectare recreational park is being landscaped in the area next to the mall. Strategically located on the Emirates Road (E611), close to Al Dhaid interchange, Tilal City is just 10 kilometres away from Sharjah’s International Airport and within convenient commuting distance to nearby emirates, with Dubai only 2 kilometres away.