Category Archives: Hotels

Rotana has signed an agreement with RSG International, a UAE-based global conglomerate, for a new five star hotel and serviced apartment project in Dubai, located in Sufouh Gardens on Sheikh Zayed Road. Named Sabah Rotana, the 54-storey, 534-room property will be managed by Rotana on behalf of RSG International and is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2020. The agreement was signed by Raj Sahni (Abu Sabah), Owner and Chairman of RSG International, and Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman of Rotana. Also present at the signing ceremony were Sabah Sahni, Vice Chairman of RSG International, Sumeet Sahni, Deputy Vice Chairman of RSG International and Jasjit Singh Jaaj, Group CEO of RSG International, Selim El Zyr Vice Chairman of Rotana and Omer Kaddouri President & CEO of Rotana. “We are very pleased to partner with RSG International, that brings over 25 years of experience in real estate and property development, on this new venture,” said Nasser Al Nowais. “Sabah Rotana has been designed keeping in mind the comfort and flexibility that today’s modern traveller demands, and will offer guests an enriching experience. The project continues Rotana’s strategy of centrally locating its properties in prime city areas in order for guests to enjoy greater convenience and easy accessibility.” Raj Sahni (Abu Sabah) said, “We are proud to award management of one of our distinguished projects to the region’s premier hotel management company. Set in a prominent location in one of Dubai’s most vibrant and dynamic communities, on Sheikh Zayed Road, we hope to create an iconic hospitality landmark in Dubai. RSG International has long been a trusted name in the region’s property development market, and our collaboration with Rotana on this …

Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche will exhibit as part of R Hotels stand alongside Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman, which are also owned and managed by the same group. The first Wyndham Garden hotel in the UAE is slated to open in the last quarter of 2017. The four-star hotel will feature a total of 179 rooms and suites, an executive lounge on the top floor with panoramic sea views, two restaurants, an outdoor swimming pool, gym and spa, separate health clubs for men and women, and a kids’ play area. Iftikhar Hamdani, the cluster general manager for the three properties, commented: “We are excited to introduce the new Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche. On top of the Middle East market, we are also eyeing Baltic, Balkans, East Europe, Germany, and Central Asia during the exhibition. Along with our two Ramada properties, the group is expected to accommodate the growing number of guests in Ajman, thus reinforcing our status as the leading group in terms of number of rooms and occupancy in the Northern Emirates.” R Hotels stand will be at HC0425 of the hotel pavilion. Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche will also be joining the Ajman Tourism Development Department (ATDD) stand.

Marriott International has taken an equity stake in PlacePass, a provider of travel technology solutions and the online meta-search platform for in-destination experiences and activities. Global travellers will soon be able to choose from an additional 100,000 plus authentic local experiences in 800 destinations worldwide when they book direct on Marriott.com or SPG.com or their respective apps. Travellers can go to members.marriott.com to learn even more about what’s in store and the types of experiences Marriott will offer with PlacePass, as well as the personalized experiences already available to travelers through its loyalty programs. “The addition of PlacePass activities and tours beginning later this year reflects Marriott’s commitment to giving our guests a complete travel experience whether they are in planning mode, staying in our hotels and even in-between stays when they’re thinking about travel,” said Stephanie Linnartz, Global Chief Commercial Officer, Marriott International. “We want our guests to count on Marriott to give them access to more of the destinations and things they love to do when they travel.” With an ever-increasing array of travel experiences and 30 diverse global brands, 6,000 hotels and resorts in 122 countries and territories, as well as the largest collection of luxury properties, Marriott is uniquely positioned to offer all its guests unrivaled and memorable experiences when they travel.

The five-star Ghaya Grand Hotel, in Dubai’s International Media Production Zone, is all set to host the cricketing legends and star players as Emirates Airline Twenty20 tournament kick starts in Dubai. Named the official hotel partner for this event, this is the first time that Ghaya Grand hotel is partnering to host a sporting event. In an inauguration ceremony held at The Ghaya Grand Hotel, cricketing legends Jimmy Anderson, Aaqib Javed, Ashley Giles and Paul Collingwood discussed the upcoming two-day tournament scheduled for the weekend (March 23– 24,2017) at the ICC academy in Dubai’s Sports City. Olwin Desouza, General Manager, Ghaya Grand commented “We are delighted to host the players and team officials for the tournament and we look forward to enjoying some top-quality cricket. Being an avid sports follower, my ideology is based on if you can dream it you can achieve it. Supporting sporting events like these is part of our strategy and this event provides us with the platform to engage with our customers directly.” The 2017 edition of Emirates Airline T20 is slated to be the biggest till date with both new and existing teams competing for the coveted title. Emirates has been successfully bringing international cricket clubs to Dubai to compete for the trophy. The tournament has grown substantially, since its inception in 2010, featuring stars such as Yuvraj Singh, Alister Cook, Nick Compton among its various teams. In its seventh year, the cricketing tournament will be played by six T20 teams with international and domestic players from countries across the globe.

Seeking to provide a more efficient and prompt service to its guests, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman recently inked a partnership with ProntoResolved, a software which manages propriety complaints and handles special requests. The contract was signed by Iftikhar Hamdani, general manager of Ramada Ajman, and Franco Moline, president of ProntoResolved. ProntoResolved allows hotels to have a paperless operation by electronically streamlining guest service issues and requirements. The software takes in and resolves the requests in a timely manner; then generates reports and tracks the proficiency of response of the departments involved. Hamdani commented: “Our property is pleased to partner with ProntoResolved in providing enhanced service to our clients, thus generating higher ratings in several platforms. In addition to its systematic and effective process, the software also enables us to have a paperless, sustainable operation, which is in line with our green vision.” Moline enthused: “ProntoResolved is happy to help Ramada Ajman take customer service experience to advanced level. We are confident that this will be a fruitful partnership, and boost the property’s satisfaction ratings in various booking engines and review websites.”

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has begun implementing the Kalba Kingfisher Lodge, its latest ground-breaking eco-tourism project, in collaboration with the Sharjah Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA). Shurooq said that the five-star hospitability project, featuring a tented camp that offers unique experiences within the mangrove nature reserve in the heart of Kalba’s natural beauty, is the perfect addition to its strategy of promoting environmentally friendly tourism. The Kingfisher Lodge, due to be completed by the end of the first half of 2017, will house 20 luxury tents. With a private swimming pool for each tent, the accommodation is designed to provide guests with comfort, privacy and amazing views overlooking the Indian Ocean and a forest of mangrove (Qurm) trees surrounding the lodge – also home to a number of kingfishers and a host of flora and fauna. With an ambience of luxury and convenience, the Kingfisher Lodge will include an outdoor yoga and wellness centre and a range of public facilities, including an information desk, a reception lounge, restaurants and outdoor recreational areas.  The tented lodge is being constructed in compliance with the highest global standards of green and sustainable building in order to have minimal impact on the surrounding environment. H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq, said: “There are so many parts of Sharjah which qualify as outstanding areas of natural beauty and we have identified that there are numerous hospitality opportunities which could cater to that market. We understand that there are a growing number of eco-tourists, and a shift in trends towards visitors who want to enjoy incredible natural surroundings in a luxury environment. The Kalba Kingfisher Lodge is an ideal fit …

The Ascott Limited (Ascott) will manage another Citadines-branded property located in central Al Khobar in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).  Citadines Al Khobar will comprise 54 one-bedroom apartments with various layouts. Managed and operated by Ascott, facilities will include a breakfast area, residents’ lounge and fully equipped gym, making it an excellent choice for accommodation amongst business and leisure travellers. “We are delighted to have signed an agreement to manage Citadines Al Khobar,” commented Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Country General Manager of Middle East & Turkey. “KSA remains a highly significant growth market and this latest signing will not only expand our presence in KSA but also reinforces our leadership position in the Middle East.” “Citadines Al Khobar is the third property, together with Citadines Abha and Somerset Al Khobar, that we will be working with developer AREIC (the real estate arm of Al Mutlaq Group) and we are pleased to strengthen our partnership with them.” Citadines Al Khobar is situated in central Al Khobar, in a highly sought after location between King Salman and Prince Fawaz streets on the 4th main street in Al Khobar Al Shamaliah, which offers numerous dining, shopping and leisure options.

STR’s February 2017 Pipeline Report shows 153,460 rooms in 540 hotel projects Under Contract in the Middle East and 58,374 rooms in 309 projects Under Contract in Africa. Two key markets in the Middle East and Africa region reported more than 10,000 rooms In Construction: Makkah, Saudi Arabia (22,370 rooms in 17 projects) and Dubai, United Arab Emirates (19,578 rooms in 64 projects). Under Contract data includes projects in the In Construction, Final Planning and Planning stages but does not include projects in the Unconfirmed stage. The Under Contract total in the Middle East represents a 1.3 per cent increase in rooms Under Contract compared with February 2016. Specifically in the In Construction phase, the Middle East reported 83,106 rooms in 263 hotels. Based on number of rooms, that is a 3.4% increase in year-over-year comparisons. The Under Contract total in Africa represents a 6.1% decrease in rooms Under Contract compared with February 2016. In the In Construction phase, Africa reported 29,084 rooms in 159 hotels. Based on number of rooms, that is a 1.6 per cent decrease in year-over-year comparisons.

The Rezidor Hotel Group has marked a new milestone in its history by appointing its first Saudi female General Manager in the company and the hospitality industry. Maram Kokandi will be the General Manager of a new Park Inn by Radisson hotel in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, scheduled to open later this year. The appointment complements the Saudi Vision 2030 launched last year, which emphasizes the significance of Saudi women and their role in leading the development of both social and professional growth of the Kingdom. Wolfgang M. Neumann, President & CEO, The Rezidor Hotel Group, said, “We are very proud to be part of this historic appointment. We are committed to empowering our women in leadership at Rezidor, and this announcement is a momentous achievement, not only for our group but for the hospitality industry worldwide. We are confident that this milestone, the appointment of the first Saudi female General Manager, will inspire other women across the region to pursue their career aspirations in hospitality.” Kokandi studied hospitality management in the United Kingdom before moving back to the Middle East region, taking up various hospitality roles in Saudi Arabia. She takes on the responsibility of launching the new Park Inn by Radisson Jeddah Madinah Road as its General Manager.

Emaar Properties has unveiled a collection of branded residences in Dubai Marina that overlook the Arabian Gulf. Located in levels 14 to 56 to maximise views, Vida Residences Dubai Marina has only 360 one to four-bedroom apartments that take inspiration from Dubai Marina’s nautical legacy. As part of the Vida Dubai Marina Hotel, residences and Yacht Club, they will have within reach an assortment of lifestyle amenities and marine pursuits. The residences share a range of amenities with the Vida Hotel, an upscale, contemporary hotel brand that brings a trendy and chic boutique-style approach and delivers stimulating environments for the new generation of business executives, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers. Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director of Emaar Properties, said: “Vida Residences Dubai Marina offers a distinctive lifestyle choice for residents who prefer waterfront living in a central location. With its focus on the nautical heritage of Dubai Marina, the homes are ideally suited as first homes for long-stays or as a holiday home, thus appealing to both UAE-based and international investors. Dubai Marina is one of the vibrant lifestyle destinations in the city and our new residences bring exceptional value for customers.”