Category Archives: Hotels

Marriott International, Inc. has continued to pursue an ambitious growth strategy across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region announcing an impressive 14 new property signings so far in 2016. The signings will add to Marriott International’s current operating portfolio of 147 hotels in 20 countries across the Middle East and Africa, with the company also confirmed to open 11 new properties across the region by the end of this year. The latest collection of signings will see Marriott International expand its Middle East footprint by eight properties across the UAE, Egypt, Qatar and Kuwait, encompassing the Marriott Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott Executive Apartments, Residence Inn by Marriott and Protea Hotels by Marriott brands. The company has also announced further growth to its African pipeline with the signing of six new properties under the JW Marriott Hotels, Autograph Collection and Protea Hotels by Marriott brands. Within the Middle East, Marriott International currently operates a total of 40 properties spanning eight brands. Today’s announcement will add a further five properties to Marriott International’s UAE presence as well as one property each in Egypt, Qatar and Kuwait. In Africa, Marriott International’s acquisition of Protea Hospitality Holding in 2014 is continuing to yield positive returns as the company signs a further six hotels in 2016 adding 1,040 rooms to its Africa pipeline. That pipeline will include two properties in Uganda and one property each in Nairobi, Botswana, Zambia and South Africa. Amongst the signed properties is a JW Marriott brand hotel in Nairobi and an Autograph Collection hotel in South Africa. Aside from the 14 new property signings in 2016, Marriott International has also confirmed that 11 new properties are set to …

Louvre Hotels Group, one of the largest hospitality groups in the world, has announced further expansion of its regional portfolio with today’s opening of a new 3-star hotel in the UAE – the Tulip Inn Ras Al Khaimah. Located in the heart of the city, with convenient proximity to the central business district and just minutes from Ras Al Khaimah’s famed beachfront locations, Tulip Inn offers 104 spacious and modern rooms and suites along with state-of-the-art business facilities and an elegant selection of restaurants and cafes to meet the needs of families as well as business travellers. Tulip Inn Ras Al Khaimah offers guests comfortable and well-equipped rooms and a comprehensive range of business facilities including three meeting rooms equipped with the latest audio and video technologies, complemented by top-quality dining options and impeccable service. With facilities and services that go beyond segment standards, Tulip Inn Ras Al Khaimah is poised to enhance the midscale value proposition as guests now have a modern and affordable hotel that ticks all the boxes for a comfortable stay. Tulip Inn Ras Al Khaimah is the first of many ventures between Louvre Hotels Group and Action Hotels Limited; one of the pioneers in the midscale hospitality sector, with already the Tulip Inn Jeddah confirmed to open soon among others in the pipeline.

As the excitement begins, Dubai Parks and Resorts announced the daily ticket prices for the theme park destination which will open on October 31 this year. Pre-purchased standard adult tickets will range from AED 240 to AED 330 for a one-day single park ticket, and will range from AED 480 to AED 890 for a multiple parks multiple days’ ticket. This unique destination is comprised of three theme parks – Bollywood Parks Dubai, MOTIONGATE Dubai, and LEGOLAND Dubai, together with the LEGOLAND Water Park. Guests will have access to nearly 100 exciting rides, attractions and shows on opening day at the destination located on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite the Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai.The gateway to the destination is Riverland Dubai, offering over 50 themed retail, dining, and entertainment experiences set across a waterfront district which is free for all to enjoy. The destination also hosts the Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian themed family hotel. Online ticket sales will go live shortly. Dubai Parks and Resorts will also feature a VIP ticket priced at AED 1,500 per park per day that will give guests a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to Q-Fast front of line access, a personal tour guide, discounts on food and beverage and retail purchases.  Regular daily ticket holders will be able to purchase the Q-Fast line access separately to enjoy reduced waiting time on rides and attractions, prices of the Q-Fast access for each theme park will be announced closer to the opening. Dubai Parks and Resorts will open to the public on 31 October 2016. Annual passes are currently on sale and available at DubaiParksandResorts.com.

Ramy Khairallah has been appointed as the new General Manager of Grand Excelsior Hotel – Al Barsha. With his expertise in revenue management, sales and marketing, he is now entrusted by Bin Haider Hospitality division of Mohammed Omar Bin Haider Group to oversee the daily successful operation of this 230 rooms property as the leading hotel branch of its brand. His previous appointment includes Louvre Hotels Group and Starwood Hotels and Resorts-The Luxury Collections where he stemmed the passion in developing sustainable environment through sharing his ideas of green initiatives.

Binu S. Varghese joins Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai as the new Director of Sales to further develop their growing portfolio of international, regional and national accounts. Varghese served as Executive Assistant Manager of Operations at Wyndham Dubai Marina. His 19 years’ of experience includes seven years with the Wyndham Hotel Group. He has vast experience over the EMA region as well as pre-openings in Bahrain, Tanzania and Ethiopia for the Wyndham Group.

Mahmoud Tabbara has joined Corinthia Hotel Khartoum as Director of Sales and Marketing to lead their team in affirming the property’s position as a leading five-star luxury hotel in Khartoum. A Lebanese national, Tabbara has gained experience within the hospitality sector while holding several senior positions with international hotel chains around the world including, Rotana, IHG, Ritz Carlton and Warwick. Having previously worked in Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Baghdad, he brings with him an extensive knowledge of sales and marketing in the Middle East.

International Swiss hospitality company Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts (MH&R) has appointed Olivier Chavy, as new CEO. Chavy will take over the leadership from Jean-Gabriel Pérès in September 2016. Chavy is a veteran of the hospitality industry with a 28-year track record in hotel operations and brand management. He served as International Head, Global Brand Performance of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands for Hilton Worldwide. His experience in brand building and development in the hospitality industry has led him to his current role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wilson Associates, the leading global interior architectural design firm. Chavy received his Master in Business Administration from Cornell University, a postgraduate diploma from ESSEC Business School and a BA in Hotel Management from Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Hotel Management School in France.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the appointment of Guenter Gebhard as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Bodrum. Guenter Gebhard joined the Group in January 2016 from One & Only Hayman Island. Gebhard brings with him over 20 years of experience in the global luxury hospitality industry, with senior management roles at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort in Morocco, Atlantis the Palm in Dubai, St. Regis, Bangkok and a global role as Director of Operations, Restaurants & Food and Beverage Operations at Jumeirah Group, together with other assignments in the Middle East, Germany and New York. A German national, he speaks a variety of European languages and has a good understanding of Arabic.

Shahzad Butt has been in the hotel industry for 25 years. He was the Cluster General Manager of Chelsea Tower Hotel Apartments and Chelsea Gardens Hotel Apartments, and Group Director of Business Development for Chelsea Group of Hotel and Hotel Apartments in Dubai before joining Ramada Downtown Dubai. He started his career in hospitality with Hilton Worldwide, and later worked with Renaissance and Avari Hotels International, both in Pakistan and the UAE, where he served various positions including Assistant Manager, Regional Sales Manager, and Sales & Marketing Manager. In his role as General Manager, Butt will oversee the day-to-day operations of the 181-key property, ensuring high standards of quality and service in all aspects of guest experience.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has entered Saudi Arabian market with its innovative Aloft brand with the opening of Aloft Riyadh. The property features 281 modern, loft-inspired guest rooms with the brand’s signature offerings, such as an ultra-comfortable plush signature bed and custom amenities.  The hotel offers a variety of food and beverage outlets including Dish, an all-day dining restaurant; Re:fuel, a 24-hour grab & go for light meals; the brand’s signature w xyz lounge, the go-to hang out with a fun social vibe, serving handcrafted drinks and snacks and the trendy Crush rooftop pool café.  Other features at the hotel include a well-equipped Re:charge gym and more than 220 M2 of meeting space across five Tactic rooms. Designed for today’s hyper-connected, tech-forward global traveller, Aloft continues to re-define the traditional hotel experience and strengthen its footprint in the Middle East, following the success of Aloft Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Owned and developed by FAS Hotels, division of Fawal Al Hokair group, Aloft Riyadh offers a vibrant social scene in the dynamic city of Riyadh. “With a portfolio of more than 100 hotels in dynamic destinations around the globe, Aloft continues to be one of the fastest growing hotel brands and is set to open 12 more properties in the Middle East by 2020,” said Brian McGuiness, Global Brand Leader, Specialty Select Brands, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Centrally located at the intersection of Riyadh’s main Olaya Street and Makkah Road, the hotel is in close proximity from the key government ministries, the shopping and restaurants of the downtown core, the National Museum and the Diplomatic Quarter.