Category Archives: Hotels

Marriott International has revealed the details of the United Arab Emirates’ first Renaissance Hotel. It is set to open at the end of 2016; the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai will be a 298-room luxury hotel aimed at business and leisure travellers who seek both authentic and unexpected experiences. Details of the brand’s UAE debut come as the travel company plans to open an additional four hotels in the country throughout 2016. Amongst the 2016 openings are Abu Dhabi’s first Marriott Hotel, the 315-room five-star Marriott Hotel Downtown Abu Dhabi as well as the 64-suite Marriott Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi. Further strengthening Marriott International’s luxury lifestyle offering, scheduled 2016 openings also include the 86-room La Ville Hotel CITY WALK Dubai, Autograph Collection, the 68-suite La Ville Apartments CITY WALK, Dubai and 500-room Lapita Hotel, Autograph Collection, all set to open by the fourth quarter of this year.

In line with its aim of attracting new markets, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman will take part in the roadshow in East Europe organised by UAE National Council of Tourism and Antiquities. The week-long roadshow will cover the cities of Prague, Czech Republic; Warsaw, Poland; and Budapest, Hungary. The delegation seeks to reinforce the UAE’s position as the leading travel destination in the Middle East, by showcasing the diverse offerings and attractions of the seven emirates. Iftikhar Hamdani, Cluster General Manager, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman and Ramada Beach Hotel Ajman, commented that they are keen to diversify the guest nationality mix by tapping tourists from East Europe in their properties. As these markets have excellent potential; they have seen an increase in arrivals from Hungary and Poland in 2015, and they have already started to sign contracts with some tour operators for the summer period.  Currently there is a robust competition within the hospitality sector therefore they will continue to explore new markets to maintain their strong performance.

Contributing to the growing of mid-market segment, Al Khoory Hotels has announced their expansion plans. In addition to existing properties such as the Al Khoory Hotel Apartments in Al Barsha and Al Khoory Executive Hotel in Al Wasl; Al Khoory Hotels launched their latest mid-market proposition at this month’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with the 227-room Al Khoory Atrium Hotel Al Barsha which is set to open in July 2016. Mohammed M T Khoory, Managing Director, Al Khoory Group, stated that they plan to offer 1,100 rooms in Dubai by end of 2019. During this time, they will explore opportunities internationally and create management contracts with stand-alone properties in the UAE and GCC market, where they can see long term growth opportunities.

At the recently concluded Arabian Travel Market, Mohammed M T Khoory, Managing Director, Al Khoory Group, announced their plans to open 1100 rooms in Dubai by end of 2019, where they will start to explore opportunities internationally and foresee to create management contracts with stand-alone properties in the UAE and GCC market for long-term growth opportunities. Al Khoory Atrium Hotel in Al Barsha is set to open in July 2016 with 227 rooms. The hotel is in short distance from the upcoming Expo 2020 site, Jebel Ali port and the free zone areas. The property also offers meeting rooms with banquet and conference facilities for up to 70 people. All hotels within the group are dry, serve Halal food and have a no smoking policy, making it a family friendly hotel.

Emaar Hospitality Group has marked the opening of the first Rove Hotel – Rove Downtown Dubai. It is the first property under Rove Hotels, a joint venture by Emaar and Meraas, a Dubai-based holding company. The 420-room Rove Downtown Dubai exemplifies all the core values that Rove Hotels will bring to Dubai, as the first of ten planned hotels operational in the city by 2020, seven of which have already been announced. Just about 20 minutes from Dubai International Airport and located right next to Downtown Dubai, Rove Downtown Dubai celebrates the very pulse of modern Dubai, with its unique approach to delivering high quality hospitality experiences that transcend typical value hotel norms. Chris Newman, Corporate Director of Operations at Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Rove Downtown Dubai marks the beginning of a new journey for us, inspired by the city of Dubai, past, present and future. It delivers up-to-date convenience packaged in a thoughtfully developed hotel concept that complements Dubai’s booming tourism sector, which welcomes visitors from across the globe.”

Thailand-based hospitality group Dusit International has announced the launch of its dusitD2 brand in the United Arab Emirates this July with the opening of the dusitD2 Kenz Dubai. The hotel joins the Dusit Residence Dubai Marina as the second property launched in the Emirate with local partner Al Masar Holdings. The hotel offers 237 modern and sleek guestrooms and suites complemented by Dusit’s signature Thai service. Guests enjoy plush high-thread count linens, free Wi-Fi access, a state-of-the-art digital media hub with universal power outlets and LED TV screens with a built-in sound bar in each guest room. Located in the TECOM district of Dubai facing Sheikh Zayed Road, the dusitD2 Kenz Dubai is an upscale hotel that caters to business and leisure travellers. The hotel is located directly next to Dubai Internet City Metro Station, with major leisure and business destinations such as Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai international Airport, Dubai Marina and Dubai Mall within easy reach. Popular attractions including Marina Beach, Jumeirah Beach and Wild Wadi Water Park are also nearby.