Category Archives: Hotels

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.

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has launched Jumeirah Central, an urban mixed-use city district expected to become a comprehensive model for future urban planning in Dubai and around the world. The all-season city district will comprise 9 million sq ft of retail space including three malls, 4.5 sqft of outdoor shopping space and supported by more than 44,000 car parking spaces. A unique tourism destination, Jumeriah Central will offer 7,200 hotel rooms; the largest number of hotel rooms centred in one district. The district will be home to 35,000 residents and will host 100,000 people annually. It will be connected by a comprehensive cycling network that spans over 33 parks and open spaces. Commenting on the announcement, H.H. Al Maktoum said: “As our vision for future cities evolves, Dubai will continue to set the benchmark for city development across the globe. Jumeriah Central is a clear milestone in our journey towards building the city of the future and the creation of engaged and happy communities. We will not stop investing in our economy, and these projects are tools to expedite that journey of growth. We are confident in the strength of our economy and are optimistic for the future of our nation. To that end, our vision will continuously evolve and expand.” The Jumeirah Central masterplan is a product of the collaborative work of over 19 government and private agencies, international experts and consultants under the leadership of Dubai Holding over the last two years. Jumeirah Central will have smart world-leading infrastructure that includes a multi-modal transport network, environmentally-friendly transport options and aerial gondolas. The district, …

Dubai-based luxury property developer Seven Tides returns to Cityscape Global, which takes place from September 6-8, 2016, at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC), with an update on construction of the newest addition to its luxury hospitality and residential portfolio, DUKES Dubai. Seven Tides’ executives will also share details of demand for its high-end collection of Palm Jumeirah apartment developments, with both the Anantara The Palm Dubai Residences and DUKES Dubai hotel apartments almost sold out. “We are now really seeing the building begin to develop its unique personality, and this is a milestone moment for Seven Tides as we can begin to count down to handover at the end of the year,” said Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides. The five-star DUKES Dubai marks the first international property for the DUKES Collections brand, the flagship DUKES London has long been a popular destination for GCC travelers. DUKES Dubai will add a distinctly English flavour to the city’s current premium hospitality offering with 279 hotel rooms and 227 hotel-managed studios and one-bedroom apartments. According to the latest progress report, the project, which is centrally located on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah, is now more than 83% complete and on schedule for a Q4 2016 handover. DEWA and MPOWER services will be connected at the beginning of September with all excavations, shoring, piling and structural works completed, and HVAC, electric, plumbing and fire & safety works 80% complete. In addition, 90 per cent of block, drywall and cladding works have been finished with 60 per cent of the residence’ balconies completed and overall general finishing works at the halfway mark, and 50 per cent complete.  

Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, has soft launched The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City. The hotel is the second Westin hotel to open in Dubai and the largest Westin hotel across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Rising to 41 storeys and located on Sheikh Zayed Road, it promises travellers a whole new level of active wellness from check-in to check-out. The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City features 1,004 well-appointed guestrooms, including 142 suites. All rooms and suites feature the world-renowned Westin Heavenly® Bed and dedicated Sleep Well Menu, invigorating rainforest shower and separate Heavenly bathtub, along with Westin’s signature bath amenities – to reinforce the concept of rejuvenation and ensure an unwinding experience. Offering a sensory welcome, the hotel’s lobby and interiors have been inspired by the region’s Hajar Mountains and feature stylised motifs of the Art Deco movement. The two-bedroom Heavenly Suite is located on the 40th floor with floor-to-ceiling windows framing captivating views of Dubai Water Canal and Sheikh Zayed Road. As the hotel’s top suite, this is a 425sqm sanctuary with king size Westin Heavenly® beds to ensure unsurpassed comfort. The spacious living area offers comfortable seating for up to 14 guests and includes a bar counter, while the kitchen extends into a dining room with a 10-seat dining table and separate majlis area. The suite also includes a separate entertainment room with a media wall and pool table. “Together with Al Habtoor Group, we are excited to deliver Westin’s well-being promise to guests at Starwood’s largest hospitality project in the Middle East,” said Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “This opening reaffirms Westin is on …

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has announced the signing of three new properties in the UAE. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront will open its doors during Q1-2017, followed by the Park Inn by Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island in Q2-2017, while the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Canal View will then welcome guests from Q1-2018. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront is located within Business Bay known as Dubai Water Canal, the new business district of Dubai. The property will comprise 432 rooms including designer suites. It will offer several dining experiences, including one all-day dining restaurant and bar with stunning views of the Burj Khalifa – the tallest skyscraper in the world – a Makar Scottish bar and the brand’s signature FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar. Guests will also appreciate the pool and the spa. The property will also address local and international business guests with meeting and conferencing facilities on a surface of over 1,000 sqm. Also located on the Dubai Water Canal in the city’s new hub of Business Bay, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Canal View has an ideal central location. It comprises 188 stylish rooms and 16 suites, a meeting and conference area on a surface of 131 sqm, a business center and a 341sqm banquet hall. Guest will also enjoy one of Radisson Blu’s signature Food & Drink concepts in its four restaurants, one coffee shop, a selection of shops, a gymnasium on a total surface of 181sqm, and exceptional views of the Burj Khalifa. In the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Rezidor is adding its first the Park Inn by Radisson Resort on Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island. Meaning “headland of …