Category Archives: Hotels

Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA will be taking over operations of Mafraq Hotel Abu Dhabi and reflagging it as Millennium Central Mafraq as of January 1, 2020. Comprised of 242 rooms and apartments featuring modern Arabic décor and unmatched essence of traditional Arabian hospitality, the hotel is the second property to join the newest brand addition to Millennium Hotels & Resorts portfolio ‘Millennium Central’. ‘Millennium Central’ is created with a focus on the details that makes a difference to its guests’ stay – what makes it convenient, efficient and enjoyable. The brand pillars focus on location, quality, convenience and urban living with an emphasis on centrally located properties that embody all the standards of excellence and consistency from an international hotel brand and yet retain an independent spirit. Kevork Deldelian, Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, said, “We are delighted to announce the second hotel that will operate under Millennium Central brand after Millennium Central Downtown in Dubai. Millennium Central Mafraq is perfectly set to attract both leisure and business travellers and comes in line with our strategic expansion plan to double our portfolio within the upcoming five years.” Abdulla Mohamed Almazrouei, Chairman of The National Investor, said, “Our company aims to develop leading luxurious and cosmopolitan projects that are environmentally and culturally friendly, and we look forward to a great relationship with Millennium Hotels and Resorts to bring to light innovative concepts that provide an exceptional experience to our guests.”

Copthorne Kuwait City Hotel is to be rebranded to Millennium Central Downtown Kuwait starting from January 2019. Focusing on essential hospitality pillars such as location, quality, convenience and urban living, the launch of Millennium Central in Kuwait comes in line with Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA plans that aim to redefine the guest’s experience positively and thus increase brand loyalty. ‘Millennium Central’ is a new brand introduced to Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA portfolio this year to emphasis the distinctive features of centrally located properties that embody all the standards of excellence and consistency from an international hotel brand and yet retain an independent spirit. The new brand is set to highlight features such as a unique location; a hassle-free and prime quality service, convenience to work and unwind at the same time; unique spaces for business meetings, creative brainstorming or social gatherings; and convenient meal options like food on the go. Millennium Central’s tailor-made services will cater to the needs of frequent business travellers looking for a short stay that is approximate of major commercial, business and trade hubs. Alaa Selim, General Manager at Millennium Central Downtown Kuwait, said, “We look forward to providing excellent services and to go beyond our guests’ expectations in term of quality as we have always done. We will strive further to position Millennium Central Downtown Kuwait as a destination of choice for business and leisure travellers alike.”

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched its second voco hotel voco Al Khobar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in partnership with KSA-based developer Wasata Al Wosta Real Estate Co. offering a spacious, modern, stylish and unstuffy hotel experience for guests, voco Al Khobar boasts 130 rooms, embodies the characteristics of voco with exclusive features and distinctive hallmarks, setting it apart for a memorable stay. Every guest will experience the voco signature ‘come on in’ warm welcome, promising a swift and simple check in, with every room equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, smart TVs, executive desks and in-room refreshments. So guests can relax and indulge in some ‘me time’ when they stay at voco. For those looking for an alternative space for meetings, the hotel offers all the facilities to cater to a wide range of events with 11 meeting spaces from  small and smart meetings, workshops, weddings and banquets, while also fitting up to 410 guests at Al Sultana ballroom. The hotel is an ideal destination for those wanting to escape the hectic city life and unwind in a haven of ultimate relaxation. The impressive health club also features a spa, with five lush treatment rooms, an indoor pool, and two fully equipped fitness centres, assigned separately for men and women. M. Allaf, Area General Manager – IHG, said, “Whether guests are staying or dining, we look forward to giving everyone a warm welcome when they arrive at voco Al Khobar. We want all of our guests to take a moment for themselves to recharge and unwind and enjoy the personal service the voco brand is renowned for.”

The Ramada by Wyndham Dubai Deira Hotel, situated in the heart of the Dubai’s historical and cultural district of Deira was opened on December 23, 2019. Perfect for visitors looking to fill their suitcases with the latest fashion and trends. The hotel is now taking bookings and boasts 173 impressive bedrooms and suites, one restaurant to cater to all your dining needs and a fabulous roof top pool with a view of old Dubai and beyond. The hotel restaurant, Tokyo Tokyo Central, is a stylish Japanese eatery offering guests the chance to experience authentic Japanese cuisine. Located on the ground floor of the hotel, Tokyo Tokyo Central offers an international buffet breakfast and a traditional Japanese Izakaya for lunch and dinner and signature Japanese dishes including prawn tempura, beef misono, tonkatsu bento and ramen, all while surrounded by beautiful decor of Ukiyo-e paintings, hanging wooden umbrellas, and Japanese cartoon and comic posters. Only 10 minutes away from Dubai International Airport and a few steps away from the Salah Al Din metro station, the Ramada by Wyndham is the ideal spot for tourists looking to enjoy a fun filled vacation or business travellers looking for a comfy place to lay their head between meetings. So, whether it’s a night away with friends, a trip of a lifetime or being away from family for work, the Ramada by Wyndham will become your home away from home!

Hilton announced the opening of three hotels at Al Seef in Dubai under three of its industry-leading brands. In partnership with Dubai-based holding company Meraas and under the terms of the agreement, Hilton will operate Hampton by Hilton Dubai Al Seef, Canopy by Hilton Dubai Al Seef and Al Seef Heritage Hotel Dubai, Curio Collection by Hilton. Owned by Meraas, the three hotels, which originally opened in 2018, are located at Al Seef, the bustling waterfront destination by Meraas, along the shore of Dubai Creek, and are now open under these Hilton brands. Commenting on the opening of these hotels, Rudi Jagersbacher, Hilton’s President for Middle East, Africa and Turkey said, “We are delighted to be adding these three spectacular hotels to our portfolio here in Dubai. Reflecting the best of both old and new Dubai, they are perfectly suited to our brand portfolio and are great additions to our existing properties in the city.” Mukesh Sodani, Deputy CEO of Meraas, said, “To be collaborating with three Hilton brands is a testament to the diversity of the hospitality portfolio that we have developed and delivered over the past decade in Dubai. It’s also another example of how we continue to enhance the hospitality sector in Dubai and contribute to achieving the Emirate’s Tourism Vision 2020. We are delighted to have Hilton as the new operator of our hotels and have confidence that the contribution will strengthen not only the services that we offer, but also the overall performance of the business.”

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, will be welcoming 80 new Arabian Sand Gazelles, to the stunning nature reserve until the end of 2019, increasing the resort’s population of gazelles to more than 135 gazelles. Relocated from the Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert resort was selected as the new home for these beautiful creatures due to its ideal habitat for flora and fauna, as well as its current thriving gazelle and oryx population. The extensive natural underground water reserve helps to sustain a vast bio-diversity of wildlife, whilst the cooler climate enables this indigenous species to flourish. The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, is a protected nature reserve spanning 500 hectares (1,235 acres) and is home to a range of diverse wildlife living freely around the resort. From more than 50 different species of birds, falcons, and owls, to camels, Arabian oryx, and beautiful sand gazelles, guests can experience the breath-taking scenery of the secluded nature reserve whilst taking part in exceptional experiences with nature. “We are proud to drive and develop a sustainable eco-system that grows day-by-day integrating Al Wadi Desert with its surroundings. Guests are looking more and more for transformational experiences that have a positive impact on the world and by staying at our property, they are contributing to a rich conservation and sustainable development effort that spans the emirate and confirms Ras al Khaimah as the Gulf Tourism Capital. The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, has become a true destination in itself “where nature and luxury unite,” said Ross Park, Director of Sales and Marketing The Ritz-Carlton Ras al Khaimah, Al Wadi …

Jannah Hotels & Resorts revealed its latest openings and developments on a press conference recently. The conference was headed by the CEO of Jannah Hotels & Resorts, Richard Haddad along with media attendees. He addressed the expansion of the Jannah brand with the opening of the new and upscale 4-star property in Dubai, Jannah Dubai Creekside, this February 2020 and the upcoming launch of Jannah Ras Al Khor in 2022. These openings have established the presence of Jannah Hotels & Resorts in the World Travel Market in London to reach the international market as they participate in an international exhibition. As they vouched to continue the success from UAE, Jannah Hotels & Resorts have started the ongoing expansion talk with Tajakistan to stretch the scope of the luxurious brand to the Central Asia. Following the market trend of training hospitality professionals, Jannah Hotels & Resorts also announced development in hospitality practice with partnership to Typsy. The alliance is set to provide a convenient way of training staff in an advanced approach as they offer Applications available on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones for easy access whenever and wherever they want. With these latest additions and advancements, Jannah Hotels & Resorts is confident to maintain being the best leisure destination for a perfect staycation of travellers, long-term visitors, and corporate business travellers in the UAE and soon around the world.

Nepal’s CG Corp Global has been in Dubai through its business vertical for over 15 years, and the multinational is a major shareholder in the recently launched Taj Jumeirah Lake Towers. With this investment, CG Hospitality has established its headquarters in Dubai to cover the Middle East, Europe and Africa markets. Poised to be one of the most iconic hotels in CG Hospitality’s portfolio, the hotel will also be the first in the world where Nepal’s national flag will fly proudly, permanently. Taj JLT Dubai is a timeless combination of century-old legacy and luxury woven together with contemporary sensibilities and quintessential Indian heritage. With Taj JLT Dubai, CG Hospitality brings luxury and ethical benchmarks to the UAE, and the iconic hotel will set a new benchmark in ‘Business Luxury’ in the region’s hospitality sector. With footprints in 20 countries around the world, CG Corp Global is a multinational conglomerate, spanning four generations. The global conglomerate’s journey started in 1933 and it is currently Nepal’s first and only billion-dollar corporation listed by Forbes.

Alshaya Group announced plans to bring the Canopy by Hilton hotel brand to Kuwait, offering locals and visitors alike a fresh guest experience. Canopy by Hilton Kuwait will be located on Arabian Gulf Street in the popular Bneid Al-Gar area, and guests will enjoy stunning views of the Gulf and benefit from easy access to downtown Kuwait City. Development of the hotel will start shortly, with the opening planned for late 2022. Canopy by Hilton hotels are inspired by their surroundings and feature open flowing spaces, abundant natural light and design cues from the local neighbourhood. “Canopy by Hilton responds to a growing customer preference for upscale hotels that fit authentically into local neighbourhoods and cultures,” said Rudi Jagersbacher, President – Middle East, Africa and Turkey, Hilton.  “We can tick all the boxes with our plans to bring the brand to Kuwait – with a great location in a great neighbourhood, and a trusted partner in Alshaya Group.” Commenting on the announcement, James Tynan, President of Hospitality at Alshaya Group said, “Canopy by Hilton is an exciting young hotel brand which is already attracting international attention for its unique guest offerings. We think the brand is a perfect fit for the Kuwait market and look forward to welcoming guests when our doors open in 2022”.

Nakheel’s second hotel at Dragon City – a 304-room Premier Inn – is now open, marking another key milestone in the developer’s hospitality business strategy. Premier Inn Dragon City, located just steps away from the world-famous Dragon Mart and its 5,000 shops, restaurants and attractions, was officially opened on December 12 by Ali Rashid Lootah, Chairman of Nakheel and Alison Brittain, Chief Executive Officer of Whitbread, the UK’s largest hospitality company and owner of the Premier Inn brand.   The eight-storey hotel features a 320-seater restaurant, a Costa Coffee shop, a fully-equipped gym and meeting facilities. It is the fourth Nakheel hotel to be delivered, coming hot on the heels of the inauguration last week of its second hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall. Premier Inn also operates Nakheel’s first hotel at Ibn Battuta, opened in 2016. Ali Rashid Lootah said, “Today marks another milestone for Nakheel, Dragon City and Dubai as we deliver the fourth hotel in our hospitality project portfolio, and the second at this globally-renowned destination. We are confident that this new hotel will be a big hit with Dragon City’s 40 million annual visitors, who come from the UAE, GCC and beyond to shop and trade at this world-famous destination.” Brittain said, “Having been part of the UAE hospitality landscape for more than a decade, it’s a true testament to the quality of Premier Inn that we are able to open our eighth hotel in the region. Our hotel at Dragon City marks the second in our strategic partnership with Nakheel, following the successful launch of Premier Inn Ibn Battuta Mall in 2016.”