Category Archives: Hotels

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced to bring Regent into its brand portfolio at the top end of the luxury segment and will accelerate its growth globally. It has agreed to acquire a 51 per cent stake in Regent Hotels and Resorts for $39 million in cash. IHG’s intention is to grow the brand from six hotels today to over 40 hotels in key global gateway city and resort locations over the long term. The Regent brand has set the benchmark for luxury hotels globally since it was founded in 1970. It has a world-renowned heritage, built around the elegant, timeless design of its hotels and rooted in its focus on delivering a truly unique and superior luxury experience for guests. The acquisition of Regent is part of one of IHG’s new strategic initiatives focused on continuing to expand its footprint in the fast-growing $60 billion luxury segment.  This initiative is supported by the creation of a new dedicated division to further enhance capabilities in this area and will be funded by IHG’s efficiency programme. IHG also announced that following an extensive refurbishment due to commence in early 2020, InterContinental Hong Kong will become a Regent Hotel in early 2021.

StayWell Holdings announced the expansion of its Park Regis brand into Bahrain with the opening of the country’s first Park Regis hotel in the city of Manama (Juffair). Centrally located in Bahrain’s capital of Manama, Park Regis Lotus Hotel has easy access to the diplomatic area and Bahrain Bay in Manama. The 19-storey hotel offers 164 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, an onsite fitness centre with 24-hour gymnasium and lap pool, and state-of-the-art business facilities. With entertainment front of mind, Park Regis Lotus Hotel boasts an array of premium onsite restaurant and bar options including buffet breakfast and casual dining, a patisserie and tearoom, and a roof top café. Simon Wan, President & Director, StayWell Holdings, said, “Alongside our parent company, Prince Hotels & Resorts, StayWell Holdings is in the midst of an exciting rapid development programme with plans to expand both brands internationally, with a current focus on the Middle East. Opening the Park Regis Lotus Hotel in Bahrain is an exciting achievement for StayWell to further cement its Park Regis brand in the region, with two Park Regis hotels already operating in Dubai and a further two under development for the Middle East”

Atlantis Sanya, the flagship resort on Hainan Island, opened its doors in time for Chinese New Year and welcomed its first guests. Located on the Haitang Bay National Coast, Atlantis Sanya is the first Atlantis resort in China, joining the flagship Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai as well as The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residences in Dubai and Atlantis, Ko Olina in Hawaii, both currently in development. Serge Zaalof, Chief Operating Officer, Atlantis Resorts & Residences comments, “The Atlantis brand is known for unique, ocean-themed destinations offering a wide variety of entertainment experiences and Atlantis Sanya is no exception. The owner, Fosun International, is an incredible partner and together we have created a resort that offers unprecedented experiences to its guests.” “Following an intense development period by a team of approximately 3,000 colleagues, we are proud to introduce Atlantis Sanya to our guests. When you combine 1,314 guestrooms including 154 suites, five of which are underwater suites, impeccable design from talents like Jeffrey Beers International and Hirsch Bedner Associates Design, and an incredible water adventure at Aquaventure Waterpark, we know we are giving people unparalleled experiences to Hainan Island and China, that only Atlantis can deliver”, adds Heiko Schreiner, Managing Director, Atlantis Sanya.”

Rotana once again strengthens its hub in Dubai by opening its latest five-star property and hotel apartments overlooking the Dubai Creek. Al Bandar Rotana consists of 190 rooms and suites in addition to Club Rotana rooms with additional benefits including an Executive Lounge and personalised services. Designed to suit the needs of long-stay visitors, Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana offers 90 fully-furnished studios and apartments with options ranging from spacious studios to three-bedroom apartments. The rooms, suites and apartments, which offer expansive views of the creek, are all equipped with modern technology and home comforts. In addition to a Business Centre, the properties offer six state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment to cater to a wide range of occasions. Mohammed Al Badie Bin Youan Al Dhaeri, Chairman, Al Ain Ahlia Insurance Company, said, “With its solid business growth and strong portfolio, Rotana has established its name as the bellwether of the region’s hospitality industry.” “With its vibrant economy and thriving tourism sector, Dubai has always been a favourable market for the hospitality sector to flourish and it still promises a brighter future for the sector with occupied room nights forecasted to reach 35.5 million annually in 2019,” said Guy Hutchinson, Chief Operating Officer, Rotana.

Continuing its expansion in the GCC, Swiss-Belhotel International has entered into a management agreement with Al Salaam International Hotel to operate Swiss-Belinn Muscat in Oman. Expected to open in 2019, the three-star hotel enjoys an outstanding location in Seeb in close proximity to Muscat International Airport. Equipped with 120 standard rooms and 10 varieties of suites, Swiss-Belinn Muscat is being developed to offer its guests a comprehensive range of facilities including an all-day-dining restaurant, flexible meeting and conference venues, gym, Wi-Fi access and 24-hours room service. Given its fantastic location near the airport, the hotel will serve as the perfect abode for transit passengers looking for stop-overs and airline crews as well as corporate travellers on a short visit to Oman or those facing unexpected flight halts.

Al Marjan Island showcased investment opportunities within the flagship development owned by the Ras Al Khaimah Government and in the Emirate at the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin, held from March 5 to 7, 2018. This further builds on the record growth in tourist arrivals to Ras Al Khaimah in 2017, with the number of tourists gaining 19 per cent over 2016. According to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Germany, Russia, the UK and India were the top international source markets. Hotel occupancy also recorded growth to 73.6 per cent with the average length of stay increasing by 2.71 per cent to 3.41 days. Al Marjan Island is a Patron of the premier hotel industry event to be attended by over 2,000 senior hospitality investors and professionals from over 80 countries, and will highlight the remarkable evolution of the master-planned destination that will feature beachside resorts, branded and non-branded residences and leisure attractions. The development pipeline and the long-term expansion plans for the destination will be presented to underline the investment opportunities offered for the hotel industry within the development. At Al Marjan Island, international investors can purchase land plots with development rights. The infrastructure for the land is already developed under a plug-and-play model. Most of the plots are designated for residential units, boutique hotels, resort hotels, community facilities and retail.

Global luxury hospitality company Jumeirah has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi United Hospitality LLC to develop Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort in Abu Dhabi. Expected to welcome guests from September 2018, Al Wathba Desert Resort will be developed by Abu Dhabi United Hospitality and operated by Jumeirah. A luxurious, quintessential Arabian-style hotel set in the desert, 50 km to the south east of Abu Dhabi in the Al Wathba District, Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort will be a key addition to Abu Dhabi’s and UAE’s luxury hospitality offering. Spread over an area of more than 20,000 metres square, it will comprise 90 hotel rooms and 13 villas, with complementary premium facilities including all-day-dining, pool and rooftop bars, Talise spa and an offsite desert camp along with other leisure options as well as conference and meeting facilities. Marc Dardenne, Chief Operating Officer, Jumeirah, said: “Growing the Jumeirah portfolio is one of our strategic priorities. Jumeirah Al Wathba Desert Resort will be the 12th luxury Jumeirah hotel in the UAE and this project offers Jumeirah an opportunity to showcase our Arabian hospitality. We are confident the resort will be an outstanding destination and will further boost tourism in the emirate.”

A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises LLC welcomed the opening of the four-star Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah, an addition to the growing number of  mid-market properties in the UAE. In support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah’s vision to increase investments in the Emirate, the new Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah was inaugurated in the presence of HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority. The event was attended by Faisal Al Moosa, representing AA Al Moosa Enterprises, owner of the Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah, dignitaries, VIPs, corporate guests and the media. The hotel is managed by Wyndham Hotel Group. The property which is previously known as the Ramada Sharjah has recently undergone extensive renovations and upgrade. The hotel now features 343 rooms and suites that will cater to all kinds of business and leisure travellers.

Tourists can now expect to experience a one-of-a-kind shopping destination on their visit to Dubai during the latter part of the year as the emirate is building one of the most exclusive malls in the world with a 365 day miracle garden in the centre. According to Fahimuddin Sharfuddin, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, Cityland Group, “With consistent progress on both the construction and leasing side, we look forward to launching Cityland Mall during the fourth quarter of this year and add a unique dimension in terms of retail to the UAE market. We are working to conclude the leasing activities by adding an additional 30 per cent of leased retail space by year-end.” In terms of construction, 60 per cent of the project has been completed as of February 2018. By the end of Q2, 2018 the site will be open for most of the mall tenants to come in and commence their fit-out works. The landscaping contract for Central Park has been awarded to Miracle Garden Landscaping, the company behind the world-class landscaped projects such as Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Butterfly Garden. The 200,000 sq.ft. Central Park will provide a unique experience for shoppers and has been designed to accommodate 7,000 shoppers at a time in its vast expanse.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed up with Dur Hospitality for a franchise agreement of Crowne Plaza Riyadh Palace, under the master franchise agreement signed earlier for four hotels. Currently operating as Riyadh Palace Hotel, the property is expected to be rebranded to Crowne Plaza by June 2018. The hotel totals to 304 rooms, over 1400 sqm of meeting space, a business centre along with an outdoor pool, lounge and a spa. It offers a range of authentic and contemporary cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant and at the Lobby Café. Ahdab, President, Hotel Operations—Dur Hospitality said, “We are delighted to partner with IHG yet again, for their world-class brand Crowne Plaza, making this our second hotel with them, following the opening of Holiday Inn, Tabuk. Riyadh has solidified itself as a commercial hub, attracting business travellers from domestic and international markets.” “Incorporating an element of French design, the hotel is strategically located in the Ministries Area, a popular business district, making it an ideal and convenient location for the business community”, he further added.