Category Archives: Hotels

Emaar Hospitality Group announced that it will open four new hotels in Dubai under its premium luxury Address Hotels + Resorts and upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts, this year. Further, Rove Hotels, the joint venture of Emaar Properties and Meraas, will open a new hotel, further adding to the contemporary midscale hotel choices in the city. Two hotels will open under Address Hotels + Resorts – both in Downtown Dubai: Address Fountain Views and Address Sky View. The new hotels to open under Vida Hotels and Resorts are Vida The Hills and Vida Harbour Point. The new Rove Hotels property to welcome guests this year is Rove At The Park. All the hotels have commenced online booking and the response from guests is strong. Chris Newman, Chief Operating Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said, “The five new hotel openings this year further cement our credentials and competencies as the leading homegrown hospitality provider, welcoming visitors from around the world with a diverse portfolio of hotels that meet their lifestyle aspirations. The new hotels also strengthen our role as the Official Hospitality & Hotel Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, with the city gearing up to welcome over 25 million visits during the six-month period of the much-anticipated event. We are committed to supporting the Dubai Tourism Strategy to welcome 25 million annual visitors by 2025 through our robust portfolio of upcoming hotel projects and will also focus on expanding our geographic footprint through new hotel management agreements.” The hotels to open this year are located in central locations and will appeal to both business and leisure guests, who seek refreshing hospitality experiences in Dubai, one of the world’s top 10 tourist …

BlueBay Hotels, the eleventh Spanish hotel company regarding international presence and the twelfth largest group in terms of hotel rooms, is consolidating its growth in the Middle East with the opening of the Blue Diamond AlSalam Resort (5*GL) in Fujairah (United Arab Emirates). “With this new opening we’re confirming our commitment to high-end tourism in the Middle East, and we’re also strengthening our presence in MENA, where we already have nine hotels in strategic areas such as Dubai, Mecca and Medina. This area is showing strong potential for tourism and is a central element in our current and future growth,”  says Jamal Satli Iglesias, Chairman of BlueBay Hotels. The design of the hotel recovers traditional and luxurious oriental craftsmanship in its details and spaces, along with functionality provided by the western concept, which is something that’s highly demanded by travellers. “The hotel boasts the very latest advanced technology while also maintaining the essence of luxury hotels in the area. Guests may expect to experience an authentic Arab tradition with contemporary touches and spend enjoyable time in an exceptional environment,” explains Ramón Hernández, BlueBay Hotels’ CEO. The resort is one hour drive from the Dubai International Airport and close to major tourist attractions in the emirate. Located on the beachfront, the hotel’s rooms offer tourists the ultimate in luxury and wellness through a harmonious fusion with nature. It has 377 grand luxury rooms and suites, each with a balcony or terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean, offering spectacular views. BlueBay Gourmet offers unforgettable and exotic dining experience featuring a wide variety of international cuisines, prepared by an elite group of global award-winning chefs. The resort boasts several world-class restaurants and cafes specializing …

Hyatt Hotels Corporation officially opened Hyatt Place Dubai/Wasl District, marking the third property under Hyatt’s select service brand portoflio in the United Arab Emirates. The hotel joins Hyatt Place Dubai/Al Rigga and Hyatt Place Dubai/Baniyas Square in increasing the number of contemporary yet affordable hospitality offerings in the city. The opening of the property brings Hyatt hotels in the UAE to 10 properties. Located in the heart of Deira in Old Dubai, the property places guests in close proximity to key landmarks such as the heritage and diving village, the Creek, the famed spice and gold souks as well as numerous retail, dining and entertainment outlets. Furthermore, connectivity is yet another strong suit offered by the location, as Hyatt Place Dubai/Wasl District is close to key metro, dhow cruise and taxi stations. “We look forward to hosting guests both local and international alike as we introduce them to the modern comforts of a Hyatt Place property,” shares Fathi Khogaly, cluster general manager. “The hotel will provide travellers with a unique stay through the design, amenities and warm hospitality offered by the entire team. The decision to introduce a third Hyatt Place property stems from its seamless integration into the city’s contemporary appeal, prioritising consistent development,” said Kurt Straub, vice president of operations, Middle East, Africa and South West Asia. “We’re seeing an increased guest demand for our select service portfolio and as such are meeting these demands across the UAE and KSA. We plan to continue to expand our brand presence across the Middle East, as part of our pipeline of development for the region.” The property offers 202 stylish guestrooms, including 10 suites, with separate spaces to sleep, work …

HotelTonight and Airbnb announced that the acquisition bringing the two companies together has closed. In the first quarter of 2019, the number of room nights booked via HotelTonight increased more than 41 per cent, year-over-year. Airbnb is working to reimagine travel by building an end-to-end travel platform that combines where you stay, what you do, and how you get there, all in one place. HotelTonight is a hotel-booking service focused on making last-minute trips easy and fun, offering travelers seamless, on-demand booking for boutique and independent hotels. Together, HotelTonight and Airbnb will offer guests more choices and make it easier for the world’s best boutique and independent hotels to connect with Airbnb’s global network of guests. The HotelTonight app and website will continue to operate as they do today. Sam Shank, co-founder and CEO, HotelTonight, will lead the boutique hotel category at Airbnb. “When we founded HotelTonight, we sought to reimagine the hotel booking experience to be more simple, fast and fun, and to better connect travellers with the world’s best boutique and independent hotels,” said Shank. “We are delighted to take this vision to new heights as part of Airbnb.” “We want Airbnb to be the place where travellers plan all of their trips, whether they are booking one year or one day in advance,” said Greg Greeley, President of Homes, Airbnb. “The HotelTonight team has a tremendous passion for helping guests and rich industry expertise. We are more than thrilled to have them on board.” The HotelTonight app was designed to delight customers with a truly unique booking experience. The app recently added Daily Drop, a personalised daily deal offering that has been loved by guests and will …

IHG announced the signing of Staybridge Suites Manama Al Seef, marking the debut of the brand in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Expected to open in January 2020, the 128-room extended stay hotel will operate under a management agreement with major developer, Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C. The signing was held with the attendance of H.E. Sheikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) in the headquarters of the Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C. Located in the heart of the capital, Staybridge Suites Manama Al Seef will benefit from proximity to the popular shopping and commercial destination, the Seef District. Guests can also enjoy home-like surroundings and amenities throughout the hotel with a feeling of community including a fully equipped kitchen, spacious suites, large workspaces, complimentary WiFi, a business centre and a fitness centre. Commenting on the signing, H.E. Sheikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, stated, “The development of Staybridge Suites comes in line with BTEA’s strategy which focuses on four pillars, ‘awareness, attraction, access, and accommodation’ in order to attract regional and international visitors, further increasing the tourism sector’s contribution to the national economy.” In a statement on the signing, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said, “The tourism industry in Bahrain is gaining momentum with an increase in leisure and business travellers, especially from the GCC countries, that is resulting in a rising demand for long stay accommodation.” Faisal Faqeeh, Chairman of Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Investment Company S.P.C., added, “The fantastic location combined with the unique offering of Staybridge Suites Manama Al Seef, make it the ideal choice for travellers looking for a home …

In the run up to Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, Jannah Hotels & Resorts, the UAE’s leading luxury halal hotel brand, has announced that it is expanding its footprint in the UAE by adding two new properties to its current portfolio. Jannah Dubai Creek, a new four-star upscale hotel in Dubai is scheduled to open its doors to the public in September 2019. The 138-room hotel will feature five food and beverage outlets, a private swimming pool, gym and spa as well as a multitude of innovative features, including a seamless check-in experience, highlighting Jannah’s continued focus on technology. The popular hotel chain is also opening a 57-storey property in Sharjah in 2022.  Located in one of the most exciting areas of the city, world-class amenities at Jannah Ras Al Khor will include a private swimming pool, state-of-the-art health club, children’s play area, cafes and restaurants. These strategic and exciting developments will be showcased at the Jannah stand at ATM 2019, according to Richard Haddad, CEO of Jannah Burj Al Sarab Hotel. “Strategic locations, coupled with Jannah’s unparalleled Arabian hospitality and some very symbiotic partnerships, have helped the brand register phenomenal growth in the past few years. At ATM 2019, we look forward to the opportunity to network with colleagues near and far to build new relationships whilst showcasing the niche hospitality services that have stood us in good stead,” Haddad said. “Be it Sharjah’s growing reputation as a cultural, tourism and leisure centre or the phenomenal growth we have seen in the Dubai Creek area, we are certain that our new properties will be just as successful in attracting discerning business and leisure travellers looking for five-star services, and …

Aldar Properties PJSC’s (Aldar’s) latest development, Lea located on the northern shores of Yas Island has sold out during Cityscape Abu Dhabi generating over AED 400 million in sales. Offering land plots starting at AED 990,000 and sizes ranging from 405 sqm – 1,800 sqm, and available for purchase by all nationalities, Lea features 238 residential plots in a prime location adjacent to Aldar’s flagship Yas Acres project. Lea boasts parks, promenades, and waterside walkways. In addition to this, residents benefit from all of the amenities within Yas Acres – parks, swimming pools, play areas,  picnic areas, schools, mosques and the Yas Acres full length nine hole golf course. This most recent sell out follows the successful launch of Alreeman, a land plot masterplan located close to Abu Dhabi Airport, which generated AED 1.6 billion in sales. Commenting, Talal Al Dhiyebi, Chief Executive Officer, Aldar Properties, said, “Selling over AED 400 million of real estate is a ringing endorsement of what we do best – understanding what our customers need and then creating the right product to fulfill their requirements. We are off to a flying start this year, and we are seeing really strong demand for land opportunities within well thought out, master planned communities. Generating over AED 2 billion from our two most recent developments – Al Reeman and Lea, shows how market sentiment is moving in a positive direction.” Maan Al Awlaqi, Executive Director – Commercial, Aldar Properties, said, “We are delighted with the response we received for Lea from both investors and homeowners of various nationalities. This is further evidence of the strong demand for land plots, following our launch of Alreeman. This is also our …

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed a Master Development Agreement with Valor Hospitality Partners Africa to roll out multiple franchise hotels over the next 10 years, across IHG’s portfolio of brands in mid-scale, upscale and luxury segments. The agreement will see IHG expand its presence in Sub-Saharan Africa, including key countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Zambia and Kenya. The development adds to IHG’s growing pipeline in the Middle East and Africa and cements its position as one of the leading operators in the region. Valor Hospitality Partners Africa is a subsidiary of Valor Hospitality Partners Global that manages projects across America, the UK, Middle East, South Africa and South East Asia. IHG currently operates hotels with Valor Hospitality Partners in America and the UK. Speaking on the announcement, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said, “Valor has been our long-term partner in America and the UK for many years and we are pleased to be building our network with an experienced existing operating partner in new markets. This signing is in line with our growth ambition in the region and will add approximately 1,000 rooms to our portfolio in the African continent, primarily in the mid-scale segment and select hotels in upscale and luxury segments. We currently have 26 operating hotels across eight countries in Africa, and we are looking at expanding our presence further by close to 40 per cent, in three to five years.” Graham Wood, Managing Director of Valor Hospitality Partners Africa, added, “We have consistently benefitted from IHG’s global distribution system in the Americas and the UK, best-in-class revenue management tools, …

Marriott International celebrated the opening of its 7,000th property – The St. Regis Hong Kong. The stunning, 27-storey luxury hotel, which features butler service, and multiple restaurants, is emblematic of Marriott’s global expansion strategy which disproportionately focuses on the highest lodging tiers as well as fast-growing international markets such as Hong Kong. The company’s first property, the Twin Bridges Marriott, opened in 1957 and was a four-storey motor hotel in Arlington, Virginia. “It’s thrilling to open our 7,000th property, an incredible milestone for a company that began as a nine-stool root beer stand in 1927 and didn’t even open its first hotel until decades later,” said Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International. “I can’t think of a more fitting property to hold the honour than The St. Regis Hong Kong which underscores the benefits of our merger with Starwood, the importance of luxury and the tremendous opportunity in Asia.” Today, Marriott’s pipeline is growing with an increasing number of legacy-Starwood branded hotels with brands such as St. Regis, Luxury Collection and W. “Our newest luxury hotel – The St. Regis Hong Kong – is a testament to our well-defined global growth strategy,” said Tony Capuano, Marriott’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer. “By leveraging our industry-leading luxury brands, including those we gained from the Starwood merger, our robust relationships with multi-unit owners and our expertise in identifying strategic opportunities in global gateway markets such as Hong Kong, we are well positioned to expand our global footprint by 25 per cent in the next three years.” The milestone follows Marriott’s announcement in March that it expects to add more than 1,700 additional hotels by the end …

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) signed two franchise agreements including Holiday Inn Madinah King Abdulaziz Road with Loulouat Al Madinah Hospitality and Holiday Inn Jeddah Al Hamra with Al Hokair Group. The agreements were signed and announced at Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2019 in Ras Al Khaimah. The signings consolidate IHG’s strategy to expand its footprint across the kingdom, with its midscale offerings. Holiday Inn Jeddah Al Hamra will feature 253 rooms and a host of facilities for business and leisure travellers including three food and beverage outlets, six meeting rooms, and a business centre. In addition, guests will be able to take advantage of recreational facilities such as the outdoor pool, a gymnasium and a spa. Due to open in 2020, Holiday Inn Madinah King Abdulaziz Road will be strategically located near Al Haramain Railway Train Station and other major transport hubs. The 180-key hotel will feature 2,000 sqm of banqueting space for events and conventions, a business centre as well as a gym and two dining options. Given its location in the Holy City and close proximity to Knowledge Economic City, it is expected to attract both pilgrims and corporate travellers. Commenting on the agreement, Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said, “We are excited to leverage our experience of this market to bring more hospitality options to a broad range of travellers.” Omar Samara, CEO, Al Hokair Group, added, “IHG understands the market and has demonstrated its credentials to us as a strong partner. The tourism landscape in Saudi Arabia is changing, in line with Vision 2030, and offers unprecedented opportunities for the hospitality sector.” Sami Al Hokair, Managing Director, Loulouat Al Madinah Hospitality, said, …