Category Archives: Hotels

Marriott is looking at expanding their chain further with the addition of Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah a key destination much loved by international travellers as well as domestic travellers or residents. This property marks the first Marriott Hotels resort in Dubai, the hotel is located on the beach of the iconic Palm Jumeirah. For guests that want to be in the heart of it all, Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah is perfectly positioned with easy access to downtown, the main shopping malls, and business districts. The hotel will feature 608 guestrooms, eight restaurants, and lounges, plus a world-class spa and fitness facility, a kids club, and a private sandy beach offering stunning views of the Arabian Gulf beyond.

Rixos Premium Magawish Suites & Villas will take over Hurghada as the brand-new property sets to open on March 15 at the Red Sea Coast. Situated at the heart of the bustling town, the 5-star property passes through a spacious land-scape of over 255.000 meter-squared premises to flash an architectural masterpiece. Aside from the iconic sights, the signature Rixos quality of services is made better with its first-class suites and villa facilities, meeting halls, vast food and beverage options, world-class leisure, sports, entertainment, and spa. Discerning guests and business groups visiting Hurghada will be spoilt for choice as the latest hotspot offers impeccable features to suit outright needs. Vacationers can indulge in an elegant array of 410 suites and villas with the smallest suite flaunting a 53 meter-squared space among other options of Superior Suites, Deluxe Suites, and Lagoon Swim-up Suites with a scenic garden setting, pool, and sea views. Stepping up a notch, guests can take pleasure over a pool area boasting tailored services by a private butler at the Pool Villas and Executive Pool Villas. Corporate guests can conduct conferences and tackle agenda across the property’s exclusive meeting suites, VIP hall, and presidential office with special services to fulfill business requirements. Experience the tastes of the world with endless choices of abundant flavors to satiate your cravings. Relish with international cuisines laid out at the open buffet for an all-day dining experience at the property’s main restaurant, or choose to satisfy your craving out of the 5 A La Carte outlets. From the Turkish delights of Lalezar, the Brazilian gourmet of La Churras-caria, up to other indulgences at Salt, Asian, and People’s, the a la carte scene offers …

Marriott International announced new hotel openings in the region. The latest addition in Amman, Jordan will be the Ritz Carlton expected to be open by Q3 in 2021. It is two stunning towers that will offer an exclusive experience in the heart of Jordan’s buzzing capital city Amman. The Ritz-Carlton, Amman boasts 228 guestrooms including 34 suites and 90 residences, along with the brand’s legendary service. Guests can relax in the elegant Cigar Lounge or indulge in distinguished cuisine at the hotel’sMediterraneanrestaurant, or the rooftop restaurant and bar offering dazzling views across the skyline. The hotel will also feature indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fitness centre and spa, along with a 1,000 square metre ballroom.

Emaar Hospitality Group announced the opening of its first resort under the Vida Hotels and Resorts brand in Umm Al Quwain. Located on the idyllic beachfront, Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain offers endless attractions to tourists and residents of Umm Al Quwain at the stunning design-led resort. From sophisticated rooms and suites, captivating views of the sea and endless water sports facilities, to wholesome eateries, a vibey rooftop bar, sandy white beach access, and an expansive pool, Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain is the ultimate destination to unwind and come alive with friends, family, and pets in the picturesque location of Umm Al Quwain. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and explore the nearby hidden gem that is the emirate of Umm Al Quwain offering culture, heritage, water activities, and much more. Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain is just a stone’s throw away from Umm Al Quwain’s most popular tourist attractions such as the UAQ Corniche and the UAQ National Museum which offers an invaluable collection of artifacts that were excavated from nearby sites. Explore the Umm Al Quwain Coastal Mangrove just nine minutes from the resort and paddle the serene waters of the Mangrove inhabited by flamingos and cormorants. Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain includes 135 rooms and suites which showcases breathtaking views of the sea and offers mesmerizing sounds of the waves providing the ultimate tranquil experience for guests who stay at the resort. The rooms at Vida Beach Resort, Umm Al Quwain offer sleek and stylish furnishings and include in-room technology, complimentary Wi-Fi, with 24-hour concierge service on hand to ensure maximum comfort. For an escape with uninterrupted views of the …

Hotel Show Dubai has launched an initiative for region’s hospitality community from February 18-27, 2021. Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has organised the 10-day event which will see a select group of popular hotels on Sheikh Zayed Road transformed by night into illuminated beacons of hospitality. Each hotel has been partnered with an internationally acclaimed lighting design firm with full creative license to construct a custom exterior façade installation under the theme titled a ‘Celebration of Lighting and Hospitality’. “Following an extremely challenging trading year for the hospitality industry in 2020, and the knock-on effect that the pandemic has had on those industry sectors that support tourism GDP contribution, we wanted to shine a light on the importance of this vital economic backbone,” said Jasmeet Bakshi, Group Event Director at dmg events – the organizer of The Hotel Show Dubai. “Dubai has been a tourism pioneer for decades, from planning and delivering its architecturally iconic skyline to developing an exceptional tourism offering that attracted 16 million tourists in 2019. Illuminate Dubai is a wonderful opportunity for us to highlight our work and the ever-evolving appeal of the emirate’s hospitality sector,” said David McNeil, Director of dpa lighting consultants. For Samer Moukalled, Vice President of headline sponsor Scientechnic Lighting Solutions, “The hospitality industry has long been a backbone to the thriving tourism sector of the UAE, and the idea of using light to reestablish its importance is a major boon for lighting experts like myself. Lighting is often termed the unsung hero and Illuminate Dubai has created a platform to showcase its true power. We are lighting up the city, and what better medium than on the facades …

Marriott Bonvoy has released a redesigned, more intuitive version of its mobile app in anticipation of increased desire and demand for travel later this year. As a part of the refresh, members residing or visiting the UAE can access a QR code in the app that can be scanned at select on-property restaurants to earn and redeem points for food and beverage purchases. The programme also announced that the app will be available in Arabic from August. As the centerpiece of the company’s mobile-first mindset, the Marriott Bonvoy app ensures guests receive the best available rate; enjoy programme benefits such as exclusive member rates and accruing points for stays; and enables members to customise their experience. “The pandemic has accelerated the trend of digitalisation in the travel sector.  Digital platforms, which have long been the preferred source of content and commerce for Millennials and Gen-Z, will increasingly become a source of both inspiration and sales embraced by all generations. The enhanced Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app is a must-have travel companion. It simplifies the travel planning process, allows for a frictionless experience before and during your stay and gets smarter the more you interact with it,” said Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Marriott International, Europe, Middle East & Africa. “The Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app offers travellers access to so much, whether it is the breadth of our global portfolio of 7,500 hotels among our 30 brands or home rentals, to destination experiences and customisable content for travel inspiration. Through tailored offers, members can learn how to earn hundreds of thousands of points just by booking stays, booking a Day Pass to work from a hotel or going about their …

Katara Hospitality announced a new partnership with Accor, a world-leading hospitality group with the two-fold signing of Raffles and Fairmont hotels in Qatar. The management agreement was signed by His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality and Mr. Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO of Accor. The agreement signing was held at Katara Hospitality headquarters in Doha in the presence of Katara Hospitality Management represented by Andrew Humphries, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Kamal Rhazali, General Counsel, Irfan Sharief, Chief Asset Management Officer, Juan Aguilar, Acting Chief Technical Officer. As well as Accor Management represented by Mark Willis, CEO India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey and Gaurav Bhushan, CEO of Accor’s Lifestyle Brands. On this occasion, HH Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman, Katara Hospitality said, “Katara Hospitality is one of the first investors that understood the significance of the project, committing to developing the hospitality icon of Doha for the 21st Century in the State of Qatar. We are confident the ethos of Accor brand is a strategic fit for this iconic project as it is important that we have an operator who understands our vision and strategy, while ensuring it occupies its rightful position in the local and global marketplaces when it opens next year.” “While we regard 2022 as a milestone in the country’s development, this new property in Lusail will also occupy a focal point for residents and travellers during the FIFA World Cup. We believe that this is our opportunity to showcase a country that has grown into an international destination and Katara Hospitality will create the landmark to underpin lifetime memories. As Qatar National Vision 2030 creates …

Citymax Hotels gets off to a flying start in 2021 with the launch of their first 4-star hotel. Located conveniently in the heart of Downtown Dubai, Citymax Hotel Business Bay is a short 10-minute drive from The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and a 15-minute drive from the Dubai International Airport. Citymax Business Bay’s foray into the 4-star market showcases the brand’s ambition to increase versatility within their portfolio and position the hotel as their new flagship property. Raj Rana, CEO – Citymax Hotels & Foodmark said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of the all-new 4-star Citymax Hotel Business Bay, an important milestone for us at Citymax Hotels and Landmark Group. We are truly excited for the fruitful journey ahead and look forward to offering our guests an enhanced experience while maintaining efficiency, value for money and the highest quality of service.” “We have redefined the brand in the present era of hospitality to emphasize consistency, comfort and convenience. Our loyalty factor has always been high and though we have entered the four-star segment we have ensured that the ambience of the Citymax experience has only been enhanced,” added Satish Nambiar, General Manager – Citymax Hotel Business Bay, Dubai.

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading curator of experiences, announced that Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is set to welcome guests from the 18th of February. Situated within Yas Bay, Abu Dhabi’s vibrant waterfront destination on Yas Island, the five-star hotel, will feature 545 rooms and an accompanying unique beach club. Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is part of Miral’s AED 4 billion investment into the overall AED 12 billion masterplan of Yas Bay. Yas Bay will feature three distinct areas across 14 million square feet; The Waterfront, where Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is located, The Residences, and Yas Creative Hub. Once complete, the project is set to attract 15,000 future residents and over 10,000 top business professionals. Commenting on the announcement, H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral said: “We are proud to see the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island on Yas Bay’s waterfront, opening its doors to guests.  The Hotel complements our leisure and entertainment attractions on Yas Bay, bringing our vision for the waterfront to life, and further positioning Yas Island as a top global destination for leisure, entertainment and business. This is yet another milestone in achieving our leaderships’ vision for Abu Dhabi.” Offering a variety of premium facilities alongside a beach club, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island will also be home to signature dining venues and cafes, a fully equipped kids’ club, a spa, and a multi-purpose conference centre. Located in close proximity to diverse leisure and entertainment attractions on Yas Island, the Hotel provides guests with luxurious accommodation while they experience all that the Island has to offer. Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, Area President, Middle East, Africa & Turkey (MEA&T), Hilton, said: “Hilton is proud to …

Staytus announced Hotel Chat, the first chat platform built exclusively for hospitality. The web-based service is designed to connect guests and hotels before, during and after the stay. Publicly accessible by all guests regardless of their personal messaging preferences, Hotel Chat is free of charge for hotels to use. Hotel Chat bridges the gap between guests’ demands for contactless interactions and hotels’ need for a simple, secure means of managing communications and delivering service digitally. From the hotel side, messages are received on a purpose-built platform designed for service. Messages can be viewed by an unlimited number of staff users. Staff can respond to guests in their native language and collaborate internally for a faster response. Hotel Chat also provides a secure, GDPR-compliant environment and no data is stored on staff mobile devices. This avoids potentially compromising guest data when using personal messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger. “Our team loves the capabilities of Hotel Chat, which speed up communication between departments, help reduce workload, and also generate more guest engagement and guest satisfaction,” said Olivier Lenoir, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur. “More and more guests prefer to chat with their hotel. This growth trend started even before the pandemic,” said Troy Simoni, CEO, Staytus. “It’s about convenience and service. Excellent service is fast and personal, but doesn’t always need to be face-to-face anymore. People want to chat with real humans, not chatbots, and they want quick answers. These trends helped us design Hotel Chat. It’s made to be the world’s best chat platform for hotels and guests.”