Category Archives: Hotels

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the upcoming opening of Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche, further cementing its presence and growth plans in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in the heart of Al Khobar – one of the key leisure and commercial destinations in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province – and close to its renowned corniche, the new hotel is expected to open in August and will allow guests to immerse themselves in the vibrant city centre atmosphere or soak up stunning coastal views. With 79 well-appointed rooms spread across 12 floors, the property will feature modern interiors that reflect the brand’s fresh, approachable, and vibrant core attributes. Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche adds to Wyndham’s portfolio of 13 operational hotels in the country under the Wyndham Garden, Ramada, Ramada Encore, Howard Johnson, Hawthorn Suites and Super 8 by Wyndham brands. The latest opening in Saudi Arabia builds on Wyndham Hotels & Resorts strong foothold across the Middle East and Africa with almost 70 hotels and a development pipeline of more than 25 additional properties across the region. The hospitality industry is one of most promising sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with its Vision 2030 goal of attracting 100 million tourists by 2030. Panos Loupasis, Market Managing Director for Türkiye, the Middle East and Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said: “Ramada Encore by Wyndham Al Khobar Corniche embodies the brand’s ethos of contemporary comfort and warm hospitality. This latest opening marks an important step in our expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we recently re-introduced direct franchising and management rights for our Ramada brand and are investing in local resources to …

Frasers Hospitality has further expanded its presence in the Middle East with the entry into a new management agreement to operate Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain. This is in partnership with Seef Properties. This development cements Frasers Hospitality’s presence in the Middle East region. The development comes as Frasers Hospitality strengthens its long-standing partnership with Seef Properties through an extension of its existing management agreement of Fraser Suites Seef Bahrain to 2031. The newly anticipated Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain will offer 63 gold-standard serviced apartment units across a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, spread over three floors. This will include nine one-bedroom serviced apartments, 44 two-bedroom serviced apartments and 12 three-bedroom serviced apartments, perfect for those seeking comfort in accommodations fitted with the latest technologies and modern furnishings. Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain forms part of the Al Liwan mixed-use development under Seef Properties which has been designed to embody the essence of the ‘Live, Work and Play’ lifestyle and is nestled within the neighbourhood of Hamala with a direct connection to the Al Liwan Mall in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s primary entertainment district. The development is ideal under the Fraser Suites brand due to its unique ability to cater to the highly-premium lifestyle needs of extended-stay guests. The name, Al Liwan, reflects cohesion, unity, and togetherness, inspired by the culture of the region and speaking to the desires of discerning guests. Alongside Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain, the new district offers numerous dining options, cafés, and leisure opportunities. At the core of the development lies the Central Plaza, a generous open space created for communal gatherings and entertainment, providing a city retreat for both visitors and …

Radisson Hotel Group announces the signing of Radisson Collection Resort, Marsa Alam Port Phoenice in Egypt. This signing debuts Radisson Hotel Group’s third brand in Egypt, Radisson Collection, and is a fantastic addition to the current portfolio, bringing the Group’s footprint in the country to eight hotels in operation and under development. It also reflects the transformation of the Group in the region. Radisson Collection is a unique collection of iconic properties, reflecting an authentic local influence, living design, and vibrant social scene. In the collection of exceptional hotels, no two are ever the same and each has a unique character authentic to its locality. The modern design blends elegance in form and function, making the hotels the ultimate destination for those who value a vibrant and luxurious lifestyle. Scheduled to open in early 2025, the resort will be situated in Port Phoenice on the Red Sea, a waterfront premier integrated resort community boasting luxury residents, golf estates, water activities, retail centers, hospitals, and schools and easily accessible from Marsa Alam International Airport (only 35 minutes’ drive away). The resort location makes it an excellent spot for a vacation, with venues for dining, entertainment, boutique shopping, cultural expedition, activities, and lively nightlife located all nearby. The newly built resort will comprise of 294 rooms, including 20 suites, all carefully curated with a mix of Mediterranean and Italian architecture. The resort will offer a lobby lounge, one all-day dining restaurant, one high-end specialty restaurant, as well as a stunning beach restaurant, and a beach bar with mesmerizing sea views. The resort will also offer a fitness center, diving center, a theatre, kids club, several pools, and direct access to the beach. …

According to a report from Accor, highly-personalised service is becoming the key differentiator for travel advisors. The report, titled ‘Tailor-Made Touch or Digital Efficiency?’, looks at the strategies, technologies and trends impacting leisure travel advisors in the recovery and beyond. It says that while continually digitally transforming their operations is of course vital, even more important is to develop the services and nurture the partnerships that can help them delight and connect with their customers on a level that is beyond what alternative intermediary models can achieve. The report, focused on the European market, outlines how the pandemic accelerated the transformation of the leisure travel intermediary market, with the widespread adoption of digital technology and many key players shifting their models in a bid to become platform businesses or b2b technology providers. It supports the notion that, used properly, technology from messaging platforms to payments and artificial intelligence can be travel advisors’ best friend, helping them to optimise their capacity with a wide variety of inventory; access powerful digital distribution channels; better understand their customers, market themselves and provide more sophisticated and efficient services. However, it argues that even more key to travel planners’ success as they evolve is the ability to get close to their customers, to provide the high-touch personalised service now expected by travellers. Saskia Gentil, SVP Sales, Europe & North Africa at Accor, explained: “Consumers increasingly value the ability of travel advisors to remove the stress from their trip, tailor it to their preferences, plan every last detail in a flexible way, and be the reassuring presence that takes care of problems when they arise. “The ability to provide this bespoke level of service is a …

Minor Hotels announces the expansion of its luxury Anantara brand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its upcoming debut in Trojena, the unique year-round mountain destination in NEOM. Situated at the heart of NEOM, 50 kilometres from the Gulf of Aqaba coast, and with a high elevation up to 2,600 metres, Trojena will be home to the Gulf’s first outdoor ski resort, staging world-class sporting events, art exhibitions, concerts, and cultural festivals. With its central location, mountain landscape and surrounded by nature, Trojena will redefine luxury living and travel offerings as a global sanctuary of well-being. Like the rest of NEOM, Trojena will be powered by renewable energy while sustainably protecting the region’s rich cultural and environmental heritage. The new 270-key Anantara resort will offer a selection of guest rooms and suites, including some with private pools, and all with spectacular lake or mountain views. Dining options will include two specialty restaurants, an all-day dining restaurant with a show kitchen, a café and high tea lounge, in addition to a rooftop majlis café. Curating personal travel experiences for discerning travellers with a wide scope of interests, the property will be home to a multitude of facilities. These include an Anantara Spa with separate male and female wet areas and treatment rooms plus multiple hammams, a fitness centre, a spectacular infinity pool with mountain and lake views, a star gazing deck, an outdoor cinema, kids and teens clubs, and a sports and activity pavilion with a wide range of activities including padel tennis, camel and horse riding, and guided walks around the lake and mountain area. It will also be accessible via helicopter, with its own on-site helipad, while meeting …

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Middle East (HSMAI ME) is bringing back its high-impact ROC ME Commercial Strategy Conference for its sixth annual congregation. Held on November 28 and 29, 2023, at the Conrad Dubai Hotel, this exclusive event brings together the brightest minds in the Middle East hospitality industry to provide an unrivalled platform for knowledge sharing and network building. Under the banner of Connect, Evolve and Lead, this year’s must-visit event will harness the knowledge and expertise of the region’s hospitality leaders while also shining a spotlight on the industry’s future frontrunners, inviting you to meet and mingle with the hoteliers of today and tomorrow in a dynamic and enlightening format. Attendees at this year’s conference will have the chance to hear from the top industry thought-leaders, game-changers, motivational speakers, innovators and disruptors, who will take to the stage to host informative and inspirational talks. Dedicated sessions will focus on collaboration and innovation, including how to ensure Marketing, Sales & Revenue Management relationships work hand-in-hand. Attendees will also discover the latest tools and metrics to help implement their strategies, and have the chance to measure their current strategies to ensure they align with global benchmarks and ever-evolving market trends. Over the course of the two days, participants will have the opportunity broaden their network by engaging with exceptional leaders and hoteliers, HSMAI ROC Middle East’s Advisory Board members, General Managers, Marketers, Operations, Sales, and Revenue Management teams. As the only Commercial Strategy Conference for the industry in the Middle East, the ROC ME Commercial Strategy Conference leads the way for education, insights, connections, and inspiration – with curated events created by hoteliers for hoteliers. HSMAI Middle …

“We anticipate that guests from the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman will be exploring the multiple trip potential to the UK that the new ETA offers over the course of two years for just 10 gbp. With our recent extensive renovation and extremely flexible room spaces which cater to large families and multi-generational travel, not to mention our larger-than-average suites which exist in their own boutique hotel experience – we are ready to re-welcome those GCC travellers who are looking for to make us their home away from home on multiple trips to the UK,” comments Bill Fisher, general manager, Hilton London Metropole;  the largest Hilton property in the UK (second largest worldwide). Hilton London Metropole has welcomed the UK Government announcement this week regarding a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme which will roll out at the end of 2023 and early 2024. The new ETA will allow multiple trips to the UK across two years for just 10GBP. “We’re delighted about the recent announcement from the UK Government regarding the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme for many of our key target markets in the Middle East which will come into play in early 2024; and for Qatari travellers at the end of this year. The new scheme will make it even easier for GCC travellers to visit the UK. Having recently undergone an extensive multi-million-pound revamp which was completed with the GCC traveller in mind, the central-London located property has 16 Executive King Suites,  four Octogan Suites and an incredible three-bed penthouse which offers London skyline views, all existing within a boutique hotel set up but benefiting from large scale property services such as 24/7 …

Radisson Hotel Group continues its ambitious growth in the region with the signing of seven new hotels, adding over 1,400 rooms to its MENA portfolio. The new hotels expand the Group’s brands, spanning from upscale to premium luxury lifestyle. The group will be expanding its resort presence in Casablanca and Saidia in Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and South Africa along with the Group’s first hotel openings in Reunion Island and Ghana. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group comments: “Thanks to the relevance of our brands and trust of our owners, we have a successful growth momentum in Africa thus far, this year. With the continent remaining a focus market for us, we are committed to further contribute to the African hospitality industry, providing more possibilities to our guests and employment opportunities to the local communities.’’

dusitD2 Kenz Hotel Dubai, a vibrant four-star business hotel in the heart of the city’s thriving Barsha Heights, has solidified its sustainability initiatives while enhancing guest experience in a more environmentally and socially responsible way. “The hotel industry has shown a longstanding commitment to sustainability,” says Bassam Zakaria, Cluster General Manager of dusitD2 Kenz Hotel. “We are one with them as we provide a responsible stay for our employees, guests, communities, and planet”. In line with Dusit International’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), dusitD2 Kenz Hotel’s ongoing and upcoming core priorities are as follows: Responsible consumption As part of the roadmap set by dusitD2 Kenz Hotel on sustainability, the property is becoming more mindful of its consumption–from providing a stellar guest experience to employee involvement. In addition to the current waste management and recycling policies, dusitD2 Kenz employees will be undergoing up-to-date training on proper recycling and waste management that will be useful for them within the hotel and in their own personal ways. Hygiene practices and sanitation is one of the critical priorities of this property, which means cleaning solutions are among its most important consideration when it comes to consumption. With its holistic approach to its high standard of cleanliness, this property has been sourcing out toxic-free cleaning solutions that use advanced technologies such as nano-natural and phytology. These eco-friendly products are not only imperative for a sustainable future, but it is also dependable, safe, and deliver the best hygiene results. Clean Energy  Reducing carbon footprint has always been on top of the property’s list. As the world fast-tracking its Net Zero efforts, dusitD2 Kenz Hotel continues to monitor its energy consumption very often. In day-to-day operations from its front desk …

Red Sea Global (RSG), The Red Sea and Amaala announced a new partnership with Six Senses to operate a luxury property in Triple Bay, Amaala. Six Senses Amaala will serve as a canvas on which to paint an experience of a lifetime. Integrated into the unique landforms, the beachfront residences, a hillside village, and villas that line the private mangrove bay offer varied accommodation options to suit all guest preferences. They blend the natural raw beauty of the site with the understated purity and elegance of the brand’s sustainable design standards. The 64 rooms, six suites, 30 villas, and 25 branded residences, designed by architects U+A and interiors by Studio Carter, are inspired by the region’s traditional coastal villages, which seamlessly integrate with the naturally occurring topography and use locally sourced materials. They will be located on one of the most dramatic landforms along Amaala’s Triple Bay area, offering panoramic views across the Hijaz Cove to the Red Sea. The meandering streets and paths that crisscross the site lead to enchanting plazas with glimpses of the Pura Cove and its iridescent blue lagoons. “I am delighted to announce this partnership based on shared values with such an iconic brand. The resort is situated within one of the most dramatic landscapes along Triple Bay, with a stunning backdrop of the bay itself and panoramic views of the pristine Red Sea coast,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. Six Senses Amaala will serve as a canvas on which to paint an experience of a lifetime. Integrated into the unique landforms, the beachfront residences, a hillside village, and villas that line the private mangrove bay offer varied accommodation options to suit all guest …