Category Archives: Hotels

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, a refined haven blending timeless elegance with modern sensibility and sincere service, situated in the heart of Kuwait City. Connected to The Avenues, the country’s largest retail, entertainment, and luxury lifestyle destination, and just 11 kilometres and a 15-minute drive from Kuwait International Airport, the property’s prime location offers guests convenient access to beloved local attractions such as the Kuwait Opera House, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre and the Grand Mosque. Waldorf Astoria Kuwait features 200 magnificently adorned contemporary deluxe rooms and suites with panoramic views of the vibrant city skyline. Guests will enjoy a transformative journey of the senses, from exquisite dining venues and beautiful event spaces to the awe-inspiring Waldorf Astoria Spa. “We are very excited to be expanding our portfolio in Kuwait to include the iconic Waldorf Astoria, which brings an elevated luxury guest experience to the country,” said Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President, Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, Hilton. “Waldorf Astoria Kuwait is Hilton’s third property in the country and brings a trusted brand to a community of discerning travellers who expect the highest levels of service. We look forward to welcoming guests to this outstanding property, which will no doubt be one of Kuwait’s most prestigious landmarks.” Timeless Luxury Upon arriving at Waldorf Astoria Kuwait, guests step into a place where stories begin, and unforgettable memories are made. Interiors reflect a grand yet intimate sense of place, including traditional brand elements such as the iconic Waldorf Astoria Clock, which was adapted to reflect Kuwait’s cultural heritage, as well as The Library and Peacock Alley. “We see the hotel stay as an opportunity to …

Hamad International Airport (HIA) has opened the “Oryx Garden Hotel”, the second airport hotel within its award-winning terminal. Situated in the North Plaza, this is the latest venue where passengers can unwind during a layover.  The Oryx Garden Hotel is one of many new experiences that are part of HIA’s airport expansion project, which is all set to be launched in time for the widely anticipated FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The airport expansion project significantly expands HIA’s state-of-the-art facilities, which will include more than 90 brands in one vast shopping area, a world-class art collection, a refreshing environment with lush greenery, and a 10,000 sqm indoor tropical garden with a 268-sqm water feature – a focal point for all travelers. Commenting on the opening of the Oryx Garden Hotel, HIA’s Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer said: “We are delighted to announce the opening of our second airport hotel at HIA. This is just one of the many new offerings our airport will be unveiling as part of our exciting expansion plans. The Oryx Garden Hotel adds yet another sustainable, world-class facility to the world’s best airport, offering a relaxing environment for guests to unwind and discover the extraordinary destination that is HIA.” Comprising of 100 rooms ranging from king to twin, as well as suites, the Oryx Garden Hotel offers guests complimentary new generation WIFI throughout the premises and ready access to a variety of retail and culinary options conveniently located nearby. All rooms are conveniently located within the terminal, moments away from boarding gates.  The hotel boasts a modern and contemporary design, appealing to both business and leisure travelers, and can be booked around the …

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind ultra-luxury tourism destination AMAALA, has announced tangible progress across the development, with over 300 contracts signed to date, worth in excess of SAR 6.62 billion ($1.7bn). More than 98 percent of the total contract value has been awarded to Saudi firms, highlighting the organizations commitment to strengthening the local economy. These include agreements for the design and build of state-of-the-art accommodation and facilities at the destination for future employees. An additional 6.1 billion riyals of contracts is currently out to tender, across 54 proposals. “Surpassing 300 contract awards underscores the scale of this project and the significant progress being made as we press ahead with activity on the ground to bring our destination to life. At AMAALA, we are working to create a sustainable, purpose- and meaning-driven destination for the discerning traveler, and remain closely aligned with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, as we develop one of the top global tourism destinations of the future. I am delighted to be able to showcase the results achieved by our brilliant team and partners,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of TRSDC. Spanning over 4,155 square kilometers of pristine terrain and set within the Prince Mohammad bin Salman Natural Reserve, the first phase of AMAALA is focused on the Triple Bay masterplan. Eight hotels and upwards of 1,200 hotel keys are set for completion in 2024. Work is well underway on-site to progress the enabling infrastructure and groundwork required to develop the destination, with more than 2,400 staff already on site and 9.9 million manhours logged to date. This includes the successful completion of 11 km of roads ahead of schedule to …

Global independent real estate consultants, Knight Frank and premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights provider for the hospitality industry, STR, have shared key hospitality investment insights ahead of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) taking place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from 19-21 September 2022. Set to reach – and potentially surpass- pre-pandemic levels of more than 100 million tourist arrivals and over USD 270 billion in revenue contribution in 2022, according to data from Knight Frank, the Middle East’s travel & tourism sector has all the positive indicators to reach the goal of 160 million tourists in 2030, driven by the region’s giga projects that will open up even more amazing tourism destinations and further boost travel and tourism. “The region is going through a fascinating transformation in the hospitality sector, with over 600,000 hotels rooms in the planning and development stage. This quantum of development, which has not been seen before in the Middle East or even globally, is set to change the shape of the region’s tourism industry in the years to come and will help to further raise the region’s profile as a one of the world’s key hospitality players,” said Turab Saleem, Partner & Head of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure – MENA at Knight Frank. The successful management of mega events has proven to be a key driver in the growth in tourism and hospitality, with the UAE welcoming almost 24 million visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai – amid the global pandemic — boosting international traveller confidence as stated by Knight Frank. With 65,000 hotel rooms under development in Dubai, tourism contribution is set to reach 15% of GDP by 2030: the highest in the …

With a strong leisure-focused pipeline in the Middle East, Hyatt’s brand portfolio goes from strength to strength in the region, including the expected debut of the luxury Grand Hyatt Kuwait and the luxury lifestyle Andaz Doha in Qatar.  At present, Hyatt’s portfolio in the Middle East currently includes 28 hotels, with an additional seven properties expected to open by the end of 2025. Hyatt anticipates rooms growth of more than 80% in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by late 2025, with the expected additions of Park Hyatt Riyadh Diriyah Gate, Grand Hyatt The Red Sea and the highly anticipated debut of Miraval The Red Sea, which will mark the luxury wellness brand’s first resort outside of the U.S., further strengthening Hyatt’s portfolio. This expansion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would be in addition to the current portfolio of six hotels including Hyatt Regency Riyadh-Olaya, Hyatt Place Riyadh Al Sulaimania, and Hyatt House Jeddah Sari Street. “This ambitious development portfolio showcases our aim to grow our brands with intent as well as our commitment to strategic investments across the Middle East. This market remains a key focus for Hyatt, and one where we continue to observe a growing demand,” said Ludwig Bouldoukian, Regional Vice President Development Middle East & Africa for Hyatt International. “The diversity of Hyatt’s brands, united through the World of Hyatt loyalty program, allows us to showcase unique experiences to a variety of travellers across the region. Whether our guests and members are seeking the classic luxury travel experience, modern lifestyle, or select-service offerings, each of our brands delivers our standard of excellence.” Hyatt recently reported second quarter 2022 financial results, which reflected strength in the company’s …

Atlantis, The Palm announced a selection of nine local conservation and sustainability projects set to receive funding from the 1 USD contribution initiative the resort launched in June 2021. Over the past 12 months, for every marine animal experience participated in by a guest, Atlantis, The Palm has collected $1 (USD), which has resulted in a $120,000 (USD) investment fund for the project, which aims to support UAE-based conservation and sustainability projects to help protect the ocean and our environment. Over the past two months, UAE-based organisations were invited to apply for funding, after which proposals were solicited and assessed against their contributions to scientific advancement, conservation and sustainability. Atlantis Atlas Project currently focuses on four key groups of wildlife; sharks, rays, dolphins, and corals, and two key threats to the ocean; unsustainable seafood and plastic pollution. With this in mind, projects were selected based on their support of these conservation goals. The first project the funding will support is UAE’s leading social enterprise Goumbook on their ‘Save The Butts’ campaign. This initiative sees the collection of cigarette butts littering beaches and public areas and uses circular economy principles to recycle the waste to create valuable material from it. This campaign will also actively involve Atlantis Dubai’s colleague base through volunteer litter picking and collecting waste within the destination that Goumbook and their partners can recycle. The initiative will also provide a year of funding for UAE-based Seafood Souq, which will support the development of a digital platform to make seafood trade more efficient, sustainable, transparent and traceable. This will involve developing a QR code for diners – to be piloted on Michelin-starred Ossiano’s menu – enabling diners to find …

Rotana announced the opening date of Bin Al Sheikh Residences by Rotana in October 2022 and Riviera Rayhaan by Rotana in November 2022. As the group further cements its footprint in the region, Qatar remains a key market as the country gets ready to welcome millions of visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2022. Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO of Rotana said: “The region is buoyant as countries gear up to host one of the world’s largest events. The FIFA World Cup 2022 will bring an incredible influx of travellers to Qatar and a knock-on effect will also be felt in neighbouring countries like the UAE. As we continue expanding, we look forward to diversifying our offerings in the country and across the region to answer to higher demand.” Located in the heart of Doha, Bin Al Sheikh Residences by Rotana is an easily recognizable new landmark, featuring luxury interior design and spacious apartments with spectacular views of the city. Set to open in October 2022, Bin Al Sheikh Residences by Rotana is the perfect home away from home for residents looking for the ultimate comfort matched with refined living. Offering fully-furnished residences, Bin Al Sheikh Residences by Rotana boasts 158 studios, 278 one-bedroom, 62 two-bedroom apartments, and five three-bedroom penthouses. All apartments ensure the highest level of comfort with a fully-equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, and a dishwasher in every one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment. Guests are invited to experience the authentic part of the city while enjoying an array of top-class services and amenities including an outdoor swimming pool, sports and wellness facilities, kids’ play area, an international outlet of retail brands and ample parking space. Set to …

IntercityHotel Muscat, the hotel brand’s third property in the Sultanate of Oman, has opened its doors on 1st September 2022. The new hotel building is located within the Ministry and Embassy district of Al Khuwair and is part of the prestigious A’Raya development Complex.  IntercityHotel Muscat boasts 273 guest rooms ranging from Standard Rooms to Deluxe Suites. The property includes a special Business Floor offering Business rooms and suites with added benefits of early check-ins, late check-outs, complimentary welcome drinks, and VIP in-room amenities, to name a few. Furthermore, the hotel features the all-day-dining restaurant Citrine as well as a lobby cafe, a pool and gym, a spa with six treatment rooms, four multi-function meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 135 guests and A’Raya Ballroom which can accommodate up to 1,200 guests. According to Siegfried Nierhaus, Vice President Middle East, Deutsche Hospitality: “The Middle East is an important destination for both classical tourism and business travel. IntercityHotel fits nicely into the region, as the concept accommodates the needs of any and all travelers. We look forward to our continued successful trajectory in positioning the brand in Oman alongside the hotels in Salalah and Nizwa while successively expanding our portfolio in this region.” General Manager Renjith Chandran adds: “We are delighted to open the IntercityHotel Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman. The hotel will cater to all markets from business and leisure to major MICE events. Also working with the National Hotel Management (NHI) and Ministry of Manpower, I look forward to welcoming Omani talents to the team.” IntercityHotel Muscat is perfectly positioned within easy reach of Muscat International Airport and the cultural sights of Al Alam Palace and …

Dubai-based INK Hotel has signed an agreement with HITEK, part of leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) group Farnek, to use its ground-breaking hospitality app, Flexi-Guest, which will digitalise the hotel’s guest journey from the initial reservation through to check out.The app, which was developed in-house by HITEK, will interface with the hotel’s property management system (PMS) affording guests a whole suite of services from uploading travel documents, such as vaccination certificates, ordering a car on arrival, room service and laundry. The hotel app can also send automated electronic updates and alerts to the guest, as well as e-registration documents, e-invoices and e-receipts, all in one convenient space. “One major factor for adopting Flexi-Guest, is that it can interface with our property management system and our point-of-sale terminals, affording a seamless process, from order to delivery and ultimately guest folio,” said Judit Toth, General Manager of the INK Hotel. “Flexi-Guest supports our key strategic operational objectives. First and foremost, it offers an enhanced customer experience, providing a seamless pre-arrival and check-in procedure, which will appeal to our guests.  “During their stay, they can order room service, laundry, request late check outs, invoices or even order a car to go to the airport. And because the app manages secure online payments, guest can settle bills without visiting reception to check out. “The hotel benefits are clear. We operate more cost-efficiently, with the added advantage of driving incremental revenue through room service and e-concierge services,” added Toth. INK is a dynamic, tech-led, brand developed by Vivere Hospitality, a Dubai-based hospitality management company and is aimed at the tech-savvy Millennials and Zoomers. Opened earlier this year and located in the Al …

As part of the group’s ongoing expansion strategy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) remains committed to upskilling Saudi nationals working in the hospitality industry. To further cement its intensive recruitment efforts in one of its key market feeders, the group has launched ‘A Brilliant Journey of Advance Development Programme’ (ABJAD), targeting employees within the Kingdom to develop their leadership profile and help them progress in their roles across its portfolio of 26 operational hotels. Alongside Radisson Hotel Group’s robust expansion plans, ABJAD aims to develop talents by producing skilled, well-trained and talented Saudi managers. The name “ABJAD” is derived from articulating the first letters of the Arabic alphabet in its original order, and is often used to symbolise the beginning of learning something new, which in this case alludes to leadership. Through ABJAD, talents from all departments currently on supervisory level will be provided with the tools, resources and guidance as they prepare for the next step in their hospitality career. ABJAD intends to flourish the talents with a focus on the following pillars: Own, Deliver, Collaborate, Lead. This initiative is also aligned with the Saudi 2030 Vision to raise the contribution of the tourism sector to the domestic product to more than 10% and to provide one million job opportunities. It further cements the group’s commitment to the region, in line with its new office in the Kingdom that is set to become operational at the end of the year. Basel Talal, Managing Director, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the Levant at Radisson Hotel Group comments: “Saudi Arabia remains to be a key market for us at Radisson Hotel Group and we aim to strengthen …