Category Archives: Hotels

With a significant shift in what tourists are seeking from international travel post-pandemic, more and more individuals are yearning for holiday travel that guarantees meaningful, off-the-beaten path, sustainable and wellness-focussed experiences.  There are also vacationers who are looking to make up for lost time due to the pandemic such as multi-generational family travellers, in addition to ‘bleisure’ tourists or business travellers seeking to extend their stay beyond participating at a business event to enjoy the destination’s leisure offering.  Another category of travellers that Dubai continues to welcome are the remote workers or ‘digital nomads’. Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is working closely with stakeholders and partners to ensure Dubai’s tourism ecosystem is aligning with and adapting to these trends, especially by highlighting and providing an opportunity for UAE residents and international travellers to enjoy the ever-growing diversity of the destination offering, further reinforcing the city’s position as the global travel destination of choice. Holiday-makers are planning longer vacations as they come out of a prolonged period of travel restrictions and catching up on lost time following postponed celebrations such as weddings, honeymoons and family vacations, Located within the turtle lagoon in Jumeirah Al Naseem, Il Borro Tuscan Bistro  is the perfect destination for some of the finest Tuscan cuisine in Dubai. With ingredients including organic honey, olive oil and vegetables sourced directly from the Il Borro estate in Tuscany, the restaurant celebrates seasonal Italian cuisine. Guests can choose to dine al fresco on the large wooden terrace overlooking the water surrounded by olive trees lit up by twinkling lights, complemented by the gentle breeze from the water. A uniquely exclusive and multi-sensory dining experience awaits diners at Sublimotion …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the signing of Radisson Blu Hotel, Amman Galleria Mall, bringing its Middle East portfolio to 74 hotels in operation and under development. With construction already under way, the hotel is scheduled to open by the summer of 2023. Amman is Jordan’s capital and largest city as well as the country’s economic, political, and cultural center. The newly built hotel will be located inside the Galleria Mall, which is one of the biggest shopping malls in Jordan, located in the heart of Amman, and only a 30-minute drive from Queen Alia International Airport. “We thank the partners of Al Yaqout Real Estate for their trust in Radisson Hotel Group in Jordan, an important destination in our expansion strategy. The presence of the Radisson Blu brand in the country’s capital will be a steppingstone for further development in key cities and locations in Jordan, says Elie Milky, Vice President Development for the Middle East, Pakistan, Cyprus and Greece. “The signing of Radisson Blu Hotel, Amman Galleria Mall showcases our faith in the Radisson Hotel Group and Jordan’s bright future. It is an important partnership with countless benefits to all stakeholders in the most strategic commercial district of Amman. The hotel will be a state-of-the-art hotel concept that is perfectly designed to complement our corner stone property “The Galleria Mall””, said H.E. Samer Al-Tawil, Chairman and CEO of Amwaj Properties, the holding company of Al-Yaqout Real Estate Company. Radisson Blu Hotel, Amman Galleria Mall will perfectly complement Radisson Hotel Group’s growing portfolio by introducing the core, upper-upscale brand to the country. The hotel will consist of 178 keys across various room types, including one-bedroom suites and two-bedroom apartments offering …

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts unveils Le Royal Méridien Doha, marking the European-born brand’s debut in Qatar. Located in the heart of the country’s future city, Lusail, the 377-room hotel encourages guests to savour the good life through the brand’s distinctive European-chic lens. Featuring striking neo-classical architecture, the hotel seamlessly connects to Place Vendôme Qatar, an iconic Parisian-inspired luxury complex home to 580 retail outlets, fine dining experiences, theatres, office and residential spaces, and more. With sprawling waterfront views of Lusail, Le Royal Méridien Doha is an illuminating getaway for creative-minded travellers looking to discover Qatar’s newest city that combines true modernity with the richness of Qatari traditions. “Qatar is a destination for travellers seeking culture, relaxation, and sport, and the city of Lusail is poised to welcome global travellers looking for a destination within a destination that is close to key attractions and leisure landmarks. We are excited to introduce Le Méridien to the country and bring the brand’s distinctive European flair to global tastemakers and locals,” said Sandra Schulze-Potgieter, Vice President – Premium and Select Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “Marriott International has been part of Qatar’s history and development for nearly 40 years and the opening of Le Royal Méridien Doha illustrates our commitment to the country’s growing hospitality and tourism sector.” Upon entering the hotel, guests are welcomed with a nostalgic nod to the glamour of the French Riviera in the 1960s. Exemplifying the brand’s design ethos of celebrating the destination with mid-century modernism, guests will find artistic interpretations of Qatar’s rich pearl diving heritage adorning the lobby in the form of bohemian crystals chandeliers representing mother of pearl shells and subtle portrayals …

The Ritz-Carlton announced the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Amman, ushering in a new standard of refined hospitality in the heart of Jordan’s vibrant capital. Rising elegantly above the West Amman skyline, and centrally situated on the prestigious Fifth Circle, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman welcomes guests to enjoy thoughtfully tailored experiences that capture the spirit of Jordan’s beauty and hospitality. “We are thrilled to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Amman, embodying our commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences and creating meaningful memories in the world’s most exciting markets,” said Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International. “From exquisite culinary craftmanship to treasured family moments, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman will embrace guests with its legendary service, and offer a unique lens on this charming capital city.” Soaring 20-stories high, The Ritz-Carlton, Amman features 228 guest rooms – the most spacious of any hotel accommodations in Jordan – including 34 opulent suites, spread across seven different categories. All guestrooms and suites have been intricately designed and elegantly furnished, with a sophisticated ambiance felt throughout the property. Led by Wimberly Interiors London, the hotel’s design is inspired by the culture and history of Jordan, which is reflected in the hotel’s bold interior architecture, tailored lighting, Art Deco touches and contemporary artistry. Artistic elements within the hotel draw inspiration from the landscape of the Kingdom, from natural rifts of the sea and saturated colors of the earth to the deep crevices of caves and mountains. The breathtaking structures of Petra are reflected in a series of vignettes, while Roman and Nabatean architectural features are given modern reinterpretations throughout the hotel. The floor finishes in the guest corridors pay homage to Jordan’s desert landscape, and the guestrooms …

Following the ongoing success of Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife and Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, Palladium Hotel Group has aligned once again with the world-renowned Hard Rock International to operate Hard Rock Hotel Marbella that will open its doors in July. The hotel will feature 383 exclusive rooms and suites, exceptional leisure facilities, and one of the largest meeting and event centres in Marbella with an extension of 1000m2. Gastronomy is a key part Hard Rock Hotel Marbella with a varied and unparalleled culinary offer that will excite even the most exquisite palates. Hard Rock Hotel Marbella offers unique music-inspired design featuring a curated collection of music memorabilia, the best gastronomy, and incredible swimming pool surrounded by a lush and oasis-like garden, musical events and exclusive wellness facilities and services designed to allure superstars. Located in Puerto Banús, the most exclusive place on the Costa del Sol, is designed to accommodate couples and groups of friends who want to enjoy unique experiences and “wow moments” every day. Parties and music become protagonists, being just another part of the incredible services that the hotel offers. A new concept of hotel where fun, music, service, and attention to detail come together to offer a perfect and unique experience for all guests. The countdown has begun for the Hard Rock Hotel Marbella experiences!

Minor Hotels announces an upcoming addition to its Anantara portfolio in the United Arab Emirates. Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel will be the brand’s third property in the thriving global leisure and financial hub when it joins the portfolio on 1 July. The property, which is owned by Aujan Group Holding, has 252 guest rooms and suites, each with views of Downtown Dubai – some including the Burj Khalifa, of the Dubai skyline or the hotel pool, a wide variety of food and beverage options, a dedicated wellness floor including a spa, gym and swimming pool, meeting and events spaces and car parking. With the hotel’s central location amidst Dubai’s Downtown and Business Bay areas, close to DIFC the city’s financial district, and with easy access to the central attractions of Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Opera and the recently launched Museum of the Future, Minor Hotels plans to position Anantara Downtown Dubai as a lifestyle hub with a range of exciting food and beverage outlets, an Anantara Spa with Thai treatments giving a nod to the brand’s Thai roots and additional wellness offerings. Anantara’s exceptional experiences and luxury touch points will gradually be introduced over the coming months, and a series of property enhancements will commence later in 2022. The addition of this hotel is part of the brand’s strategic expansion into city properties, adding to the existing portfolio of city hotels including Anantara Eastern Mangroves Hotel in Abu Dhabi, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel and the growing portfolio of city hotels in Europe including Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel, Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel and most recently added, Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky in Amsterdam. Minor Hotels kicked off …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the launch of the Concierge Navigation to Success Program (NTS), a new learning programme designed for Saudi professionals working in the hospitality industry. The initiative launched at Park Inn by Radisson in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with key stakeholders from the Radisson Hotel Group supervised by Ministry of Tourism (MOT) that was represented by Princess Noura bint Khalid Al-Saud, the Learning & Development Partnership Manager at the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia. The Concierge Navigation to Success Program launched for Saudi professionals is part of the group’s ongoing expansion strategy in the Kingdom and further cements its intensive recruitment efforts in one of its key market feeders of the region. Designed to upskill the concierge team at Radisson Hotels in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the NTS programme will equip the concierge agents with the tools and resources needed to grow in their career and succeed. This initative 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 additional job opportunities. Princess Noura Al-Saud said: “We’re delighted to see international hotel groups focus on further development in the Kingdom in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. This only speaks to the group’s commitment to inspiring young adults and the new generations with tailored learning programmes to ensure career growth and the delivery of world-class services. The Human Capital Development Deputyship at the Ministry will always support such an initiative where it comes to develop and uplift the skills within the sector”. The NTS programme aims to enrich the team’s skills needed to tailor guests’ experiences and create …

Premium destination, Vienna is ready with its new luxury experiences for the travelers from the GCC as they announce some of their latest openings from the airport to hotels etc. Summer is the main time of the year where GCC travelers explore and spend their family vacation in the lap of luxury in cooler areas in Europe. “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from the GCC region, so that they can experience the premium destination Vienna first-hand. Vienna has a host of surprises for the luxury-loving guest from the GCC region, who prefer the more tasteful things in life. And it wouldn’t be Vienna if the extravagance were not accompanied by a hint of the city’s typical charm.” Matthias Schwindl, Media Manager Middle East at the Vienna Tourist Board In Vienna luxury can take a highly traditional form. Although the Austro-Hungarian monarchy ceased to exist in 1918, the high quality standards set by the former purveyors to the imperial court continue to have their place in the modern era. Around 500 companies were granted the royal k. u. k. (kaiserlichen und königlichen) warrant, making them Hoflieferanten. With this honor came the right to supply the Imperial Court with goods and services. Whether they had the imperial seal or not, in Vienna these long-standing local companies and their artisanal traditions continue to shape the city’s unmistakable appearance and fuel unique shopping experiences in the twenty-first century. Since 29 March 2022 Vienna International Airport put Terminal 2 once again into operation, ensuring a new travel experience for passengers. The oldest airport terminal was completely modernized and expanded to encompass new features. Travelers can take advantage of a modern and very exclusive …

Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road recently welcomed Tour Operators from East Europe as part of the Saudi Tourism Authority’s first familiarization trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In an aim to establish further business ventures and attract international travelers, the familiarization trip allowed participants from ten tourism agencies from across Eastern Europe. Participants experienced Riyadh’s rich culture and hospitality firsthand while discovering the city’s diverse landscape and unique offerings. The two-day itinerary included an in-depth personal hotel tour and sight inspection of the facilities and amenities by Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road’s General Manager, Mahmood Omar, and Director of Sales, Bashar Naji, followed by a trip to the city’s top attractions. Commenting on the visit, Mr. Mahmoud Omar said: “We were honored to have been the first hotel to welcome the Eastern European Tour Operators to Riyadh, allowing guests to receive their first experience of the city in the comfort of our hotel.” He continues: “This is a fantastic opportunity as the hotel is ideally positioned in the city, providing guests with ease in access to the city’s top attractions and shopping malls. We look forward to welcoming international guests in the future with the support of the Tourism agencies. The hotel is ready to create strong roots in the hearts of those across the globe.”  

Saudia Airlines has announced the resuming of its direct flights to Mauritius this May, and One&Only Le Saint Géran welcomes Saudi travellers to discover this exclusive tropical peninsula, flanked by the warm ocean and a tranquil lagoon. Long celebrated as the iconic luxury retreat in Mauritius, One&Only Le Saint Géran retains what guests have always loved – a sense of seclusion on its own private peninsula with a beachfront and calm lagoon unlike any other resort on the island. The luxury resort’s rooms, suites and exclusive villa offer ample space for relaxation, exploration, and celebration, a haven for the perfect family holiday in Mauritius. One&Only Le Saint Géran offers a host of one-of-a-kind experiences for guests to discover, designed exclusively for One&Only and tailored to each individual guest’s preferences. Saudi guests can unearth a side of Mauritius they never knew existed with illuminating excursions and hands-on experiences; from vibrant culinary journeys through to thrilling deep-sea fishing experiences, guests can discover protected nature reserves and take advantage of privileged access to unrivalled locations and colourful local characters. The dining experience at One&Only Le Saint Géran celebrates Mauritius and its fusion of cuisines, spices and culture, delivering an exciting, world-class experience for guests. Saudi guests can choose to dine at PRIME, One&Only Le Saint Géran’s celebrated and transformed steakhouse; Tapasake, exciting pan-Asian, tapas-style fusion cuisine on the edge of the lagoon; L’Artisan, an artisanal bakery serving barista prepared coffee, tempting pastries and light bites throughout the day; La Terrasse with its stunning views and celebration of Mauritian, Indian, Chinese and Mediterranean flavours prepared live; Le Badamier, idyllically located beneath the tropical sway of the Badamier trees and overlooking the Indian Ocean, serving …