Since opening its doors in March 2022, Somerset Downtown Al Khobar, the stylish property in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under The Ascott Limited (Ascott) portfolio, has witnessed strong occupancy rates in its first quarter of operations, as it continues to provide the ideal long-stay setting for both leisure and business travellers in the heart of Al Khobar. The property has witnessed a steady growth in the long stay segment, alongside a higher demand for the leisure domestic segment as school summer holidays take place across the region. Leisure guests can now avail 20% as part of the brand’s ASR Member Special Rate at discoverasr.com/offers Parallelly, the property is also offering a Long Stay Offer of up to 30% off for its corporate guests at discoverasr.com/offers Commemorating its successful first three months, Ascott is offering guests up to 60% off on bookings and Triple ASR points as part of the Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) loyalty programme at the stunning Al Khobar property, until the end of August. Mr. Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Managing Director, Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India said, “Somerset Downtown Al Khobar provides the perfect option for travellers who enjoy inspired living, whether they are planning a quick trip or an extended stay in the city. Offering guests’ a balanced living experience that effortlessly integrates work and personal life, Somerset Downtown Al Khobar is the perfect home-away-from home retreat. This is reflected in the formidable performance the property has experienced in such a short space of time, and we look forward to continued success for our Somerset apart’hotel in this coastal city.” The stylish 16-storey property showcases 139 elegantly designed and lavishly aesthetic apartments. Somerset Downtown Al Khobar …
Read More »Ishraq hospitality sign agreement with capital Elite development to launch 2 new hotels in Egypt
Ishraq Hospitality and Capital Elite Development have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch two new hotels in the New Capital, Cairo, Egypt. The properties will jointly add around 600 keys to the Egyptian hospitality market when they open to guests in 2025. The hotels will be developed by Capital Elite Development, a leading real-estate development company in Egypt, born through the development of the New Administrative Capital. The developer is part of the Mustafa Mansour Group and has earned a reputation for its commitment to delivering state-of-the-art projects for its clients. Ishraq Hospitality will work closely with Capital Elite Development to bring the project to fruition, following which, the group will manage operations at both properties, with the goal of adding to its well-earned reputation for highly successful third-party hospitality management. “The signing of the MoU between Ishraq Hospitality and Capital Elite Development brings together two companies that are well regarded leaders in their respective fields. The partnership will see the combining of world-class project development and hospitality management experience, which will result in the delivery and operation of two properties that are sure to dramatically enrich the burgeoning Egyptian hospitality sector. “We are very excited to embark on this journey with Capital Elite Development to expand into one of the most culturally significant tourism destinations in the world,” said Sherif Beshara, Group CEO at Mohamed & Obaid Almulla Group. The signing of the MoU aligns with Ishraq Hospitality’s strategic expansion plans, which were first unveiled in May at the Arabian Travel Market 2022 in Dubai. During the event, the company announced its intent to expand into Egypt, while further developing its home base market of the UAE. …
Read More »Marriott International reopens revamped Le Meridien Fairway
Le Méridien Fairway has reopened its doors to guests with the promise of the most relaxing getaway experience. Amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, Le Méridien Fairway is situated within a close proximity of the enchanting Dubai Creek providing guests luxury comforts and easy access to Dubai’s main attractions, some of which include The City Centre Mall, The Gold Souk and the infamous Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. Le Méridien Fairway boasts an array of pristine facilities, for those looking to lounge in lavish settings, the outdoor swimming pool is the perfect destination. The Peak Health Club is the hotels renowned fitness studio ideal for guests looking to stay active during their relaxing retreat. For those who are looking to indulge in delicious offerings, Le Méridien Fairway showcases three spectacular restaurants. Petit Café is the all-day dining restaurant offering mouthwatering international dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Patrons looking for a laid-back option can look to the Press Club bar where guests can revel in exclusive promotions. The promotions include a bucket of hops, happy hour and buy one get one free deal. The bar is open to revelers from 3pm to 2.30am. The Lobby Bar is ideal for business lunches, for the price of AED 39 only guests can enjoy a speedy and light business lunch daily, from 11am to 3pm. For the main attraction, Le Méridien Fairway presents a range of beautiful rooms that boast views, comfort, and relaxation. The room categories include: Deluxe Rooms King/Twin – Recently renovated in 2021 the 40 sqm Deluxe Guestrooms offer a great escape for those looking for a relaxing experience. Perfect for leisure and business travelers the Deluxe …
Read More »Aleph hospitality signs third hotel in Uganda
Aleph Hospitality has solidified its presence in Uganda by taking over management of the Best Western Plus The Athena Hotel in Kampala earlier this month. Best Western Plus The Athena is a contemporary four-star hotel situated in the upscale neighbourhood of Bugolobi, on the outskirts of the capital Kampala. The boutique hotel features a restaurant, cocktail lounge, outdoor garden, pool and gym, as well as a business centre and conference facilities. The hotel is located in the central business district of Kampala. Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality said: “We are delighted to welcome the Best Western Plus The Athena Hotel into the Aleph portfolio. Seven years ago, when we identified a gap in the market for independent hotel management companies, I could not have imagined that today we would be managing 12 hotels in Africa, with many more properties in the pipeline.” Owner of Athena Investment Ltd, Ms Grace Kavuya, said: “We are excited to work with the experienced team at Aleph Hospitality and look forward to taking the hotel and our guest experience to the next level. With the strong post-pandemic recovery in travel globally, and the country’s continued investment in the hospitality sector, we are confident that there is a bright future for our hotel and the tourism industry in Uganda.” Aleph Hospitality, which has targeted 50 hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2026, manages hotels directly for owners, either on a franchise basis for branded properties or as a white label operator for independently branded hotels.
Read More »Future hospitality debuts in Dubai with 50 leading speakers
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) will debut in Dubai this September, bringing together the Middle East and Africa’s industry leaders for discussions, deals and insight on the continued growth of the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. Hosted by Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts and co-organised by The Bench and MEED, FHS brings together the investment communities of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) and AviaDev under one roof. Other conference tracks include Sustainability & Innovation, Startup Den and The Future of Human Capital. The three-day summit takes place at Madinat Jumeirah from 19 to 21 September 2022, uniting government leaders, hotel investors, owners, developers and operators to discuss the industry’s hot topics, set the scene for the future and network with elite players in their field. 50 leaders from some of the world’s most dynamic hospitality brands who have confirmed to speak include José Silva, CEO of Jumeirah Group Hotels & Resorts; Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO of Indian Hotels Company Limited; Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO Minor Hotels; Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO at Rotana; Sandeep Walia, Chief Operations Officer at Marriott International; Khalid Anib, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Hotels; Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality; Haitham Mattar, Managing Director MEA & South West Asia at IHG Hotels and Resorts; Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA at Wyndham Hotels, Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, President Middle East, Africa & Turkey at Hilton as well as Chris Newman Executive Director Hotel Development at Neom; Agnès Roquefort, Chief Development Officer at Accor and Elie Younes, Chief Development Officer at Radisson. Among the names representing the global food & beverage investment community – coming together on the first day of FHS for the …
Read More »Dubai hotels achieve profitability levels seven times higher than 2019 :STR
Among key hotel markets in the Middle East, Dubai’s gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) came in seven times higher than the 2019 comparable, according to STR’s May 2022 P&L data release. Helped by strong international arrival numbers, as well as an earlier Ramadan, Dubai’s May GOPPAR reached US$115.37. That level was 776% of the pre-pandemic comparable. Just a month earlier during Ramadan, the market was at 79% of 2019 GOPPAR. Also reporting significant month-over-month improvement in the region, Qatar posted a May GOPPAR of US$60.87. That level was 466% of the pre-pandemic comparable after the market had fallen into negative territory using the same comparison in April. Saudi Arabia’s GOPPAR was just 39% of the 2019 comparable, down from 325% in March.
Read More »Dubai hotel bookings for FIFA on the rise
With FIFA 2022 a few months away, Dubai and Abu Dhabi seems the perfect hub to connect the fans to Doha. As airlines work on their special charter flights, hotels and agents from across the GCC are sorting out the bookings as they start rolling in. Nuran Kilani, Director of Sales and Marketing, The Tower Plaza Hotel, “Dubai being a cosmopolitan city, and we are blessed by being in a prime location with proximity to city touristic attractions and shopping spree so we are getting bookings from pretty much all countries like Brazil, Argentine, uk, Germany, france, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Israel, Egypt and many more. According to Qatar Tourism, there are just under 30,000 hotel rooms in Qatar. They has revealed that 80% of these rooms are already booked for FIFA players, referees, media and other official guests. A flight from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Doha takes a litter over one hour. About 1.5 million visitors are expected for the month-long tournament.” Jeannette Smit, Complex Director of Sales & Marketing, W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark and The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, shared “We’re seeing the most uptake from European countries such as UK, Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands being the most popular, while Serbia, South America, Brasil and Argentina are showing interest and we only expect this to increase over the coming months. We have three properties within our complex so we’re only taking reservations for W Dubai – Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark. However with these three unique products we can …
Read More »Rotana grows footprint in Egypt with the upcoming opening of Luxor Rotana
Rotana announced the signing of the management agreement for the Luxor Rotana. This luxury five-star resort in Egypt’s historic city is set to open in Q4 2023 catering to business and leisure travellers. Located in the heart of the “world’s greatest open-air museum”, this stunning new property will be in close proximity to the city’s ancient ruins including monuments, tombs and temples, set on the beautiful Nile offering stunning river views and more than 18,000 sqm of lush gardens. Integrating modern architecture with authentic designs, the luxury resort will boast 319 spacious rooms, including 48 suites and one exquisitely designed presidential suite offering unobstructed views of the cityscape. Guests will enjoy a wide selection of food and beverage options from four outlets including a lobby lounge, an all-day dining restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, a sophisticated bar, and Kamoon, a popular Rotana developed restaurant with spectacular views over the gardens and Nile river. Commenting on the announcement, Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana said: “As we build on our expansion plans in the region, the signing of Luxor Rotana delivers on our strategic goal to further grow our portfolio in North Africa. Egypt is a key market for us with significant potential and we look forward to further building our brand presence in the country. Adding to our luxury portfolio, we look forward to delivering an unparalleled experience by providing our guests with “Treasured Time” in this timeless city of Luxor.” Luxor Rotana will offer a range of services and amenities including a luxurious state-of-the-art spa and treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, steam and sauna, and a dedicated kids club. Fitness enthusiasts will also enjoy two …
Read More »Premium brand Citadines Abha, eighth property of Ascott Ltd opens in KSA
The Ascott Limited (Ascott) celebrates the opening of its eighth property in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) with the launch of Citadines Abha, in partnership with Almutlaq Real Estate Investment Co. The 140-unit apart’hotel marks the sixth regional opening for the group this year, as it forges ahead with its tenacious expansion plans for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. Citadines Abha takes Ascott’s operational footprint to 1,062 keys in KSA, and 2,391 across the region. Nestled 7,450 feet above sea level in the mountainous district of Abha, the property overlooks the majestic Asir Mountains and provides residents and visitors with the perfect recluse from bustling city-life. It offers easy access to Abha’s vibrant leisure excursions, including shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment hubs in close proximity, and is located just 6 kms away from the Abha Regional Airport. Aesthetically designed to optimise living spaces, Citadines Abha encapsulates the ideal adventurous and relaxing experience. With subtle hues of mustard yellow and inspiring modern Arabesque patterns, each apartment is equipped with spacious living spaces, stylish dining areas, sophisticated kitchenettes and scenic floor-to-ceiling windows. Featuring a variety of elegant apartments which cater to the needs of every traveller, the stellar property offers chic studio apartments for the adventure seekers and solo explorers; while business travellers can book their stay in the premium one-bedroom apartments; parallelly, family and friends can relax and unwind during their stay in the lavish two-bedroom apartments. The urban property is also home to world-class amenities, including a swimming pool, gymnasium, resident’s lounge, restaurant, meeting rooms and a business centre. Mr. Vincent Miccolis, Ascott’s Managing Director for the Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India, says: “Saudi Arabia continues to …
Read More »dnata and Banyan Tree Group grow partnership as Thailand emerges as top destination for GCC travellers in 2022
dnata Representation Services, part of the dnata Travel Group, is growing its partnership with the Banyan Tree Group across Thailand as the country emerges as one of the most popular international travel destinations from the GCC countries this year. dnata Representation Services has acted as exclusive sales representative in the Middle East for the Banyan Tree Group’s Maldivian properties since 2016. dnata will now provide support for a range of its popular hotels and resorts across Thailand, offering regional travellers exclusive holiday packages and dedicated local support. Its representation will cover ever-popular Banyan Tree Bangkok in the capital, and multiple properties across the country’s largest island, Phuket. This includes Banyan Tree Phuket, which recently launched a new wellbeing resort – Banyan Tree Veya Phuket – as part of its cluster; Angsana Laguna Phuket, opening this year a highly-anticipated new restaurant, ATOLL, set amidst a lagoon; alongside the Homm Bliss South Beach Patong and Cassia Phuket. dnata Travel, based across the GCC, recently announced that Thailand is the most popular holiday destination for UAE travellers for summer 2022, while the brand records a surge in popularity for travel to the country across its wider regional operations including in KSA. Sébastien Doussin, DVP – Global Ground Services & Destination Management at dnata Travel Group, commented: “As one of the Middle East’s longest-standing travel providers, we remain at the forefront of latest traveller trends across the region. Our enhanced partnership with the Banyan Tree Group, owner of some of the world’s most renowned luxury resorts, enables us to support our travellers with excellent hotel packages in some of the most sought-after travel destinations from this part of the world including Thailand and the …
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