Category Archives: Hotels

Hyde Hotels, Resorts & Residences announced the first Hyde hotel outside of the United States, Hyde Dubai Business Bay, in close proximity to the iconic Burj Khalifa directly fronting the Business Bay canal and promenade. The project is being developed in collaboration with owner, Emerald Palace Group, who have been successfully developing and constructing residential projects in Ukraine, UAE and Russia since 1996, including the newly announced Raffles the Palm Dubai. This news comes on the heels of Accor’s latest phase of expansion and its planned joint venture with Ennismore, which will see the creation of one of the world’s largest and fastest growing lifestyle operators, set to include Hyde Hotels, Resorts & Residences. This will be the fifth opening under the Hyde brand. Chadi Farhat, Chief Operating Officer of sbe said, “We couldn’t be happier to be working with Emerald Palace Group on bringing the Hyde brand to Dubai Business Bay and we want to thank Dr. Nver Mkhitaryan for the support in developing the property. This opening is a testament of our continued international growth, and in particular, after the incredible success of SLS Dubai, Hyde Dubai Business Bay will continue to bring additional lifestyle experiences to one of the most vibrant destinations in the world. We will be bringing some of our most well-known concepts to the property with Katsuya, Cleo, and Hudson Tavern.” “We are delighted to partner with Accor to establish the first Hyde hotel in the U.A.E.,” said Dr. Mkhitaryan, Owner of EPG Group. “No expense is being spared in the construction and décor, and we are confident that our guests will appreciate the attention that’s been paid to every last detail. This is …

Address Hotels + Resorts are set to redefine the perfect getaway with the much-anticipated opening of the new Address Beach Resort Fujairah later this year. Adding a second beachfront property in the UAE to their portfolio, Address Hotels + Resorts bring a fresh perspective to the global hospitality service sector focusing on creating an ultimate experience through exceptional hospitality service. Creating landmarks ‘Where Life Happens’, the brand offers world class designing, creating and curating memories for guests at every touchpoint and moment of their journey at any property. Designed with an ingenious sense of style and developed by Eagle Hills, Address Beach Resort Fujairah is set to become the brand’s ultimate beach getaway that offers both coastal coolness and the outdoor adventures that Fujairah is so well known for. “Address Beach Resort Fujairah will be the first hotel – as a part of the expansion plan of our luxury brand – into the beautiful East Coast of the United Arab Emirates. The beach-front property is located on the well-known coastline of Al Aqah in Fujairah and set to be the perfect city escape nestled between the sea and the mountains,” says Mark Kirby, Head of Hospitality, Emaar Hospitality Group. “We like to believe that 2021 is our year as we look forward to stepping outside our home, Dubai, to newer locations such as Fujairah. This property follows a very successful launch of the first-ever beachfront property, Address Beach Resort in Dubai. We see the Fujairah property becoming a much-loved weekend retreat.” Spread over 578,000 sq feet, the resort will feature 196 guest rooms and suites,  10 privately owned villas including exclusive four-bedroom Beach and Garden Villa as well as 4 residential …

Sand Sherpa has launched a new summer adventure. Starting from June 18, the homegrown company will offer self-drive sunrise and sunset safaris in the 225-square-kilometre protected area. Presenting a new and unique way to explore the desert in the summer months – when humidity levels among the dunes are lower than that of the city – the experience allows participants to enter the private reserve in their own vehicles with the Sand Sherpa team. Aimed at those looking to connect with nature and explore Dubai’s natural wilderness, the experience begins with a briefing on reserve driving etiquette. Sand Sherpa’s expert guides will then instruct drivers over hand-held radios and enable them to safely manoeuvre their own 4X4 vehicles through the dunes, all with minimal impact on the natural environment. During the 75-minute wildlife drive, adults and children alike will learn about the desert, its history and inhabitants, while enjoying close encounters with indigenous flora and fauna. The lush vegetation in the reserve attracts birds and various desert animals, including gazelles, foxes, monitor lizards and the once-endangered Arabian oryx. Following the scenic drive, participants are ushered to the campsite, where they will be able to enjoy a birds of prey interaction. Every participant will have a turn walking with and flying a trained indigenous owl, hawk, eagle and falcon before departing from the reserve after sunset. This summer self-drive safari is offered for the first time in the region and available for general bookings on weekends. Bespoke bookings are also available for private groups during the week. Bookings are limited to up to two adults and three children per vehicle. The experience is ideal for families with children looking to explore …

IHG Hotels & Resorts is bringing the world’s first globally branded boutique hotel brand to the Kingdom with the signing of  Hotel indigo Riyadh King Abdallah Road. This development also marks the first hotel to be signed under the Master Development Agreement (MDA) between IHG and RIVA Development Company via its wholly owned subsidiary RIVA Hospitality for Hotel Services Company. No two Hotel Indigo properties are the same, and this stunning addition to the brand portfolio will have Riyadh’s cultural influences embedded in its DNA through a visionary design which captures the historical charm of local heritage as well as influences of nearby modern architecture. A new built property, Hotel indigo Riyadh King Abdallah Road will feature 228 design-led rooms and will open its doors to guests in March 2025. Offering authentic local experiences combined with a modern design, the hotel will also feature two dining options, a pool and a fitness center. Additionally, the hotel will offer 353 sqm of meeting and events space to cater to the demands of business travelers visiting Saudi Arabia’s capital city. Speaking on the announcement, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “We are pleased to announce the signing of a new Hotel Indigo in Saudi Arabia in partnership with RIVA Development Company, aligned to our robust expansion plans in the Kingdom over the coming years. Hotel Indigo is a unique brand that allows every individual property to draw inspiration from the local surroundings and offer an immersive and authentic experience to guests. As a result of the Saudi Tourism Development Strategy, there will be a rising wave of travelers coming to Saudi Arabia and seeking differentiated travel and …

TIME Hotels held the soft opening of its much-anticipated TIME Asma Hotel in Dubai’s Al Barsha ‘shopping’ district yesterday, Tuesday 15 June. The new four-star property has a remarkable feature – its management team consists entirely of women, including the hotel manager Alexandra Kelner and 80% of the hotel’s employees. Commenting, TIME Hotels’ CEO Mohamed Awadalla, said: “It has always been integral to our corporate strategy to diversify our workforce and offer equal opportunities to all members of staff. “Under the leadership of Alexandra, all areas of the hotel operation will be managed by women, from HR to sales, F&B, finance, front office and housekeeping – even our executive chef is a woman. “I am sure that this talented all-female management team will provide inspiration to all women who want to carve out a successful career in hospitality,” added Awadalla. “Once regional and international travel restrictions are relaxed, more women will be travelling on business than ever before. Many women may well be travelling alone and I believe it will be comforting for them to have the option of staying in a hotel where 80% of the staff are women, with dedicated floors and in-room amenities,” said Alexandra Kelner, Hotel Manager, TIME Asma Hotel. “With the summer heat approaching, TIME Asma is ideally located for a weekend of retail therapy,” said Kelner.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba, is the newest addition within the Radisson Hotel Group’s portfolio. The hotel boasts a mix of suites and private villas as well as various dining options and flexible meeting room space, which covers over 600 square meters.  The opening of Radisson BluHotel, Riyadh Qurtuba brings the group’s portfolio to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development in Saudi Arabia, accelerating Radisson Hotel Group’s leading expansion across the Kingdom. “We are delighted to expand our Radisson Blu brand in the city of Riyadh, especially during these times.  In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, we are excited to further grow our presence across the Kingdom, and work together to make Saudi Arabia a must-visit destination. Despite the challenges, due to the current circumstances, Radisson Hotel Group has started moving towards normality with a host of expansion and opening announcements over the past months. The Kingdom remains a key development area and our ambitions across the region have remained the same,” says Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group. Fabrizio Bigi, General Manager Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Qurtuba, commented, “No matter if for business or leisure, with our dedicated team and modern facilities, we aim to create more meaningful and memorable experiences for our guests. With a mix of rooms, suites and villas we offer something for everyone. Our three bedroom villas are the ideal way for families to explore the city while remaining in their own comfort and privacy.”

Ishraq Hospitality, a division of Mohamed & Obaid AlMullaGroup, one of the most dynamic and prominent business houses in UAE, appoints Alexander Suski as Acting Chief Executive Officer. Mr Suski is moving up to Acting CEO from his role as Group Director, Commercial and Business Development, IshraqHospitality, where he was overseeing commercial operations and strategic expansion of seven hotel properties under InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG Hotels & Resorts) and Wyndham franchises. In addition, he was responsible for driving short- and long-term commercial strategies for the portfolio and developing Ishraq Hospitality’s well-recognized Hospitality Advisory Services for investors or hotel owners. Suski has over 18 years of industry experience that spans Europe and MEA, with more than a decade of strategic development in sales and marketing in the region’s hospitality industry. He was Associate Vice President Sales and Marketing, Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East and Africa, overlooking a portfolio of 48 properties and over 40 future openings in the region. Prior to that, Suski was Area Director of Sales and Marketing Egypt and Bahrain, Kempinksi Hotels, moving to UAE as Director of Sales and Marketing at Kempinski Hotel Ajman and Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. In this role, he reinvigorated sales and marketing strategies, market share, profit expansion and hotel brand repositioning to accelerate growth. Suski’s more than a decade-long valuable experience in Europe is integral to his vast understanding of the hospitality sector.  He has worked with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts (IHG) in Warsaw, Sofitel Luxury Hotels (Accor) in Bruges-Ghent-Brussels-Luxemburg-Amsterdam, Crowne Plaza (IHG) in Brussels and De Dikke Van Dale (Fletcher Hotels) in Holland. His leadership capabilities, customer-focused approach, communication skills, matched with innovative thinking and a thorough understanding …

The stunning beachfront hotel under Palladium Hotel Group’s luxury brand BLESS Collection Hotels, announces its much-awaited re-opening which took place on 28 May for summer 2021. The property is located in one of Ibiza’s most beautiful coves, Cala Nova, on the island’s east coast. This reopening is a different way to experience the island of Ibiza and with that, a new understanding of the perspective of life. From the original flavours of Martin Berasategui’s haute cuisine, the evocative aromas of the Mediterranean, to the unmissable Ibizan sunsets at EPIC Infinity Lounge, the hotel brings back a unique luxury concept. Etxeko Ibiza, a space dedicated to haute cuisine at BLESS Hotel Ibiza, brings the original flavours of San Sebastian to the Balearic island with a nod to local specialities. The most sublime selection of raw ingredients from the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean are transformed into gourmet bites by the expert hands of Martín Berasategui, who has been awarded 12 Michelin stars, and his excellent team.  Guests can also pamper themselves at the Magness Soul Ful Spa, where they will leave feeling empowered and energised,while following a visit to Rossano Ferreti and his emblematic beauty salon, guests will be ready to enjoy fine dining and their evening ahead. To enjoy safety your holidays, guests will have at their disposal an on-demand COVID testing service that includes antigen testing with results in less than an hour and PCR testing with results in less than 24 hours.  

Aloft Dubai Creek by Marriott signed a partnership agreement with Evolvin’ Women, a social enterprise dedicated to the advancement of women in developing areas through providing skill development opportunities in the hospitality sector. The two year partnership entails Aloft Dubai Creek facilitating work experience and skill development training for the women under the Evolvin’ Women Program. For Evolvin’ Women, this is the first collaboration with a Marriot property and will advance the organization’s goal of empowering unemployed women from Africa by connecting them to quality education and job opportunities in the private sector in the UAE which will help them find suitable jobs in the hospitality field and become financially independent. As a starting point, Alloft Dubai Creek is interviewing women from Zambia who are under the Evolvin’ Women programmeand the selected candidates will be offered work placements. The women will receive training and mentoring from female professionals in managerial roles and work in the hotel departments best suited to their interests and capabilities. Gurnoor Bindra, Hotel Manager who commented, “I don’t believe in hiring people based on their gender but as a female leader myself, I do believe in giving enough opportunities to women who don’t get them easily due to the places they come from, societal constraints, biased treatment, and financial barriers. Evolvin’ Women has given us the opportunity to connect to with women who have or still are undergoing these challenges and need the first opportunity to start their journey of self-confidence, fair treatment, skill development and financial independence.” “We are proud to be the 1st Marriott Hotel to collaborate with Evolvin’ Women and through this partnership we will advance our mission of diversifying our team while improving the …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the debut of its second brand and third hotel in Morocco with the signing of Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle in partnership with Al Hoceinia Hospitality. With construction already underway, the hotel is scheduled to open in 2023 and will consist of 133 guestrooms and suites. Located in the heart of Casablanca’s vibrant and exclusive Gauthier district, one of the prominent corporate, financial and entertainment districts, Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle is just 2.5 km from the glistening La Corniche, the charming Old Medina, and Hassan II Mosque, the second largest mosque in the world. The hotel will offer a unique view over the Arab League Park and will also form part of La Citadelle, a new, premium mixed-use development which will comprise of residences, offices and retail outlets. Ramsay Rankoussi, Vice President, Development, Africa & Turkey, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “Morocco is a strategic bridge between Europe and the rest of Africa, and a key focus market in our African development strategy. We aim to grow our Moroccan portfolio to over 15 hotels within the next three to five years, and Casablanca is a key city where we are looking to expand our footprint to more than five hotels. Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier La Citadelle is the Moroccan debut of our fastest-growing brand in Africa, and marks our third hotel in the country, joining our other two successful properties, Radisson Blu Hotel, Casablanca City Center and Radisson Blu Hotel, Marrakech Carré Eden. We expect to introduce each of our remaining three brands but also cover all segments, from business hotels to resort properties, as well as serviced apartments. I would like to take …