Category Archives: Hotels

Marriott International announces the official opening of Courtyard by Marriott Riyadh Northern Ring Road in the heart of the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in December 2020, after a soft opening that took place June this year.Featuring stylish accommodation and excellent service, the hotel is ideally located near King Abdullah Financial District, Riyadh Digital City and Riyadh Business Gate and provides easy access to the city’s top leisure attractions, including Riyadh Park, Riyadh Boulevard and famous shopping malls. “Courtyard by Marriott represents one of the fastest growing brands in the region under our portfolio and we are delighted to be opening our fourth Courtyard by Marriott in the Kingdom,” said Guido De Wilde, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International. “The brand is a great fit for the city and its prominent location is perfect for our independent, forward-thinking guests who want to pursue their personal and professional passions while traveling on business or leisure.”

Radisson Hotel Group has plans to more than double its serviced apartments portfolio within the next 5 years across EMEA. Today, serviced apartments represent around 10% of the Group’s EMEA portfolio with 45 properties and more than 5,400 units in operation and under development. Radisson Hotel Group operates its serviced apartments as a stand-alone or a mixed-use development in combination with a traditional hotel operation. Serviced apartments will be developed as a brand extension of the existing Radisson Hotel Group’s brand portfolio to cater to the different segments from midscale to luxury. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer Radisson Hotel Group said, “For many years we have explored the strong demand for serviced apartments and extended stay products by recognizing it as an attractive risk-adjusted investment proposition that has considerable growth potential. Given its relevance to the current economic climate, this value proposition has recently been further defined in our portfolio, offering a holistic concept with more opportunities for our investors and more possibilities for our guests.”

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort welcomes guests back to its glorious haven in the clouds. Tourists from the Middle East and beyond can now plan a trip to Oman’s leading resort and apply for a tourist visa to enter the country, provided they have a hotel booking or sponsorship from a local travel agency. Travellers are also required to present two negative COVID-19 PCR tests to be enabled entry in Oman, one no more than 90 hours prior to departure and another conducted at the airport on arrival. For trips less than 7 days, visitors will also be able to bypass the quarantine requirement and freely explore their destination. Experience the time-honoured tradition of Omani hospitality and indulge in exciting escapades while soaking in dramatic canyon views with the prefect getaway at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar. Located at 2,000m above sea level, this elevated luxury resort offers Omani splendour in the most breathtaking of natural settings.

Marriott International has launched Marriott Bonvoy Business Ready, a new travel programme designed exclusively for small to medium size businesses (SMBs) across Europe, Middle East and Africa. This new offering enables SMBs to book business travel easily and efficiently, whilst accessing preferential rates – when the time is right for them to travel again. “The global pandemic has had significant impact on business travel this year.  However, just like the pent up demand for leisure travel, there is pent up demand for business travel – while we have all had to get used to working remotely this year, people are keen to get back to meeting partners, suppliers and colleagues and connect face to face. There is no virtual replacement for doing business in person.  Marriott Bonvoy Business Ready offers a great new opportunity for small and medium size businesses to efficiently book business travel, earn Marriott Bonvoy points and access great rates across our across Europe, Middle East & Africa portfolio of over 950 hotels and 24 brands across 75 countries and territories.” said Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Marriott International, EMEA.

Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) is venturing into the hotel business with METT Hotels & Resorts, opening in Bodrum, Turkey by Spring 2021. METT is a refined, elegant and laid-back collection of lifestyle hotels and resorts inspired by the simple, balanced bliss of Mediterranean living, with social dining and lifestyle entertainment at the heart of the whole experience.The 105-key METT Hotel & Resort Bodrum is the first property under the METT Hotels & Resorts brand and seven new hotels are in the pipeline to open within the next two years in key destinations across the Mediterranean region as well as Middle East. Antonio Gonzalez, CEO, Sunset Hospitality Group comments, “The hospitality industry has transformed immensely in the last five years and we believe that this is the right time to venture into the hotel business, with our own lifestyle brand.  METT is a unique concept with a focus on entertainment, dining and experiences, which complements the existing offering of the other larger hotel brands. Our entry into the tourism industry signifies the evolution of Sunset Hospitality Group and fortifies our continuous commitment to offering a world of experiences. We are known for pioneering unique dining concepts in the international hospitality scene and this expertise will be a key to having a competitive edge in the tourism and hospitality industry.” Nazih Hafez, COO, Sunset Hospitality Group adds: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our flagship METT Hotel & Resorts property in Bodrum, a location that embraces all aspects of the Mediterranean life we want to emanate – chic, carefree, social, inviting and refreshing. Bodrum is considered a top global vacation hotspot for international travelers so the presence of METT will …

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group signed an agreement with the Al Khozama Company to manage and ultimately brand the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.  The Group will take over the management in the first quarter of 2021. The hotel is undergoing an extensive guestroom and public area renovation which will be completed at the end of 2021, after which it will be rebranded Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh. The Al Faisaliah Hotel is in the heart of the Central Business District of Riyadh, providing easy access to corporate offices, government buildings, high end shopping, restaurants and cafés. It forms an integral part of the mixed-use Al Faisaliah Centre, designed by Foster & Partners. The hotel comprises 321 guestrooms and suites, with new interiors designed by Adam Tihany Design, New York. Also featured are a variety of refreshed restaurants, lounges and bars, including the popular top floor venue which commands outstanding views of the city. Revitalised function spaces will cater to social events and business meetings, while an indoor swimming pool, male and female spa areas and a fitness centre complete the leisure facilities. “The Al Faisaliah Hotel has been a leading light in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector since opening its doors 20 years ago. We are pleased to be partnering with Mandarin Oriental to further develop the hotel and to create the most luxurious and sophisticated property in the region,” said Khalid Abuhaimed, CEO of Al Khozama. “We are delighted to further strengthen Mandarin Oriental’s presence in the Middle East by introducing the brand to Saudi Arabia and bringing the Group’s legendary service to Riyadh,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. “We look forward to collaborating with …

Rotana announced the highly anticipated opening of its 35th property in the UAE, in the prestigious Al Jaddaf district of Dubai. In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mana bin Khalifa al Maktoum, Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel Dubai was officially inaugurated, further cementing the group’s expanding footprint and commitment to the region’s thriving hospitality sector. Speaking at the official opening, Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana said, “I am grateful to the team at Al Jaddaf Rotana and the wider Rotana team, whose vision, resilience and determination have allowed us to reach our goal of a 2020 opening as originally planned. Al Jaddaf Rotana represents a huge milestone for Rotana. As a homegrown brand, we are committed to further developing and diversifying the hospitality industry in the UAE in line with the government’s broader economic and tourism objectives.” Haytham Omar, General Manager, Al Jaddaf Rotana said, “Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel Dubai represents an incomparable fixture in Dubai and the UAE.  We are committed to offering innovative ways to improve the guest experiences that embody the Rotana way of living. The concept of creating moments of ‘Treasured Time’ is central to this promise.  The district of Al Jaddaf has much to offer guests in the way of unique experiences and I am confident this hotel will become the property of choice for those seeking a comfortable, easily accessible and stylish home away from home for either business or leisure.”

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s curator of experiences, appoints Hilton, to bring two of its new and unique hospitality offerings to Yas Island, while it invests AED 627 Million in their development. The WB Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Warner Bros. branded hotel, will be operated and managed by Hilton under its upper-upscale Curio Collection by Hilton brand, while the serviced residences to be managed by DoubleTree by Hilton. B.R. Kiran, Chief Portfolio Officer at Miral said, “Hilton is a globally recognized partner and we are honored to be partnering with them to bring the Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton brands to Abu Dhabi for the first time. This supports our strategy and vision of creating unforgettable experiences for every guest on Yas Island, while increasing the diversity of hospitality options available to them. We are confident that residents and visitors alike will welcome the diverse and flexible range of new accommodation options, whilst enjoying the unmatched experiences and unique attractions available to them on Yas Island.” Carlos Khneisser, VP of Development, MEA at Hilton said, “We are proud to be partnering with Miral on these two new hotels which will see us introduce two new brands to Abu Dhabi. The WB Abu Dhabi, which will be part of Hilton’s Curio Collection is a magnificent example of the sort of unique guest experiences we look for with our Curio Collection, while DoubleTree by Hilton Yas Island Residences continues the successful growth of this brand in the UAE. Miral has a clear vision to develop Yas Island into a global destination and we look forward to being a part of this transformation.”

ORZU Hospitality Group announced its launch in the UAE, as it outlines its strategic roll-out plan for the months ahead. With three venues scheduled to open by Q1 2021, all located at The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, and seven further launches scheduled throughout 2021 within the UAE, the team, headed by respected industry leader Mirzo Hafizov, previously part of the renowned Jumeirah Group and the Bulldozer Group amongst other reputed brands, has a bold vision for the UAE. ORZU Hospitality Group, (Orzu meaning ‘dream’ in English), is founded on the principles of bringing high quality, unique and authentic culinary experiences to the UAE, drawing on the combined experience and pedigree of the management team and their ability to develop and operate commercially successful concepts. This includes and is not limited to combining gastro eclectic authentic cuisines from Asia together with techniques and local ingredients from the UAE. Digital business solutions are also a priority for the group, introducing completely new approaches to hospitality in the UAE, placing Orzu ahead of the competition. Mirzo Hafizov comments, “I have a long-held, deep-rooted passion for the art of hospitality and a specific love of the culinary industry in the UAE, with its exciting, diverse range of cultural influences. It is also home to many talented chefs and hospitality experts. As such, I’m pleased to announce the launch of ORZU Hospitality Group and the imminent opening of three new venues, which I hope will be welcomed as a positive addition to the existing scene.”

Morpho Hotels & Resorts announced its official brand entry into the Middle East market, and it will soon open its doors to the UAE residents and tourists in 2021. The advent of the pandemic has brought about a change in a traveller’s expectations while choosing a hotel. The brand aims to revolutionise the hospitality industry in the region with the introduction of new hotels equipped with optimised and digitised operations with a strict adherence to the highest levels of hygiene and safety to deliver an exceptional experience for all its guests. Dipinder Benjamin, CEO of Morpho Hotels and Resorts commented, “Despite the various challenges presented by the pandemic, we are committed to launch our next phase of growth bringing with us a fresh approach to the hospitality industry. The Morpho brand will provide affordable and accessible accommodation with the highest service standards in conjunction with intuitive technology.” The Group also announced its strategic partnership with Wakira Investments, a Dubai-based seasoned food investment company, which owns popular local restaurants including Kulcha King, Nom Nom Asia and El Greco. The partnership signals the Morpho hotels commitment to expand its footprint through joining forces with Wakira Investments in the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Iraq, and the Levant. Nader A. Bassit, CEO of Wakira Investments said, “Morpho’s vision and ambition are a perfect match to Wakira’s DNA. Morpho Hotels has a strong leadership team backed by decades of experience and innovative management systems. Wakira Investments is a blend of solid professionals and seasoned shareholders, both with many years of market experiences ranging from hospitality, retail, food processing, investments, to restaurants, and is keen on bringing growing concepts to its region. We look forward to …