Category Archives: Hotels

Madar at Aljada was launched by HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah in UAE. HH Ruler of Sharjah was received by Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Head of the Seaports and Customs Department, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Council and Arada, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder and CEO of the Kalimat Group, Sheikh Khalid bin Issam Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation, Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Ruler’s Office, Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Head of the Department of Statistics and Community Development, HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Deputy Chairman of Arada, and a number of sheikhs, heads of government organisations and private sector companies, businessmen and investors. After unveiling the official plaque outside the Aljada Discovery Centre, HH Ruler of Sharjah toured the main attractions and various zones and facilities across Madar’s 600,000 square-foot park. He paused in front of a model of Aljada project, listening to a full explanation of the various attractions that are spread over an area of 2.2 square kilometres, and include many facilities, services and entertainment avenues. On this occasion, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, said, “HH Ruler of Sharjah does not confine his focus to one area or the other but rather pays attention to all areas and factors of success and progress in order to support the sustainable development of the emirate in a way that serves the human being as it is the key to the progress of all societies.”

Dubai’s most anticipated design led, luxury hotel will open its doors on March 1, 2020.  Designed by the world-renowned late architect, Dame Zaha Hadid, ME Dubai will take residence in The Opus by Omniyat building, located in the heart of the Burj Khalifa district in Dubai – the latest outstanding addition to Dubai’s iconic skyline. This is the first and last hotel where the Iraqi-British architect has designed both the exterior and interior of the hotel, making ME Dubai her legacy project. Hadid was famous for her intensely futuristic architecture, characterised by curves, sharp angles and bold materials and the ME Dubai hotel is no exception. The hotel boasts 74 rooms and 19 suites, including the Passion Suite, Personality Suite, Vibe Room and the ultra-luxurious ‘ME Suite’. Guests and visitors can choose from three owned F&B outlets, including Central, the Refuel & Relax pool bar and The Opus Studio. In addition, the Opus building will offer 15 F&B outlets including ROKA, the contemporary Japanese robatayaki restaurant, as well as MAINE Land Brasserie. The spa at ME Dubai provides guests the ultimate refuge for relaxation, offering a variety of luxurious spa treatments for indiviuals or couples to unwind. Welcoming bookings from March 1, ME Dubai will act as a platform for contemporary Middle Eastern culture, bringing together music, art, design, fashion and gastronomy in curated experiences that celebrate the latest trends, events and scene leaders shaping the local cultural landscape. With properties located in cultural capitals around the world, ME by Meliá creates a unique link to the communities in which it operates. As the brand’s first Middle Eastern property, ME Dubai is not only set to become the social and …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis, in the Middle East. Located at Dubai Digital Park, Dubai’s first ever smart city project built with the latest AI and IoT technologies, the hotel brings RED’s forward-thinking style to the desert. The brand presents a playful twist on conventional hotel stays with a culinary hangout with a casual feel and a buzzing social scene. Using integrated technology and bold design personality, Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis comprises of 104 contemporary designed rooms, eight suites and 59 apartments created with millennials in mind. Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East and Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “Radisson RED is a completely new and different hotel concept. It is bold and alive, and provides an experience like no other, created today for tomorrow’s biggest travellers, in one of the fastest growing sectors of the market: lifestyle select.” Stuart Birkwood, Enigmatic Curator, Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis, commented, “We love our location in Dubai’s first smart city, and we look forward to Silicon Park growing around us into the epicentre of the UAE’s advancing technology. Radisson RED brings innovation, fun and a fresh approach to the city’s social scene – with artwork created by local talents and integrated technology such as our digital social streaming content wall.”

Millennium Central Kuwait Downtown partners with Rotana to host their musicians and production teams participating in Hala February concerts. Providing a blend of culture, shopping and entertainment experience, Hala February features 11 singers from around the Arab world to perform a month-long festival of mega concerts. The 11 singers participating in these concerts are – Mohammad Abdo, Abdullah Al-Ruwaished, Rashid Al-Majid, Nawal Al-Kuwaitiyah, Asalah Nasri, Angham, Nabeel Shuail, Majid Al-Mohandes, Hussein Al-Jasmi, Balqees Fatahi, and Motref Al-Motref. To show their love and support for the Arabian music culture and to celebrate the liberation of Kuwait, Millennium Central Kuwait Downtown has collaborated with Rotana. Through this alliance, the hotel will not only host the musicians, but they also serve as a substitute rehearsal venue to practice and gear up for their respective performances. The shows are taking place at The Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (JACC), known as the Kuwait Opera House. Alaa Selim, General Manager at Millennium Central Kuwait Downtown, said, “We are extremely proud to support in this mega festival by hosting a huge share of the rehearsals for the Hala February. It’s the most joyful time in the country, and we as a leading hospitality provider are always keen to facilitate public occasions as well as celebrate with our guests their special moments.”

Accor is set to introduce Novotel in Oman. It entered a new strategic partnership with Sundus Investments, to manage the 215-key Novotel Muscat Airport. The two-year-old property will undergo a modest revamp including décor and signage alterations to reflect Novotel’s signature contemporary-led brand experience, with further modifications including a reimagined lobby planned in the future. With some of the capital’s most ambitious mixed-use developments on the property’s doorstep and the new world-class Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) also nearby, the hotel will meet growing local and international demand for high-quality midscale accommodation. “Partnering with Sundus Investments to raise Accor’s first Novotel flag in Oman marks another significant step in our regional expansion strategy as we look to collaborate with leading developers in strategic locations where we can leverage our portfolio of dynamic brands, with Oman a priority market. Following this agreement we can showcase our takeover expertise and demonstrate the potential of our flagship midscale concept in a fast-growing destination, paving the way for more joint hospitality projects across the Sultanate,” said Mark Willis, CEO, Accor Middle East & Africa. Ahmed Al Ardhi, Chairman of Sundus Investments, said, “Our investment and development strategy is aligned to the Sultanate’s economic diversification plans as set out in Vision 2020 and Vision 2040, with tourism identified as a key growth sector, and as we consolidate our portfolio and embark on our next growth phase, we are partnering with leading international hotel operators such as Accor to ensure our hospitality projects set world-class standards.”

Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi has enhanced its already extensive offerings by investing AED 5 million in upgrades to its meetings, events and room facilities. Ideal for business travellers, the 527-key deluxe hotel is located a short drive from Abu Dhabi Exhibition Center, the Eastern mangroves, Corniche, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, embassies and the business district. Alongside a dedicated club lounge floor, the property offers award-winning dining and recreational facilities, and intuitively curated M!CE spaces. With the recent investment and upgrades, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi now offers cutting-edge audio visual technology in all guest rooms, meeting and conference rooms, and also in its 700-capacity Onyx Ballroom, which spans 785 sqm and is divisible into three separate rooms. Desmond Hatton, General Manager Dusit Thani, Abu Dhabi, states “In resonating with the vision of ‘2020: Towards the next 50’, we aim to poise ourselves as industry leaders offering avant-garde innovative M!CE and hi- tech in-room services, ensuring every visit to our hotel is convenient and everyone is always connected. With this 5 million dirhams investment we seek to position ourselves as a preferred partner for corporate travellers, planners and agents across the globe.”

Jannah Hotels and Resorts was invited to attend a 4-day Belgrade Fair held from February 20-23, 2020. The event marked the gathering of leading brands of travel and tourism, hotel and catering service provider. Desert Adventures brings in the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Jannah Hotels & Resorts with their exclusive partner Wayout to take part in the trade fair. Representing the hotel brand, Ossama Charrouf will be meeting clients from Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and Croatia to reach the emerging markets in Dubai and set an agreement for their remaining winter and summer plans. “Representing the Jannah Hotels & Resorts brand in the Belgrade Travel Fair 2020 is an honour and pleasure as I will be meeting new connections and taking brand new deals with me coming back to the UAE,” Ossama Charrouf, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Jannah Hotels & Resorts concluded.

Pullman Hotel Sharjah officially opened last week, the inaugration was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and in the presence of His Excellency Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourist Development Authority; Hassan and Abdul Mohsen Al Hammadi, CEO of Manazil Real Estate Group, the owner of Pullman Hotel Sharjah, Mark Willis, CEO Middle East & Africa, of Accor, and many other VIPs, businessmen, guests and media representatives. In this regard, HE. Khaled Jassim Al Midfa asserted the vital role of the hotel and hospitality sector as a main pillar in fostering the development of tourism in Sharjah. His Excellency also touched upon the strong presence of Sharjah on the global tourism map and the achievements and projects that added to the thriving tourism sector, with the support and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. Commenting on the opening, Eng. Abdul Mohsen Al Hammadi, CEO of Manazil Real Estate Group, the owner of Pullman Hotel Sharjah, said, “Pullman Hotel Sharjah is an extension of our hotels portfolio, managed in collaboration with Accor, the fastest growing in hotels management and hospitality industry in the region. It adds more value to the Group’s extraordinary achievements in the hospitality sector in line with the exceptional continuous growth of the tourism sector in Sharjah which proved itself as a leading tourism destination regionally and internationally.”

ibis Styles has opened a third property in Dubai. The 351-room ibis Styles Dubai Airport will cater to the modern cosmopolitan travellers of today who are looking for a surprising and joyful experience. The new opening is set to contribute to the vibrant UAE hospitality industry. Strategically situated in Al Garhoud near the Dubai International Airport, ibis Styles Dubai Airport is designed to provide for travel needs of both business and leisure guests, be it for a spirited brainstorming session at the Creative Terminal, a relaxing night on the hotel’s signature Sweet BedTM, a wholesome, healthy meal or Grab & Go specialty coffee at Le Styles Café and everything else in between. “ibis Styles Dubai Airport is your trendy home away from home. Its modern, stylish and reflects the cool spirit of the city of Dubai. Young professionals who are visiting for work or play and families or couples looking for casual accommodation on weekends will find ibis Styles Dubai Airport hotel the new go-to,” comments Frank Béchemilh, Cluster General Manager. At ibis Styles Dubai Airport, hospitality is taken to another level. “As casting criteria, the potential candidates submitted a short video telling us why they should be selected to join our league of superheroes. The shortlisted were allowed to showcase being the hospitality superhero in our very own version of “ibis Styles has got talent”. Superheroes were tested as to how they would present themselves in a certain situation to surprise and delight the guests while exceeding their expectations,” prides Béchemilh. “Dubai is now the world’s fourth most visited city and as we prepare for the much-awaited opening of the Expo 2020 we expect more visitors. Travellers looking for …

JW Marriott announced the opening of JW Marriott Muscat, setting the stage for distinctive experiences in Oman’s historic capital. Located in the heart of Muscat’s new business hub, within the Sultanate’s largest urban development project Madinat Al-Irfan, the hotel is an integral part of the prestigious Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) precinct. Directly linked to the OCEC, it also provides easy access to key city landmarks including Muscat Old Town, Royal Opera House, Old Souq and Mattrah Corniche. Overlooking inspiring surroundings, JW Marriott Muscat features 304 guest rooms and suites, many of them offering views of Oman’s wadis, spectacular natural valleys flowing with water. With 2500 square metres of banqueting space flooded with natural daylight and equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology, the new property is the perfect place to host artfully choreographed meetings and events. Whether it’s a small board meeting, a large conference, a social gathering or a wedding, the hotel offers space and choice with two large ballrooms and six meeting rooms. Directly linked to the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) precinct, JW Marriott Muscat invites business travellers to benefit from the acclaimed ‘Events by JW’ service, including multi-lingual and experienced event planners and tailored menus. JW Marriott Muscat houses the largest Executive Lounge in the country and is the first hotel to have an exclusive lounge for airline crew. Mitzi Gaskins, Vice President & Global Brand Leader, JW Marriott, said, “The hotel’s extensive offerings encourage guests to live in the present and pursue their best selves while immersing themselves in the culturally authentic experiences of this enchanting city.”