Category Archives: Hotels

Millennium Hotels & Resorts announced the promotion of Kevork Deldelian to Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region effective immediately. Deldelian has been operating as the Chief Operating Officer of Millennium Hotels & Resorts for the MEA region since March 2017, and under his strategic leadership, the company witnessed rapid growth and came closer to doubling its portfolio since he took over. He also played a pivotal role in implementing several strategies to enhance productivity throughout all its divisions to maximise the revenues. He has introduced three new brands to the Middle East region, namely Millennium Place, a modern hotel concept that caters to the new generation of business and leisure travellers; Studio M, a chic urban hotel brand; and Millennium Central, which caters  to the corporate and business requirements of travellers. Deldelian has been recognised amongst the top 10 most influential hotel professionals and ranked eighth in the 2019 edition of the Hotelier Middle East Power 50, the only list that recognises and celebrates the top 50 most influential hotel professionals in the Middle East hospitality industry. Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, President of Millennium Hotels & Resorts, MEA, said, “Deldelian has efficiently managed the company’s operations since 2017 and has ensured ongoing success to the business. It is my pleasure to announce his promotion where he will be stepping into a greater role, and I look forward to working with him to continuously evolve Millennium Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East and Africa.”

R Hotels announced the opening of Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Dubai JBR located along The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), one of the most sought-after locations in Dubai. The hotel features 188 spacious family-friendly rooms and apartments and amenities include a state-of-the-art gym, a spa, and temperature-controlled outdoor pool. It also offers free high-speed Wi-Fi, meeting facilities, a coffee shop, and a restaurant – Flavours – serving a wide range of international cuisines. The hotel’s easy access to the popular Jumeirah Beach and its many water sports activities lets guests enjoy a perfect beach holiday. Several leisure, dining, shopping, and entertainment options within the vicinity, as well as convenient connectivity, provide travellers many opportunities to explore Dubai. Commenting on the launch of the property, Sumair Tariq, Managing Director, R Hotels, said, “With the strong performance of our hotels, the addition of another Ramada hotel to our portfolio will help us achieve greater operational efficiencies for all of our properties. The brand is ideal for the hotel’s location and features spacious rooms and well-appointed suites which are suitable for all types of travellers.” Panos Loupasis, Vice President Development, Middle East, Eurasia & Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said, “R Hotels is an important partner for us, they share the same ambition for growth, have immense local expertise, and operate quality properties which deliver on our high standards for guest experience. We look forward to a continued fruitful relationship as we work to further expand our footprint of upper mid-scale hotels across the region.”

Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai Hotel scheduled to welcome its first guests in November this year, has appointed Amer Ammar as General Manager. Ammar will oversee the upcoming launch and daily operations of the new 360-key Avani hotel. Having worked in the hospitality sector for over 25 years, Ammar, an original native of Jordan, began his career in 1994. In 2001, he moved to Dubai where he worked in various operational leadership roles for Taj Palace and Coral International. In 2007, he joined Al Ghurair Group as Hospitality Manager and set up the hospitality division for the Group. He became General Manager for the first time with the pre-opening team of Premier Inn Dubai Silicon Oasis in 2009. Between 2011 and 2015, Ammar was the General Manager at Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Capital Centre, and subsequently Cluster General Manager for Premier Inn Abu Dhabi hotels. His last assignment prior to joining Avani Hotels & Resorts was General Manager at Premier Inn Dubai Investments Park. Developed by Nakheel, Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai Hotel is strategically located adjacent to the recently-opened Ibn Battuta Metro Link connected to Ibn Battuta Mall. The 18-storey hotel will feature a pool, a gym, an all-day dining restaurant, a coffee shop and car parking.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed a Management Agreement with real estate company RIKAZ Properties to develop its fourth Holiday Inn hotel in Al Khobar. Expected to open in January 2021, Holiday Inn Al Khobar King Fahd Road will be located in close proximity to the King Fahd Causeway, making it the ideal choice for leisure guests during holiday seasons as well as corporate guests looking for ease of connectivity to and from Bahrain. The 140-key property will feature an outdoor pool, a lobby lounge, food & beverage outlets and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said, “With a number of recent signings in Saudi Arabia, across our brands such as Holiday Inn, voco and Crowne Plaza, we are growing our presence in key cities and gearing up to cater to the needs of diverse guest profiles expected to visit the country in the coming years.” Khalid Al Gahtani, Chairman, RIKAZ Properties, added, “The Holiday Inn brand has an international appeal and we are confident that this latest hotel will perform successfully and cater to the increasing demand for midscale accommodation in the country.”

For most children, the first day of school is an exciting time complete with new clothes and back-to-school gear. But for kids in families where money is tight, the experience can be just opposite. To make a difference to deserving children at the start of the new school year, Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments Dubai will donate 100 colourful new backpacks containing essential school supplies to Dar Al Ber Society. Dar Al Ber is considered one of the first charities in UAE. It was established in Dubai in 1979 as a charity, cultural & social firm. Dar Al Ber Board of Directors has been formed according to the directives and decisions of His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. “Supporting the students and communities where our hotels operate is an important element of who we are as a brand, that’s why we have partnered with a number of charities to support our goal of changing lives. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to go to school with dignity and hope” said Freddy Farid, Managing Director of Two Seasons Hotel Management. “We hope that this small act will help them put a smile on their faces knowing that someone cares. Our aim is to continue to strengthen our commitment and solidarity to the local community through such activities. The hotel is keen to implement community initiatives on a regular basis,” he said. Mohamed Abbas, the Director of Human Resources, represented Freddy Farid in handing over the school bags to Dar Al Ber Society team.  

Rene Mayer has been appointed Director of Sales and Marketing at Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Residences Emirates Pearl. Educated at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, New York, he has been involved in the hotel industry from the age of 17. He established his career with several leading hotel groups in Europe, and eventually attained management positions at international companies such as InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kempinski Hotels and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. After moving to Asia in 2011 to assume the position of Director of Sales and Marketing at Sofitel Hanoi, he became the Director of Global Sales for Regent Hotels & Resorts in Taipei. Mayer spent the past five years with Fairmont Hotels in Indonesia, including Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali and Fairmont Jakarta. During that time, he was awarded the Sales Hotelier of the Year 2016 for the Asia-Pacific region at the BMW Hotelier Awards and the hotelier distinction as the Best Marketing Department in Indonesia and Asia Pacific at the International Hotelier awards. In addition, he was recognised by Linked-In in its 2017 “Power Profiles” awards as the most searched hotelier profile in Indonesia. “We are excited to have Mayer as part of Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi & Residences Emirates Pearl. I’m confident that our hotel will continue to grow under his leadership in the Sales & Marketing Department,” says Julien Gonzalvez, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Residences Emirates Pearl.

Gallery Suites Vacation Rentals, a subsidiary of the UAE-based IBC Group,  has joined hands with OYO Rooms for a deal valued at US $5 billion (Dh18 billion) to furnish and manage 10,000 premier holiday homes in Dubai. The partnership will manage a portfolio of elite properties in Dubai as uniquely furnished holiday homes that address a growing demand for exceptional short-term rental experiences in the Emirati city. According to a report released by Skift Research, the cumulative bookings market for short-term rentals will rise to an estimated $115 billion in 2019, up seven per cent  from about $107 billion in 2018. Gallery Suites and OYO Rooms seek to emerge as the service providers of choice for the exclusive end of this burgeoning market in Dubai. The properties being furnished and managed by the partnership are focused within locations rated ‘high’ in the ‘occupancy heat map’ used to illustrate demand, in the recent ‘Dubai Holiday Homes Market Review 2019’ report released by Knight Frank – including the Dubai Marina, Palm Jumeirah and other exclusive addresses in the city. The alliance between the two heavyweights comes at an opportune time. Globally, travellers are increasingly seeking out the ‘home away from home’ experience that short-term leasing offers, while aspiring to affordable luxury. The partnership aims to offer a rich pool of high-quality holiday homes, in high-price locations, at affordable rates, to the international travellers visiting Dubai.

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International Inc., announced the opening of W Muscat, the brand’s newest beachfront W Escape and the second to open in the Middle East this year. Set against the stunning backdrop of the rugged Al Hajar Mountains, which form a stark contrast to the historic capital city’s lively waterfront, W Muscat sits at the intersection of the bustling Shatti Al Qurum area. The new hotel opens in an ideal locale to bring the W brand’s signature take on playful luxury to the serene waterfront of Oman. “Muscat is a fascinating and exciting city. Its cultural DNA honors millennia of tradition while looking to what’s new and next — an ideal match for the W brand,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “The arrival of W in Muscat marks a new chapter for both the brand and this buzzing metropolis. The hotel reinterprets Omani design and cultural traditions to create a modern, energetic and stylish escape unlike anything the Sultanate has seen before.” “We are excited to bring the W brand to Oman with the highly anticipated opening of W Muscat,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “This W Escape will be a significant addition to our portfolio and redefine the hospitality scene in Oman. With its evocative design and fresh and vibrant energy, I am confident it will soon emerge as a preferred getaway for both locals and global jet-setters alike.” “The opening of W Muscat reflects our strategic role to create sustainable tourism assets, lifestyle communities and destinations that play a major role in the national economic diversification of Oman,” commented Peter Walichnowski, CEO …

The brand new suites introduced at the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park is the perfect getaway for the GCC travellers who wish to indulge in a bleisure stay where they can work while having the family around in the most comfortable suites. Having completed the most extensive restoration in its 117-year history, the hotel now unveils all new guest rooms and suites, including two newly created expansive Penthouse Suites. Most accommodation offers exceptional views of leafy Hyde Park and the London skyline. “Mandarin Oriental is enormously proud of the heritage of this historic hotel. The intricacy of this momentous renovation is fashioned to ensure, that this iconic London establishment is recognised as one of the finest hotels in the world. We look forward to welcoming our guests with kind and intuitive service that is truly British but reflective of our Oriental heritage,” said Amanda Hyndman, General Manager and Area Vice President of Operations.  

This winter will welcome a game changer, with the introduction of Dubai’s first Andaz branded hotel, Andaz Dubai The Palm. Located in the heart of The Palm Jumeirah, the luxury boutique lifestyle hotel and residences will be rooted in Dubai’s rich culture, whilst reflecting the city’s eclectic style through all elements of design, interaction and experience. Set to open on December 1, 2019, Andaz Dubai The Palm rests on a 300 metres private beach, within walking distance of the upcoming Nakheel Shopping Mall. Located on the right trunk of the shoreline, the two 15-story towers will house 217 bespoke guest rooms and 116 individually imagined designer residences. Boasting a mix of fresh and contemporary sized spaces and floor to ceiling windows with 360-degree views of Dubai’s ever-evolving skyline, each room promises a unique experience centred around contemporary Arabic arts and crafts. The Andaz Lounge provides an ‘anti office’ for guests and residents, with a design that evokes the cosiest of dens with plush seating, large tables and a library of books allowing guests to catch up, swap stories and debate their favourite literary classics. Then there will be Knox, an underground urban speakeasy bar appealing to bon vivants and city socialites. Taking an unconventional approach to MiCE, Andaz Dubai The Palm is set up to host a variety of events, boasting approximately 590 square metres of functional space consisting of a unique show-kitchen, meeting rooms, living room and a spacious terrace overlooking the beach. Complemented by advanced audio-visual technology, Andaz Salons are versatile spaces, accommodating everything from corporate meetings with a twist to social parties with the city’s elite.