Category Archives: Hotels

Scheduled to open in 2024, Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort and Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort will be part of Bilaj Al Jazayer, a new waterfront leisure mixed-use masterplan owned by Edamah, the real estate arm of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat. The new development will offer resorts, residential villas and apartments, food and beverage outlets, retail, offices and entertainment. Minor Hotels, a hotel owner, operator and investor, currently with a portfolio of 527 hotels and resorts in 54 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, is pleased to announce its strategic entrance into Bahrain with the upcoming debut of its Avani and Tivoli brands. Bilaj Al Jazayer is located on the south-west coast of Bahrain and encompasses 1.3 million square metres of land with a three-kilometre beachfront. Manama, the capital and main city of Bahrain, is a 25-minute drive and Bahrain International F1 Circuit and Dilmun Waterpark are in close proximity. The new Avani and Tivoli hotels, each with 110 keys, will be located along the main boulevard of Bilaj Al Jazayer on the waterfront. Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer will offer a selection of guest rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, an Avani Pantry and a pool bar, in addition to an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and meeting space. Tivoli Bilaj Al Jazayer’s facilities will include guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars and a café, an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, plus spa and wellness facilities. In addition, the hotels will share a beach club within the Bilaj Al Jazayer development. William E. Heinecke, Chairman and Founder, Minor International, commented, “Minor Hotels’ entry into Bahrain …

Hilton announced plans to bring its DoubleTree by Hilton brand to the Kingdom of Bahrain. DoubleTree by Hilton Al Sayh Residences has been signed together with Al Sorouh Hospitality Development Real Estate and is due to open its doors in 2022. Board Member of Al Sorouh Hospitality Development Real Estate and CEO of Mabanee Kuwait, Mr. Waleed Alsharian said: “We believe this is a great partnership that will add a valuable offering to the area. We are very pleased to be working with Hilton and bringing DoubleTree by Hilton to the Kingdom of Bahrain and look forward to further partnerships with Hilton in the Kingdom and the region.” Carlos Khneisser, Vice President, Development, Middle East & Africa, Hilton, said: “Following the recent opening of our first hotel in the country, Hilton Garden Inn Bahrain Bay, this signing brings us to four properties trading or in the pipeline in the market.  It sees us continue to expand our offering in the serviced apartment segment, which is an area of the market where we see growing demand from long stay visitors.” Featuring 113 serviced apartments, 61 one-bedroom and 52 two-bedroom apartments, DoubleTree by Hilton Al Sayh Residences will be located just a short drive from Bahrain International Airport. Situated close to Bahrain Bay, a waterfront business district and mixed use community with unique offerings of dining,, and nearby several other attractions including The Avenues Bahrain mall which holds 120 stores and F&B outlets at its seafront location. Guests will be able to enjoy uninterrupted ocean views in a number of apartments, an all-day dining restaurant and a sophisticated rooftop café and outdoor pool with views across Bahrain.  The hotel will be located …

The first hotel to open outside of Europe 25hours Hotel One Central is set to debut by Q4 2021 in Dubai. The very first 25hours hotel to launch in the Middle East, the highly anticipated Dubai outpost will celebrate and champion individuality, reverberating the mantra that 24 hours is simply not enough! It is a fun and vibrant property with a wonderfully welcoming aura- a real place, intended for real people to come as they are! 25hours will make your stay one to remember, transporting you to an exhilarating playground that feels like it’s almost home. Overlooking the Museum of the Future and boasting 434 rooms and suites, 25hours Hotel One Central tells the region’s story through its interiors, combining the ancient traditions of the Bedouins with a progressive, forward-thinking design and a nod to the future. Impactful, breath-taking and phenomenal design awaits at the UAE outpost.   Masterminded by interior design firm, Woods Baggot, elements of tales where the traditional meets the modern are intricately woven and exhibited floor-by-floor, creating an entirely contemporary narrative, promising a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Prepare to be electrified!   Offering a unique take on co-working spaces, 25hours Hotel One Central provides an inviting space fully equipped with a modern ‘open’ pantry concept to encourage a community feel, allowing local heroes to connect with the well-travelled. A paint and pottery studio, podcast recording room and record decks also add another stellar dimension to the offering in true 25hours style.   Additionally, 25hours Hotel One Central has partnered with MINI to allow guests with a sense of adventure the opportunity to get out and explore the city on their own terms.   If an epic culinary …

The First Collection, a new lifestyle brand from integrated property developer The First Group, has revealed that it will open its first hotel under the brand – The First Collection Jumeirah Village Circle. The hotel, which is scheduled to open in September 2021, reflects the market-leading ambitions of The First Collection brand. The stunning 40-storey high-rise tower will house an array of sophisticated guest, dining and leisure facilities that will establish the hotel as a unique lifestyle destination located in the heart of New Dubai. The First Collection Jumeirah Village Circle, which has been designed by acclaimed architectural firm NORR, will boast 491 guestrooms and suites, as well as a range of ultra-modern guest amenities designed to appeal to business and leisure travellers alike. Highlights of the four-star property include an expansive swimming pool, gymnasium and sundeck, alongside separate male and female spa facilities. True to the broader scope of the brand, The First Collection Jumeirah Village Circle will become one of the precinct’s most sought-after dining destinations, thanks to its collection of bespoke signature restaurants.   Headlining the hotel’s outstanding dining facilities is Santè Ria, an ultra-hip, Latino-inspired venue that will serve up fresh flavours embodying the heart and soul of South America. Also included within the complex is Village Bistro – a vibrant, family-friendly venue that will offer an extensive à la carte menu and international buffets. Guests can also chill out by the hotel Terrace Pool with a drink or snack, or enjoy a BBQ as part of the hotel’s regular themed nights.   The First Collection Jumeirah Village Circle’s prime location places it close to the city’s top business precincts and leisure attractions. The hotel is …

Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey, has signed new management agreements with Al Marasem Development and Marina Way Lagoon. The agreement includes the management of two new properties – Lake Residence, serviced apartments in New Cairo which will also mark Rotana’s debut in the capital city and Marina Bay, Hotel Apartments in Alamein, North Coast. Al Marasem Development and Marina Way Lagoon partnered with Rotana to manage and operate the hotel projects, capitalizing the brand’s legacy and its experience in operating an extensive portfolio hospitality brands in the region. With Rotana’s superior level of expertise and deep-rooted knowledge in property management, this partnership aims to achieve the highest return on investment and provision of luxurious services with attractive competitive advantages. Commenting on the announcement, Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman, Rotana said: “We are delighted to partner with Al Marasem Development and Marina Way Lagoon, one of the largest players in Egypt’s real estate sector. We are honoured and grateful to His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Laden for entrusting Rotana with the exclusive management of these outstanding hospitality projects in the Republic of Egypt.”   Al Nowais added: “Egypt has always been a strategic market for Rotana as it is one of the world’s leading tourism destinations with a great vision for the future of leisure and business travel. These incredible projects allow us to bring the world-class services and amenities of the Rotana brand to Egypt and provide us with a prime opportunity to strengthen our presence in the market. Through this partnership, we not only aim to showcase the vitality of our brand but …

IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has debuted its world-renowned luxury brand InterContinental Hotels & Resorts in Azerbaijan with the recent opening of InterContinental Baku.   The 128-room, new-build property overlooks the scenic Baku Bay, allowing guests to experience the InterContinental Life in luxurious modern surroundings while enjoying mesmerizing views of the Caspian Sea, harbour and Baku’s iconic Flame Towers. The city of Baku is a melting point of architecture inspired by the city’s rich history and seamlessly combines the ancient and modern.   Baku is known for its “oil-boom architecture,” originating from a period of significant economic growth and development in the 19th century. The hotel’s façade is inspired by this style, and the rest of the hotel’s design is inspired by the region’s breath-taking landscape, history, and culture, and interwoven with InterContinental’s modern luxury design to create an air of elegance and contemporary grandeur.   InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is famed for blending international know-how with a city’s cultural heritage and InterContinental Baku is no exception. Guests can become familiar with legendary medieval poet and scientist Nizami Ganjavi who was born in Azerbaijan in 12th century, considered the greatest romantic epic poet in Persian literature. His greatest collection of poems, Khamsa, have been reflected in the hotel’s interior design and inspired the names of different hotel facilities, from the restaurant to the meeting spaces. The hotel features seven floors of elegantly designed guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant offering a thoughtful balance of local and Mediterranean cuisine and a SPA with indoor pool and hammam. The mezzanine floor features the hotel’s Club InterContinental – named Iksander-nameh after Nizami’s ode to Alexsander the Great – with …

Bringing an exciting new living experience to Dubai, The Resivation Managed By Leva, is a trendy new property in the heart of Al Furjan. The 150-room property boasts a novel concept, specially designed as a wallet-friendly “home away from home” for Dubai’s travelling professionals. With a range of living experiences to choose from, guests can explore the property’s Executive Room – Twin, Double Room, and Deluxe Room. Room rates start at a jaw-dropping introductory offer of just AED 1,849 per month. The property’s rooms are ideal for co-living colleagues, working couples, freelancing friends, and individual professionals. In-room features range from storage solutions, reading lights, and a desk to wardrobes, mini fridges, and smart TVs. The Deluxe Room includes a chic lounge area and balcony. The upscale co-living space delivers all the comforts of home under a single roof, with the added touch of luxurious hospitality. What distinguishes The Resivation Managed By Leva from other business hotels is its distinct style. Conventional business hotels tend to have a corporate atmosphere, leaving guests unable to truly unplug from work. This property brings first-rate amenities, impeccable service, and contemporary design to the fore. Fusing fun and functionality – The Resivation Managed By Leva creatively combines work and play with a gym and yoga studio, a games room, a community kitchenette, dining rooms, a community laundry room, a grab-and-go facility for busy mornings, and a rooftop shisha terrace for relaxed evenings. Despite its community spaces, comfortable privacy remains a priority at the co-living property. All rooms are fully-furnished and come with a spacious en suite bathroom.   Designed for digital nomads – The Resivation Managed By Leva is designed for professionals on the go. Enjoying a prime …

Radisson Hotel Group is proud to announce the extension of its Moroccan footprint with the opening of four hotels in beloved tourist destinations Al Hoceima, Taghazout Bay, and Saïdia. Located in the south, north and northeast of Morocco, the four hotels consist of three inviting resorts and a comfortable seaside residence, bringing the Group’s fast-growing Moroccan portfolio to more than 10 hotels in operation and under development.   “We are delighted to be boosting the presence of our flagship Radisson Blu brand as well as our resort and Serviced Apartment offerings across Morocco. Morocco is one of our key focus markets in Africa where we are looking to reach 15 hotels in operation and under development in the country by 2025. Offering a base to disconnect in the continent’s number one surf village in Taghazout Bay or soak up the rich culture and superb scenery in Al Hoceima and Saïdia, the addition of the residence and three resorts perfectly complements our current footprint in the country. Travelers can now look forward to experiencing our Yes I Can! hospitality while enjoying endless tranquillity and relaxing summer days whether on a family holiday, romantic getaway, or solo vacation,” says Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa, at Radisson Hotel Group.   Radisson Blu Resort, Al Hoceima – Situated on one of the most scenic Mediterranean bays, Radisson Blu Resort, Al Hoceima is surrounded by 64 acres of cedar forest and is ideally located on the Sfiha beachfront. The hotel features 432 luxury rooms and suites with modern decor and breath-taking ocean and garden views. Located just 20 minutes from Al Hoceima’s international airport, Cherif Al Idrissi, the resort provides …

As hospitality’s doors finally reopen, the sector is quickly getting a sense of the evolved “digital-first” world in which it’s now operating. The past year has seen a significant step change in the adoption of technology and digital services, but while some hospitality businesses were able to welcome online models, huge swathes of the industry were forced to remain dormant, leaving many digital advancements relatively untested or stagnating. Now, the whole sector must quickly accelerate its digital transformation to fuel long-term recovery, or risk customer abandonment and falling further behind.   According to research by Aruba, a HPE company, as of last year the hospitality sector was in a healthy – but not leading – place in its adoption of advanced technologies and moving computing to the Edge. Over half of hospitality IT leaders had started to implement trials or applications in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) (55%), Internet of Things (IoT) (70%) and machine learning (57%). However, that compares to figures of up to 75% for AI in the financial services industry, or 77% for IoT in retail, distribution, and transport.   But it was also already struggling significantly with the data these new technologies produces. A quarter (25%) of IT leaders in hospitality said there was too much data for their systems to handle, and that they could not process the data they collected quickly enough to act (25%). With data levels increasing exponentially over the past year, thanks to the Covid-induced rise of smart technologies, IoT sensors, and connected devices the depth of data sprawl will only be greater.   To get a handle on all this data and deliver the type of differentiated customer experiences …

Shaza Hotels maintains ambitious growth plans in the Middle East with various properties to open in the coming years in Jeddah, Dubai, Salalah and Doha. The expansion plans include Mysk Jeddah, Mysk Kuwait, Shaza Salalah, Shaza Doha and Mysk The Palm, on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai that is to open its doors in time for EXPO 2020 Dubai. Another dazzling destination in the pipeline is The Mysk Moon Retreat, settled amidst the sandy desserts of Mleiha region in Sharjah, it is set to open in 2021, offering luxury glamping tents with private pools and unique service standards unheard to the region In KSA, Shaza is already a household name in the hospitality sector as it operates three luxury hotels in three prime locations: Shaza Makkah, one of the first in line hotels in Jabal Al Ka’abah overlooking Al Masjid Al Haram, Shaza Madinah, right next to Al Masjid Al Nabawi, and Shaza Riyadh, in the buzzing heart of the capital next to Al Rajhi grand mosque. Shaza also operates Mysk by Shaza Al Mouj Muscat, overlooking the vibrant marina of Al Mouj in Muscat, and the four retreats of Sharjah Collection by Mysk including Mysk Al Faya Retreat, Mysk Kingfisher Retreat, Mysk Al Badayer Retreat, and the soon to be opened Mysk Moon Retreat at Sharjah. Each of these retreats offer a unique perspective of glamping atmospheres, service rituals, and guest experience that are unheard of in the region, making them serene, luxury, contemporary, and bespoke retreats. Shaji Abu Salih, Corporate Director of Business Development at Shaza Hotels, said, “The Middle East and GCC in particular make the key feeder markets for Shaza Hotels. We aim to become a true …