Category Archives: Hotels

Dusit International has signed a management agreement with Dar Al-Huda Hotel Apartments SPC to operate Dusit Resort and Spa Lagoona Beach in Al Budaiya in Bahrain. The hotel comprises 174 spacious, well-appointed seafront apartments, each with sea views. Alongside a health and fitness centre with gender segregated spas and swimming pools, resort amenities include water sports, zip-lines, private islands, meeting facilities, a kids’ club and an all-day-dining restaurant. A luxury villa complex with water park is also being planned. Dusit Resort and Spa Lagoona Beach will be the second Dusit-branded property in Bahrain. It follows last year’s signing of Dusit D2 City Centre Bahrain, which is slated to open by the end of the year. In line with Dusit International’s strategy for sustainable and profitable growth, which includes balancing its portfolio to include half of its operations outside of Thailand by 2022, the company’s current tally of 27 properties is set to top 70 within the next four years. “Our aim is to have at least 25 hotels in operation in the region by 2020, representing 5,700 keys,” said Lim Boon Kwee, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “The best way to achieve this, of course, is by ensuring we always go the extra mile to delight our guests and customers with our unique brand of gracious hospitality. We are delighted Dar Al-Huda Hotel Apartments SPC has given us that opportunity at Dusit Resort and Spa Lagoona Beach. This is an excellent property in a prime location, and we look forward to making it a huge success,”Kwee said.

Central Hotels will debut in Turkey with the signing of a strategic agreement with Green Valley Real Estate to operate the company’s hotels in the country under a new brand ‘Valley Central Suites’. The first two hotels to be managed by Central Hotels in Turkey are The Valley Central Suites Bursa and Valley Central Suites Trabzon followed by other projects in Yaluva and Sapanca. This special agreement between the two parties will subsequently extend to Green Valley Real Estate’s hotels in Morocco, Georgia and Bosnia. Ali Al Salami, Group Director General, Green Valley Real Estate, stated, “We are delighted to collaborate with Central Hotels to manage our hotels in Turkey. This agreement fulfils our commitment to our valued customers who have bought their units in Turkey.” Established in 2004, the Green Valley Real Estate Group owns a total of 42 real estate development projects worldwide. Ahmad Al Abdulla, Chairman, Central Hotels, said, “We are very excited to expand our footprint with a strong and prominent partner such as Green Valley Real Estate. This presents us an excellent opportunity to accelerate the growth of our brand outside the UAE.” Located near the port of Bursa and the Mudanya Corniche, Valley Central Suites in Bursa boasts of 111 fully furnished suites consisting of one and two-bedroom apartments as well as duplex apartments offering either three or four rooms. Included in its fabulous facilities are integrated residential complex services, private swimming pool, children’s garden and play area and dedicated parking for owners.

The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has signed a management agreement with Emaar Hospitality Group to operate a lifestyle boutique hotel – Vida Al Qasba Sharjah in Al Qasba. The hotel featuring 100 rooms and suites is uniquely positioned to meet the increasing demand for spacious and quality hotel rooms in Sharjah. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO, Shurooq and Olivier Harnisch, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group, signed the management agreement in the presence of senior officials of both entities. Commenting on the agreement, Al Sarkal said, “Sharjah’s tourism sector has recorded consistent growth with the number of hotel guests set to increase from 2.07 million in 2017 to over 3.16 million in the next two years. To meet the demand, it is important to strengthen the supply of quality hotels that meet the lifestyle aspirations of the visitors. We chose Emaar Hospitality Group’s Vida Hotels and Resorts to operate our boutique hotel in Al Qasba, led by its credentials in creating a refreshingly different experience for the new generation of travellers.” Harnisch said, “Vida Hotels and Resorts has brought a fresh identity to the hospitality sector of the region with our focus on two defining features that meet the aspirations of the new generation of travellers – design-led spaces and connectivity. Sharjah has tremendous potential of growth for its hospitality and tourism sectors. Vida Al Qasba Sharjah addresses a distinctive white space in the market through its positioning as a lively and vibrant hub where inspiring minds meet and connect.”

Roda Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Roda Links Al Nasr, a four-star property that will target business and leisure travellers who are looking for affordable accommodation in Dubai. Roda Links Al Nasr will open its doors on May 1, 2018 and will mark another milestone in Roda’s expansion plans, bringing the total number of properties that the group owns and manages to seven. Roda Links Al Nasr Dubai features 114 comfortable rooms with hip bars and fine dining outlets. The rooms and suites feature elegant contemporary décor with quality furnishings and state-of-the-art amenities. All rooms are equipped with satellite radio and TV channels, mini-bar, safety deposit box, ironing board and high-speed wireless internet connectivity. Amro Nagah, General Manager, Roda Links Al Nasr said, “We are pleased to announce the opening of Roda Links Al Nasr, our seventh property in Dubai and is a fantastic addition to our impressive portfolio of existing hotels and resorts serving varied market segments. Roda Links is our contribution to the mid-market sector which is a fast-growing segment in the industry. The property is an ideal option for business travellers, families and couples who demand comfort and personalised service at affordable rates and we are happy to develop a range of accommodation options for these travellers. Our focus will remain on delighting our guests with personalized Arabian hospitality and intuitive services and we are confident that Roda Links will deliver this.”

Rotana has announced a new management agreement in the capital of Egypt at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2018 in Dubai. The agreement for a new 200-room five-star in New Cairo City will bring the company’s total inventory in the country to 726 keys. Marking the company’s strong presence at the annual industry event, Rotana is sharing key updates about its robust pipeline of 48 properties that are scheduled for opening before 2020. The company currently operates 16,161 keys across its 60 hotels in 23 cities and with the launch of the hotels under construction, Rotana will have a presence in 40 cities globally. Among key Rotana hotels on display at the exhibition, include the company’s three latest openings in the UAE. Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, a luxurious five-star hotel in Abu Dhabi, took centrestage at the exhibition. With a soft opening in March 2018, the luxury resort is situated on Saadiyat Beach, a nine-kilometre stretch of white sand on the sprawling Saadiyat Island and features 354 luxurious rooms and suites in addition to 13 private beach villas. To make it appealing to discerning leisure, business and MiCE guests seeking a new resort and destination experience, the one-of-a-kind five-star property features seven modern dining options, three fully-equipped banquet and event rooms, a ballroom and an outdoor event venue.

Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay transforms itself from an urban resort to a complete island resort with the addition of The Four Seasons Beach. Curving along the private island’s sun-drenched southern shore, the 160-metre expanse of white sand is an ideal retreat for families. In addition to a dedicated play area for children, parents and couples can look forward to a quieter zone, providing a tranquil haven to lounge in the sun, sip a cool drink or take in the city’s spectacular sunsets. Richard Raab, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, said, “During our first three years, guests have been generous in their praise of Four Seasons, revelling in the many diversions we offer right here on our own private island in the city. We are delighted to now open the beach, which completes the hotel’s transition to a fully-fledged island resort.” Beach lovers can look forward to the attentive service of Four Seasons staff on hand to offer everything from fresh fruit skewers and refreshing beverages, to an array of high-end sun care products and a chair-side sunglasses cleaning and repair service. Set to open by this summer, The Four Seasons Beach will welcome hotel guests and spa members throughout the day at no additional charge.

AA Al Moosa Enterprises has announced its inaugural participation at Arabian Travel Market 2018 to showcase its portfolio of leading hotels including three new luxurious hotel projects. The new projects were revealed for the first time to exhibitors, visitors, partners and the media on the first day of the show. The group has also announced the hospitality brands that will be managing the hotels which are expected to open early next year. At ATM, AA Al Moosa Enterprises features properties the group currently owns but are managed by international brands such as the Hilton Jumeirah Beach, Hilton Salalah, Hilton Creek, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road, Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Dubai, Ramada Plaza JBR, Ramada Hotel & Suites Sharjah and Crowne Plaza Muscat. Faisal Al Moosa, representing AA Al Moosa Enterprises, said, “We are extremely proud to take part in the Arabian Travel Market to showcase our growing portfolio of leading hotels across the UAE and the region. There is no better platform to inform trade professionals as well as investors and developers of our products. The highlight of this year’s participation will be the unveiling of the three new luxury hotels that are opening in Dubai. Our partnership with well known international hospitality brands proves that we offer unique products and services that meet the international standard of tourist and leisure destinations.”

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) has announced its entry into Makkah, Saudi Arabia, with a partnership with Umm Al Qura Development and Construction Company in the prestigious King Abdul Aziz Road (KAAR) project. Commenting on the signing of this agreement,  Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) said, “We are honoured to partner with Umm Al Qura Development and Construction Company in bringing the first Taj hotel to Saudi Arabia. This signing is aligned to our strategy of a strong focus on global growth markets and to be present where our guests travel to. We are committed to expanding our presence in the MENA region.” This hotel will be IHCL’s fourth venture in the MENA region. The company manages Taj Dubai located in the Burj Khalifa downtown area. It will also open another two hotels in Dubai in the next twelve to eighteen months. The proposed hotel is conveniently situated within walking distance of the Grand Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram), the main attraction for over six million pilgrims who visit the city each year. It will also be in close proximity to commercial offices, retail stores and restaurants within KAAR project. The hotel, scheduled to open in January 2023, will have approximately 340 keys, banqueting facilities and several restaurants to serve all tastes.

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties has announced the launch of Address Al Marjan Island, the company’s first hotel and residences project in Ras Al Khaimah. With panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, the hotel and residences is part of over 2 million square feet mixed-use developments by Emaar in Al Marjan Island. Address Al Marjan Island will be a resort-style development that draws on its exceptional natural location, directly by the Arabian Sea. The hotel will have 249 rooms, including suites, while Address Residences Al Marjan Island will comprise 234 high-end apartments. As part of Views, the largest of the four islands that make up Al Marjan Island, residents will be in close proximity to the ubran core of the master-planned community as well as the town centre. With direct access to over 600 metres of beachfront, residents and guests will have uninterrupted views of the sea in addition to a range of lifestyle amenities. Sheikh Khalid bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman, Al Marjan Island, said, “We are honoured to welcome Emaar and its prestigious Address hotel brand to Al Marjan Island, which will further strengthen the appeal of our master-planned development as a preferred hub for visitors and investors from around the world. Emaar’s proven strengths in mixed-use developments will add significant value to Al Marjan Island with the Address hotel to contribute to our emirate’s tourism sector.”

Fortifying its pre-eminent position in Abu Dhabi’s thriving tourism and hospitality sector – Rotana inaugurated the Pearl Rotana Hotel at Capital Centre. The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of  Mohammed Bin Juan Al Badie Al Dhaeri, Al Badie Group; Nasser Al Nowais, Chairman, Rotana, top executives from both companies and honourable guests. Pearl Rotana is a modern-designed hotel located in the hub of the city, across from Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), 20 minutes from the airport and in close proximity to all the main attractions. Al Dhaeri, said, “With its solid business growth and strong portfolio, Rotana has established its name as the bellwether of the region’s hospitality industry and it gives us immense pleasure to partner with the company. This partnership will benefit our shareholders and the local economy and strengthen our position in the domestic and international markets. We look forward to further collaboration with Rotana in the future to achieve our shared vision of contributing to the sustainable growth of the UAE while thriving in our business.”