Category Archives: Hotels

Global investment conglomerate Dubai Holding and Sevens Holding SPC signed a management agreement for Jumeirah Group to operate a luxury hotel in Bahrain. Scheduled to open on February 27, 2018, the hotel will be named as Jumeirah Royal Saray – Bahrain. The agreement marks Jumeirah Group’s entry into the Bahrain hospitality market and is a strategic milestone for the world-renowned luxury hospitality brand. The Jumeirah Royal Saray, located on the Bahrain shoreline in a premium beach front position, offers 167 guest rooms including two Royal Suites as well as a variety of dining and recreational choices including a state-of-the-art health club and spa. This important addition to the Jumeirah Group portfolio is in line with the group’s expansion plans across the Gulf Cooperation Council. Jumeirah Group currently operates 20 hotels in nine destinations, managing more than 6000 hotel rooms and suites. The opening of Jumeirah Royal Saray – Bahrain demonstrates the group’s focus on accelerated growth and its continued drive to export its unique brand of hospitality.

Rose International Hotels Management launched Rose Park as the new addition in the Al Barsha area. The 168-key four-star hotel is located a few steps from Sharaf DG metro station. “We are excited to bring Rose Park Hotel Al Barsha to Dubai’s travel and tourism landscape,” said Thamem Razick, Director of Sales & Marketing, Rose Hotels & Hotel Apartments. “We want locals, expats, guests and tourists to enjoy our exceptional hospitality services and feel at home with us during their stay.” The property comprises 168 contemporary guestrooms, including 24 suites, all equipped with high speed internet and LED TVs. Business travellers may book a meeting room with a maximum seating capacity of 25 guests as well as access a business lounge. Guests can benefit from complimentary access to the hotel’s health and leisure facilities, such as the swimming pool on the roof deck with a view of Dubai landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa, as well as the hotel gym, sauna and steam room.

Salalah Rotana, a five-star hotel in Oman renewed its partnership deal with Polish tour operator Itaka. The deal directly complements the government’s effort in promoting Oman as a destination of choice to travellers. The renewed partnership will see 180 guests arrive weekly to the resort. Hossam Kamal, General Manager, Salalah Rotana Resort, said, “The renewal of our partnership signifies the success of our journey with Itaka. We pride ourselves in the level of service provided by our colleagues and achieving high guest satisfaction. The Sultanate’s appeal in terms of safety, political stability and unique tourism offering continues to be an attraction for travellers to Oman. Piotr Wrzesniewski, Charter Produce Director, Itaka said “Our journey with Salalah Rotana has been a very rewarding one. The resort has been a great holiday destination to our guests with exceptional service. Oman has gained popularity in the Polish market and it is our pleasure to facilitate the movement of our guests to Oman’’.

International hotel bookings are up by 35 per cent compared to domestic bookings for UAE National Day Weekend, according to recent data analysis by Hotelscombined. The most popular international destinations for the holiday weekend include Muscat, Mecca, London, Medina and Istanbul. Amer Alhalabi, Regional Manager MENA, HotelsCombined said, “The UAE local or expat population love to take advantage of long weekends or holiday breaks. Their target destinations are always planned on the basis of offers or air fare. Be it a domestic or regional holiday arrangement, planning and booking of these trips are usually done in advance to secure availability and good prices.” HotelsCombined also analysed the top international hotels for the UAE National Day Weekend, looking at bookings from November 30 to December 3. Al Areen Hotel Apartment in Oman is the most popular, while Golden Tulip Resort Dibba and Hormuz Grand Muscat ranked second and third.

Emaar Hospitality Group has achieved an impressive milestone of 10,000 hotel rooms across its 11 operational hotels and 30 upcoming projects. The hotel rooms are spread over three hotel brands – Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts and Rove Hotels. Olivier Harnisch, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group, said, “With over 10,000 rooms and counting, Emaar Hospitality Group has underlined its credentials as the region’s fastest growing hospitality provider, delivering three distinctive lifestyle experiences that meet the diverse and shifting preferences of today’s travellers. While we have a strong footprint in the UAE, we are also expanding our presence in international markets, delivering our homegrown competencies to high-growth markets.” The brand’s vision is to be one of the world’s leading hospitality providers whilst continuing to innovate on the choices they offer.

A group of volunteers from the Ghaya Grand Dubai Hotel participated in ‘Clean Up the World campaign 2017’ in support with Dubai Municipality.  Olwin Desouza, General Manager of Ghaya Grand Dubai, said, “As part of our CSR policy, we are committed to support any such initiatives that help create a better world for all of us as well as our future generations. Together we can make a positive impact by creating awareness about environmental issues. Starting from 2018, we will be focusing on social responsibility and environmental friendly initiatives.”

The award-winning Rooftop Lounge and Dining located at Royal Ascot Hotel in Bur Dubai opens for the fifth season as the ultimate venue to relax with spectacular views of Dubai’s skyline. A favourite spot of the city’s socialite, the Rooftop Lounge is a chic roof terrace with an ultra-cool ambiance with the latest English, Arabic and Bollywood songs. The Lounge offers something new everyday along with Man’s Night on every Mondays and Ladies’ Night on Tuesdays. The extensive menu features a selection of Indian, Arabic, Italian and Chinese dishes prepared by the culinary team of Executive Chef Muhamad. Suneel Bhambhani, CEO, said, “We’d like to invite our loyal patrons and visitors to enjoy the winter season with great food, drinks and music. We guarantee a great time while you are here.”

The first Citymax Hotel in the Egyptian city of Aswan, featuring 79 rooms equipped with modern comforts and amenities, celebrated its soft opening recently. Owned by Egypt Holland for Touristic Investments, this 4-star hotel is located in Kornish Al Nile in close proximity to Aswan’s key tourist attractions. The hotel boasts of leisure facilities including an outdoor swimming pool and cafe, sauna, jacuzzi and an all-day-dining restaurant. Decorated in contemporary style, some rooms offer beautiful views of River Nile while others overlook the city landscape.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a partnership with Cairo Sheikh Zayed City in collaboration with Al Badr for Investments and Commercial Spaces Company for the Crowne Plaza. Scheduled to open in 2021, the 187-room new build will form part of Phase II of Arkan Plaza, a prime upscale mixed-used development, and is strategically located in the heart of Sheikh Zayed City. The new Hotel is 10 minutes away from the New Cairo Museum and 15 minutes from the Great Pyramids of Giza. The new development aligns with IHG’s strategy to grow the Crowne Plaza brand across Middle East and North Africa (MENA), by further strengthening its presence in top-tier business epicentres and primary markets in the region. The property is also in close proximity to Cairo International Airport and will be just 10 km away from the Sphinx International Airport. Business and leisure travellers can get the best of both worlds with three meeting rooms and a business centre along with an outdoor pool, Club Lounge and a spa to revitalise both body and mind.

JA Ocean View Hotel in Dubai Marina has been recognised as a five-star beach hotel by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). The news comes as JA Resorts & Hotels follows through on a wide-reaching strategy of enhancement across its portfolio. All the rooms and suites at the hotel have private balconies and sea views of the Arabian Gulf. Six restaurants and bars complement an infinity swimming pool, spa, salon, gym and fitness zone. Children enjoy access to a splash pool, kids’ club and a playground. Situated on ‘The Walk’ next to the beach with an outdoor seaside complex with shops, restaurants, cafés, fitness circuits and kids’ play areas, visitors to Dubai will have easy access to sights such as the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, besides impressive coastal views towards The Palm Jumeirah and a pedestrian-friendly promenade to stroll along. In 2018, a pedestrian bridge will connect the area with Bluewaters Island, where Ain Dubai – the world’s largest and tallest Ferris wheel – will open.