Category Archives: Hotels

Marriott International has launched Marriott Bonvoy Business Ready, a new travel programme designed exclusively for small to medium size businesses (SMBs) across Europe, Middle East and Africa. This new offering enables SMBs to book business travel easily and efficiently, whilst accessing preferential rates – when the time is right for them to travel again. “The global pandemic has had significant impact on business travel this year.  However, just like the pent up demand for leisure travel, there is pent up demand for business travel – while we have all had to get used to working remotely this year, people are keen to get back to meeting partners, suppliers and colleagues and connect face to face. There is no virtual replacement for doing business in person.  Marriott Bonvoy Business Ready offers a great new opportunity for small and medium size businesses to efficiently book business travel, earn Marriott Bonvoy points and access great rates across our across Europe, Middle East & Africa portfolio of over 950 hotels and 24 brands across 75 countries and territories.” said Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Marriott International, EMEA.

Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) is venturing into the hotel business with METT Hotels & Resorts, opening in Bodrum, Turkey by Spring 2021. METT is a refined, elegant and laid-back collection of lifestyle hotels and resorts inspired by the simple, balanced bliss of Mediterranean living, with social dining and lifestyle entertainment at the heart of the whole experience.The 105-key METT Hotel & Resort Bodrum is the first property under the METT Hotels & Resorts brand and seven new hotels are in the pipeline to open within the next two years in key destinations across the Mediterranean region as well as Middle East. Antonio Gonzalez, CEO, Sunset Hospitality Group comments, “The hospitality industry has transformed immensely in the last five years and we believe that this is the right time to venture into the hotel business, with our own lifestyle brand.  METT is a unique concept with a focus on entertainment, dining and experiences, which complements the existing offering of the other larger hotel brands. Our entry into the tourism industry signifies the evolution of Sunset Hospitality Group and fortifies our continuous commitment to offering a world of experiences. We are known for pioneering unique dining concepts in the international hospitality scene and this expertise will be a key to having a competitive edge in the tourism and hospitality industry.” Nazih Hafez, COO, Sunset Hospitality Group adds: “We are thrilled to announce the opening of our flagship METT Hotel & Resorts property in Bodrum, a location that embraces all aspects of the Mediterranean life we want to emanate – chic, carefree, social, inviting and refreshing. Bodrum is considered a top global vacation hotspot for international travelers so the presence of METT will …

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group signed an agreement with the Al Khozama Company to manage and ultimately brand the Al Faisaliah Hotel, Riyadh.  The Group will take over the management in the first quarter of 2021. The hotel is undergoing an extensive guestroom and public area renovation which will be completed at the end of 2021, after which it will be rebranded Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh. The Al Faisaliah Hotel is in the heart of the Central Business District of Riyadh, providing easy access to corporate offices, government buildings, high end shopping, restaurants and cafés. It forms an integral part of the mixed-use Al Faisaliah Centre, designed by Foster & Partners. The hotel comprises 321 guestrooms and suites, with new interiors designed by Adam Tihany Design, New York. Also featured are a variety of refreshed restaurants, lounges and bars, including the popular top floor venue which commands outstanding views of the city. Revitalised function spaces will cater to social events and business meetings, while an indoor swimming pool, male and female spa areas and a fitness centre complete the leisure facilities. “The Al Faisaliah Hotel has been a leading light in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector since opening its doors 20 years ago. We are pleased to be partnering with Mandarin Oriental to further develop the hotel and to create the most luxurious and sophisticated property in the region,” said Khalid Abuhaimed, CEO of Al Khozama. “We are delighted to further strengthen Mandarin Oriental’s presence in the Middle East by introducing the brand to Saudi Arabia and bringing the Group’s legendary service to Riyadh,” said James Riley, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. “We look forward to collaborating with …

Rotana announced the highly anticipated opening of its 35th property in the UAE, in the prestigious Al Jaddaf district of Dubai. In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mana bin Khalifa al Maktoum, Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel Dubai was officially inaugurated, further cementing the group’s expanding footprint and commitment to the region’s thriving hospitality sector. Speaking at the official opening, Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana said, “I am grateful to the team at Al Jaddaf Rotana and the wider Rotana team, whose vision, resilience and determination have allowed us to reach our goal of a 2020 opening as originally planned. Al Jaddaf Rotana represents a huge milestone for Rotana. As a homegrown brand, we are committed to further developing and diversifying the hospitality industry in the UAE in line with the government’s broader economic and tourism objectives.” Haytham Omar, General Manager, Al Jaddaf Rotana said, “Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel Dubai represents an incomparable fixture in Dubai and the UAE.  We are committed to offering innovative ways to improve the guest experiences that embody the Rotana way of living. The concept of creating moments of ‘Treasured Time’ is central to this promise.  The district of Al Jaddaf has much to offer guests in the way of unique experiences and I am confident this hotel will become the property of choice for those seeking a comfortable, easily accessible and stylish home away from home for either business or leisure.”

Miral, Abu Dhabi’s curator of experiences, appoints Hilton, to bring two of its new and unique hospitality offerings to Yas Island, while it invests AED 627 Million in their development. The WB Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Warner Bros. branded hotel, will be operated and managed by Hilton under its upper-upscale Curio Collection by Hilton brand, while the serviced residences to be managed by DoubleTree by Hilton. B.R. Kiran, Chief Portfolio Officer at Miral said, “Hilton is a globally recognized partner and we are honored to be partnering with them to bring the Curio Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton brands to Abu Dhabi for the first time. This supports our strategy and vision of creating unforgettable experiences for every guest on Yas Island, while increasing the diversity of hospitality options available to them. We are confident that residents and visitors alike will welcome the diverse and flexible range of new accommodation options, whilst enjoying the unmatched experiences and unique attractions available to them on Yas Island.” Carlos Khneisser, VP of Development, MEA at Hilton said, “We are proud to be partnering with Miral on these two new hotels which will see us introduce two new brands to Abu Dhabi. The WB Abu Dhabi, which will be part of Hilton’s Curio Collection is a magnificent example of the sort of unique guest experiences we look for with our Curio Collection, while DoubleTree by Hilton Yas Island Residences continues the successful growth of this brand in the UAE. Miral has a clear vision to develop Yas Island into a global destination and we look forward to being a part of this transformation.”

ORZU Hospitality Group announced its launch in the UAE, as it outlines its strategic roll-out plan for the months ahead. With three venues scheduled to open by Q1 2021, all located at The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, and seven further launches scheduled throughout 2021 within the UAE, the team, headed by respected industry leader Mirzo Hafizov, previously part of the renowned Jumeirah Group and the Bulldozer Group amongst other reputed brands, has a bold vision for the UAE. ORZU Hospitality Group, (Orzu meaning ‘dream’ in English), is founded on the principles of bringing high quality, unique and authentic culinary experiences to the UAE, drawing on the combined experience and pedigree of the management team and their ability to develop and operate commercially successful concepts. This includes and is not limited to combining gastro eclectic authentic cuisines from Asia together with techniques and local ingredients from the UAE. Digital business solutions are also a priority for the group, introducing completely new approaches to hospitality in the UAE, placing Orzu ahead of the competition. Mirzo Hafizov comments, “I have a long-held, deep-rooted passion for the art of hospitality and a specific love of the culinary industry in the UAE, with its exciting, diverse range of cultural influences. It is also home to many talented chefs and hospitality experts. As such, I’m pleased to announce the launch of ORZU Hospitality Group and the imminent opening of three new venues, which I hope will be welcomed as a positive addition to the existing scene.”

Morpho Hotels & Resorts announced its official brand entry into the Middle East market, and it will soon open its doors to the UAE residents and tourists in 2021. The advent of the pandemic has brought about a change in a traveller’s expectations while choosing a hotel. The brand aims to revolutionise the hospitality industry in the region with the introduction of new hotels equipped with optimised and digitised operations with a strict adherence to the highest levels of hygiene and safety to deliver an exceptional experience for all its guests. Dipinder Benjamin, CEO of Morpho Hotels and Resorts commented, “Despite the various challenges presented by the pandemic, we are committed to launch our next phase of growth bringing with us a fresh approach to the hospitality industry. The Morpho brand will provide affordable and accessible accommodation with the highest service standards in conjunction with intuitive technology.” The Group also announced its strategic partnership with Wakira Investments, a Dubai-based seasoned food investment company, which owns popular local restaurants including Kulcha King, Nom Nom Asia and El Greco. The partnership signals the Morpho hotels commitment to expand its footprint through joining forces with Wakira Investments in the Middle East, Africa, Turkey, Iraq, and the Levant. Nader A. Bassit, CEO of Wakira Investments said, “Morpho’s vision and ambition are a perfect match to Wakira’s DNA. Morpho Hotels has a strong leadership team backed by decades of experience and innovative management systems. Wakira Investments is a blend of solid professionals and seasoned shareholders, both with many years of market experiences ranging from hospitality, retail, food processing, investments, to restaurants, and is keen on bringing growing concepts to its region. We look forward to …

IHG Hotels & Resorts launched their loyalty partnership to give IHG Rewards members an even wider selection of luxury and lifestyle hotels to indulge in while they earn and redeem points. This month, the first selection of over 400 handpicked Mr & Mrs Smith hotels are available to book by IHG Rewards members through IHG’s direct channels (including IHG.com and IHG mobile app). New hotels will be added each week, with the full selection of stylish properties available to book by early December. This exclusive partnership more than doubles the number of luxury and lifestyle hotels which members can choose from; complementing IHG’s luxury and lifestyle portfolio of hotels and resorts across Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent® Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants and Hotel Indigo. IHG Rewards members will be able to experience even more of the world’s most sought-after luxury and lifestyle hotels, including Smith’s most seductive stays, such as Thyme in the Cotswolds, UK; Caldera House in Jackson Hole and Casa Morada in Islamorada, near Key West; Florida, US; Oltrarno Splendid in Florence, Italy and The Retreat at Blue Lagoon in Iceland. This includes hotels in 11 new destinations where IHG is not currently present: Barbados, Belize, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Croatia, Iceland, Sweden, Morocco, Mozambique, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. As well as earning and redeeming loyalty points for their stays, IHG Rewards members can expect great extras on arrival at each Mr &Mrs Smith hotel. Elite IHG Rewards members will receive Bonus Points on eligible room rates according to their tiers, while InterContinental Ambassadors and Royal Ambassadors and Kimpton Inner Circle members will receive a …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of its first Park Inn by Radisson in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capital city. The opening of the hotel strengthens the brand’s presence in Saudi Arabia to nine hotels, and brings the group’s portfolio across the country to over 45 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments in operation and under development, accelerating Radisson Hotel Group’s expansion.Riyadh is the largest city and capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a flourishing financial business hub and a vibrant social scene. This modern, cutting-edge metropolis boldly strides towards the future, while remaining firmly rooted in tradition and its historical past. As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the country is continuing its commitment to international tourism by welcoming them to experience first-hand the country’s rich history, traditional old souks, and myriad of forts, palaces and museums, which have transformed Riyadh into an ideal location for both business and leisure travellers. Park Inn by Radisson Riyadh embraces the brand’s ‘feel good’ atmosphere with its fresh and energetic hotel offering and vibrant environment, connected through design, technology and social spaces. Located in the Al Malaz business district, the hotel features 192 contemporary rooms and suites. Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, said, “We are delighted to open our first Park Inn by Radisson in the city of Riyadh, especially during this challenging time. In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, we are excited to further grow our presence across the Kingdom, and work together to make Saudi Arabia a must-visit destination. We remain committed to expanding our position in the Saudi market, as the Kingdom remains a key focus area …

Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights is one of the first hotels to have achieved GBAC STAR accreditation this week. The Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, provides training, guidance, accreditation, certification, crisis management assistance, and leadership to government, commercial and private entities looking to mitigate, quickly address, and/or recover from biological threats and real-time crises. “GBAC STAR is the gold standard of safe facilities, providing third-party validation that ensures facilities implement strict protocols for biorisk situations. Accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers, and key stakeholders that they have proven systems in place to deliver clean and healthy environments that are safe for business.” says Patricia Olinger, Executive Director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council. GBAC STAR is performance based and developed by experts who have spent their careers focusing on creating protocols for facilities to reduce risk during outbreaks. Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights, being a prominent hotel that welcomes all guests for a safe and healthy stay has ensured their accreditation along with several other initiatives taken with internal as well as external stakeholders.The world has changed, our care has not. Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights proudly takes a step forward to put their guest’s safety and well-being first with this accreditation.