Category Archives: Hotels

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN) announced the opening of Crowne Plaza Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre in Muscat. The newly opened hotel will be the second Crowne Plaza in the capital and the fifth in Oman, demonstrating the increasing popularity of the brand in the Sultanate. The 296-room hotel is located 10 minutes from the New Muscat International Airport and is a part of the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC) project. OCEC is Muscat’s state-of-the-art commercial hub for business and international events. This precinct is one of many innovative communities currently being developed that are designed to world-class standards in support of the Sultanate’s growing tourism sector. While guests will benefit from the centre’s 22,000m² of exhibition space, they will also enjoy overlooking a natural waterway and the surrounding parklands, a wadi, and a nature reserve. Crowne Plaza Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre also offers great facilities for a broad range of visitors including two pools, a children’s playground, a large fitness zone, three large meeting rooms and an independent function centre.

Scheduled to open in mid-2020, the 233-key Anantara Sharjah Resort will be located on a prime beachfront location in Sharjah, approximately at a 15 minutes’ drive from Sharjah International Airport. The resort will offer a selection of accommodation options including Deluxe Rooms and Luxury Suites. Facilities will include multiple dining options with a specialty restaurant located on a pier, spa and wellness centre, a kids’ club, a swimming pool and a ballroom able to accommodate up to 540 guests for a banquet. Sharjah’s first Anantara resort marks a significant addition to the Emirate’s hospitality sector, which has seen impressive growth in recent years. The Anantara Sharjah Resort is co-owned by Basma Group and ARADA, with the latter playing a developer management role in the delivery of the property. HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman, Basma Group and ARADA, said: “Anantara is one of the world’s most prestigious luxury hotel brands, and this new property marks yet another hospitality milestone for Sharjah. We’re looking forward to launching the resort in 2020, and delivering on our commitment to providing exceptional new destinations to tourists.”

Emaar prepares to host New Year celebrations with its all-new ‘Light Up 2018’ spectacle in Downtown Dubai with festivities spanning Burj Khalifa and water-music performances at The Dubai Fountain. The façade of Downtown Dubai’s iconic buildings will serve as the canvas for the spectacular show set to a specially choreographed music. The entire show is coordinated and produced by a team of world-class experts. Celebrating the pride of the nation and the spirit of positivity that marks Dubai, the event also marks the coming together of several government and private sector entities joining hands with Emaar. Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence and Dubai Health Authority, among other governmental entities, are supporting the event to offer a seamless experience for visitors. Special viewing platforms will be set up across Burj Park and Downtown Dubai. The event will be broadcast live on televisions globally and beamed on big screens in Downtown Dubai. The experience can be watched online at www.mydubainewyear.com. A Twitter Live Stream can be viewed by following @MyDowntownDubai.

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.”