Category Archives: Hotels

Wego inked a global partnership with IHG Hotel & Resorts to provide its users with a wider array of hotel offerings across the globe. Through this collaboration, Wego users will be able to search and book 15 of IHG’s 18 brands – worldwide – Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo, voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites. Travellers will get access to over 4,000 open hotels across global destinations and ultimately find the perfect hotel stay that matches their requirements anywhere in the world. IHG’s latest offering will be promoted across all Wego’s channels, providing travellers with information on the latest properties and trendy destinations. Commenting on this strategic partnership, Craig Hewett, Chief Hotels Officer and Co-Founder, Wego, said: “Partnering with one of the world’s leading hotel companies, IHG Hotels & Resorts, reflects our commitment to provide our users with global hotel offerings and deals. Through this partnership, we will promote IHG Hotels & Resorts to our large user base in the MENA region and aim to convert more bookings to IHG’s global network of hotels.” James Britchford, Vice President Commercial, India, Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are delighted to partner with Wego, the number one travel app in MENA for flight search and booking. Through this partnership, travellers will enjoy more convenience and access to 15 of our brands across our luxury & lifestyle, premium, essentials and suites portfolio in global destinations when booking their trip on Wego.” Wego compares …

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced a partnership with Equinox to create Equinox Resort Amaala in one of the world’s most well-preserved natural environments, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea. Equinox Resort Amaala is the latest hotel brand to be announced for Red Sea Global’s Amaala, an integrated wellness haven featuring some of the world’s most renowned luxury brands. The hotel, with a focus on sports, fitness and lifestyle, will comprise of 128 keys, including two luxury penthouses as well as a suite of amenities such as several world-class culinary concepts, a magnesium salt rooftop pool, spa, Beach Club, and a signature Equinox Fitness Club. “Amaala brings the best in health and wellness together in an area of extraordinary natural beauty to offer exceptional and transformative experiences for guests. Equinox’s unique brand of luxury and fitness is a fantastic fit, allowing visitors to choose seekin self-improvement during their stay, getting back to nature on land or at sea, or simply enjoying quiet moments with loved ones in comfort and privacy,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. Equinox Resort Amaala is a key part of the Amaala Marina Village, designed by renowned architects, Foster + Partners, which will feature a collection of luxury hotels, villas and condominiums all set in a lively retail precinct with stunning marina views. The Village, part of the wider Triple Bay development, has been designed to adopt the best elements of local architecture featuring narrow winding streets perfect for exploration and discovery. The irregular street facades have been orientated to capture and channel breezes, offer shade and protection and filter light, delivering natural climate control to enhance the comfort of guests. The very best in international …

Ishraq Hospitality announced the signing of a Hospitality Management Agreement (HMA) with Rekan Group, marking a significant milestone in their strategic expansion plans. The agreement entails the management of an exceptional Crowne Plaza Hotel in the vibrant city of Batumi, Georgia, further solidifying Ishraq Hospitality’s commitment to delivering unique experiences worldwide. The new property, located by the beach promenade in Batumi and offering great views of the waters, boasts 150 smartly appointed rooms, two restaurants, meeting facilities, a fitness club and a pool, ensuring guests experience supreme comfort, convenience, and entertainment. In addition, Ishraq Hospitality will also oversee the hotel management of Batumi View Hotel Apartments, a 240-room hotel apartment. These developments are poised to enhance the hospitality landscape in Batumi and contribute to the city’s growing reputation as a tourist destination. Rekan Group, a renowned investment company in the region, brings invaluable expertise and a deep understanding of the Batumi market to the partnership. The collaboration between Ishraq Hospitality, IHG Hotels & Resorts – owner of the Crowne Plaza brand and Rekan Group will lead to drive significant economic growth and provide new employment opportunities. A signing ceremony took place for these new properties at Crowne Plaza Jumeriah in Dubai on 20th July,2023 in the presence of chief guests and high profile delegations. Ahmed Ali Azeez Rekani, Co-Owner at Rekan Group said “We are delighted to join forces with Ishraq Hospitality and IHG Hotels & Resorts. This partnership represents a momentous step forward for our organisation as we contribute to the development of Batumi’s hospitality sector. With Ishraq’s proven track record and our shared vision for excellence, we are confident that these new properties will become the preferred choice …

IHG® Hotels & Resorts signed a franchise agreement that will see a Hotel Indigo property open in Oxagon, a coastal industrial city in NEOM, located in the Northwest region of Saudi Arabia. In Oxagon, thriving communities will exist seamlessly alongside clean industry, commercial, hospitality, entertainment and retail activities. The 250-key Hotel Indigo property will be situated in Oxagon’s first residential community and will open its doors in 2026. Designed to seamlessly integrate work, live, and play, Oxagon’s neighborhoods will be fully walkable, with sustainable on-demand mass transit and micro mobility solutions. As one of IHG’s lifestyle brands, Hotel Indigo properties offer a gateway to some of the world’s most inspiring locations. Just as no two neighborhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are the same, taking inspiration from the area around each hotel to inform all aspects of the guest experience, from the hotel’s boutique design approach to locally inspired restaurants. Similarly, the Hotel Indigo property in Oxagon will be designed as a lifestyle destination offering exciting retail and dining concepts including cafés, a pool lounge, and a specialty restaurant. Additionally, residents and visitors will have access to a range of leisure and wellness facilities including a spa and 24-hour fitness centre. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG, said: “We are delighted to announce our first IHG hotel in the exciting and rapidly developing region of NEOM. Hotel Indigo is dedicated to embracing the unique essence of each local destination, ensuring that our hotels truly embody the spirit of their locations. We are excited to announce the upcoming opening of this new property in Oxagon, where an innovative blueprint for industry and remarkable livability is …

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced a new technology agreement between affiliates of Hyatt and Sabre Corporation. Under this agreement, Sabre’s SynXis Central Reservation System will become the main Central Reservation System (CRS) for Hyatt hotels beginning in 2024. This integration will enhance Hyatt’s reservation capabilities, streamline its operations, and deliver a seamless and efficient experience for guests, including a faster search and booking process. The agreement comes on the heels of Hyatt’s announcement of Hyatt PrO to optimize its revenue management system. These innovations are done with the aim of enhancing Hyatt’s commercial technology stack, informed by listening to owners and operators. “All of our business decisions are driven by our purpose – we care for people so they can be their best – and that begins with empathy and listening,” said Eben Hewitt, chief information officer, Hyatt. “As part of our transformative growth journey, we heard directly from owners and franchise management companies that we had an opportunity to create a more efficient and streamlined Central Reservation System, and after a very thorough evaluation, we decided that Sabre would be the perfect provider for Hyatt’s global portfolio to make the search and booking process even better for guests.” By leveraging the SynXis Central Reservation System, Hyatt’s new system will be designed to make the guest search and booking process even smoother and increase visibility for property availability through: Flexible calendar search – Guests searching for availability will have a more intuitive and efficient calendar view, including key dates when special promotions are available, as well as when World of Hyatt members can redeem their points for the highest value. Enhanced rooms and rates view – Hotels will be able to …

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will open its third London hotel in the British capital in 2028 to cater to the discerning guests from the Middle East. Situated on London’s South Bank with dramatic views over St Paul’s Cathedral, Mandarin Oriental Bankside, London is positioned ideally to access both the City of London and the West End theatre and shopping districts, offering a perfect base for leisure and business travellers. The hotel will be part of the larger Bankside Yards development, which serves to reconnect the space between the Tate Modern and Blackfriars Station and is centred around the historic railway arches that run through the heart of the site. The overall property is being developed by an international real estate consortium including Hotel Properties Limited, Native Land Limited and Amcorp Properties Berhad. The development will comprise a contemporary standalone building, expected to have 171 guestrooms and 70 branded Residences at Mandarin Oriental. The hotel will offer wellness and fitness facilities tailored for those leading active lifestyles. Within a dedicated space, guests will find a comprehensive Spa at Mandarin Oriental, providing signature wellness therapies and beauty treatments, a 25m lap pool, a spacious fitness centre and invigorating heat and water experiences. Four distinct culinary outlets, located on the first floor and the 19th floor of the building, with views across the city, will make the hotel a destination for locals and visitors alike. Dedicated events spaces include adaptable function and meeting rooms, with pre-function space, an outdoor terrace and an activity space, will ensure it becomes a sought-after destination for events and social occasions. In line with the brand’s continuous commitment to sustainability, the property will benefit from the wider Bankside …

Holiday Inn Dubai Business Bay will be the first in the UAE to bring to life the brand defining Open Lobby concept, which transforms the traditional hotel lobby into a flexible space, where the guests can connect, relax, socialise or work their way. IHG Hotels & Resorts will launch, by quarter four 2023, a new stylish dual-branded property in Dubai’s Business Bay. Located a short distance from key tourist and business spots, this cluster of hotels will offer modern and comfortable accommodations for travellers enjoying a short or longer stay in Dubai.The hotel will feature 275 rooms, modern meeting and recreational facilities including a fitness centre and an outdoor pool.  The naturally lit meeting and event spaces will offer state of the art technology with a capacity for up to 100 guests. The new Holiday Inn hotel will bring to Business Bay two new dining venues, a Mexican eatery, La Plancha – Terraza Mexicana, and a chic modern European restaurant and bar, Brasserie on One. It will embody all of its hallmarks, which our guests know and love us for including the brand’s signature “Kids Stay and Eat Free” program. The thoughtfully designed guest rooms will offer best in class features including a 55-Inch smart TV, contemporary furnishings, and high-quality bedding. Staybridge Suites is IHG’s upscale extended stay hotel brand that offers an elevated, residential-style hotel. The new hotel, Staybridge Suites Dubai Business Bay will offer 120 suites with options of studio, one, and two-bedroom suites to cater to varying guest needs. The all-suite hotel is perfectly designed to meet the needs of extended-stay travellers who seek a sense of community and home like warmth when traveling for days, weeks, …

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) entered a landmark partnership with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. This exclusive agreement marks the first time a cruise line has partnered with GHA, bringing together two leading luxury brands in the travel sector. GHA DISCOVERY members, who have access to 800 hotels, resorts and palaces operated by 40 hotel brands in 100 countries, are rewarded with the program’s innovative rewards currency, DISCOVERY Dollars (D$1 equal to US$1). Through this exclusive partnership, the program’s 24 million members will now enjoy the additional benefit of earning D$ by reserving a voyage with Regent and will be able to redeem those benefits in any GHA hotel, resort and palace. GHA DISCOVERY members who reserve a Regent cruise will also be fast-tracked to GHA DISCOVERY Titanium status, which provides a number of benefits at GHA hotels and resorts worldwide. In addition, GHA members will receive a special welcome gift of champagne and chocolates to be enjoyed once on board their reserved voyage. “We are the perfect match, with Regent Seven Seas Cruises being the world’s leading luxury cruise line, offering itineraries that connect key cities across the globe, and GHA DISCOVERY uniting the world’s largest collection of luxury hotel brands, with some of the best hotels in the world in those same destinations,” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley. “This strategic partnership will expand our reach, provide more choice and rich new benefits to our customers; and for GHA, it will drive significant enrolments notably from key markets such as the U.S., generating incremental revenue to our hotel brands.” “We are delighted to partner with GHA to bring Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ unrivaled luxury experiences to even more discerning guests around …

The first-ever vertical urban resort from ultra-luxury hospitality brand One&Only is set to welcome guests from 1 December 2023. An architectural icon, One&Only One Za’abeel represents a captivating duality – a place where the untold charms of Dubai meet the palpable energy of the most futuristic city on Earth; where the garden meets the sky; and where the traditional horizontal resort has been reimagined into a vertical masterpiece. “Kerzner International has always challenged conventions – and our first One&Only Urban Resort is no exception. One&Only One Za’abeel redefines what it means to provide ultra-luxury hospitality in the heart of a city,” says Philippe Zuber, Chief Executive Officer, Kerzner International. “Our Urban Resorts have all the elements of One&Only’s DNA – life and energy, space and privacy, curated experiences and exceptional service – translated to a dynamic urban setting. Found in the most inspiring destinations on Earth, each One&Only resort is an exceptional one-off, celebrating the unique charisma of its location. Perpetually altering Dubai’s skyline, One Za’abeel is a landmark architectural development not just for the UAE, but for the world – and we’re thrilled to introduce our first Urban Resort in such a spectacular setting.” Rising above the city’s exclusive Za’abeel neighbourhood, overlooking Dubai’s glittering skyline, the resort is located in the One Za’abeel development by acclaimed architects Nikken Sekkei. A bold new vision of innovation and aspiration, One Za’abeel’s dual skyscrapers are dramatically intersected by the world’s longest cantilever, The Link – a futuristic boulevard floating 100 metres above the street. In keeping with the unrivalled space and seclusion you’d expect from a One&Only resort, One&Only One Za’abeel’s expansive rooms, suites, and Villa One penthouse are amongst the largest …

Saudi Arabia (US$71.75) was the only other market to show a higher GOPPAR index over the previous month, at 102% of the 2022 comparable. Jordan’s GOPPAR level reached US$66.77 in May, showing a significant month-over-month increase (+34.1%). That level was 106% of what was seen in May 2022, but was down from the 369% index reported in April. Qatar reached a GOPPAR of US$37.95, down 20.9% year over year. The market, however, saw a month-over-month jump of 39.0% and was one of the only markets to show an improvement in the index (at 79% of May 2022 levels). Among key hotel markets in Middle East & Africa, Jordan and Qatar realized the only month-over-month  gross operating profit per available room (GOPPAR) improvements, according to STR’s May 2023 P&L data release. Key profitability metrics: TRevPAR – Total revenue per available room GOPPAR – Gross operating profit per available room EBITDA – Earnings before interest, income tax, depreciation, and amortization LPAR – Total labor costs per available room