Category Archives: Hotels

Red Sea Global (RSG) announced that the first phase of resorts and attractions on Shura Island will open to guests in the coming weeks. The debut includes three world-class hospitality brands: SLS Red Sea, The Red Sea EDITION, and InterContinental The Red Sea Resort along with Shura Links, Saudi Arabia’s first island golf course. The launch represents a key milestone for Vision 2030, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s efforts for economic diversification and sustainable tourism. “Shura Island embodies our mission to redefine tourism while protecting and celebrating nature,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG. “With its opening, we move closer to delivering a truly regenerative tourism experience.” When fully complete, Shura Island will feature 11 luxury resorts, including Four Seasons, Jumeirah, Raffles, and Rosewood. Designed by Foster + Partners under the “Coral Bloom” concept, the development blends harmoniously with the natural environment and is fully powered by renewable energy. Guests will access the island via a 3.3km crossing, the Kingdom’s longest internal bridge or through Red Sea International Airport, which is expanding its network with new direct international flights.

Sun Siyam Resorts marked 35 years of island hospitality by unveiling their rebrand in Dubai to the travel trade. The rebrand introduces The Home of the Maldivian Spirit as the group’s guiding philosophy, reflecting a renewed commitment to authentic Maldivian experiences while embracing modern luxury and creativity. All six resorts, including the group’s Sri Lankan retreat, are now unified under The House of Siyam and organised into three collections. The Luxury Collection, led by Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, offers exclusivity and indulgence. The Lifestyle Collection, featuring Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Siyam World, focuses on adventure and entertainment for families, couples, and groups. The Privé Collection, including Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, and Sun Siyam Pasikudah, prioritizes privacy and personalized comfort. A highlight of the rebrand is the introduction of Signature Experiences that immerse guests in Maldivian culture. These include culinary and heritage journeys, the Maldives’ first overwater photo studio, vibrant social evenings at Sun Siyam Beach Club, Moonlit Cinemas, Hidden Treasure Chests, and plant-based dining adventures. The launch of Siyam Rewards, a digital membership program, offers tailored itineraries, room upgrades, and optional carbon offsets, strengthening guest relationships while supporting sustainability initiatives through Sun Siyam Care. Founder Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed said their goal was to share the warmth of the islands and its people with the rest of the world. CEO Deepak Booneady added that the rebrand is not just about design but about the experience, cultural authenticity, purpose-driven hospitality, and creating moments that spark joy.

The wait is over as Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection by IHG announced its opening is set for November 2025. It will be the world’s tallest all-hotel tower, featuring the highest infinity pool on the planet. Soaring 377 metres across 82 floors, the hotel promises a new era of luxury hospitality with panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai skyline. Managed by The First Group Hospitality, Ciel Dubai Marina offers 1004 rooms and suites, eight distinctive dining venues, and a sky-high luxury spa on the 61st floor. Highlights include Tattu Dubai, with its sky pool on level 76 and sky lounge & terrace on level 81, offering 360° views, world-class cuisine, and an unforgettable rooftop experience. Guests can explore diverse culinary experiences at West 13, East 14, and Risen Cafe, while enjoying premium amenities including a state-of-the-art gym, Soluna Beach Club access, and family-friendly spaces such as a kids club and splash pad. Rob Burns, CEO of The First Group, called it a landmark development that will redefine upper-upscale hospitality in Dubai, blending innovation, design, and luxury.  

As the first-ever Kimpton in the region, the 212-room luxury lifestyle hotel brings the brand’s sophisticated yet playful approach, refined design, socially engaging spaces and human-centered hospitality, to the heart of Riyadh’s most dynamic neighborhood. Founded in San Francisco in 1981, Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, has become a globally celebrated brand known for its design-led hotels that serve as vibrant community hubs. The debut of Kimpton KAFD Riyadh marks a significant step in the brand’s strategic expansion into the region, catering to the growing demand for authentic, design-led luxury experiences. The debut of Kimpton KAFD Riyadh marks the brand’s exciting expansion into the Middle East, offering a fresh, design-led approach to hospitality in the Kingdom. Rising gracefully across 16 floors, the hotel blends contemporary elegance with the brand’s playful personality. Guests can expect thoughtfully curated spaces, from breezy skywalk access to the metro to in-room yoga mats, luxury bedding, and mini-bars stocked with locally inspired treats. Whether travelling for business or leisure, every stay is enriched with unexpected touches that make the experience distinctly Kimpton.

Located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, the beachfront residences feature 141 units. Ras Al Khaimah economy is on track to grow by an average of 4 per cent annually from 2024 to 2027*, paving the way for some of the biggest names in hospitality and real estate. The projected growth of Al Marjan Island continues to be an immense draw for buyers and investors not only with a residential market boom but also a surge in tourism and hospitality.  The agreement was signed in the presence of dignitaries of Marjan and Marriott, including Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan, who joined ATARA leadership to commemorate the milestone. This flagship project is the cornerstone of ATARA Development’s expanding portfolio, underscoring the company’s strategic shift towards primary development. With a robust pipeline of over 1 million square feet planned in the next two years, it represents a major step in ATARA’s growth. Building on a strong track record of sold-out projects in Dubai’s most prestigious locations such as Pearl Jumeirah Island, La Mer South Island, and Dubai Islands, this collaboration with Marriott International sets a new benchmark in luxury living and reinforces ATARA´s position as a lead developer. “We are delighted to welcome ATARA Development and The Residences at Sheraton Al Marjan Island Resort to our vibrant community,” said Arch. Abdullah Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan. “Located on the prime shores of Al Marjan Island, this project reflects the caliber of world-class developments we envision for our destination. By combining ATARA’s expertise in luxury residences with Sheraton’s legacy of hospitality excellence, it offers a distinctive proposition for both residents and investors — further strengthening Al Marjan Island’s position as …

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah has once again reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by partnering with Dr. Linen Sustainable Ventures FZCO for the second time, handling over 700 kilograms of end-of-life linens and uniforms. This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment to responsible resource management, ensuring that the textiles at the end of their operation lifespan are repurposed into sustainable products. Dr. Linen Sustainable Ventures FZCO will reprocess and blend the old linens and uniforms with virgin fibers to create new, usable commodities, giving the materials a second life instead of sending them to landfills. This effort reflects the hotel’s proactive approach to ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices, particularly in responsible waste management and carbon footprint reduction. “Our partnership with Dr. Linen Sustainable Ventures FZCO demonstrates that even small steps like responsibly managing end-of-life linens can lead to a significant positive impact. Sustainability is a journey, and we are proud to continue leading by example,” said Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah. This initiative adds to Coral Beach Resort Sharjah’s broader sustainability journey, which includes projects accomplished such as Onsite Water Bottling Plant that eliminate the single-use plastic bottles and the composting machine which convert food waste into natural compost.

The new rotana.com is built for today’s mobile-first travellers. The platform adapts seamlessly to any device and streamlines the booking journey from start to finish. Enhanced AI-powered search and filtering make it easier  for guests to discover and book the options that best match their needs. “This launch marks a pivotal step in Rotana’s new strategic roadmap,” said Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana. “We are reimagining every touchpoint of the guest journey, both online and on property, to ensure we remain at the forefront of hospitality in the region. The new rotana.com blends personalisation, speed, and inspiration to reflect the exceptional experiences our guests enjoy in our hotels. As we execute our growth strategy, technology will be central in deepening guest relationships, driving direct bookings, and reinforcing Rotana’s leadership in the evolving travel landscape.” This transformation is part of Rotana’s broader digital strategy aimed at strengthening direct booking channels and deepening guest engagement through data-driven insight. The relaunch comes amid a major shift in traveller behaviour, with mobile now accounting for more than half of hotel reservations. Yet many guests still abandon their bookings due to slow load times, poor navigation, and complex checkouts (GuestCentric, 2024). In the Middle East and Africa, where the mobile travel booking market was valued at USD 4.6 billion in 2024 and is set to more than double by 2031 (Cognitiv Market Research, 2025), the demand for seamless mobile booking experiences has never been greater.

Aleph Hospitality has signed a hotel management agreement with Diyar Al Khalidiyah Hotel Services Company for the Diyar Al Khalidiya hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. In its continued expansion across Saudi Arabia, Aleph Hospitality now enters the Makkah market. Diyar Al Khalidiya will be the management company’s second operational hotel in the Kingdom after the Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah. The 338-room hotel is located on Ibrahim Khalil Street, near the Great Mosque of Makkah and the Abraj Al-Bait Towers. Taking over management of the hotel in August 2025, Aleph Hospitality is currently in negotiations with hotel brands to secure suitable and international branding for the hotel. Makkah, the heart of Islamic pilgrimage, is witnessing unparalleled growth in its Hajj and Umrah tourism, and its visitor numbers nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, while spending metrics quadrupled. The Hajj tourism industry is projected to reach USD343.55 billion by 2034, reflecting an impressive CAGR of 7.20%. Under Vision 2030, Makkah’s hospitality infrastructure is being scaled massively in terms of hotel rooms, smart systems, and transport networks to support an annual pilgrimage target of 30 million by 2030. Riyad Al Horaibi, CEO of Diyar Al Khalidiya, said, “We are pleased to partner with Aleph Hospitality, a reputable and experienced hotel management company known for delivering operational efficiency and strong ROI. With the increasing demand in Makkah’s hospitality sector, it was important for us to align with a management firm that understands the local market and brings a track record of success. We are confident this partnership will elevate the guest experience and strengthen the overall performance of our property.” Tariq Dowidar, Vice President Saudi Arabia of Aleph Hospitality, said, “With Makkah set to welcome …

Rocco Forte Hotels and Emerald Pine Capital are pleased to announce a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the expansion of the Rocco Forte brand across Europe and the Middle East. This would enhance their presence beyond Saudi Arabia. By combining Rocco Forte’s renowned operational excellence with Emerald Pine Capital’s investment and asset management expertise, the collaboration creates a highly aligned team with deep capabilities across sourcing, underwriting, structuring and execution. Together, the partners will pursue repositioning, value-add, and development opportunities in gateway cities and high-demand leisure destinations. The aim is to offer a differentiated and compelling proposition for investors and a streamlined and effective process for asset owners. Charles Forte, Director of Development at Rocco Forte Hotels: “I am pleased to be able to announce our partnership with Emerald Pine Capital and I am confident that their years of experience and strong reputation within the financial world will further fortify our existing team and our expansionary efforts in Europe and beyond.” Fabrizio Grena, founding partner and CEO of Emerald Pine Capital: “As the luxury hospitality sector continues to evolve, we are delighted to partner with Rocco Forte to offer a distinctive combination of expertise and skill sets to our clients and partners. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to quality and long-term value creation in the hospitality space. We look forward to working with aligned partners on this exciting journey.”

UAE based property developer The First Group has confirmed that Ciel, the world’s tallest hotel and the firm’s largest and most ambitious project to date, will officially open in the final quarter of 2025. Located in Dubai Marina, the striking 82-storey tower will redefine upscale hospitality in one of the city’s most iconic waterfront precincts. Designed by leading architectural firm NORR, Ciel will feature Dubai’s highest infinity pool, world-class dining options, a rooftop lounge and club, a luxury spa, and an observation deck with panoramic views of Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf. Featuring more than 1,000 guestrooms and suites, the mega hotel will also house a fully equipped fitness centre and Nest executive lounge. Operated by The First Group Hospitality, Ciel will be part of IHG’s Vignette Collection, a prestigious global portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels that deliver memorable, design-led guest experiences. As a member of the Collection, Ciel will tap into IHG’s extensive global network, including its renowned loyalty programme, IHG One Rewards, which has millions of members worldwide.