Category Archives: Hotels

Hospitality brand Stella Stays has launched operations in Bahrain ahead of a major expansion in the region. The firm’s expansion plans seek to take advantage of Bahrain’s booming real estate sector, with $12 billion worth of real estate projects in the pipeline. Stella Stays operates a portfolio of managed properties scattered around UAE, Bahrain and Canada. Positioned to rival traditional hotel chains, the company is targeting tourists and residents who want short, medium, and long-term stays in well designed, furnished, regulated apartments, townhouses, and villas. Each of Stella Stays’ units is designed by its in-house interior design team and features stylish modern furniture, pre-loaded Netflix accounts, PlayStations, espresso machines and 100+ on demand services in addition to standard hotel like facilities. The start-up launched in late 2019, and has grown to manage nearly 300 properties as of August 2021. “We have an aggressive growth plan and the new properties being built in Bahrain will play a crucial role in our strategy.” said Mohannad Zikra, CEO and Co-founder at Stella Stays. “Our expansion into Bahrain coincides with the Kingdom’s major real estate developments. Our model is the perfect fit for the Bahrain market and will be an excellent stepping stone in rolling the concept out to key locations in the region and eventually expanding to Europe and North America.” Despite the onset of the pandemic, Stella Stays was able to pivot from targeting tourists to offering residents and inbound travellers places to work remotely and undergo quarantine. The company has already secured one round of initial funding. Now the business aims to achieve a comparable level of success to a similar firm in the US; Sonder, which announced earlier this year …

Izmir Marriott Hotel made its debut and is now welcoming guests to the newest hospitality experience in the heart of Alsancak.  The city hotel offers an urban resort experience on the coastline of Izmir. The hotel has been designed to reflect the newest global design vision for Marriott Hotels, featuring sophisticated and intuitively designed spaces for today’s modern traveller, enabling guests to relax, work and find inspiration during their stay. Izmir Marriott Hotel comprises 149 guestrooms and seven suites each with panoramic views of the shoreline or the vibrant city of İzmir. The spacious guestrooms are thoughtfully designed with contemporary décor and intuitive in-room amenities. For larger groups of families and friends, the hotel features Junior Suites that offer connecting rooms offering more space. The hotel also offers an 80-sqm Presidential Suite that offers extra comfort and privacy along with a private terrace overlooking to the Gulf of Izmir. Set to become the city’s new lifestyle destination, Izmir Marriott Hotel offers a diverse selection of restaurants including, Lima, an all-day dining restaurant with an outdoor space overlooking the Pasaport waterfront promenade; Alcedo, a lobby bar; and Pagos, a rooftop bar perfect for admiring sunset views over Izmir Bay. The hotel features The M Club, an exclusive space reserved for Elite members and Club guests that provides complimentary breakfast, evening drinks, hors d’oeuvres and premium beverages throughout the day. The M Club also offers the brand’s signature Mind Menu, a selection of delicious snacks and beverages with active ingredients to enhance mind and body. Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the M Club provides free Wi-Fi, printing services and power supplies to ensure uninterrupted productivity for business travelers. …

Radisson Hotel Group aims to support womens’ growth within the tourism industry by empowering the younger generation and supporting them with their dreams. A key objective for Radisson Hotel Group is to achieve balanced leadership by increasing the representation of women in senior positions, breaking down the barriers that prevent women from speaking openly about their careers and harnessing the individual strengths of their female leaders. The group’s Balanced Leadership initiative aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The program takes a three-pronged strategy to tackle the continuing problem of diversity at the top of organizations: leadership programs, inclusive policies and awareness of the issue from top to bottom, including how to tackle barriers to women succeeding in business. At the forefront of this initiative, is Stephanie Aboujaoude, Senior Area Director of Marketing and Communications, Middle East and Africa for Radisson Hotel Group. She has been one of the ambassadors for the Group’s Balanced Leadership programme since its launch in 2014 and is the force championing Woman in Leadership across Middle East and Africa. As men and women grow and continue their education, they have equal ambitions to pursue a successful professional career, with roughly equal levels of achievement — though some studies suggest that women do slightly better. Women in hospitality in the Middle East are not a rare occurrence, but in senior management roles, from general manager to board of director level, the numbers start dwindling. Many women who start out in the hospitality industry reach a certain level and remain there, or leave to join another industry or start a family. A common reason attributed to this is the ‘beyond-9-to-5’ lifestyle of the industry, making …

Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers has become the first Abu Dhabi hotel to partner with Evolvin’ Women, a social enterprise dedicated to the advancement of women in developing countries by providing skill development opportunities in the hospitality sector. During the two-year partnership, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers will support Evolvin’ Women in driving women empowerment in the hospitality industry by facilitating two year skill development placement for the women under the Evolvin’ Women Program. As a starting point, the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers team has reviewed over 10 profiles and already hired five women in housekeeping and one in F&B who they will train and mentor throughout their work placement. In addition, working in line with both organizations’ commitment to paving gender equality in the hospitality industry, the hotel has appointed two women in the front office as door women – a historically male-dominated role. Assia Riccio, CEO, Evolvin’ Women said: “We are pleased to partner with Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers and grateful for their support to advancing our cause of gender equality, female empowerment, and diversity in the hospitality industry. I believe appointing doorwomen instead of doormen is a revolutionary step towards breaking gender stereotypes and highlighting women’s potential to excel and grow in any role when given the right opportunity and support. I look forward to working with the hotel and witnessing the positive impact of mentorship from the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers team on their professional and personal growth.” Tarek Jarrouje, Director of Human Resources, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers said: “We are proud to be the first Abu Dhabi hotel to partner with Evolvin’ Women. By placing women in traditionally male-dominated roles and …

Marriott International, Inc. announced plans to expand its portfolio in Turkey with the expected opening of 10 properties by the end of 2022. With the anticipated openings, the company’s portfolio in Turkey is expected to encompass 43 properties with over 7,000 rooms across eight markets by the end of 2022. Reinforcing its long-term focus on the market, the company also announced two recent deal signings under the Four Points by Sheraton brand. “Marriott International has a strong history of successful operations in the Turkish market,” said Begüm Kaya, Director of Development, Turkey at Marriott International. “With our captivating portfolio of brands, world-class distribution platform and all-encompassing travel program, Marriott Bonvoy, we appreciate the confidence our owners and franchisees have with us in this exciting market.” Marriott International continues to see growth in its select portfolio across brands such as Four Points by Sheraton and Residence Inn by Marriott. Four Points by Sheraton builds upon its momentum in the Turkish market with the Four Points by Sheraton Istanbul Kagithane expected to open this year and the Four Points by Sheraton Elazig projected to open in 2022. To meet the demand for longer-stay accommodations in the country, the company is expected to debut its extended stay brand, Residence Inn by Marriott, with the anticipated opening of Residence Inn by Marriott Istanbul Atasehir later this year. The brand is ideal for guests seeking the comforts of home with modern, flexible suites with full kitchens and separate living and sleeping areas, providing the perfect solution for travelers mixing business and leisure travel. The company’s renowned premium brands also remain a strong driver of growth in the Turkish market. Following the recent opening of Orientbank …

In order to offer both leisure and business travelers to Dubai a new experience two additional buildings will be added in downtown area overlooking Burj Khalifa by hospitality group Sonder. The two and three bedroomed apartments will be especially designed for the families that will spend bleisure stays and long stay business travellers. “We’re pleased to continue to partner with Sonder, whose innovative and guest-centric approach to hospitality addresses the preferences of the modern, urban, family and business travelers that frequents Dubai,” said Soby Joseph, executive director of Al Fattan Properties LLC. “Sonder is a well-capitalized operator that provides peace of mind and fixed income for real estate assets. They continue to be one of our preferred partners for developments in Dubai.” “We remain bullish on expansion in Dubai as it is one of the most visited cities in the world, renowned for its beautiful design and architecture and is a global real estate hub. These are all attributes that fit perfectly with the Sonder brand and mission and we plan to continue developing Sonder’s footprint in the region,” said Martin Picard, Global Head of Real Estate for Sonder. “We’ve seen very strong performance from our inaugural Dubai property, JBR Suites. We are extremely pleased to be partnering again with Al Fattan to take on operations of what will be Sonder’s fourth largest signing in terms of units. Sonder Holdings Inc. (“Sonder”), a leading next-generation hospitality company that is redefining the guest experience through technology and design, will add two additional buildings to its growing portfolio in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Through an agreement with Al Fattan Properties LLC, Sonder will manage and operate two of the three Al Fattan …

Hyatt announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with an affiliate of Millat Properties for Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton. The planned opening of the property will mark the introduction of Hyatt’s select service and extended stay brand, Hyatt House, to the continent and the third Hyatt-branded hotel in South Africa. The Hyatt House brand offers a flexible, elevated approach to extended stay and helps guests enjoy the comforts of home when they are away from theirs. Built on guest insights, Hyatt House hotels drive satisfaction and loyalty by allowing guests to maintain familiar routines, with spacious suites and studios featuring full kitchens, comfortable living rooms, large bedrooms and stylish bathrooms. Slated to open in October 2021, the hotel will be situated in the well-established Sandton area, where business and leisure tourism blends together in Africa’s economical hub. Hyatt House Johannesburg Sandton will boast 43 studio guestrooms and 19 apartment-style suites, all with fully equipped kitchens and separate living areas reminding guests of the conveniences of home. Additional amenities will include a unique concept for an alternative dining experience in the Treehouse, H Market offering grab-and-go snacks and drinks, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and an outdoor swimming pool in which guests can unwind and enjoy themselves. “We’re delighted to announce plans to introduce the Hyatt House brand to Africa, which will be Hyatt’s second hotel in collaboration with an affiliate of Millat Properties,” said Ludwig Bouldoukian, regional vice president of development for the Middle East and Africa, Hyatt. “We are proud to hold such strong relationships with exceptional owners who share our ambition and values. They are essential to powering Hyatt’s brand growth.” “We are very pleased …

Efendi Hotel, a 12-room luxury boutique property that is the living testament to the ancient city of Akko’s 5,300-year history, today announces it will officially reopen to receive guests on August 24, 2021. Efendi Hotel will offer bookings of its enchanted rooms and suites, all of which are furnished and equipped to the highest standards and have a unique character and style. Several of the rooms’ ceilings feature restored motifs and frescos, while others are made from preserved wood. Most of the windows offer Mediterranean sea views, while others look out over the ancient city of Akko and the scenic mountains of the Western Galilee. Guests will also be permitted use of the hotel’s rooftop, with sweeping views of the sea and Old City of Akko, and will receive in-room breakfast and wine and cheese upon request. Nestled in the picturesque narrow lanes of the Old City of Akko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former capital of the Crusader Kingdom, Efendi Hotel holds the highest level of architectural preservation and restoration out of any private building in Israel. The property officially opened in February 2012 following a meticulous eight-year restoration process of the original buildings overseen by tourism innovator, chef and entrepreneur Uri Jeremias along with archaeologists and antiquities experts who were hired to restore the Byzantine and Crusader-era cellar. Jeremias oversaw the restoration of the two original Ottoman buildings and hand-painted motifs and frescos along the walls and ceilings, including a fresco of an ancient Istanbul. The unique structure of Efendi Hotel begins in the property’s wine cellar, which in itself is based upon bricks from the Byzantine era of Akko, more than 1,500 years ago. Ascending …

Marjan in Ras Al Khaimah has welcomed the world’s largest Hampton by Hilton to Al Marjan Island, its flagship mega-development and one of the region’s preferred tourism and investment destinations. Marking its debut in Ras Al Khaimah, Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island has opened doors to guests offering spectacular sea and island views across its 515 rooms. The fourth global hotel brand to open in Al Marjan Island, Hampton by Hilton has a development value of AED 450 million which will further increase the hospitality offering of the island and support Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism development strategy. Named the Gulf Tourism Capital for 2021 by the Gulf Cooperation Council, Ras Al Khaimah is recognised as the world’s first ‘safe’ city, certified by Bureau Veritas, and the first Emirate to receive the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) ‘Safe Travels’ stamp. Eng. Abdulla Al Abdooli, CEO of Marjan, said: “With the new Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island opening doors to guests, visitors to Ras Al Khaimah have an added hospitality destination to choose, assuring them world-class service and a relaxed beach lifestyle. This will further add to the appeal of Al Marjan Island to visitors, both from within the UAE and abroad, for staycations and longer holidays.” Eng. Mohamed Hanafy, Owner Representative at MR Properties, the owner of the hotel, said: “We are delighted to open doors to a spectacular new hospitality experience in Al Marjan Island with the new Hampton by Hilton, the world’s largest under the brand. We chose Al Marjan Island for its location given the potential the development has and being inspired by its strong performance in welcoming tourists from across the world.” Hampton by Hilton Marjan …

  The fourth property under the SGroup S19 hotel opened with 94 rooms in Al Jaddaf just 200 meters from the metro station overlooking the Dubai creek, burj khalifa and Dubai mall for both leisure and corporate guests. The group started off in 2018 with their first property in Dubai Science Park titles S Hotel which was their first midscale brand. General Manager Sameh El Amri shared, “S Hotel Group, when we launched our first property in 2018 we decided to tackle different market segments for different customer profiles so we dedicated luxury brands, upscale and midscale brands and hotel apartments and budget hotels. So we opened the midscale brand in Al Barsha in Science Park, S Holiday Homes which are luxury apartment and villas and today we celebrate the opening of S19 the first in the midscale segment.” Their unique as they combine traditional hospitality with contemporary amenities to ensure that all guests will have a memorable experience during their stay. At a time when details and experience are pivotal to all guests, the hotel focuses on ensuring that all boxes are ticked when it comes to providing the best in service standard to all the guests both corporate and leisure. As borders open they are hopeful of source markets coming in to Dubai and their unique location to both business and leisure precincts is another reason to drive in the traffic. Some of the rooms face the creek which is an excellent view. The fusion restaurant is an all-day dining area that could also be accessed by the pool and the terrace. All other regular amenities such as pool, gym, prayer rooms etc are available to all guests. …