Category Archives: Hotels

IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Haitham Mattar as managing director of India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA), replacing the outgoing Pascal Gauvin who left the post at the end of 2020. Mattar will take up the position from April 18.With more than 25 years of experience, he will be responsible for driving IHG’s business in the Middle East, Africa and the South West Asia region, covering both development and operations responsibilities across a portfolio of 165 operational hotels and a pipeline of over 100 properties. Mattar joins IHG from the Saudi Ministry of Tourism where, as senior advisor and a member of the Executive Leadership Committee, he contributed to the development and implementation of Saudi’s sustainable tourism strategy to become one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Previously, he spent four years as CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, reporting to HH Sheikh Saud Bin SaqrAl Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of RasAl Khaimah. It is not the first time Mattar has worked at IHG, having previously spent 11 years at the group from 2000 to 2011 in various operations, commercial and sales and marketing positions based in the region. In his new role, he will be based in IHG’s Dubai office and will report to Kenneth Macpherson, chief executive officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA). Macpherson said, “I am very pleased to welcome Haitham back to IHG and lead our business in IMEA at such a crucial time for the travel and tourism industry. Haitham has a wealth of experience within the sector and has been at the forefront of several important strategic initiatives in the region over the last decade. …

Arabian Adventures to launch ‘The Perfect Evening by Arabian Adventures’, a new, high-end dining experience in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR). Known for its award-winning range of desert safaris, city tours and ongoing commitment to conservation in the DDCR, Arabian Adventures is revealing a luxurious new camp in a private ‘cove’ amidst the dunes of this spectacular, pristine reserve – set to provide a unique, once-in-a-lifetime desert voyage, with a front-row seat to the stars. The experience includes pick-up and drives into the DDCR in a premium vehicle with an Arabian Adventures expert safari guide, sundowners with canapes at a perfect sunset stop, and premium dining at the newly-designed camp with a private chef and waiter, with some traditional Arabian surprises for guests along the way. Justine Thomas, General Manager at Arabian Adventures, commented, “This new, high-end private dining experience in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve represents a first for Arabian Adventures, as we continue to evolve and extend our product offering to meet the needs and wants of our customers. “We have witnessed a surge in requests for guests seeking a refined, private dining experience in the Dubai desert. As such, our team of local experts is taking the 5-star restaurant experience you can expect from this incredible city and are placing this into an idyllic setting in its surrounding desert within a new luxury retreat, with a personal waiter and private chef on-site. “Match this premium dining event with the privacy and beauty that can only be found in the DDCR, and we believe that we are introducing a new, must-do Dubai experience, for local residents and international travellers alike.” Thomas concluded, “Complete with a lantern-lit path …

Nakheel announced that The View at The Palm, a stunning observation deck that showcases a 360-degree view of Palm Jumeirah, is set to open its doors to the public on 7 April 2021. Visitors can purchase their tickets and experience the Palm Jumeirah like never-before, as well as embark on an interactive journey towards the rich history of this splendid island through multiple immersive touchpoints. Omar Khoory, Chief Assets and Hospitality Officer, Nakheel said: “Twenty years ago, Nakheel embarked on a journey to bring the vision of Palm Jumeirah to life and today, we celebrate its growing success story by launching The View at The Palm. As well as a world attraction, The View will uncover the evolutionary journey behind building one of the most splendid man-made islands in the world. As Nakheel continues to add innovative destinations to its ever-growing retail portfolio, we hope that these experiences will inspire wonder to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. We are delighted to welcome residents to experience Palm Jumeirah in a completely new way and we are confident that it will be memorable.” Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), said: “The View at The Palm marks another major milestone for Dubai’s tourism industry and adds to the city’s range of diverse offerings that residents and visitors can enjoy. The opening of the observation deck under stringent precautionary measures will further enhance the safe environment that Dubai has created in line with the directive of our visionary leadership to ensure that the health and safety of people remains the top priority. The significance of the solid relationships that we have built over the years with …

Accor announced the expansion of the international SLS Hotels & Residences brand to the Middle East with the opening of SLS Dubai.  Developed in partnership with World of Wonders Real Estate – the new property is one of Dubai’s tallest buildings officially welcomed guests and residents. The highly anticipated opening is a testament to the SLS brand’s longstanding reputation and experience in creating and delivering extraordinary, unforgettable and timeless experiences. This news comes on the heels of Accor’s latest phase of expansion following its acquisition of sbe’s hotel brands and its planned joint venture with Ennismore, which will see the creation of one of the world’s largest and fastest growing lifestyle operators. Using the SLS Hotels & Residences’ global perspective gained from its expanding network of hospitality properties, SLS Dubai presents a host of truly enriching and elevated experiences via its portfolio of diversely distinct luxury brands. From Fi’lia, the entirely female-run restaurant that celebrates food & identity, to Carna by the award-winning Italian butcher Dario Cecchini’s contemporary steakhouse, SLS Dubai’s culinary venues are a testament to the hospitality hallmarks of the SLS brand. Chadi Farhat, Chief Operating Officer, sbe states, “We are happy to announce the official opening of SLS Dubai. We are excited to deliver culinary concepts like Fi’lia, our Italian concept, which will at this specific location focus on empowering the incredible leadership team of women, from our chefs to mixologists to managers. We truly believe that the property will be a highly sought-after destination for global travelers and locals alike”.

ATS Travel and Luxury Connoisseurs have come together to offer unique products and services to be launched in UAE and KSA to begin with. Within the next two quarters, these will be extended to other GCC countries as well, informed Saleem Sharif, the Deputy Managing Director of ATS Travel. ATS Travel is a leading Travel Management Company with offices in UAE and Saudi Arabia, offering comprehensive travel solutions both to corporate and leisure travellers for more than 44 years. Saleem stated that “ATS Travel has been supporting high-end clients with bespoke luxury travels in GCC Region and worldwide destinations with hotel bookings, air ticketing, meetings & events, educational trips and 24hours concierge services in the past. This partnership with Luxury Connoisseurs will further enhance our product portfolio by offering a wide range of ultraluxury properties for our discerning customers to choose from”, added Saleem During these days of the pandemic, we are able to offer Private Charters and accommodation in high-end properties in places like Maldives, Seychelles, Tanzania, Greece, Turkey and Kenya. This portfolio will be expanded to cover exotic locations worldwide once the situation improves, added Saleem. Luxury Connoisseurs is a Concierge & Lifestyle Platform with a mission to deliver the highest level of service to an exclusive network of leisure and corporate clients worldwide. Mrs. Loredana Pettinati, Founder & CEO declared: “With over fifteen years’ experience in the luxury travel sector we have built and we continue to build an extensive global network of partners, which allows us to offer to our clients completely customized luxury journeys to inspiring destinations worldwide both for leisure and corporate purposes.” “We are sure that through this partnership both the two companies …

Marriott Executive Apartments, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 leading brands, has announced its debut in Qatar with the opening of Marriott Executive Apartments City Center Doha. Owned by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (ARTIC), the elevated serviced apartments answer to the rapidly growing demand for longer stay accommodations which offer a sophisticated experience with amenities and services that mirror the comforts of home. “We are pleased to build on our fantastic relationship with ARTIC and open the first Marriott Executive Apartments in Qatar. With the current trend for ‘bleisure’ travel, we believe this opening will cater for guests looking to mix business and leisure travel by creating a ‘home from home’ feeling for their longer stay,” said Safak Guvenc, Area Vice President, Gulf, Levant and Turkey, Marriott International. “This opening reflects ARTIC’s investment strategy focused on high-quality hospitality assets in premium destinations that enable us to create significant additional value through redevelopment, rebranding, or reformatting in partnership with leading global operators like Marriott International. Marriott Executive Apartments City Center Doha enhances our extended stay and serviced apartment offering and underlines our commitment to providing a full range of accommodation at the highest quality and standards of service. This is one of six properties in Qatar that we plan to launch with Marriott International this year, as we continue to balance our growing portfolio of operating assets with a healthy future project pipeline and contribute to the continuing expansion and range of Qatar’s hospitality sector in the process,” said Tarek El Sayed, CEO and Managing Director, ARTIC. “We are excited to welcome guests to enjoy a premium and trusted home-away-from-home experience at Marriott Executive Apartments in Doha. Our team …

TIME Hotels will be opening its first two hotels in Egypt later this year – the five-star TIME Coral Resort Nuweiba in the Red Sea resort of Nuweiba and the four-star TIME Marina Hotel & Conference Centre near Al Alamein on the Mediterranean coast, which is being hailed as Egypt’s second capital. During a recent visit to check on the progress of the hotels, Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME hotels commented, “Work is proceeding well at our TIME Marina Hotel and that property should be ready to open in August. As for the TIME Coral Resort, that hotel is already open and operating, so it is only a case of re-branding the hotel and opening under our management this summer. “These hotels are our first in Egypt and will broaden our footprint from the Gulf to the Mediterranean, with 16 properties situated in UAE, Doha, Saudi Arabia, and now Egypt, with a further five in the pipeline.” “This hotel is ideally placed to service the enormous number of corporate companies that are basing their operations here, some new, some relocating from Cairo, as well as an increasing amount of general commercial activity. The city will eventually be built across 50,000 acres in three stages, stretching for 60km away from the coast, attracting an estimated three million residents,” added Awadalla. “This beautiful resort hotel is perfect for those looking for complete relaxation in unspoilt and tranquil surroundings. We believe it has tremendous potential for the leisure market. It is only 90 minutes’ drive from the international airport at Sharm El Sheikh and only 70-100km from Taba International Airport and Eilat (Ramon International Airport). Plans are already afoot to develop the area sympathetically, …

Aleph Hospitality has signed the management contracts for three hotels in Kenya. The hotels, Boma Nairobi, Boma Inn Nairobi, and Boma Inn Eldoret, are owned by Red Court Hotel, a subsidiary of Kenya Red Cross Society. Managed under Red Court Hotel’s homegrown Boma brand until now, Dubai-based Aleph Hospitality has been appointed to manage the properties and turn them into profitable assets once again. As part of the agreement, Aleph Hospitality has pledged financial support to the Kenya Red Cross, by donating a percentage of fees it earns from the hotels to local charitable initiatives. Bani Haddad, Founder and Managing Director of Aleph Hospitality, commented, “We are delighted to take over the management of the three Boma hotels in a deal that further strengthens our presence in Kenya. We are committed to working with the owners to turn around the fortunes of these wonderful hotels and proud to support local humanitarian projects being run by the owner through the Kenya Red Cross”. Dr. Abbas Gullet, Founder and Chairman of Red Court Hotel and former Secretary General of Kenya Red Cross, added: “We are thrilled to be working with a professional hotel management company that understands both the global hotel business and our local hospitality market. All profits from Boma Nairobi, Boma Inn Nairobi and Boma Inn Eldoret fund the Kenya Red Cross Society and we are confident that together we can re-establish successful hotel businesses that will help support this great cause”. Haddad added, “We understand the Kenyan hospitality market exceptionally well and have seen an increase in demand for our management services during the Coronavirus pandemic, as owners in Kenya seek international expertise to help them manage costs, boost …

Rixos Premium Magawish Suites & Villas has taken over Hurghada as the brand-new property opens its doors today on the Red Sea Coast. The 5-star property offers a spacious landscape of over 255,000 square meters, flashing an architectural masterpiece at the heart of the bustling town. The iconic sights are accompanied by the signature Rixos services, alongside first-class suites and villa facilities, meeting halls, vast food and beverage options, world-class leisure, sports, entertainment facilities, and a spa. “We are ecstatic to announce the significant expansion of our presence in Egypt. The recent opening of Rixos Premium Magawish Suites & Villas is for our valued guests to experience a distinct all exclusive – all-inclusive, luxury and world-class quality of hospitality services as we strive to exceed the successes we have achieved with other properties in the country,” said Erkan Yildirim, Managing Director of Rixos Hotels Egypt.

Residence Inn by Marriott has announced its debut of the longer stay brand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the opening of Residence Inn by Marriott Al Jaddaf. Located in a prime city district and boasting spectacular views of the Burj Khalifa, Residence Inn by Marriott Al Jaddaf offers convenient access to key areas including Downtown Dubai and Business Bay. Welcoming guests into a flexible, comfortable, and intuitive space, the Residence Inn experience is designed for guests to travel the way they love to live by blending comfort with style. “We are delighted to bring Residence Inn by Marriott, a global leader in the extended-stay lodging segment, to the UAE. Dubai is a key market for longer stay travel, and we know that as travelling styles have evolved, there is greater demand for accommodations which offer flexibility and home comforts for business travellers and families,” said Guido de Wilde, Chief Operating Officer – Middle East, Marriott International. “As a thriving destination for leisure and business travellers alike, there is no better place than Dubai to debut Residence Inn by Marriott in the UAE,” said Jenni Benzaquen, Vice President, Brand, EMEA, Marriott International. “Guests will benefit from the upscale living experience paired with hotel amenities that this pioneering longer stay brand offers, allowing them to maintain a healthy balance, maximise their time and connect with the local scene in a prime city location.” “I am proud to welcome guests to experience the first Residence Inn by Marriott in the UAE and provide the personal and flexible service that the brand is renowned for around the world,” said Hossein Garan, Multi-Property General Manager, Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Residence Inn by Marriott …