Category Archives: Hotels

Seven Tides has confirmed Minor Hotels will be the new operator of its iconic five-star, 396-key Ibn Battuta Gate property in Dubai. Minor Hotels is now managing the property, which will be rebranded to Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Dubai Hotel, the newest addition to the Oaks Hotels, Resorts, and Suites portfolio, its second branded property in Dubai and its third in the United Arab Emirates. Abdulla Bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides, said, “The hotel first opened in 2010 and we’ve enjoyed an excellent relationship with the previous management company over the past ten years. However, we decided that the Minor Hotels’ Oaks brand was better aligned to our strategic business objectives as we move forward, through and post-COVID-19.” “The Minor Hotels group is no stranger to Seven Tides, we have worked with them on a range of successful projects, including the Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort. Having witnessed first-hand the success the group contributes to a property, I am confident this strategic decision will allow us to adapt seamlessly to the parameters of the ‘new normal’,” he added. The five-star hotel is situated opposite Ibn Battuta Mall, which has more than 270 shops, 50 restaurants and a 21-screen cinema. With the Dubai Metro close by, guests can travel conveniently across the city, to many of Dubai’s tourist highlights and business districts. Dubai International Airport (DXB) is only 30 minutes’ drive away, with Dubai Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) also easily accessible and Abu Dhabi International Airport under an hour away. The hotel is also close to the Jebel Ali Freezone and the Expo 2020 site in new Dubai South district, which is expecting 25 million visitors, when the event takes place …

Two Seasons Hotel and Apartments Dubai has achieved scores of 78% in 2017 and 85% in 2019 after an audit carried out by UAE-based FARNEK, Green Globe’s preferred partner in the Middle East. The property received the Gold Status Certification for this year after achieving an outstanding score of 95%. The hotel has achieved major improvements in many of the Green Globe key indicators including carbon footprint per occupied room, and food and waste reduction through the modification of their recycling programmes. Freddy Farid, Managing Director of Two Seasons Hotel Management said, “It’s our intention to improve on this performance and achieve greater sustainability and environmental responsibility in the years ahead. Achieving this Gold Green Globe certification has a positive effect on every aspect of the hotel operation, and will encourage us to implement more green initiatives like our Organic Garden on the penthouse of the hotel, the Soap for Hope programme that has proven extremely successful, with more than 1.5 tonnes of used soap having been recycled into 200,000 new bars each year benefiting 30,000 people of the counties in need, along with many other  community activities such as breast cancer, blood donations, and Emirates Environmental Group recycling efforts.” He added, “Two Seasons Hotel’s guests were always encouraged to be involved in the sustainability programmes by using the recycle bins placed across the property, and making them aware of special initiatives and measures.It is our mission to extend our continuous efforts to raise awareness and encouraging our employees, to be more conscious about the environmental sustainability. This certification also highlights the devotion of our team members from every department for they provide high quality service while being active participants …

Gulf Reps and Aman will work together to bring these unrivaled properties to GCC clients, with a focus on developing regional business to the 32 unique, diverse and awe-inspiring hotels and resorts across 20 countries. Aman was founded in 1988 with the vision of building a collection of intimate retreats – each with the unassuming, warm hospitality of a gracious private home. The first, Amanpuri (meaning place of peace) in Phuket, Thailand, established the concept, and since then Aman has grown to encompass 32 unique hotels and resorts in 20 inspiring destinations across the world, with a further eight coming soon, taking the brand to 40 resorts in 22 countries. “The Aman hotels and resorts are perfectly suited to the GCC traveller looking for privacy, luxury and unrivalled service. In the current climate, where travellers are searching for a a safe and comfortable stay, Aman properties are able to offer a generosity of space and low room count, providing seclusion and wellbeing to all guests. We’re extremely excited to drive business and introduce both the existing and the upcoming properties to our regional market” said Sammy Musa, Managing Partner for Gulf Reps.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront is thrilled to reopen its doors to the public. Located in Dubai’s exciting trend-setting neighbourhood Business Bay, the hotel offers spectacular views of the iconic Burj Khalifa and Dubai Canal. Renowned for its luxury without the stuffiness, its five-star service without the pretention and its friendliness with the right amount of respect. This hotel is famous for its character and lovable eccentricities, starting with the Scottish flag flying high and proudly at its door. Radisson Hotel Group had recently announced its Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol and the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront is proud to announce the successful completion of the SGS Disinfection Monitored and Cleaning Checked mark by SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. The official SGS Disinfection Monitored and Cleaning Checked mark confirms the Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront has met the highest cleanliness, disinfection and safety measures and is based on the successful completion of an independent, comprehensive testing by SGS including: a remote in-depth validation to ensure the hotel has implemented all 20-Step and +10-Step protocols for Meetings & Events as outlined and recommended in the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol, followed by an on-site audit and specialised inspection which is completed using the latest testing technology. David Allan, Cluster General Manager of Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Canal View and Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah said, “We remain committed to delivering a clean and safe environment with maximum hygiene standards to protect our guests, team members and partners. We are pleased SGS has validated our full compliance with all the health, safety, disinfection protocols as outlined in the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocol which …

Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Dubai JBR announces that it is now a CovidClean certified hotel, after completing and passing an on-site audit by Safehotels. Major protocols that the hotel have in place include: thorough and regular disinfection of all rooms and public areas, placement of safety signages and sanitizers for guests’ use, limited seating capacity in restaurants, temperature check of guests and staff, and wearing of personal protective equipment based on the associates’ tasks, to name a few. Binu Varghese, Hotel Manager, commented, “Our priority has always been the health, safety and wellbeing of our guests and employees. Facing the new normal, we have partnered with a company that is trusted by the hospitality and travel industry to provide peace of mind to our guests during the entire duration of their stay.” The certification, which is valid for a year, is in accordance with the CovidClean Standard of Safehotels Alliance AB. Based in Sweden, SafeHotels is the world’s leading hotel safety and security certification company.

“We are ready to welcome any travellers and guests from July 7, 2020 onwards in the region and Dubai specifically. Under the large umbrella of our initiative, ‘We Care.We Clean.We Welcome.’” said Alexander Suski, Associate Vice President Sales & Marketing, Millennium Hotels & Resorts Middle East, Africa and Turkey. “Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA has kept its guests well-informed with regular updates on the developments of the current situation. It’s essential to communicate any improvement in your services to your clients’ base. Through this campaign, we are endorsing and supporting any marketing activities from DTCM to kick-start Global inbound travel to Dubai, starting in a controlled inbound ‘bubble’ of selected source markets who are approved by Dubai Government,” he said.

“As one of the gateways to global visitors in the Northern Emirates, the reopening of Dubai to international travellers signifies optimism on the recovery of the tourism sector,” said Ravi Santiago – Cluster General Manager – Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman, Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman, and Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche. “We are closely monitoring updates on our existing key source markets including CIS, Germany and GCC, and strengthening our presence in these regions by offering better-value packages to the markets which we expect to recover quickly. For the third quarter, our main focus is boosting our share in the local tourism scene through staycation promos, as we are expecting pick up on international guests towards the fourth quarter of 2020,” he said.

Meliã Desert Palm Dubai received their five-star certification from the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Government of Dubai, the principal authority for the planning, supervision, development and marketing of Dubai’s tourism sector. Since the hotel’s opening in March 2008, the ownership, management, as well as the supporting entities for the property have all invested in the resort to extend the guest experience and elevate the services the retreat offers, providing a well-rounded stay for guests, including the Desert Palm Polo Club and Desert Palm Riding School. The resort has refined its dining and wellness facilities with the opening of their signature restaurant, RARE, serving the finest grills and Argentinian dishes, while the property’s bespoke spa, Samāna Spa, provides some of Dubai’s best treatments and unique therapies. The retreat’s location amidst lush green polo fields, offers a tranquil escape for relaxation and even makes it an ideal location for destination weddings. Meliã Desert Palm Dubai is also home to fully appointed private pool villas, providing utmost privacy for a revitalising getaway. The evolution of the resort over the last decade or so has allowed for a significant uplift for guests and visitors to the hotel. Nathalie Cockayne, the resort’s General Manager said of the certification, “This has been a decade in the making, and anyone involved in achieving this milestone should be proud. We’re also grateful to the owner for supporting this ambitious plan and for having the vision and encouragement for the team to see this to its conclusion.” Ortiz Enrique, Vice President (EMEA Regional) of Meliã Hotels International, said, “It is a point of pride in our expanding Middle East portfolio, and it’s a tremendous achievement for …

R Hotels unveils its new website and mobile application to allow users to conveniently book at its seven properties in the UAE. The website rhotels.ae and the mobile app ‘R Hotels’, which is free to download and available across all iOS and Android devices, both feature a platform which allows users to choose from seven hotels and directly book their stay. The latest promotions on the short and long-term stays, dining, spa & fitness, and meeting facilities at each hotel are also available on both channels. Other features include: a career section for job opportunities at each property, and a media centre with updates on news and events at the hotels. Guests can choose from R Hotels’ four properties in Dubai namely The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel, Ramada by Wyndham Downtown Dubai, Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Dubai JBR, and ibis Styles Jumeira Dubai; and from its three hotels in Ajman which are Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche, Ramada Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Ajman, and Ramada by Wyndham Beach Hotel Ajman. R Hotels is also offering incentives for the first batch of users who will download and book their stay through the app. These include discounted room rates, food and beverage vouchers, and special discounts on restaurants and spa, among others. Sumair Tariq, managing director, R Hotels, commented, “The hospitality industry continues to evolve; our new website and mobile app are part of our enhanced digital strategy for 2020 and the years ahead. In keeping up with the latest trends in the industry, we aim to provide guests with a secure and convenient channel to book their stay at their preferred hotels, and explore the destination.”

Khaled Mubarak Bani Zama, Director of the Industrial Development at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development stated that around 8,000 tourism, leisure and commercial facilities and restaurants in the emirate of Abu Dhabi are eligible to a refund of 20 per cent of the annual rental value on their commercial property leases worth Dh1 billion; according to a report published by Gulf News. “The refunding of 20 per cent of the value of helps support the private sector and enhance confidence in the emirate’s investment environment, thus ensuring the sustainability of businesses in view of the current exceptional conditions facing the world at large,” Bani Zama said. Earlier in May, the department launched a strategic digital service that will enable restaurants, tourism and entertainment facilities within the emirate to apply for a 20 percent refund on the annual rental value of their commercial property leases.The department approved 220 applications from restaurants, tourism and entertainment facilities who applied for a 20 per cent refund on the annual rental value of their commercial property leases, Zami said. The Abu Dhabi government stressed that the refund of 20 per cent of the total rental value paid by investors who started their lease from September 2019 or renewed their contracts during the period from April 1, 2020 until the end of September 2020.The move aimed to help add and enhance the confidence in the emirate’s business environment. The resolution covers all facilities practicing activities of restaurants, cafeterias, tourism and entertainment.