Tag Archives: Guy Hutchinson

Rotana announced the highly anticipated opening of its 35th property in the UAE, in the prestigious Al Jaddaf district of Dubai. In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mana bin Khalifa al Maktoum, Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel Dubai was officially inaugurated, further cementing the group’s expanding footprint and commitment to the region’s thriving hospitality sector. Speaking at the official opening, Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana said, “I am grateful to the team at Al Jaddaf Rotana and the wider Rotana team, whose vision, resilience and determination have allowed us to reach our goal of a 2020 opening as originally planned. Al Jaddaf Rotana represents a huge milestone for Rotana. As a homegrown brand, we are committed to further developing and diversifying the hospitality industry in the UAE in line with the government’s broader economic and tourism objectives.” Haytham Omar, General Manager, Al Jaddaf Rotana said, “Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel Dubai represents an incomparable fixture in Dubai and the UAE.  We are committed to offering innovative ways to improve the guest experiences that embody the Rotana way of living. The concept of creating moments of ‘Treasured Time’ is central to this promise.  The district of Al Jaddaf has much to offer guests in the way of unique experiences and I am confident this hotel will become the property of choice for those seeking a comfortable, easily accessible and stylish home away from home for either business or leisure.”

Rotana revealed its newest five-star luxury property, Al Jaddaf Rotana, is on target to launch by November 2020. Despite the current challenging environment the world is facing, Rotana continues to strive forward with a firm development pipeline, and plans for Al Jaddaf Rotana will move ahead as scheduled. The hotel marks the group’s 35th property within the UAE. Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana said, “It is with great pride that we announce Al Jaddaf Rotana will open its doors this November. Under Rotana’s strong leadership and its unwavering vision for the future, albeit one of the toughest years the global hospitality industry has ever faced, we remain dedicated to our expansion plans and commitment to continue offering guests comfortable and high quality spaces. Al Jaddaf Rotana, a property in the heart of Dubai, will truly encapsulate the Rotana way of living.” Haytham Omar, the newly appointed General Manager at Al Jaddaf Rotana says, “Our vision is to ensure each and every guest receives an exceptional combination of comfort and culture during their stay in Dubai. Our team’s passion, dedication and enthusiasm has enabled us to introduce a new hotel during what is truly a unique time for all, and we look forward to our impending opening, creating unique experiences for our guests.”

Heralding growing confidence among travellers in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, Rotana has revealed that occupancy levels are continuing to rise at its properties. The company’s UAE portfolio recorded an average of 60% to 65% occupancy during the weekends since last month, with growth in guest numbers fuelled by an increasing demand for short ‘staycation’-style breaks among residents. Reflecting on the latest developments, Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO, Rotana commented, “The hospitality industry is embarking on the next phase of its recovery as guests begin to regain confidence in travel by enjoying local breaks. We are proud to contribute to the acceleration of this process through our industry-leading Rotana Safe Space programme, which has been very well received and enables guests to relax, safe in the knowledge that they are in caring hands at all of our properties.” Rotana also revealed that between 5% and 6% of bookings at its UAE properties have been made by overseas travellers, a number that is projected to rise as international flights gradually resume. The figures underline the resilience of the nation’s hospitality sector, which has successfully weathered the storm created by travel restrictions implemented around the world in response to the crisis. Hutchinson continued, “The UAE has done a tremendous job in containing the virus and is ready to welcome international guests, as highlighted by the recent WTTC Safe Travels stamps awarded across the country. While the journey toward a full recovery will take time, we are well on our way to rebuilding the trust of travellers and embracing the future with a renewed sense of optimism. We look forward to welcoming guests from around the world to share Treasured Time …

Rotana is promising guests peace of mind from check-in to check-out with the launch of its new ‘Rotana Safe Space’ health and safety programme. Understanding that consumer expectations have drastically changed since the global COVID-19 outbreak, the initiative focuses on what guests now value most – a contactless hospitality experience throughout their stay using tools such as the Rotana app or their own devices and significantly enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices certified by leading water, hygiene and energy technologies and services provider, Ecolab. The hospitality firm, which operates 69 properties across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Turkey, has also partnered with SGS, the world’s leading inspection, testing, verification and certification company, to monitor and verify cleanliness and hygiene procedures at every property. Bolstered room-cleaning procedures that come with an ‘Unlock your Safe Space’ assurance for guests are a focal point of the Rotana Safe Space programme and range from full disinfection processes using intense aerosol methods to strict chemical and thermal treatments for bed and bath linens. “We have embraced the latest technology, boosted our employee training and strengthened our already stringent health and safety procedures to launch a new programme that gives guests peace of mind throughout their stay. Rotana Stay Safe focuses on what is most important to guests right now – contactless experiences and services and robust cleaning and disinfection practices verified by global experts, providing them with reassurance that when they stay with us, they are safe in our care,” said Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana.

Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana, has issued a statement outlining his hopes for the future of the hospitality industry in the wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Hutchinson praised the region’s governments, frontline healthcare professionals and other key workers for their decisive response to the global crisis, and urged the public to adhere to social distancing guidelines during the holy month of Ramadan. “Although we will miss our traditional gatherings, this is a sacrifice we must all be prepared to accept for the greater good. By uniting behind this shared sense of purpose, we are coming together as a community in new and profound ways,” commented Hutchinson. He went on to share details of Rotana’s efforts to support guests, staff and communities across the region, which include the adoption of stringent hygiene protocols and extending the use of Rotana properties to governments to assist in their efforts to combat the spread of the virus. The statement ended on an optimistic note, as Hutchinson shared his vision for the industry in a post-crisis landscape, “The hospitality sector will surely recover. Whether our new reality will be the same as before remains to be seen. Speaking as a passionate hotelier, I would like to think there will be some differences. I believe the dark hours we have faced will lead to a heightened appreciation for the joy of travel, making us realise just how privileged we are to serve our guests through this incredible industry. Together, we will reach those brighter days ahead.”

Rotana announced the opening of DAMAC Towers Arjaan by Rotana in early April. Located on King Fahd Road, the twin-tower architectural landmark offers a total of 448 luxurious rooms, suites and penthouses. The hotel features state-of-the-art amenities such as meeting and events facilities, a wellness and fitness centre, separate temperature-controlled swimming pools for men and women, and a well-equipped gymnasium, among others. Guy Hutchinson, President and CEO of Rotana, said, “This exciting new property marks the Saudi debut of the Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana brand, further enhancing our diverse portfolio in the Kingdom and bringing elegant city living to the heart of Riyadh. Offering the finest in extended-stay, we have no doubt that this hotel will become a preference for travellers looking for a luxurious home-away-from-home experience.” “Despite the current global situation, we remain optimistic about the Kingdom’s tourism performance and the region as a whole. Governments in various countries are focusing strongly on economic diversification, and with tourism playing a central role in these efforts we look forward to a bright future for the hospitality industry,” added Hutchinson.

Rotana has signed a management agreement to operate Palmeraie Resorts in Marrakech, under its new name, Palmeraie Rotana Resort. Located in the heart of the famous palm oasis in Marrakech, the resort is a stone’s throw away from major landmarks and top attractions in the city, making it the ideal choice for business and leisure travellers alike. Founded in 1993 on a sprawling 230-hectare site, Palmeraie Rotana Resort consists of the 315-room five-star Hôtel du Golf Rotana, the Golf Club Rotana with 11 exclusive suites and the 314-key Palmeraie Palace, for which a full refurbishment is currently being planned. Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO, Rotana, said, “At Rotana, we continue to pursue market expansion and sustainable growth by extending our brand presence to new geographies. With this exceptional opportunity in Morocco, we have reached a new milestone in our journey to transform the region’s hospitality industry”. Hutchinson added, “The complex has a long history and has established a strong reputation in the destination which we will ensure continues to grow. We will immediately deliver upgrades for the Hôtel du Golf Rotana, the Golf Club Rotana and other key components within the development. Our absolute focus however will be on improving the quality of operations, enhancing the product offerings and delivering a level of performance across the complex that will continue to enhance the fine reputation of this outstanding resort.”

Home-grown brand Rotana underlining its continuing expansion is showcasing its growing portfolio of world-class hospitality offerings at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019. Now in its 26th edition, the key industry event offers an outstanding platform for Rotana to share the latest updates on its performance and upcoming openings in the region and beyond. Rotana currently operates 65 hotels in 23 cities across 12 countries, including an impressive 9,694 keys at 35 hotels in the UAE alone. With a pipeline of ten hotels scheduled to open before the end of 2020, the stage is set for the company’s sustained expansion. Among the most highly anticipated of Rotana’s upcoming openings in 2019 is the Johari Rotana in Tanzania, a spectacular five-star hotel in Dar es Salaam that marks the company’s entrance to the East African market. Rotana is set to make another country debut in Q3 2019 with the opening of the Bosmal Arjaan by Rotana in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Also launching during Q3 2019 is the Dana Rayhaan by Rotana in Dammam. The new hotel will add 285 keys to Rotana’s inventory in Saudi Arabia, which currently consists of six hotels. Rotana’s expansion will continue in 2020 with the launch of Centro Corniche, Al Khobar (253 keys), Slemani Rotana, Sulaymaniyah (240 keys), the company’s third hotel in Jordan, Centro Amman (200 keys), Al Jaddaf Rotana (338 keys), Cayan Cantara Arjaan by Rotana (329 keys) and Cayan Cantara Residences by Rotana (489 keys) in Dubai, and Imam Reza Rotana, Mashhad (272 keys). Reflecting on the importance of the event, Guy Hutchinson, Acting CEO of Rotana, commented, “We are delighted to participate in ATM 2019, which offers unrivalled opportunities to connect with key …

Rotana has signed a hotel management agreement with Al Ibaa Company to operate a five-star property in Baghdad. It will operate the city’s famed Babylon Hotel under its new brand name Babylon Rotana Baghdad. With a prime location next to the high-security Green Zone, close to the banks of the famous Tigris River and just 30 minutes’ drive from Baghdad International Airport, Babylon Rotana will offer long and short-staying guests alike all the comfort required for a pleasant and memorable stay experience. Boasting avant-garde architecture, the hotel features 284 spacious and modern rooms and suites with stunning views of Baghdad’s skyline and the majestic Tigris River. Imad Al Yasri, Chairman, Al Ibaa Company, commented, “It gives us immense pleasure to partner with Rotana to operate our five-star property in Baghdad, and we are excited about the planned upgrade and refurbishment of the hotel. We are confident that the partnership with Rotana will present a compelling value proposition for our guests, employees, and stakeholders, and further drive our business growth. We look forward to working closely with Rotana to enhance the overall performance of the hotel, thereby contributing to the development of a thriving hospitality market in the capital city.” Guy Hutchinson, Acting CEO, Rotana, said, “At Rotana, we are delighted to have made a strong start to the New Year with the signing of the agreement to operate the Babylon Rotana Baghdad. This new milestone is closely aligned with our vision to further deepen our footprint in the region and cement our leadership position in the hospitality sector.”

Rotana once again strengthens its hub in Dubai by opening its latest five-star property and hotel apartments overlooking the Dubai Creek. Al Bandar Rotana consists of 190 rooms and suites in addition to Club Rotana rooms with additional benefits including an Executive Lounge and personalised services. Designed to suit the needs of long-stay visitors, Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana offers 90 fully-furnished studios and apartments with options ranging from spacious studios to three-bedroom apartments. The rooms, suites and apartments, which offer expansive views of the creek, are all equipped with modern technology and home comforts. In addition to a Business Centre, the properties offer six state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment to cater to a wide range of occasions. Mohammed Al Badie Bin Youan Al Dhaeri, Chairman, Al Ain Ahlia Insurance Company, said, “With its solid business growth and strong portfolio, Rotana has established its name as the bellwether of the region’s hospitality industry.” “With its vibrant economy and thriving tourism sector, Dubai has always been a favourable market for the hospitality sector to flourish and it still promises a brighter future for the sector with occupied room nights forecasted to reach 35.5 million annually in 2019,” said Guy Hutchinson, Chief Operating Officer, Rotana.