Tag Archives: Marriott International

Marriott International announced the debut of Delta Hotels by Marriott into the Middle East and Africa with Delta Hotels by Marriott Jumeirah Beach, Dubai. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of Dubai’s most vibrant destinations, the famous Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR). With direct beach access, it rises tall between the Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach, and The Walk, Dubai’s first shopping and dining promenade. Offering a simple and hassle-free travel experience, allows guests to achieve a perfect balance between their work and personal life whether they are on business or on leisure. The hotel’s 45-story tower houses 360 comfortable and stylish rooms, offering a range of room types including suites and serviced apartments, each equipped with premium amenities, focused on what is important to guests for a flawless experience that allows them to glide through their entire stay. Guests can enjoy spectacular views of the Marina and Dubai’s dazzling cityscape from the beach facing rooms and many different parts of the hotel. Plus, the hotel’s culinary offerings can flare up an appetite for every desire. Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International, said, “We are excited to introduce the first Delta Hotel to the Middle East and Africa region and believe the brand has immense growth potential in our region with its clear ethos of ‘simple made perfect’. We will deliver on this promise by providing a full complement of streamlined services in a simple and straightforward way, offering both choice and flexibility.”

Marriott International signed an agreement with Assila Investments to bring its Luxury Collection brand for the first time to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Situated in the heart of Jeddah, Assila Hotel is anticipated to join the Luxury Collection’s portfolio of more than 100 world-renowned hotels and resorts in 2020. “We are thrilled to have Marriott International manage the beautiful Assila Hotel, under the Luxury Collection brand,” said Bader Alissa, CEO, Assila Investments. “This only affirms Assila Hotel’s position as a premier luxury hotel in Jeddah.” “We are delighted to announce plans for the first Luxury Collection property in Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with Assila Investments,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.  “This deal signing supports our plans to further diversify our footprint in the Kingdom while enhancing our overall luxury portfolio in the region.”   Assila Hotel features 210 guestrooms, including a 590 sqm Royal Suite, and 94 apartments.  It comprises multiple food and beverage venues, including a Café Lounge and Argentinian and Mediterranean specialty restaurants.  The hotel also includes a 348 sqm ballroom and nine meeting rooms, as well as full-service recreational facilities such as a spa, fitness centre and squash courts.

Marriott International Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement to introduce the iconic St. Regis brand to Oman. Expected to open in 2022, the 271-room St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort is planned to rise on a prime beachfront plot within Oman’s lifestyle and leisure destination, Al Mouj Muscat. The project also includes plans for 170 branded residential units, which are expected to include a mix of apartments, penthouses and townhouses.  “The signing of St. Regis in Oman is a natural progression for the brand’s portfolio, as the brand continues to become one of the most recognised and sought-after luxury hotel brands in the region,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East & Africa for Marriott International. “We are thrilled to bring this significant project to Oman, especially to this strategic location in one of the most desired waterfront masterplans in the city of Muscat.” Plans for The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort envision a retreat for leisure travellers, with panoramic views over the Gulf of Oman to the front, and lush green landscapes of the Al Mouj Muscat golf course to the rear. Guests are expected to have access to an accomplished portfolio of leisure amenities in the Al Mouj Muscat community, including a planned 360-berth marina with attractive retail and dining options, as well as a clubhouse with watersport activities.

Marriott International celebrated the opening of its 7,000th property – The St. Regis Hong Kong. The stunning, 27-storey luxury hotel, which features butler service, and multiple restaurants, is emblematic of Marriott’s global expansion strategy which disproportionately focuses on the highest lodging tiers as well as fast-growing international markets such as Hong Kong. The company’s first property, the Twin Bridges Marriott, opened in 1957 and was a four-storey motor hotel in Arlington, Virginia. “It’s thrilling to open our 7,000th property, an incredible milestone for a company that began as a nine-stool root beer stand in 1927 and didn’t even open its first hotel until decades later,” said Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International. “I can’t think of a more fitting property to hold the honour than The St. Regis Hong Kong which underscores the benefits of our merger with Starwood, the importance of luxury and the tremendous opportunity in Asia.” Today, Marriott’s pipeline is growing with an increasing number of legacy-Starwood branded hotels with brands such as St. Regis, Luxury Collection and W. “Our newest luxury hotel – The St. Regis Hong Kong – is a testament to our well-defined global growth strategy,” said Tony Capuano, Marriott’s Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer. “By leveraging our industry-leading luxury brands, including those we gained from the Starwood merger, our robust relationships with multi-unit owners and our expertise in identifying strategic opportunities in global gateway markets such as Hong Kong, we are well positioned to expand our global footprint by 25 per cent in the next three years.” The milestone follows Marriott’s announcement in March that it expects to add more than 1,700 additional hotels by the end …

Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International’s most global brand continues its transformation journey with a nod to its timeless pioneering legacy, as it unveils a new logo that pays homage to its past and depicts its vision for the future. The new design reflects the brand’s holistic vision for the future, making Sheraton the central gathering place of communities around the world, welcoming guests and locals into a public space that embodies the modern town square vibe. “The logo’s evolution reflects the renewed energy and firm commitment we are making to our owners and guests to the resurgence of this iconic brand.  More than a logo, this is a symbolic statement of Sheraton’s vision for our new guest experience,” said Mara Hannula, Vice President, Global Brand Marketing, Classic Premium Brands. “This was the final piece of the redesign puzzle and offers a modernized look and feel to match our reimagined spaces while maintaining the powerful equity and recognition of the original logo.” The new Sheraton experience will be available to guests later this year in Phoenix. The transformed 1,000-room Sheraton Grand Phoenix hotel which the company purchased in 2018 will bring to life the first of Sheraton’s full on-strategy hotel along with other exciting innovations. “We are excited to introduce the new direction of the brand’s iconic symbol in the Middle East and Africa, where Sheraton has nurtured long-standing relationships with guests, owners and communities for over 50 years,” said Sandra Schulze–Potgieter, Vice President Premium & Select Brands, Marriott International Middle East and Africa. “In line with the transformation of the brand, we are excited to showcase our early adopter properties soon, the Sheraton Jeddah Hotel and Sheraton Grand Hotel, …

Majid Al Futtaim celebrated the opening of Aloft City Centre Deira, Dubai, at an event attended by VIPs, media and influencers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The opening of the event took place in the presence of Alain Bejjani, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim – Holding, and Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International. Operated by Marriott International, Aloft City Centre Deira is the first hotel in the region to offer movie-themed suites, alongside a VOX Cinemas’ outdoor screen and the Aloft brand’s signature programming. The urban hotel is a lifestyle destination catering to both leisure and business travellers. Aloft City Centre Deira delivers a fresh approach from the traditional hotel landscape with its emphasis on a lively, in-hotel social scene, modern design, innovative music programming and thoughtful technology incorporated to enhance the guest experience. Jalil Mekouar, Chief Executive Officer – Hotels, Majid Al Futtaim – Properties, said, “I’m delighted to announce the official opening of Aloft City Centre Deira, our 13th hotel in the region, to the public. Majid Al Futtaim strives to create and deliver compelling experiences through our unique destinations, and together with Marriott International, we have launched a concept that is an integrated lifestyle development aimed at establishing a new benchmark for experiential travel in Dubai’s hospitality sector, offering more authentic and personalised experiences within one destination.”

Four Points by Sheraton has announced the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Makkah Al Naseem in Saudi Arabia – the brand’s largest property globally. Adding over 1,100 rooms to the Holy City, the hotel is situated in the Al Naseem district and is in close proximity to the centre of Makkah and the holy Masjid al-Haram. “The trajectory for religious tourism into Saudi Arabia continues to grow, resulting in a strong demand for hotels in the Holy Cities,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director – Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “We are delighted to open our fifth property in the Holy City of Makkah. Four Points by Sheraton Makkah Al Naseem offers pilgrims the brand’s excellent service and a comfortable hospitality experience in the Holy City. With this opening, we now operate 24 hotels in the country and are on track to double our presence in the Kingdom in the next five years.” Four Points by Sheraton Makkah Al Naseem features 1,136 spacious and modern guest rooms including 121 suites, offering unmatched views of the holy city of Makkah. Reflecting the brand’s promise to provide what matters most to today’s independent travellers, the hotel offers the brand’s defining touches including complimentary bottled water in all rooms, fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and an energising breakfast with fresh coffee. The hotel includes four dining concepts, Al Sharq, Asia House and two Lobby Cafés.

Marriott International and Al Habtoor Group, have agreed that Marriott International will no longer manage or otherwise be associated with The St Regis Dubai, W Dubai Habtoor City and The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City, with effect from July 31, 2018. These hotels will no longer be part of the St Regis, W Hotels and Westin Hotels global brand portfolios. This is a mutual decision reached amicably between the parties. After July 31, 2018, the management of these hotels will be transferred to the owning company. The parties are working closely together to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for associates, clients and partners. “Al Habtoor Group continues to be an important partner of Marriott International. We value the relationship and thank them for their partnership, wishing them all the very best in their future endeavors,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. The UAE continues to be a key growth market for us and our momentum of growth in this market demonstrates the trust owners have in our compelling brands and their interest to tap into Marriott International’s distribution, network and globally recognised loyalty programme. As a company we continue to explore and discuss opportunities that are in line with our overall growth strategy.”

As part of its ongoing commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Marriott International has announced three deal signings in Jeddah with the Al Murjan Group. The projects will add over 500 rooms in the country and feature the Middle East’s first Delta Hotel by Marriott along with Jeddah’s first Marriott Executive Apartments and Four Points by Sheraton. “We are delighted to work with the Al Murjan Group on three exciting new projects in Saudi Arabia. In doing so, we will be expanding our brand portfolio in the region with the debut of Delta Hotels by Marriott while further strengthening the presence of Four Points by Sheraton and Marriott Executive Apartments,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director -Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. The Delta Hotels by Marriott Jeddah Al Salam and Marriott Executive Apartments Jeddah, Al Salam will be located on King Abdulaziz Road and Al Salam Road at the Globe Roundabout in Jeddah. Developed by the Al Murjan Group, the mixed-use project will include commercial and retail space along with the two hotels. The hotels are scheduled to open by 2023. Delta Hotels by Marriott Jeddah Al Salam will feature 175 rooms including 25 suites, two dining outlets, recreational facilities and a 3,000 sqm grand ballroom with pre-function space including four meeting rooms. Marriott Executive Apartments Jeddah, Al Salam will operate 100 stylish apartments (one, two and three bedrooms) with fully equipped kitchens along with a dining outlet, a fitness centre and swimming pool. Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah, Corniche Obhur will be located on the South Obhur Corniche and will include 306 rooms – 196 studio rooms and 110 one bedroom suites, two F&B outlets, a fitness …

Marriott International has announced the re-launch of its Arabic website to enhance the online customer journey of the Arab traveller. With nearly 400 million Arabic speakers in 22 countries, the company is now providing an end-to-end solution for a seamless Arabic booking experience. The relaunch follows the recent announcement detailing the company’s ambitious growth plans for the Middle East and Africa region where it will expand its current portfolio by 50 per cent, and as a result add 30,000 jobs. With such an emphasis placed on the region, the relaunch of its Arabic website is the next step in an exciting growth story. To mark the occasion this Ramadan, Marriott International hosted a Majlis panel joined by Aida Al Busaidy, Director, C2C Marketing & Campaigns at DTCM, Talal Al Rashed, Co-founder Contourage and Hospitality Consultant and Vladimir Dabbah, Vice President, Global Sales MEA at Marriott International. The esteemed panel discussed the importance of catering to the Arab Traveler, who often have a fierce sense of pride and remaining true to their identity. Arab travellers generate more than double room revenue per stay compared to other travellers, and annual revenue per Arab customer is 38 per cent higher than other travelers. In order to cater to the traditional customs of the Arab travelers, symbols of Arab culture should be demonstrated in both communication and on hotel properties.