Set in the stunning azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, today marks the unveiling and official launch of the highly anticipated Burj Al Arab Terrace. Located at Dubai's most iconic hotel, the terrace is a remarkable, one-of-a-kind restaurant, pool, beach and cabana space, offering hotel guests and Burj Al Arab members the finest Arabian hospitality.
YOTEL, an affiliate company of Kuwait-listed IFA Hotels & Resorts KSCC, broke ground last week on their first property in the Middle East, expected to open in 2018. This follows the technology-focused hospitality brand's signing of a long-term agreement with Dubai Investment Properties LLC ('DIP') to operate a new hotel in Dubai, UAE.
For MGallery by Sofitel, spring 2016 has been a strategic season filled with key regional expansion and important 'firsts'. Following MGallery by Sofitel's recent development in Southeast Asia, the brand has set its sights on growth in Israel. David Tower Hotel Netanya MGallery by Sofitel, opening in May 2016, will be its first address in Israel.
The mid-range hotel sector in the UAE is set to welcome the third largest hotel brand in India, Lemon Tree Hotels, as the hospitality group embarks on a Middle East expansion plan. Lemon Tree Hotels has partnered with Raine & Horne Dubai, the Australian real estate franchise, in an agreement to sign a minimum of eight Middle Eastern developments over three years.
A shimmering new landmark of warm hospitality and luxury accommodation is now open in a prime waterfront location in the United Arab Emirates capital: welcome to the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island. The Hotel is solely developed by Mubadala Real Estate & Infrastructure, which is also the developer of Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi's business and lifestyle destination.
Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure subsidiary of global developer Emaar Properties, announced the launch of Rove Satwa, the seventh property under Rove Hotels, the new mid-market, new generation lifestyle brand.
Cristal Group has entered into a management agreement with HARCO Erbil, represented by Mr. Mustafa Hariri, to operate the first Emerald in Erbil. It is the group's second property in Erbil and its third in Iraq.
Shaza Hotels, an independent five-star luxury hotel operator, has signed six new hotels across the Middle East that are set to open between 2016 and 2019 in addition to its existing Shaza Al Madinah in Saudi Arabia. At the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), Sheikh Salem bin Ahmed Al Ghazali, chairman of Golden Group of Companies, and Salman Al Mohannadi, chairman of Shaza Hotels also signed an agreement of management for the new 'Shaza Muscat' that will comprise 250 hotel rooms and 150 hotel apartments, as part of a mixed–use development. The hotel will be welcoming its first guests in the third quarter of 2019. Further identifying an opportunity to offer Arabian lifestyle in an upscale environment, the brand is launching Mysk by Shaza, a four-star experience with its flagship hotel opening in March 2017 in Al Mouj, Muscat. Inspired by the Arabic pronunciation of musk, Mysk carries the fragrance of Shaza into a renewed and festive worldliness. Like its parent, Mysk is born out of the Middle Eastern culture, awakening the senses with its enchanting aroma, and creating a theatrical experience that is closely tied to the rich and ever evolving Arabian culture. The years 2016 and 2017 are a key milestone in the expansion plan of Shaza Hotels and Mysk by Shaza. The third quarter of 2016 will witness the grand opening of Shaza Hotel in Makkah while negotiations are underway for new Shaza projects in Europe, which marks an important new chapter for the brand outside the Middle-East. Further to the launch of Mysk by Shaza in 2016, five hotels are to be signed in the region by the end of 2017, including two projects currently under negotiation in Saudi Arabia. Commenting on the chain's ground-breaking projects in the pipeline, Simon Coombs, CEO of Shaza Hotels, said: "2016 is definitely a landmark year for Shaza Hotels and we are excited to be unveiling our imminent projects across the Middle East. In a meaningful partnership and dialogue with our owners, we take pride in creating each Shaza Hotel to be a bespoke experience where we deliver the highest standards to our guests. I am now very excited to extend this experience to our new brand Mysk by Shaza."
Thailand-based hospitality group Dusit International announces the launch of its dusitD2 brand in the United Arab Emirates this July with the opening of the dusitD2 Kenz Dubai. The hotel joins the Dusit Residence Dubai Marina as the second property launched in the Emirate with local partner Al Masar Holdings.
Louvre Hotels Group, major player in the international hotel industry, strengthens its position in the Middle East and North Africa by opening 40 economy hotels over the next five years.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts (MHR) has signed a management agreement with Richreit Real Estate Development LLC for one of its most high-profile projects yet – Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Al Burj Business Bay, located in Dubai's sought-after Business Bay district.
Marriott International has revealed details of the United Arab Emirate's first Renaissance Hotel. Set to open at the end of 2016, the Renaissance Downtown Hotel, Dubai will be a 298-room luxury hotel aimed at business and leisure travellers who seek both authentic and unexpected experiences. Details of the brand's UAE debut come as the travel company plans to open an additional four hotels in the country throughout 2016.
The four-star deluxe Wyndham Dubai Marina, which is managed by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts - the world's largest hotel management firm - marks a major milestone for The First Group, which has built its reputation on developing high-quality serviced apartments and aparthotels in Dubai.
Announces expansion of The Address Hotels + Resorts to Fujairah and Vida Hotels and Resorts to Saudi Arabia, 14 new hotels and 10 serviced residences in the UAE; 5 hotels and 6 serviced residences in high-growth international markets and unveils new concept in contemporary midscale serviced residences with first Rove Home.
Morocco’s surge in hospitality is a sign of stability in the country, according to FRHI SVP development EMEA Francios Baudin. FRHI hotels and resorts has announced the signing of two new hotels – one each in Saudi Arabia and Morocco. Baudin told Hotelier Middle East exclusively at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC): “We have signed two hotels – Fairmonts, and there is one which is in Al Khobar, on the border of Bahrain. This will be an iconic property because it will define luxury in that area.”
Steigenberger is continuing its programme of expansion in the Middle East. The first InterCityHotel outside Europe is scheduled to open in July 2016 in Salalah, the second largest metropolitan area in Oman located 1,000 kilometres to the South-West of the capital Muscat. This will be the first international mid-market hotel in the city.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is unveiling its third property in Doha with the Mövenpick Hotel Al Aziziyah Doha. The Swiss brand currently operates the Mövenpick Hotel Doha and the Mövenpick Hotel West Bay Doha, and the new location will expand the company's Qatari portfolio to more than 640 keys.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is preparing for significant growth within the Middle East and Africa (MEA) announcing the signing of a 300-suite Marriott Executive Apartments and unveiling plans to open 17 new properties across the region this year. At present, the hotel company operates nearly 150 properties in the MEA region across nine brands in 19 countries. The latest announcements come during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) taking place from April 26–28 in Dubai.
From the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that it is on track to grow its portfolio in the Middle East to 100 hotels by 2020. This follows five new deal signings that will add over 1,200 rooms in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Starwood will also open five hotels in 2016 across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
HMH – Hospitality Management Holdings has announced in quick succession the signing of management agreement for Corp Muscat Al Muzn Hotel followed by the opening of Coral Muscat Hotel & Apartments.