Technology

6 stunning undersea hotels | cnn.com

Hoteliers around the world have planned luxury accommodations in the deep. A few modest underwater hotels already exist, but some of the most ambitious attempts may not make it past the blueprint stage. Dubai is arguably the luxury capital of the world, so it's hardly surprising that the United Arab Emirates wants to create the largest undersea hotel in the world.

Dubai unveiled its plans in 2012, and the above-water portion of the proposed Water Discus hotel looks like an opulent cluster of UFOs -- albeit with a sunbathing deck.

Burj Al Arab introduces exclusive 24-carat gold iPads for its in-house guests

Burj Al Arab, the World's Most Luxurious Hotel, introduced today bespoke 24-carat gold iPads for its in-house guests. The exclusive launch makes Burj Al Arabthe first hotel in the world to offer the Interactive Customer Experience (ICE) software available on the 24-carat gold iPads.

Qatar considers building floating Finnish hotels to handle World Cup demand | skift.com

A Finnish architecture firm that has developed a space-saving, energy-efficient concept of ‘floating hotels’ has had a successful meeting with Qatari authorities, reports Kim Eklund and Pekka Maki. Sigge Architects formed part of a 50-company Finnish business delegation that visited Qatar and the UAE, spearheaded by H.E. Jyrki Katainen, the Prime Minister of Finland.

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Relocates Global Headquarters to Dubai for Month-Long Immersion

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced the beginning of a month-long relocation of its global headquarters from Stamford, CT to Dubai. From now until April 5th, Starwood President & CEO Frits van Paasschen and the company's top executives will conduct day-to-day business from Dubai, an increasingly important global destination and travel hub. Following the company's successful relocation to China in June 2011, this second leadership move reflects Starwood's innovative management approach to cultivating a more global culture by understanding, appreciating and leveraging different societal perspectives and approaches to business and hospitality.

FAMA Technologies Extends PAR Springer-Miller’s Reach in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

PAR Springer-Miller Systems, Inc. (PSMS) --- a wholly-owned subsidiary of PAR Technology Corporation (NYSE:PAR) and the leading provider of guest-centric hospitality management systems announces FAMA Technologies as its exclusive distributor in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Hotel Technology Event in Dubai to Feature Top Speakers and Hotel Issues

Hotel Technology Next Generation (HTNG) marks a major milestone in its growth next month, with its first-ever Members’ Meeting in the Middle East region. HTNG’s annual events in North America, Europe, and Asia are well known for drawing top-level speakers and attendees from the entire hotel technology community. The program scheduled for the Jumeirah Emirates Tower Hotel in Dubai on May 15-16 will continue this tradition. Special offers are available for non-members of HTNG interested in attending.

Xn globalRES selected by Dubai World Trade Centre Apartments, United Arab Emirates

In conjunction with the launch of the new Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) website, the Dubai World Trade Centre Apartments has selected Xn globalRES from Xn Hotel Systems Limited as their preferred distribution and channel management solution for their online reservations. Offering comprehensive 2-way integration with protel PMS, the system provides next generation seamless connectivity to all 4 GDS', as well as a private label web booking engine and 2-way direct connects to major third party web sites.

Dubai World Trade Centre’s Extraordinary Procurement Needs Fulfilled by Adaco

It is one of the most recognized buildings in the world—even featured on the 100 dirham currency note in the UAE—and has earned an enviable reputation as the leading exhibition and event destination in the Middle East.

New hotel opens in Dubai: protel`s success in the city of gold

The recent opening of the Hotel Jumeirah Beach of protel`s long-standing customer Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts confirms the dedication and commitment with which Germany`s protel hotelsoftware GmbH continuously and successfully expands its business internationally. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel benefits from the wide range of products, which is perfectly aligned with the requirements of this hotel.

Park Hyatt Jeddah Installs TAC's Spa & Activity Software

At Park Hyatt Jeddah, TAC has recently installed the Spa & Activity Software "Reservation Assistant" in Saudi Arabia for the first time and with this breaks the 50-countries-barriere. The software now takes care of optimized allocation of resources and increased efficiency in spas and wellness operations in 51 countries on all continents around the globe.

Intercontinental Hotel Group Upgrades Historic Beirut Property with VISIONLINE and Signature RFID by VingCard®

VingCard Elsafe, the leading hospitality security provider and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, completed the installation of VISIONLINE, its wireless RF-online system, and Signature RFID, its contactless electronic door locks with NFC cell phone compatibility at the Intercontinental Phoenicia Beirut in Lebanon. The 446-room landmark property of the Middle East was first built in 1961, reopening again in 2000 after some years of closure for restoration. Located on the famous Corniche boardwalk and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the grand hotel property sits adjacent to Beirut’s downtown business and banking districts and, over the years, has hosted important world gatherings, such as the 14th Arab League Summit and Lebanese American Chamber of Commerce.

Orient meets Occident: Five-star Hotel Le Gray opens in Beirut with protel HQ

Arabic tradition blends with western influences. Twenty years after the end of the civil war, Beirut has reclaimed its title as the Paris of the Middle East. Arts, Culture and Capitalism have transformed the Lebanese capital to a vibrant center of attraction for the international travelers. The newly opened five-star hotel, Le Gray Beirut, not only contributes to the luxurious flair of the city but also provides excellent hotel management by using protel HQ.

IDS Softwares strengthens Oman presence with Vision IT solutions

IDS Softwares Pvt. Ltd., global leader in providing integrated IT solutions for hospitality industry, has reinforced its presence in Oman by bagging a new order through Vision IT Solutions, an IT Solutions & Infrastructure Company in the country for its sales and first line of support. IDS Softwares already has a strong presence in the region. The Safeer Group of Hotels, with five hotel properties and a ballroom in Oman , has chosen Fortune Enterprise Property Management System and Fortune Central Reservation Office and Central Reservation System from IDS to automate these existing properties. Safeer Group of hotels is the biggest home grown hotel chain in Oman and a known and respected brand I the region.

McLaren International expands in the Middle East Delivering Key SaaS Enterprise Solutions to the Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

McLaren International Pty Ltd today announced that it has provided Jazz Call Accounting and DuVoice Voice Mail to Hilton Hotels Corporation’s first Hilton Garden Inn property in the Middle East & Africa. Located amidst the bustle of Olaya Street, in the heart of Riyadh’s business district, the newly opened Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya features 180 guest rooms and suites equipped with a range of premium business and lifestyle amenities. Implementing only the leading brands, Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Olaya has entrusted ‘Best of Breed’ Technology provider McLaren International with these critical Enterprise Solutions to any hotels’ revenue and service source.

Looking back at almost three years of successfully managing both the hotel and resort with protel's multi property edition

"When we started to use protel PMS in 2006, we realized that we had taken a major technological step towards the future. We invested a great deal of time in the selection process before we settled for protel MPE PMS via CIHOST Egypt. And we quickly discovered that managing multiple properties using protel makes our life easy. I can also assert that having a company like CIHOST Egypt for implementation and support leads to a new level of success. They really care, starting with tiny setup details to reports right up to the entire business concept. It's not only their slogan: customer satisfaction is their top priority.