Burj Al Arab, the world's most luxurious hotel, is taking romance to new heights offering weddings in the sky, 212 metres above the azure Arabian Gulf on the famous Burj Al Arab helipad.
Bill Keffer has taken over the role of general manager at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai, following the retirement of his predecessor Rupprecht Queitsch.
Langham Hospitality Group announced today an agreement with DAS Real Estate to manage The Langham resort in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Located on the crescent of Palm Jumeirah and scheduled to open in 2015, this 323-room resort marks double landmark "firsts" for the Hong Kong- based hotel company: it is the group's first foray into the Middle East and the first resort in its global collection. With the interiors designed by the Aedas Limited, The Langham, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai will showcase tasteful furnishings reflective of the brand's heritage as one of the premier grand hotels in Europe. With a prime waterfront location directly facing the Arabian Gulf and the impressive Dubai Marina skyline, all the rooms and suites will have expansive outdoor terraces and sea-front views that will take full advantage of the emirate's year-round sunny climes. Catering to couples and large families, the resort will have 53 well-appointed one- and two-bedroom suites that range from 63 to 236 square meters; 22 of them will feature individual plunge pools. Designed to become one of the city's social centres for dining, The Langham will offer guests a wide variety of innovative restaurants and bars, most of them with al fresco waterside dining. Headlining the culinary options will be Palm Court, an elegant lounge modeled after its namesake at The Langham, London - the first grand hotel to serve the traditional afternoon tea in 1865. Other dining experiences include a Japanese restaurant, a waterfront seafood outlet, a niche breakfast room, an Arabic and Italian fusion café, an all-day restaurant featuring international buffet and a la carte selections, a beach restaurant and a juice bar that offers light snacks and refreshments. The hotel will also feature a Club Lounge offering complimentary food and beverage presentations throughout the day and dedicated concierge service. Setting a new standard for leisure travellers, The Langham, Palm Jumeirah will feature one of the region's largest hotel recreation facility covering almost 4,000 square meters over two floors. For an unrivalled retreat of relaxation, the group's signature award-winning Chuan Spa will showcase a remarkable 26 treatment rooms as well as therapies based on the sound principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM.) The expansive fitness centre features a free form pool, exercise studio, and a full range of strength- and cardio-training equipment. Catering to family holiday makers is a 445- square meter Kids Club with a fun slide, play zone and themed party area. A distinctive feature of The Langham, Palm Jumeirah is the dedicated Travellers Lounge which will provide all the facilities and comforts for early arrival or late departure flyers. Designed as a sanctuary and an extension of the luxury resort experience, guests are welcome to take full advantage of the well-stocked library, entertainment selections, light dining service, business centre and shower/change rooms with the compliments of the resort. Adding to the mystique, The Langham signature pink roses will be specially grown at the resort with the assistance of a refrigerated irrigation system. Native palms, fruit trees and water features will provide an oasis of serenity for guests and local visitors. "We are very much looking forward to introducing The Langham's rich heritage and impeccable service values to Dubai," said Robert Warman, chief executive officer of Langham Hospitality Group. "The trifecta of this hotel's spectacular location on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, Dubai's winning bid to host the World Expo in 2020, and The Langham's beautiful design aesthetics, make it the perfect time to debut our first resort in this dynamic destination."
Amwaj Rotana's Michael Kempf, previous Director of Front Office, has been promoted to become the hotels new Executive Assistant Manager. With formal qualifications in Hospitality Management from Germany, Michael brings with him more than 17 years of luxury hospitality experience from the UK, Europe and the UAE. A true Rotana ambassador, Michael credits his success to the mentors and peers he has worked with over the last 12 years, having been with Rotana Hotels since 2002.
Hospitality Management Holdings has chosen to partner with eRevMax to boost online sales for its hotel portfolio. The group will be using RateTiger Suite, the industry leading channel manager, across its properties for live rate and inventory management.
Dubai, UAE 9 April 2014: The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC 2014) will be presenting the Leadership Award this year to HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, President and Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), in recognition of his vibrant role in developing the hospitality sector in Saudi Arabia.
Hilton, Waldorf Astoria and Shangri-La are all making major investments in previously sleepy outposts such as Ras al Khamiah as well as hot new locations like Saadiyat Island, both in the UAE. But one local company has a head start on the big global players coming late to the game. Rotana Hotels is an Abu Dhabi-based chain that has been growing at an aggressive rate since it was founded by business partners Nasser Al Nowais and Selim El Zyr in 1993.
Investment Corp of Dubai (ICD), the emirate's sovereign wealth fund, has bought a stake in global hotel management firm Kerzner International KZL.UL from investors including the family of South African casino tycoon Sol Kerzner. The deal gives Dubai, which depends heavily on its booming tourism industry, control of a second major luxury hotel firm. The first firm, Jumeirah Group, is owned by Dubai's ruler. Kerzner International, originally founded by Sol Kerzner, manages the Atlantis and One & Only resort chains. Locations of it resorts range from South Africa to Mexico, but the firm has increasingly focused on Dubai in recent years. Istithmar World, a unit of state-owned conglomerate Dubai World DBWLD.UL, already owns 25 percent of Kerzner International. Shaibani will now take over as chairman of the company from Sol Kerzner.
Jumeirah Beach Hotel, part of the Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, is pleased to announce Yui Tung Cheung has been appointed as the new Director of Revenue.
Action Hotels plc and Whitbread plc announced today a partnership to develop Premier Inn Hotels across the Middle East. Premier Inn will undertake long-term management contracts on four new Premier Inn hotels owned by Action Hotels, to open between now and 2016. The hotels include a 166 bedroom Premier Inn Sharjah King Faisal Road (opening late 2014), a 100 bedroom Premier Inn Jeddah in the Modon Industrial area (opening 2015), a 119 bedroom Premier Inn in Bahrain's Diplomatic area (opening 2015)and a 245 bedroom Premier Inn Dubai Healthcare City (opening 2016).
Hotels in Dubai enjoy some of the highest occupancy rates in the world. Tourists flock from around the region and afar to bask in the emirate’s winter sun, lie on its beaches and attend its glitzy events.
Valerie joined Jumeirah last year as Director of Sales for Jumeirah Beach Hotel, and brought with her wealth of experience from working in various international hotel chains around the world such as JW Marriott Dubai and Hyatt Regency Queensland. Valerie has proven to be an integral part of the team since she joined Jumeirah Beach Hotel in 2013.
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2014, held at Madinat Jumeirah from 4 - 5 May in Dubai will be looking at solutions to fill in the gaps in the hotel F&B market in the region.
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, the world’s leading luxury hospitality company, continues to create leadership opportunities for key talent with the promotion of Christian Clerc, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris to the role of Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Born and educated in Switzerland and a graduate of the prestigious Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, Clerc worked at a variety of hotels in destinations across Europe, including Rome and Paris, before joining Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC in 2000. In 2003 he became General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico and was promoted to Regional Vice President in 2006, a role that included regional responsibility for Latin America. Clerc continued his Four Seasons journey with senior operational roles in Chicago and Washington, DC before assuming the role of General Manager of the iconic Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris in 2013, while also overseeing properties in Geneva, Milan, Florence, Lisbon and Marrakech in his capacity as Regional Vice President. Clerc’s promotion builds on Four Seasons reputation for creating growth opportunities for key talent within the organization. As he moves into his new role, Four Seasons veteran José Silva is promoted to Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, an appointment that reflects the deep operational bench strength and tenure within the organisation.
The Palm Jumeirah's largest foreign investor, publicly-listed IFA Hotels & Resorts (IFA HR) is adding yet another stunning residential resort to its island portfolio. Talal Al- Bahar, Chairman & Group CEO, IFA Hotels & Resorts, stated: "The Palm Jumeirah continues to be a market leader in property value retention and rental yield. Although 45,000 new residential units are scheduled for completion in Dubai by the end of 2015, only 4% of these are on the island. IFA Hotels & Resorts made a commitment long ago to be a significant contributor to the development of the Palm, and we are certain that The 8 will be a beautiful and modern addition. "
Kayali joins Kempinski Palm Jumeirah from Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Al Rayyan Hospitality in Doha, where he held the position of Group Director of Sales & Marketing. In this position he oversaw eight boutique hotels owned by the Government of Qatar and an additional two under development. With over two decades in the hospitality industry, Kayali’s regional experience includes successful stints as Director of Sales and Marketing in Saudi at the Hilton Jeddah, in Algeria at Sheraton Club Des Pins Resort and Towers, and in Kuwait at Le Meridien, as well as local UAE experience at Al Manzil Hotel. No stranger to Kempinski Hotels, Kayalialso worked at Emirates Palacefrom 2004 to 2006 as Director of Business Development. “With his comprehensive knowledge of the Kempinski brandand his wealth of experience, we are pleased to have Abdo Kayali join our team” said Alessandro Redaelli, General Manager of Kempinski Palm Jumeirah. A Syrian national, Kayali speaks fluent English, Arabic and French. Kayali lives in Dubai with his wife and two children, and when he’s not working, Kayali loves to travel and dive head-on into different cultures.
Mr. Taher joins the RSO team from Traders Hotel, Dubai, where he held a similar position. Prior to moving to Traders Hotel, Mr. Taher held the position of Director of Sales at Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai. Mr. Taher, of Egyptian origin, has worked with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts for 10 years, following a six-year career with Accor Business & Leisure Hotels. He has extensive hospitality experience in the Middle East, with specific expertise in the corporate and leisure markets. Mr. Taher will be responsible for sales and marketing strategies of all Shangri-La and Traders properties in the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Oman and the upcoming Shangri-La and Traders hotels in Doha, Qatar.
A Croatian national, Jovalekic attended university in Serbia, graduating with a degree in finance and accounting.
Jumeirah Group has appointed Andrea Greybanks as Director of Sales and Marketing at Jumeirah Emirates Towers. With a proven track record in luxury sales, Andrea is tasked with driving the Commercial Team which comprises Sales, Marketing, PR and Communications, Revenue Management and Events.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), the largest international hotel group in the Middle East, announced today that celebrity chef Jason Atherton will debut his first restaurant in the Middle East in the upcoming InterContinental Dubai Marina.