News

Following the global success of last year’s International Day of Happiness activation, Rove Hotels are taking over the UAE with the “Roving Bus of Happiness” to celebrate the official United Nation’s #InternationalDayofHappiness on 20 March 2018 and support the UAE vision to be among the happiest countries in the world.

From 16-20 March 2018, the big, bright and bold double-decker “Roving Happiness Bus” will travel around the city to some of the most iconic locations including Al Seef (16 March), La Mer (17 March), The Beach (18 March) and The Dubai Mall (19-20 March). The newly appointed Chief Happiness Officer (CHO) Happyness Chipote (yes, that is his real name) will be joining Rovesters who will be giving a round of Happy High Fives and good vibes to everyone and instil happiness among UAE residents.

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 Westin Hotels & Resorts announced the launch ofProject Rise: ThreadForward, an unprecedented sustainability program that collects, processes and reweaves hotel bed linens transforming them into thousands of pairs of children’s pajamas.  The first-of-its-kind pajamas will be distributed to children in need, whose circumstances can contribute to shortened and more fragmented sleep. Beginning April 16^th, Westin will give the gift of better sleep beyond the brand’s hotels, in cities around the world: from New York and Toronto, to Mexico City and Cape Town, and will encourage guests to support by purchasing a pair of pajamas on westinstore.com to benefit the program.

“As people integrate wellness into their lifestyle more holistically on the road and at home, giving back has increasingly become important to their overall sense of well-being,” said Brian Povinelli, SVP & Global Brand Leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts.  “Wellness is in the Westin brand’s DNA, and Project Rise: Thread Forward is evidence that we can empower the well-being of our guests and associates as well as make a difference in the communities around us – hopefully inspiring change in the industry as a whole.”

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Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa has announced completion of an extensive property-wide renovation programme, which focused primarily on uplifting and refurbishing the luxurious timeless desert resort.

Al Maha’s senior management worked closely with Emirates Airline’s Facilities Design team to ensure enhancements which reflect their vision, so that guests can continue to experience the resort’s unique Arabian charm.

Within suite interiors, the bathrooms have received new anti-slip floor tiling, sleek fittings and vanity counters, while swimming pools have an all-new wooden pool deck. Exterior setting upgrades focused on the landscape and poolside areas. The new design also includes subtle improvements such as upgrading the air-conditioning units, improved internal and external wall lighting, additional USB ports and power sockets, easier accessibility to master light switches, bedside telephones and bed-side reading lights, along with improved dedicated ladies’ vanity counters.

Apart from Bedouin-inspired architecture, Al Maha’s interiors have been complimented by ancient Arabian designs, featuring distinctive pieces of antique wooden furniture. These have now been delicately restored to its original charm.

“Our brief was simple – there was no major changes required at the resort. The only changes that were needed, involved refreshing and refurbishing, resulting in a fresher look and enhanced guest experience. We made sure to keep the design elements timeless and true to the essence of Al Maha, and we are glad to have achieved this result” – Facilities Design – Emirates Airline.

Being an eco-friendly resort, Al Maha was quick to bring in more sustainable enhancements by opting for LED lighting, installing solar panels and sewage treatment plants, and sustainable management of water.

“Prior to refurbishment, we received unanimous feedback from our guests – to change nothing as Al Maha is truly remarkable and in essence, timeless. That is why this restoration has been designed to retain what is special and unique about the resort, such as the ambiance, the charm and the heritage of an era gone by. Most of the changes have been made meticulously behind the scenes within the resort, resulting in a completely refreshed look and feel,” comments Patrick Antaki, Complex General Manager.

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Armani Hotel Dubai won the prestigious title of ‘Middle East’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel’ at the 24th World Travel Awards, highlighting its commitment to providing guests elegant lifestyle experiences and in setting outstanding service standards. Armani Hotel Dubai was also honoured as ‘Dubai’s Leading Hotel 2017’ for the second year in a row.

Armani Hotel Dubai, situated in the iconic Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai, also hosted the regional gala of the World Travel Awards 2017 this year, attended by more than 400 industry leaders. World Travel Awards covers the globe with such regional gala ceremonies to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

Established in 1993, World Travel Awards acknowledge, rewards and celebrates excellence across all sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry. It is recognised globally as the hallmark of quality, with winners such as Armani Hotel Dubai, defining the benchmark for industry excellence.

Every detail of Armani Hotel Dubai’s design and service has been conceputalised by fashion legend Giorgio Armani – from the bespoke furnishings to restaurant menus and in-room amenities.

Armani Hotel Dubai continues to redefine luxury hospitality standards and delivers its renowned ‘Stay with Armani philosophy’, where every guest is regarded as Giorgio Armani’s personal guest.

UAE based master developer Nakheel and leading Thai hotel group Centara Hotels & Resorts today reached a key milestone on their 600-room beachfront resort and waterpark at Dubai’s Deira Islands, with the official formation of the joint venture company and the signing of a management agreement.

The joint venture, cemented by Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah and Centara Chairman of the Board, Suthikiati Chirathivat, at a signing ceremony at Centara’s headquarters in Bangkok, will deliver a family-centric lifestyle destination at Deira Islands, Nakheel’s new, 15.3 sq km waterfront city that is set to become Dubai’s newest tourism hotspot. The resort will also be managed by Centara, whose portfolio already includes over 14,000 room keys across 67 hotels and resorts in Asia, Indian Ocean and the Middle East.

Set to open in 2020, the resort is the first Centara establishment in the UAE and will cover an area of almost 300,000 sq ft. Features will include a waterpark, multiple restaurants including alfresco rooftop dining options, kids’ club, spa and fitness centre, and business facilities. Recent enhancements to the hotel’s design have added 50 rooms to the original plan, bringing the total number of keys to 600.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of two new properties in Dubai – Crowne Plaza Dubai Business Bay and InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Business Bay.

Both properties are in partnership with API Hotels & Resorts.

“In the Middle East, we are currently engaged in the strategic expansion of the Crowne Plaza brand, as well as growing the footprint of our InterContinental Residence Suites,” said Pascal Gauvin, chief operating officer, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG.

In support of these goals, we are delighted to be working with API Hotels & Resorts, an eminent partner with a proven track record in high quality hotel developments across the UAE.”

Expected to open in 2019, Crowne Plaza Dubai Business Bay will have 290 rooms and suites.

InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Business Bay will offer 30 studios, 60 one bedroom, 60 two bedroom, and 10 three bedroom suites.

Jassim Al Ali, CEO of API Hotels & Resorts, said: “In order to maximise further growth opportunities in the Middle East, we believe that we need to add a global operator with an internationally recognized brand to our portfolio and IHG, as a market leader with over 5,000 hotels worldwide fits this profile perfectly.

“Furthermore, both InterContinental and Crowne Plaza have established reputations around the world, and we’re excited to be adding these iconic names to our portfolio here in Dubai.  This is a growing market for hotel development; particularly for business and luxury brands. We’re looking forward to providing career-focused business travellers and luxury seeking residents with the finest service across two world-class properties.”

Address Dubai Mall, located in the heart of Downtown Dubai overlooking the iconic Burj Khalifa, and linked directly to The Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping and entertainment destinations in the world, has won two honours at the World Luxury Spa Awards 2017.

The hotel demonstrated its industry leadership in setting luxury service standards by winning the honour of the being ‘Best Spa Manager’ and ‘Luxury Day Spa’ at the global event.

The two honours, chosen by members of the public, are an indication of the international benchmarks that Address Dubai Mall has set, and how leisure and business travellers value the high levels of hospitality it offers as among the world’s finest. The awards also reinforce the Spa’s elegance and charm coupled with its interior design, and constant commitment to enhance hospitality standards.

From bespoke furnishings to restaurant menus and in-room amenities, Address Dubai Mall guarantees a Dubai experience like nothing else. The hotel has 244 signature rooms and suites and offers three upbeat restaurants and lounges, wellness facilities, convenient business amenities, and an all-round quintessential luxurious experience.

World Luxury Hotel Awards is the pinnacle of recognition for a hotel in the luxury hospitality industry, rewarding hotels for earning the respect of guests and industry players alike, and voted for by the public, in over 60 categories.

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group confirmed that the construction of three residential towers at Al Habtoor City is on track with more than 70 per cent of the project completed. The sought-after freehold property boasts 1,427 luxury apartments set in the heart of Dubai directly on the banks of the Dubai Water Canal and Sheikh Zayed Road.

“I am very pleased to see high demand from local and international investors and sales are proceeding exceptionally well.” said Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor. “We launched the sale of the Noora Tower with 546luxury units, including four ultra-luxury penthouses in 2016. The Residence Collection is over 70 per cent finalized as verified by the Dubai Land Department. We are well on schedule for delivery in towards the end of 2017.”

Al Habtoor added, “Al Habtoor City is a very high-quality development and an unrivaled lifestyle destination with exceptional facilities. The multi-use development has sealed its mark on the map as it is a destination like no other, the region’s largest hospitality, entertainment and residential complex. I am incredibly proud of the project for it brings something unique not only to Dubai, but also in the world. It is a dynamic neighbourhood pulsing with life.”

Set in the heart of the one million sq ft development, the Residence Collection consists of three luxurious residential towers – Noora, Amna and Meera. Housed within two 73-storey towers and one 52-storey tower, they comprise of deluxe apartments, lofts and simplex, duplex and VIP penthouses, ranging from 1 to 7 bedrooms. The residential community will have exclusive access to first-class amenities, which include the largest swimming pool and leisure deck in the UAE, a state-of-the-art gym, a luxury spa, multiple restaurants and bars, the Al Habtoor Tennis Academy – which includes an indoor tennis court for year-round play.

The heart of the Leisure Collection features a permanent state-of-the-art, high-tech theatre housing the region’s first resident show – La Perle. Created by world-renowned Artistic Director Franco Dragone, La Perle combines the spirit of Dubai with a 1300-seat aqua-theatre to deliver an unmissable spectacle in, on, and above water.  A “must-see” show for audiences from across the world La Perle is the only permanent water-based theatre production between Las Vegas and Macau. Set to make its debut in September 2017, tickets can now be purchased online.

Three five-star hotels within the Al Habtoor City’s Hotel Collection, The St. Regis Dubai, W Dubai – Al Habtoor City, and The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City collectively present nearly 1,600 rooms and suites, 18 restaurants and lounges, two spas, 34 meeting and banqueting spaces, including three state-of-the-art ballrooms. Furthermore, the Boulevard and Marina Promenade on the Canal will offer 21 retail spaces with signature restaurants, gourmet cafés, boutiques, a supermarket, medical centre, crèche and much more.

To highlight, Al Habtoor City is located in close proximity to Dubai’s famous landmarks, hospitals and schools, Business Bay and downtown area, and a short drive from Dubai’s two airports.

The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel, the newest addition to AccorHotels’ distinctive MGallery by Sofitel collection of contemporary boutique hotels, has become a member of the esteemed Healing Hotels of the World – the invite-only ‘club’ is the world’s leading authority in luxury-end ‘Healing’ destinations and resorts specializing in the field of holistic health.

As a member of Healing Hotels of the World, it is acknowledged that The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel features beautiful accommodation and architecture, cutting edge holistic healing therapies achieving visible results, caring and thoughtful service, healing cuisine and a natural stunning location.

The group is the only global brand that has successfully established and implemented authentic and quality driven criteria for the environment and delivery of holistic health and wellbeing services. It adheres to strict benchmarks which must be met by properties, ensuring that guests can trust that when staying at a member of Healing Hotels of the World, they will receive a meaningful experience that is genuinely anchored and committed to whole body healing.

Situated along the exclusive coastline of Palm Jumeirah’s East Crescent, the idyllic The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel, set to open in summer 2017, offers guests a unique and tranquil environment in the heart of vibrant Dubai. The beachfront destination showcases 255 luxurious rooms and suites, designed with natural elements, earthy tones and harmonising feng shui, synonymous with serenity and calmness.

General Manager Samir Arora says, “We are delighted to receive an invitation to become a member of the Healing Hotels of the World. The solicitation acknowledges our commitment to long lasting healing and wellness which is the true heart and ethos of our brand.”