Continuing the distinguished track-record of winning top industry recognitions, Armani Hotel Dubai, located in the iconic Burj Khalifa, has been recognised as the ‘Stylish Luxury Hotel’ at the Luxury Travel Guide Africa & Middle East Awards 2018.
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AVANI Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce an exciting new addition to its growing pipeline with the signing of AVANI Hotel Suites & Branded Residences currently being developed in Dubai by ALFAHIM, one of the UAE’s largest conglomerates.
Scheduled to open in 2020, the 48-storey new-build property will be the third AVANI in Dubai and will represent the launch of AVANI residences in the region. Offering great visibility for the brand, AVANI Hotel Suites & Branded Residences will be located in a prime area of the city, directly overlooking the iconic Palm Jumeirah, adjacent to Dubai Marina and Media City and half an hour from Dubai International Airport, with many of Dubai’s other leading attractions and beaches close by.
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is gearing up for another year of significant portfolio expansion as it forges ahead with plans to open 11 new properties in nine countries by the end of 2018.
The global hospitality firm, which currently operates 83 hotels across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, will make its debut in five new countries – Bangladesh, Iraq, Kenya, Malaysia and the Maldives – while boosting its cluster of hotels in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia and Thailand.
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.
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 16th, 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.”
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts is gearing up for another year of significant portfolio expansion as it forges ahead with plans to open 11 new properties in nine countries by the end of 2018.
The global hospitality firm, which currently operates 83 hotels across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, will make its debut in five new countries – Bangladesh, Iraq, Kenya, Malaysia and the Maldives – while boosting its cluster of hotels in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia and Thailand.
The next 10 months will see Mövenpick raise a flag in several commercially-strategic destinations, from two of Dubai’s most prestigious districts to The Maldives, where the company will make its Indian Ocean foray.
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.
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.
“Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: “This strategic joint venture underlines our commitment to bringing new hospitality concepts to Dubai in line with the government’s tourism vision. Today’s crucial milestone allows us to move forward with the construction and delivery of this exciting new resort, which will undoubtedly be one of Dubai’s most sought-after destinations for travellers the world over.”Suthikiati Chirativat, Chairman of the Board for Centara Hotels & Resorts added: “The official formation of the joint venture company and signing of the hotel management agreement is the natural next step following the joint venture agreement last December. This is the rubber stamp that paves the way for the finalisation of the design and development of our first resort in the United Arab Emirates. With Nakheel’s development expertise and Centara’s record of delivering best-in-class hospitality and inspiring extraordinary guest experiences, we will create a unique resort that surprises and delights guests for years to come.”
Centara Hotels & Resorts is part of Central Group, one of Thailand’s most prominent family-owned conglomerate holding companies, with interests in the merchandising, real estate, retailing, hospitality and restaurant sectors. Centara made its official entry into the Middle East market with the opening of Centara Muscat Hotel earlier this year and whilst the group has imminent openings in other Gulf States, Centara Deira Islands Beach Resort Dubai will be its first and highly anticipated destination in the UAE.
Nakheel’s partnership with Centara is the developer’s second international joint venture at Deira Islands. Work on the first, an 800-room, AED670 million beachfront resort with Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts, is already underway with construction proposals currently being assessed. More partnerships with global hospitality firms are being explored.
The master developer’s AED5 billion hospitality expansion will see the delivery of 17 hotels, resorts and serviced apartment complexes, with almost 6,000 rooms and hotel apartments between them, across Dubai. The first two hotels, at Dragon Mart and Ibn Battuta Mall, opened last year, with the rest under construction or development.
Deira Islands, where Nakheel has already invested over AED7.5 billion in infrastructure and construction contracts, will add 40 km, including 21km of beach, to Dubai’s coastline. The coastal city, which is expected to have a population of 250,000 and to create 80,000 jobs, will feature hundreds of hotels, residences and retail and leisure attractions, including a diverse range of projects by Nakheel itself. Among them is Deira Central, the nine million sq ft heart of the islands boasting 50 mixed-use towers, Deira Mall and two mosques, all set in extensive parkland. Nakheel is also building Deira Islands Night Souk and more hotels and resorts at the islands.
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.”
