Rotana Hotels have announced the signing of 13 new management agreements for major properties in Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Damascus, Doha, Dubai, Khartoum, Kuwait and in Sharm El Sheikh. The latest additions to Rotana’s growing family will not only increase its portfolio in Lebanon and Dubai but will introduce the company to new countries.
The first to open will be the Queen Centre Rotana Suites in Damascus. Expected to be ready this month, the property is part of the Queen’s Center on the Mazze highway with 110 luxurious studios and suites, business facilities, state-of-the-art fitness centre and ample parking space. The Queen’s Centre is currently the only shopping mall in the city with over 85 first class shops.
The Al Manshar Rotana Hotel and Suites in Kuwait will open in late 2006 and will be part of the Al Manshar shopping and entertainment complex in Fahaheel. The hotel will offer 200 luxurious studios and suites, an all day dining restaurant, meeting rooms, fitness centre and ample parking space.
The Raouche Rotana Suites will be Rotana’s third property in Lebanon. Following the successful opening of the Hazmieh Rotana Hotel last year, the company will be introducing its renowned ‘Suites’ brand in a prime seafront location in the heart of Lebanese capital. The property will have 170 fully-equipped rooms and suites with kitchenettes, meeting space and recreation facilities. It is expected to open in late 2005 or early 2006.
Rotana Hotels’ fourth property in Lebanon will be the Solidere Rotana Suites. Due to open in 2008, this property will have 160 rooms/suites and 90 serviced apartments, F&B venues, meeting space and state-of-the-art leisure facilities.
As a result of the country major business and tourism drive, the City Centre Rotana Hotel in Doha is expected to be operational in mid-2006. Part of the mega City Centre shopping mall, the property will have 400 rooms and suites, a wide variety of F&B venues, ballrooms and flexible meeting rooms, state-of-the art business services and recreation facilities.
Expected to be operational in July this year, the Grand Rotana Resort & Spa will be Sharm El Sheikh’s largest five-star resort property. The resort will have approximately 600 rooms, outstanding F&B venues, state-of-the-art meeting facilities as well outstanding leisure facilities including a stunning spa. Its lagoon style swimming pool, set among 2,000 palm trees has a size equivalent to three olympic pools.
Further afield, the company will operate its first property in Sudan. Expected to open in late 2007, the Khartoum Rotana Hotel & Suites will be the largest property in the city. It will have 400 luxurious rooms and suites, three F&B venues, state-of-the-art meeting space and leisure facilities.
In the UAE, Rotana will strengthen its leadership position with six additional properties in Dubai. The first to open will be the Villa Rotana Suites on the Sheikh Zayed Road. The property will have 110 rooms, a restaurant and 2 meeting rooms. It will also feature a rooftop swimming pool with an extensive gymnasium. It is expected to be operational in summer 2005.
The Al Murooj Rotana Hotel and Suites, located off Sheikh Zayed Road, will open in August 2005. The hotel will offer 253 luxurious rooms and suites as well as 147 fully equipped and serviced apartments with a wide variety of one, two and three bedrooms and penthouses. The hotel will have a wide variety of F&B venues, a 1,000 sq m ballroom, extensive meeting rooms and facilities, state-of-the-art Bodylines fitness centre and ample parking space.
Rotana Hotels will also manage the Amwaj Rotana Resort property in Jumeirah, Dubai. The property will have 300 deluxe rooms and suites, a wide variety of F&B venues, meeting rooms, state-of the-art fitness centre and access to a private beach. The hotel will be part of the new Jumeirah Beach Residence complex. It is expected to open in mid 2006.
Dubai will host the tallest all suite hotel in the world. Known as the Rose Rotana Suites, the property will be 333 metres high (1,094 ft) and will consist of 72 floors. Expected to open in 2006, it will have 480 luxurious rooms, suites and penthouses, various F&B venues, meeting rooms, business facilities, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and ample parking space.
The Rose Rotana Suites will be located on Sheikh Zayed Road where Rotana Hotels will be operating four properties with 1,500 rooms. In Dubai, Rotana will have 10 hotels with approximately 2,400 rooms.
In Abu Dhabi, Rotana Hotels will be operating its fifth property and will remain the largest operator in the city. The Khalidiya Rotana Resort & Suites will have 400 luxurious rooms, suites and serviced apartments, outstanding F&B venues, six meeting rooms, business facilities, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and extensive water sport activities in one of the island’s most stunning beaches.
Rotana Hotels will increase its Resort portfolio with the Fujairah Rotana Resort property due to open in the stunning Aqah beach area on the East Cost of the UAE. The property will have 200 deluxe rooms and chalets, a wide variety of F&B venues, meeting rooms, state-of the-art fitness centre and an extensive choice of water sport activities all set in an idyllic beach front landscape.
To support these major developments, Rotana Hotels opened its second sales and marketing office in Europe. The Frankfurt office, with a team of 40 executives, will cover all German-speaking countries. Plans are afoot to have offices in Doha, Jeddah, Milan, Moscow and Paris within the next 24 months.
The unique Rotana Rewards loyalty programme was introduced in March 2005. It offers Rotana’s customer complimentary dining benefits, discounts on beverages, exclusive discounts on rooms, late check out and rewards points when staying or dining at a Rotana property.
“Whilst we achieved record results in 2004, with revenues exceeding those of 2003 by 35 per cent and an average occupancy reaching 82 per cent, our focus on development is an ongoing process,” said Daniel Hajjar. This will enable us to maintain our competitive edge in a challenging environment. We are committed to introduce Rotana’s spirit and way of life in every major city within the Middle East and are very proud to have been selected to manage these new properties. Negotiations are currently under way for properties in Bahrain, Cairo, Jeddah and in Riyadh.”