InterCon Dubai gets grilled
THE InterContinental Hotel Dubai has opened Sumibiya, the city’s first Japanese yakiniku-style restaurant. In Japanese, yaki means grilled and niku means meat.

Ergo, all the tables in the restaurant are built around a central grill, where you are your own master chef grilling a variety of meat, seafood and vegetables. Yakiniku is a concept that originated in Korea but travelled to Japan, which means the food can be quite hot. Red chilli paste is a big part of the experience.

Kingdom buys stake in IFA Hotels
Saudi investment group Kingdom Holding Company has acquired a $15 million stake in Kuwait-based IFA Hotels & Resorts Company, a statement said. Kingdom Holding Company is owned by Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. IFA Hotels, a subsidiary of International Financial Advisors Company (IFA), was listed on the Kuwait bourse on Tuesday. IFA recently invested $15 million in Kingdom Hotel Investments Group, a subsidiary of Kingdom Holding Company, the IFA statement said. IFA Hotels is developing properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Ocean region, and is looking to list on Dubai’s main stock market.

Radisson launches bookers plan
The Radisson SAS Hotel, Muscat encourages loyalty among bookers from local companies with a programme called Rewards Circle. Enrollment is free and valid only for individuals from local companies. Points are accumulated from the date of enrollment for room nights and banqueting events. Points can be traded at any time for gifts like meals, health club memberships and shopping center vouchers. Even a low scale booker can get the reward of a cake for minimal points. The programme has proved to be very successful, popular and useful in gaining client loyalty. Besides the local program, guests are invited to join Gold Points by Rezidor SAS, the parent company of Radisson SAS. Membership is free and points can be earned on a “qualified spend” at all Radisson SAS Hotels. There are Blue, Silver and Gold cards awarded as per the frequency of use with varying benefits.

Six Senses products online
The innovative gift boutiques located at Soneva Resorts, Evason Hideaways and Evason Resorts, operated by Six Senses Gallery, have gone on-line at sixsensesgallery.com. Expect apparel, decorative items, furnishings, books and music CDs, and exclusive personal care and spa products.

Fujairah hotel launches new LCD TV
Al Diar Siji Hotel, Fujairah welcomes the new year with great innovations and positive changes towards the achievement of a truly refurbished five-star business hotel on the UAE’s east coast, says GM Fouad Melhem (pictured). Besides wireless broadband internet connection, newly-installed digital telephone systems, newly upgraded Heavenly Beds, now comes the unveiling of the most awaited state-of-the-art LCD high-definition TVs recently launched in all 90 rooms of the hotel.