Ishraqah sells Onyx Hotel to Grow
SAUDI real estate development firm Ishraqah has finalised a deal with Grow Projects to sell The Onyx Hotel, one of the prime projects of its Dh1.8 billion ($490 million) The Onyx development on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road. The Onyx's integrated environment links three main towers: a 25-storey, a 16-storey office tower, and a 14-storey business hotel with 200 rooms and 10 suites. The deal has boosted the sales prospects of the remaining properties at the corporate destination.
Magazine nod for Burj Al Arab
THE Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel and part of Dubai based luxury hospitality group Jumeirah, was recently declared the Best Resort in Middle East and Africa at the Condé Nast Traveller US Reader’s Choice Awards 2007. The results are derived from the largest independent poll of consumer’s preferences, and this year a record number of over 28,000 readers voted.
Starwood relaunches guest site
STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has announced the re-design of SPG.com, the dedicated website for members of its Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty programme. The re-designed site has a new look, new tools, features and downloads unprecedented in the hospitality industry that provide members with personalized access and a rich, customized on-line experience. One of the highlights is MY SPG – a personal portal that allows members to customize the information displayed and searched for.
Marina Hotel Kuwait wins two awards
THE Safir-managed Marina Hotel Kuwait has been named Best Performed Hotel in the world and in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region for 2007 by WorldHotels. The awards were made at the second WorldHotels Leadership Forum recently, winning over 500 other WorldHotels properties worldwide.
Corinithia properties win at WTA
MALTA-BASED Corinthia Hotels International’s five-star Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal in Budapest and the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in The Gambia, have been named Hungary’s Leading Hotel and Gambia’s Leading Hotel respectively in the international 14th Annual World Travel Awards.
Dubai signs One&Only for Zanzibar
DUBAI World is to partner with One&Only Resorts in the development and management of its new $150-million luxury resort in Zanzibar, which is scheduled to open in 2009. The One&Only Zanzibar will feature a 150-room luxury hotel, a 50-room residence and a spa retreat on a 76-hectare site at Muyuni Beach in Zanzibar.
Four Seasons Sharm wins spa prize
THE 5,500 sq ft Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh is the Crystal Award Winner Favourite in Africa, in the 2007 Spa Finder Readers’ Choice Awards. Based on thousands of votes submitted by spa-goers around the world.