Third Crowne Plaza for Dubai
The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has announced the signing of an agreement with The Chelsea Group, part of Crimson Hotels, to develop a third Crowne Plaza hotel in Dubai, UAE.

The 367-room Crowne Plaza Dubai Business Bay, scheduled to open in 2010, will be located at the heart of Business Bay set to be the city’s new central business district.  Located next to Sheikh Zayed road and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the property will be sited to capitalise on the thriving corporate travel market in the city.

Pumping $400m into India
The Indian joint venture of Dubai's Emaar Properties has tied up with Marriott International to build four hotels in India for a total investment of more than $400 million.
The projects in New Delhi and Amritsar in the north, Hyderabad in southern India and Kolkata in the east are to be completed by 2010 and will have a total of 912 rooms, Emaar MGF Land Limited said in a statement. Emaar MGF will own and develop the properties while Marriott will provide advisory and management services, it said.

New Movenpick set for Damascus
Movenpick Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement for a modern five-star hotel in Damascus with the owning company Toumeh International Group. The new Movenpick Hotel Damascus, which will form part of a large shopping mall, is already under construction and scheduled for completion in 2010. The new hotel boasts an excellent location in the city centre, in the immediate vicinity of the government ministries, and offers 268 spacious rooms and suites.

Grandeur Hotel launched in Dubai
A new four star hotel for Dubai’s Al Barsha district is to be launched this summer, as part of a new group. The Grandeur Hospitality Hotel Management group, which plans to specialise in managing hotels that allow customers to truly experience the meaning of ‘Personally Yours’, will launch their flagship Grandeur Hotel in Dubai this July.
The group plans to open five more hotels in Dubai by the end of 2010. The new hotel will have 125 rooms of which 17 will be suites. Facilities include a swimming pool, health club, fine dining restaurant with a bar and a 24 hour coffee shop.

Indulgent summer in the Maldives
A NEW ‘Summer Indulgence’ package from One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives is available from May 12 until June 30. It includes one additional complimentary night with every five paid nights. Guests may also enjoy daily breakfast and daily complimentary dinner at Reethi Restaurant for two persons for the entire stay (excluding beverages).  Beach Villa rates start from $780++ per room per night. The offer is applicable to Beach Villa, Beach Villa with Pool and Water Villa only.

Ramada Muscat unveil new look
The Ramada Muscat Hotel, currently under renovation, will soon open its doors to showcase a brand new identity. Besides refurbishment, architectural and interior design work, a new management team headed by Kifah M Melhem has been appointed.