EMAAR Hospitality Group has acquired the management of Al Manzil and Qamardeen hotels, two key hospitality assets of Emaar, located in Downtown Dubai. The two hotels were earlier managed by Southern Sun Hotel Group.
With the addition of the two hotels, the group now has seven hotels in Dubai under its management including five Address Hotels and Resorts and the Armani Hotel Dubai in Burj Khalifa. The group also owns and manages a diversified portfolio of hospitality assets including hotels, serviced residences, golf retreats, a polo & equestrian club, lifestyle dining outlets and the Dubai Marina Yacht Club and Marinas.
Mohamed Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “Tourism and hospitality are the key growth drivers of Dubai, and over the years, we have acquired strong competencies in the hospitality & leisure sector through our world-class assets in Dubai. Our expansion to hospitality is in line with our growth strategy of creating long-term value for our stakeholders, while also contributing to Dubai’s economic growth. With Emaar Hospitality Group assuming the management of Al Manzil and Qamardeen, we are looking at introducing the home-grown capabilities achieved by our hospitality subsidiary and offer a differential lifestyle experience for our guests.”
Al Manzil and Qamardeen will retain their brand identity, with Emaar Hospitality Group to focus on further strengthening service standards and introducing guest-focused amenities that will add to their tangible benefits. Stefan Viard, hotel manager of The Address Dubai Mall, will be the acting general manager of Al Manzil, and Aamir Khan, hotel manager of The Address Dubai Marina, will be acting general manager of Qamardeen.
Al Manzil, ideal for business travellers, features ground plus eight floors and offers 197 rooms. The hotel has several restaurants, three meeting rooms to seat up to 130 people and a 12-seater boardroom. Qamardeen Hotel sports a fashionable, hip alternative décor style, and with ground plus 5 floors, the hotel offers 186 rooms including suites, queen and twin rooms and rooms for the physically challenged, and a wide range of restaurants. Both hotels have a large swimming pool and modern fitness facilities, and offer free wi-fi access with complimentary internet connectivity in all rooms and at the 24-hour business centres.
Emaar’s hospitality and leisure business contributed Dh1.22 billion ($332 million) to the company’s annual revenues in 2011, and Dh403 million ($110 million) during the first quarter of 2012.