Ascott bolsters presence in Saudi Arabia
SERVICED residence owner-operator Ascott has deepened its presence in Saudi Arabia as it secured agreements to manage two more serviced residences for Abdul Samad Al Qurashi Group’s subsidiary, United Spectrums Holding, in Jeddah. The 51-unit Citadines Sari Jeddah is slated to open in 2015, while the 135-unit Somerset Corniche Jeddah, the first Somerset-branded serviced residence in Saudi Arabia, will open in 2016.Accor Groups takes great strides
ACCOR has recently signed a management agreement for a new upscale Pullman hotel in a prime location in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, to be known as the ZamZam Pullman Madinah. The five-star hotel will consist of two towers, with a total of 834 rooms and suites. The ZamZam Pullman Madinah is strategically located in close proximity (150 meters) to the Holy Mosque. Construction of the ZamZam Pullman is at an advanced stage and is scheduled to open by September 2014, in time for the Hajj season, the Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah. Accor also signed a management agreement with United Youth Company (UYC) to develop Novotel Riyadh Olaya, a new property located in the fast-growing northern part of the Saudi capital late June this year. The new Novotel will have about 215 rooms - it is currently at the planning stage and aims to be completed in 2017.
Rotana strengthens Bahrain strongholdROTANA has announced the signing of a new agreement with Ossis Property Developers to manage a 311-room luxury property in Bahrain. Located on the Amwaj Islands, a group of man-made islands in the Arabian Gulf, ART Rotana is at the northeast of Bahrain, near the coast of Muharraq Island, and a few minutes’ drive from Bahrain International Airport. Commenting on this announcement, Omer Kaddouri, president and CEO of Rotana, said: “We are very proud to have been chosen to manage this new jewel, which will no doubt be a leading property not only in Bahrain but in the region. ART Rotana is a five-star luxury property, which has been developed with leisure, corporate guests and families in mind.”The property’s stunning architecture distinguishes ART Rotana, which offers luxurious rooms and suites, including presidential and vice presidential suites, that are all sea facing and feature a modern design. The property also offers extensive banqueting and conference facilities including a spectacular ballroom and eight fully-equipped meeting rooms with the latest audio-visual equipment, making it a sure favourite with discerning MICE organizers, for weddings, social events and much more. Eight world-class food and beverage venues, each with its own unique ambience, service and cuisine will welcome guests with the incomparable Rotana hospitality and style. These include an all-day dining restaurant, a steakhouse, a beach restaurant, a bar, an Italian restaurant, a lobby lounge and a patisserie.“A key appointment to the property includes Joe Batshoun, a well- years of experience in the business, as general manager. Joe is leading a team of hotel professionals who are working hard to ensure all areas of the opening are perfected and ready to open on time in the last quarter of this year,” concluded Kaddouri.
Summer sojourns with Shangri-La
THE Summer Sojourns offer is available at all Shangri-La hotels in the Philippines and includes several benefits. Alternatively, guests who want to spoil the whole family may opt for the Funtastic Family Holiday at Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa, Philippines. Set amid 13 hectares of lush tropical greenery, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Cebu offers 530 lavish guestrooms and suites. Spectacular views of the Mactan Sea and the surrounding Shangri-La Marine Sanctuary and islets can be enjoyed from the rooms. Located in the exclusive Ocean Wing, Ocean Club Rooms offer an enhanced level of comfort with a private balcony facing the shimmering waters of the Mactan Channel. Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa is located in Lapu-Lapu city, which is connected to the main island of Cebu by bridge.