UNESCO Heritage Site hotel opens in KSA
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and General Hotel Management Ltd (GHM) have launched The Chedi Hegra, a groundbreaking project that marks a new chapter in the development of AlUla as a world-class tourist destination.
Nestled within the ancient Nabataean site of Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property will be the Kingdom’s first seven-star hotel to open, offering guests a harmonious blend of rich history, luxurious comfort, and cultural immersion.
The Chedi Hegra features 35 bespoke guest rooms, with each meticulously designed to reflect the harmony between luxury and the surrounding natural landscape, the rooms integrate existing structures – such as the Hegra railway station – into the architecture, preserving the integrity of the region’s rich cultural heritage whilst introducing contemporary luxury to the heart of the desert.
Campbell Gray Hotels & Resorts, renowned for creating, designing, and operating individual, British-inspired hotels and Valor Hospitality Partners, a leading full-service hotel management company in the Middle East and Worldwide, have announced a strategic partnership focused on expanding Campbell Gray’s portfolio of luxury properties.
The partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency, continue to deliver exceptional guest experiences, and drive the commercial success for Campbell Gray’s highly individual hotels across the Middle East and the globe.
This partnership with Valor Hospitality Partners will support Campbell Gray Hotels & Resorts in the expansion of its portfolio while maintaining its core values. Valor’s expertise in hotel management, asset management, and hospitality solutions will help provide the tools necessary for Campbell Gray to continue its growth. Hilton accelerates Morocco expansion
Hilton is accelerating its plans to more than double its portfolio in Morocco with the signing of nine hotels across seven of its global brands, including the debut of its iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand in Rabat, the introduction of its luxury LXR Hotels & Resorts property in Casablanca, as well as value-driven Hampton by Hilton properties in Benguerir and Fes.
These nine new signings will add more than 1,300 rooms and around 1,500 emloyees to Hilton’s growing portfolio in Morocco, where Hilton plans to expand its footprint to over 20 hotels in the coming years. Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives opens
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has set a launch date for Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, nestled within the Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts. Set to open on February 1, 2025, this new oasis invites travellers to embark on an immersive journey that blends signature Thai-inspired hospitality with authentic Maldivian allure through a collection of thoughtfully curated experiences, excursions, complimentary nights, and more.
The resort’s special opening offer celebrates the art of island living through signature experiences, including an exclusive champagne experience at Sunset Social and a rejuvenating couples’ spa treatment combining modern wellness and traditional Thai healing techniques at Cenvaree Retreat. For ocean enthusiasts, the choice between a traditional nighttime hand fishing trip or a mesmerising sunset dolphin cruise adds to the enchantment.