Al Raha Hotel celebrates official opening
Industry leaders and dignitaries joined Danat Hotels & Resorts management for a glittering night to celebrate the official opening of the Al Raha Beach Hotel, Abu Dhabi’s first boutique property.
Al Raha Beach Hotel welcomed more than 500 guests for a cocktail reception and dinner by the pool followed by a dramatic fireworks display. GM Kamel Zayati said: “They say the best things come in small packages and the Al Raha Beach Hotel is certainly a reflection of the Danat image. An exceptional find, a rare pearl.”
Rotana wins Best Hotel Brand Award
Rotana Hotels announced another milestone in its enviable history of service as it gained further recognition of its commitment to quality customercare during the GCC National Brands Excellence Awards ceremony held in Dubai recently. Rotana Hotels, which offer world class service and quality assurance, financial performance and guest satisfaction, won the Best Hotel Brand Award. Imad Elias COO for Rotana Hotels, said: “This prestigious award stands testimony to the dedication, enthusiasm and sheer professionalism that our entire team shows towards their work and the hospitality industry in this region.”
Kempinski to open first public Dubai hotel
Kempinski Hotels will open its first Dubai property this year. The 48,000 sq m, five-star property is part of the Mall of the Emirates, the world’s first shopping resort and home of Ski Dubai. The Swiss chalet-styled Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates will offer an unmatched ‘Alpine resort’ experience. Guests will be able to go skiing or simply soak up the ‘winter’ atmosphere in one of the restaurants overlooking the ski slope, all from the desert of the UAE. Opening in Spring 2006, the property will feature 393 deluxe rooms and suites including 15 ski chalets with spectacular views over the amazing Ski resort.
Club Concierge launched in Dubai
Club Concierge, a new lifestyle management service aimed at busy residents, high-flying businessmen and women and five-star visitors, was launched in Dubai. The company claims it will make life easier by relieving clients of all time-consuming tasks. The service works by appointing each member with their own concierge to take care of a multitude of requests. “Our main aim is to add value to our member’s lives,” said Tracy Burt, Club Concierge’s joint managing partner. Just one telephone call away, members are given exclusive access to Club Concierge’s team of experts.
Radisson SAS, Kuwait, turns 25
A glamorous ceremony marked the 25th anniversary of the renowned Radisson SAS property in Kuwait City. Major renovation plans scheduled to begin by the second quarter of 2006, were unveiled at the event. Radisson SAS, Kuwait was the first hotel to open outside Scandinavia, where Rezidor SAS has its roots. The 200-room hotel is famous for the world’s largest wooden dhow, the Al Hashemi II, a replica of the old Kuwaiti traditional boat, a total of 2200 sq m of banquet facilities with a beautiful open deck for cocktail parties. Andreas Flückiger, GM, Radisson SAS Hotel Kuwait, said: “The location and service make the hotel unique. We owe the success to our strong team and commitment of our staff.”
Work on at Renaissance Amwaj Hotel
Marriott International will manage a new 323-room, beachfront Renaissance hotel in Bahrain, under an agreement reached with Ossis Property Developers, the owner/ developer of the luxurious $1billion Amwaj Islands project. The new Renaissance Bahrain Amwaj Islands Hotel will be located on the series of manmade islands, reclaimed off the north coast of Muharraq Island, with easy access to central Manama. It will be part of a three million sq m, mixed use development consisting of residential apartments and villas, offices, a large waterfront shopping mall, an entertainment island, additional hotels, serviced apartment buildings and a 140-berth marina. The Renaissance hotel will open in 2008 as part of the project’s second phase.
IFA launches hotel ownership programme
IFA Hotels & Resorts has launched its hotel ownership programme with sales of its first internationally branded hotel residence project in Dubai, the Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Laguna Tower Dubai. The Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Laguna Tower Dubai will be managed by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, following the formation of a partnership between IFA Hotels & Resorts and Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts to identify and develop hotel residence projects throughout the Middle East in addition to Europe, India, Asia and Africa, for additional opportunities of this new branded investment product.
Crowne Plaza Muscat launches private beach
InterContinental Hotels Group announced that the Crowne Plaza Muscat can offer its guests access to a private beach. The development, which stretches the hotel’s upmarket five-star service beyond the lush green surrounds, down to the water’s edge, is a first in the stunning beachfront property’s long history. With the private beach open for visitors, it is planned that the hotel will offer a variety of beachfront activities in the near future. The first major development to occur on the waterside will be the addition of comfortable sun lounges and the inclusion of restaurants and restaurant service. In the next few months, the overall appearance of the beach will be upgraded with fresh sand to be deposited before the end of the year.
Oberoi Udaivilas tops Condé Nast rating
The Oberoi Udaivilas, the luxury resort in Udaipur, has received the highest rating for service amongst all hotels in the world in Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold List. This annual Gold List announced by Condé Nast Traveller, UK, lists the best hotels that set the standards for the hospitality industry worldwide. The Oberoi Udaivilas has received an exceptional score of 97.49 for service, placing it ahead of last year’s best, the legendary Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro. The resort is also ahead of Four Seasons Resorts Maldives at Kuda Huraa, The Berkeley, London; Four Seasons, New York and The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.
Radisson SAS, Kuwait, turns 25
A glamorous ceremony marked the 25th anniversary of the renowned Radisson SAS property in Kuwait City. Major renovation plans scheduled to begin by the second quarter of 2006, were unveiled at the event. Radisson SAS, Kuwait was the first hotel to open outside Scandinavia, where Rezidor SAS has its roots. The 200-room hotel is famous for the world’s largest wooden dhow, the Al Hashemi II, a replica of the old Kuwaiti traditional boat.
Work on at Renaissance Amwaj Hotel
Marriott will manage a new 323-room, beachfront Renaissance hotel in Bahrain, under an agreement reached with Ossis Property Developers, the owner/ developer of the luxurious $1billion Amwaj Islands project. The new Renaissance Bahrain Amwaj Islands Hotel will be located on the series of manmade islands, reclaimed off the north coast of Muharraq Island. It will be part of a three million sq m, mixed use development. The Renaissance hotel will open in 2008 as part of the project’s second phase.
IFA in hotel ownership programme
IFA Hotels & Resorts launched its hotel ownership programme with sales of its first internationally branded hotel residence project in Dubai. The Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Laguna Tower Dubai will be managed by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, following the formation of a partnership between IFA Hotels & Resorts and Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts to identify and develop hotel residence projects throughout the Middle East in addition to Europe, India, Asia and Africa, for additional opportunities of this new branded investment product.
Crowne Plaza Muscat opens beach
InterContinental Hotels Group announced that the Crowne Plaza Muscat can offer its guests access to a private beach. The development, which stretches the hotel’s five-star service beyond the lush green surrounds, down to the water’s edge, is a first in the stunning beachfront property’s long history. With the private beach open for visitors, it is planned that the hotel will soon offer a variety of beachfront activities. In the next few months, the overall appearance of the beach will be upgraded with fresh sand to be deposited before the end of the year.
Recognition for Oberoi Udaivilas
The Oberoi Udaivilas, the luxury resort in Udaipur, has received the highest rating for service amongst all hotels in the world in Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold List. This annual Gold List lists the best hotels that set the standards for the hospitality industry worldwide. The Oberoi Udaivilas has received an exceptional score of 97.49 for service, placing it ahead of last year’s best, the legendary Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro.