News

AccorHotels, the world’s leading travel and hospitality group, is pleased to announce the soon-to-be-opened Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City. As the first and only premium accommodation in Media City, within the upcoming Innovation Hub, and in close proximity to Internet City, the hotel will appeal to professionals in search of connectivity and convenience, as well as the lifestyle requirements of leisure guests with opportunities to explore the vibrant urban city.

Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City features 235 spacious guestrooms and suites starting in size from 46 square metres upwards to 94 square metres. The hotel also boasts a fully equipped Convention Centre, completely unprecedented for the area, with a resplendent ballroom that can cater upwards to 800 guests. Adding to its appeal, award winning, local celebrity chefs Nick and Scott will actualize their latest collaboration with Verve Bar & Brasserie, destined to become a dining destination in its own right.

Grand Plaza Mövenpick Media City is in close proximity to Sheikh Zayed Road, the longest road in the United Arab Emirates as well as Nakheel and Internet City metro stations, and business hubs such as Media City and Jebel Ali Free Zone. Guests will also enjoy the convenience of being close to the heart of the city’s commercial activity as well as renowned attractions such as the Mall of the Emirates and the Palm Jumeirah located just a short drive away.
The property’s General Manager, Alfio Bernardini shares: “We are delighted to soon unveil the latest addition to the Mövenpick portfolio. Grand Plaza’s unique positioning, central location and exemplary facilities will serve to provide the best experiences for both business and leisure travelers. Every element of the property has been designed in line with our brand promise – ‘we make moments’.
The elegant property boasts exquisite attention to detail, high ceilings and large windows bathing the chic interiors in rich natural light. Setting a majestic scene upon entering the atrium of the property is The Swoop – the iconic chandelier, comprised of 3,500 hand-blown crystals, acting as a spiraling centerpiece. The artistic masterpiece was specially designed by Katerina Handlova, inspired by the flight of the bird, a simple concept whose aerodynamic intricacies are captured perfectly.

All rooms utilise a neutral colour palette and are set against breathtaking views of the Palm Jumeirah. Complimentary WiFi is offered throughout the hotel. The Executive Lounge offers an ideal workspace, tying in with overarching aim of encouraging possibilities wherever feasible for guests.

The hotel’s dining experience rings true to its Swiss origins, with the highest quality. It offers guests a choice of five in-house lifestyle driven venues. From Afternoon High Tea at The Grand Lounge, the ‘neighborhood’ deli Slice, poolside healthy dining options at Bytes, classic European escape Verve Bar & Brasserie, brainchild of award-winning\ chefs, Nick and Scott and TWENTY THREE Rooftop Bar, the new hotspot on the block, combining panoramic urban vistas with light bites and twenty three classic cocktails.

The hotel offers a fully equipped Convention Centre, inclusive of a 600 square metre ballroom, the only one of its kind in Media and Internet City, with a capacity of 800 guests, ideal for conventions, meetings, weddings and celebrations. Nine flexible meeting rooms, are aptly named after the winds of the world, including Sirocco, Mistral, Bise, Khamseen and Shamal, inspired by The Swoop. These are equipped with state of the art audiovisual technology, complementary WiFi and lighting equipment.

Other facilities include an expansive health club spanning the fourth floor and comprising an outdoor pool, gymnasium, sauna and steam rooms. The Spa by SensAsia, provides tailored and expertly delivered body treatments stemming from Balinese grace, Japanese elegance and Thai tradition.

The first Mandarin Oriental property in the Middle East, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, will open its doors in the first quarter of 2019. Located in the heart of Dubai with pristine views of the beach, urban architecture and chic design, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is set to bring a new wave of luxury to the shores of Dubai.

Enhancing Dubai’s Jumeirah beachfront, the resort will feature 178 spacious rooms and 78 elegant suites, all just a stone’s throw from the water’s edge, like no other property in the city. Designed by acclaimed international designer Jeffrey Wilkes, the rooms were conceived as individual retreats on the Arabian Gulf, to evoke a sense of refined and relaxed elegance. Refreshingly contemporary and wonderfully comfortable, the bright blue and earthy colour palettes bring the outdoors in while instilling the rooms with a sense of calm.

A magnificent lobby will welcome guests on arrival with a forest of lights leading to the beach front. Fourteen bronze metal trees standing seven, eight and nine metres high – each with 900 lights – create a canopy of crystal and light that glisten and sparkle, just like the nearby ocean. The expansive space opens up onto an outdoor area comprising water features, walkways, stone bridges and teak decks creating a path to the shoreline.

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is also home to six unrivalled restaurants and bars, all of which are noteworthy additions to Dubai’s dining scene. Portuguese celebrity chef José Avillez – of two Michelin-starred restaurant Belcanto in Lisbon – will take dinners on an authentic journey through Portugal with his vibrant menu at Tasca, while at Warayakiya-style Japanese steakhouse Netsu, Australian-born chef Ross Shonhan will lead the way with authentic Japanese cuisine in a dramatic setting.

The resort will also be the home to The Bay, a brasserie-style ground-floor restaurant with show-kitchens and family-friendly menus; the relaxing and elegant Noor Lounge, which opens around the clock, will serve guests a delightful assortment of teas, coffees and light refreshments, while The Mandarin Cake Shop is set to become a destination in its own right thanks to its freshly baked bespoke cakes, photogenic patisseries and authentic Arabic sweets. For those who prefer al fresco dining, Sun Vibe is a laidback spot to catch a bite poolside.

Guests of the Club Rooms and Suites will also enjoy access to the light and bright Club Lounge which boasts some of the best city views in town.

With a 2,000-square-metre spa and state-of-the-art gym, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is also set to make a splash in the city’s wellness and relaxation market. With nine treatment rooms featuring a VIP Royal Suite, heat and water experiences and a fitness centre, The Spa will be a welcoming oasis offering an unrivalled range of holistic rejuvenation and relaxation treatments. Guests will enjoy Mandarin Oriental’s legendary signature treatments such as Oriental Harmony, and locally-inspired experiences like the Nomadic Sensory, a rhythmic spa ritual that captures the spirit of Emirati Bedouin life, against the soundtrack of the beat of a Doumbek (Arabic goblet drum).

Finally, for younger Mandarin fans, Little Nomads kids’ club will help their imaginations run riot with a range of fun activities including a colourful treehouse for hours of entertainment.

About Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai

Located in one of Dubai’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, the resort’s elegant rooms and suites offer an abundance of space, combining contemporary décor with guest-centric technology and staggering views. Its restaurants and bars are equally enticing with six first-rate venues including two signature restaurants. Combined with a state-of-the-art destination spa spread over 2,000 square metres, a fitness centre and a kids’ club, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is the most exciting new addition to the region’s luxury hotel scene. Its unrivalled location with easy access to both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport means that Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is ideal for both business and leisure travellers. It also holds the status of being the closest beachfront resort to both Downtown Dubai and the financial and business districts.

About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Having grown from its Asian roots into a global brand, the Group now operates 30 hotels and six residences in 21 countries and territories, with each property reflecting the Group’s oriental heritage and unique sense of place. Mandarin Oriental has a strong pipeline of hotels and residences under development, and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa continues its successful expansion strategy with the launch of Studio M Arabian Plaza. The first Studio M in the MENA region and the first property to be introduced under the Studio M collection recently opened its doors on the 1st of December 2018 in Dubai. Two more brand openings, Studio M Al Barsha and Studio M Muscat Shaden, are both due to open in 2019.

Studio M is a chic urban hotel brand that is part of the Millennium Hotels and Resorts global family, which includes The Biltmore Collection, Grand Millennium, Millennium Resorts, M Social, Millennium Place, Copthorne, M Hotel, Kingsgate and Millennium executive apartments. Studio M provides thoughtful, well-designed spaces with the cool factor combined with stylish, high-quality rooms and fuss-free technology. The standardized brand design, operational efficiency and lower development costs ensure an affordable price point, whilst its strong design aesthetic and nature mean that it is aligned with the millennial mindset as well as the young at heart.

Dubai based international entrepreneur and philanthropist Ghassan Aboud was awarded for “Excellence in International Business” at the 2018 Enterprise Agility Awards – Entrepreneur of the Year held at the Hilton Hotel, Habtoor City, Dubai on December 4^th 2018.

The annual event organized by BNC Publishing recognizes business leaders that have established themselves distinctly as industry innovators, made significant contributions to the regional business arena, and set the benchmark for enterprises operating across the region.

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Trident Limited and their UAE channel partners, Alia Mohammed Trading Company organised a networking conference for their UAE Business Associates and members of local media at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai.

Addressing the conference, Mr. Naveet Jindal, CEO (Sales & Marketing – Paper & Chemicals Business) of Trident Limited presented the meteoric rise of Trident from 1990. He stated,” Today the Trident Group is a USD 1 billion business conglomerate and a major global player in business segments: Yarn, Towel, Bed Sheets, Chemicals & Eco-Friendly Paper. They take pride in being the world’s largest Wheat-straw based Paper Mill”.

– Reduction in agro-residue
– Improved air quality
– Farmers have improved economic conditions
– Community building
In addition to these enlisted advantages of wheat straw paper, every 6 boxes of this paper used, saves one tree.

The UAE is a very important market for us and we appreciate the marketing initiatives of our channel partner Alia Mohammed Trading Company in promoting and developing Trident ECO FRIENDLY COPIER PAPER here. The focus on Trident’s premium products like Trident Digiprint (Digital Printing Paper) & Trident Spectra Bond (Premium Watermark Office Paper) was highlighted by Trident. Having a customer-centric approach, the company has achieved a reputation of being one of the prominent paper manufacturing companies in India with a presence in over 35 international markets.

Alia Mohammed Trading Company is a home grown business here in the UAE, having begun operations in 1981. They are the exclusive channel partners to Trident Limited for this market.
Over the past four decades, their strategy and thinking has been dynamic, and in line with Dubai’s Vision.

The government of UAE has launched the “Green Economy” initiative under the slogan: A green economy for sustainable development. Backed by their Vision 2021, the UAE aims to be a world leader and hub for green products and technology. Alia Mohammed Trading Company merges the mission of Trident Group with the Vision of the UAE Government.

Following the grand success of last year’s Arabic-inspired Christmas brunch at Al Diwaan and guests’ demand, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa is launching a series of curated dinners for guests to enjoy a unique dining experience under the Arabian desert’s starry sky.

Set in a lush palm oasis, deep within Dubai’s magical dune and desert landscape of Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, the Bedouin-style resort promises blissful quiescence. The luxury desert hideaway is a short 50-minute drive from Dubai and instantly transports you to a haven of luxury and tranquility, courtesy the Bedouin inspired architecture, ultimate man-made comforts and desert trails, offering guests a true sense of desert adventure. Combining the fabled Bedouin way of life with traditional Emirati hospitality, guests at Al Maha can enjoy the ultimate dune dining experience on Friday, 26th October, 2018 with the extravagant Desert Moon Dinner.

Maintaining the hallmarks of the desert getaway’s luxury offerings, guests will arrive at the resort in a luxurious limo, to catch the majestic sunset with a signature bubbly. Upping the ante is the resort’s culinary team that has curated an extravagant buffet, post sundowner, with an array of offerings for starters and main course. Featuring an assortment of international favourites, live grill stations and decadent treats, guests can fully imbibe the desert ambience as gazelles and Arabian oryx wander freely. Foot tapping acoustics of the live Kanon band enjoyed with uninterrupted views of the infinite desert skyline, enables guests to enjoy a distinctive, Arabic-inspired al fresco experience at Al Maha.

“Nestled within a timeless oasis of the Arabian desert, Al Maha’s fabled charm is a nod to Bedouin heritage and distinctive culture of the desert environment. Following the success of last year’s Christmas brunch at Al Diwaan, our culinary team, starting 26th October, 2018, has curated a series of al fresco dinners that imbibe traditions of Emirati hospitality and the Bedouin way of life. Set amid the royal desert’s starry peacefulness, with live stations and foot tapping acoustics, we invite our guests to come and enjoy the ultimate dune dining experience at Al Maha,” says Patrick Antaki, Complex General Manager of Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa and Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah.

Emaar Hospitality Group, a business of Emaar Properties and the Expo 2020 Dubai Official Hotel & Hospitality Partner, is offering global travellers and connoisseurs of fine living a taste of world cuisine with over 50 exceptional choices at the Group’s hotels and restaurants.

These are within 14 hotels under the Group’s three hotel brands – the premium luxury Address Hotels + Resorts; the upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts and the contemporary midscale Rove Hotels – in Dubai as well as Al Alamein Hotel in Egypt. Global travellers can also explore the dining experiences offered at Armani Hotel Dubai and Armani Hotel Milan.

From international to authentic Japanese and traditional Arabic as well as fusion cuisine, the restaurants stand out for their exceptional location. Guests can revel in exotic cuisine at Burj Khalifa, the global icon, as well as at the outlets dotted across Downtown Dubai with views of The Dubai Fountain. They can dine at golf retreats or by the waterfront – whatever their choice, they have it with the trove of culinary offerings.

Explore At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa, a signature restaurant offering contemporary cuisine located on Level 122 of Burj Khalifa; La Serre, highlighted for it culinary innovation and French cuisine in Vida Downtown; Sean Connolly at Dubai Opera, which marks the regional debut of chef Sean Connolly; Toko, in Vida Downtown, for connoisseurs of Japanese cuisine; and Katana, set by Address Downtown, recreating the robata and sushi lounge on Los Angeles Sunset Strip. Guests have a selection of choices at Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club, Arabian Ranches Golf Club and Dubai Marina Yacht Club.

Discover Argentine cuisine at Asado in Palace Downtown; Nezesaussi flavours in Manzil Downtown and Address Dubai Marina; Mediterranean delights at Nineteen in Address Montgomerie; and international dishes at The Daily restaurants in Rove Hotels. Not to miss are the Lounge and The Restaurant at Address Boulevard and Address Downtown while for Thai delights check into Thiptara in Palace Downtown.

Olivier Harnisch, CEO of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Our restaurants, set in exotic locations and steered by seasoned professionals, are curated to present exceptional culinary flavours. Our guests will be spoilt for choice highlighting our competencies in restaurant operations.”

Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure business of global developer Emaar Properties PJSC, is expected to create more than 5,300 jobs in the hospitality sector in the next five years across the UAE including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

Significantly, the Group is focusing on hiring and nurturing the talents of UAE Nationals for jobs in the hospitality sector, and has put into place ambitious strategies and plans to drive Emiratisation across all functions within the Group. These goals will also be achieved through partnerships with key government entities and departments that support Emiratisation within the hospitality industry.

Aseem Kapoor, Corporate Director of Human Resources at Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “We are emerging as one of the largest providers of jobs in the hospitality sector in the UAE. With hospitality professionals from across the world working with us, we take pride in offering a world-class work environment that enables them to progress in their careers.

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Nakheel and Thai hotel group Centara Hotels & Resorts today cemented their AED500 million joint venture with a construction contract worth AED290.5 million to build a 601-room beachfront resort at Dubai’s Deira Islands.

The two entities have appointed Parkway International Contracting LLC to deliver Centara Deira Islands Beach Resort Dubai – Centara’s first in the UAE – which is set to open in Q4, 2020.

The contract, which takes Nakheel’s infrastructure and construction investment at Deira Islands to nearly AED8.8 billion so far, was signed in Dubai today at a ceremony led by Nakheel Chairman, Ali Rashid Lootah, and Suparat Chirathivat, Executive Vice President – Corporate Development, Central Group, parent company of Centara Hotels and Resorts and one of Thailand’s most prominent family-owned conglomerate holding companies.

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Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, unveiled the group’s expansion plans for the region at the Global General Managers’ Conference held in Jakarta, Indonesia, last week.

Laurent stated, “We have chalked out a very aggressive expansion strategy for the Middle East and Africa with 17% of our global portfolio of hotels comprising 3500 rooms centered in the region. Our goal is to have 20 hotels in operation and 10 under construction by 2021. Out of these five projects would be in Africa while the remaining will be in gateway cities across the Middle East with a significant presence in the GCC. Built on a heritage of passion and professionalism, our ultimate aim is to position Swiss-Belhotel International as the best alternative to blue chip companies offering superior returns, unbeatable value and unforgettable experiences.”

Commenting on the industry’s long-term economic outlook in the region, Laurent said: “Tourism performance in the main cities across the Middle East is expected to remain strong with the fruition of major infrastructure projects such as airport expansions, increased global connectivity and growth of low-cost carriers, new leisure attractions, enhanced business facilities and a year-long calendar of regional and international events.”

Swiss-Belhotel International was recently named by TOPHOTELPROJECTS among the top ten most active brands in Saudi Arabia. “KSA is a very significant market for us with 35% of our development pipeline concentrated in the Kingdom. In 2018 we have six new hotels opening in quick succession and out of these three are located in Saudi Arabia. Our success is testament to the relationships we have built with owners and investors in the region. With 14 well-established brands, we are well equipped to meet the needs of every segment of the market. This diversity of brands allows owners the flexibility to pick the right fit for their property.”