Zabeel House by Jumeirah, Al Seef opens this week

Pictured: Zabeel House by Jumeirah, Al Seef exterior. The second hotel in Jumeirah’s new ‘Upscale Casual’ collection offers a loft-style vibe on the south banks of Dubai Creek – and a rooftop pool with views across both old and new Dubai. Be one of the first to stay – for just AED 297++ per night

The second hotel in the Zabeel House by Jumeirah collection opens this week, bringing a loft-style vibe to the south banks of Dubai Creek, next door to the earlier opened Zabeel House MINI by Jumeirah.

Zabeel House by Jumeirah, Al Seef promises to be the stylish older sibling of its next door neighbour, while still delivering on the collection’s ‘Upscale Casual’ promise of sharp design and smart service, with an informal approach and a moderate price point.

With 200 rooms in 3 different sizes for solo travelers, couples or families; a welcoming vast lobby filled with a collection of contrasting art and design pieces and bookcases made for browsing; a destination restaurant that stretches out over the waters of Dubai Creek, and a rooftop bar and pool with views across both old and new Dubai, Zabeel House by Jumeirah, Al Seef provides a completely new experience in this part of the city.

Add ample creative spaces to work from as well as five meeting rooms for the corporates, and a design style that is perfectly groomed and stylishly accessorized with enough sophisticated quirks to keep snap-happy guests busy, and you have a hotel that is the perfect hangout for curious travelers with an intrepid spirit, whether they want to stay always on, or go off the grid.

F&B offerings include CHAPTERS described as far from your usual lobby bar, where guests will be encouraged to settle in for a while with one of the books pulled down from the surrounding bookcases. Through the lobby NYON will serve Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern bites throughout the day.

Two other bars and restaurants will compete to be known as the hottest new destination on this side of Dubai. SKAFOS, opening after the summer, will be an alfresco gastro restaurant reaching out over the waters of Dubai Creek, the ideal spot to watch the dhows and abras cruise past. Seven floors above, SOL SKY BAR sits on the brim of the rooftop pool with a cocktail menu to match the variety of panoramic views of the city, from the oldest wind towers of the Creek to the newest skyscrapers of Downtown Dubai.

 Things to watch out for:

•  Multitude translations of the word ‘Explore’, littered throughout the lobby
• The black and white photographs in NYON showcasing some of the world’s most iconic cities, with plenty of perspectives of Dubai included
• The bookcases in Chapters that will feature curated shelves from some of Dubai’s creative community
• The ginger shot that you’ll be offered on arrival, mixed with fresh saffron from the Spice Souk and pure honey from Yemen

With three room sizes (the Plush, the Popular and Suites) the hotel offers contemporary retreats made for rising above the city’s round-the-clock energy, mixing comfort with an edgy style.

Think king-size (or twin) B&B Italia mattresses in the Plush and Suite rooms or Simmons mattresses in the popular rooms, oversized oak dining or work tables, minimalist wardrobe spaces, hammocks for lounging on when reading, contemporary art on the walls and ceilings inspired by Dubai AND free-standing bathtubs for the ultimate soak – all complete with signature black SMEG mini bars, N’espresso machines and a SuitePad, perfect for ordering a late-night snack or making plans for tomorrow.

If you’re looking for zen throughout your stay, there is a well-equipped indoor gym, complete with sauna, steam room and two treatment rooms – or head out for a run on the 2 kilometre promenade that stretches from the hotel alongside the Creek.

Things to look out for: 

• The astronaut holding tightly on to the moon-shaped lamp
• The word-search above your bed – (clue – some of them glow in the dark to make it easier to solve)
• Organic liquid amenities by OSME, wrapped in certified eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging.

Zabeel House by Jumeirah, Al Seef stands at the entrance to Al Seef, a new district of 90 restaurants and 350 retail outlets, on the south banks of Dubai Creek. Created by Meraas, the company behind tourist friendly neighborhoods across the city such as Kite Beach, City Walk and The Walk at JBR, Al Seef has revitalized a two kilometre stretch of the Creek. It’s the perfect jumping-off point to explore the older parts of the city including the wind towers, galleries and cafes of Al Fahidi; the spice, textile and gold souks; and the old homes of Al Shindigha.

The hotel is also conveniently located for exploring other parts of the city, with Downtown Dubai, Dubai Mall and the beaches of Jumeirah just 15 minutes away.

Visit www.zabeelhouse.com to be one of the first to stay at Zabeel House Al Seef; rates starting from AED 297++ per night.

ICONIC ADDRESS DOWNTOWN DUBAI REOPENS

The iconic Address Downtown – the flagship property of Emaar Hospitality Group – has re-opened its doors to guests after two-and-a-half years of significant renovations.

The luxury property now features new F&B concepts – Turkish restaurant The Galliard and American steakhouse STK – additional rooms and suites, The Spa at Address Downtown, and a brand-new interior design.

With 220 guest rooms and suites, several of them opening to spectacular views of the iconic Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain, the hotel is said to reveal even more new features in the coming days.

Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, commented: “Address Downtown holds a very special place in the hearts of all discerning travellers and guests. Defined by its central location overlooking Burj Khalifa, the hotel has consistently secured the world’s leading tourism and hospitality awards.

“With the opening of Address Downtown, Emaar is bringing to life a crowning glory in its hotel assets. Working with world-leading designers and consultants, the all-new Address Downtown ushers in an exceptional lifestyle choice and set new standards in luxury hospitality. The hotel will continue to uphold its distinctive positioning of ‘where life happens’.”

Towering high at 302 metres and 63 levels, guests to the Address Downtown have uninterrupted views of The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa. Its 220 rooms and suites  include 16 choices from a ‘Premier Fountain View Room’ to ‘Signature Spa Suite Fountain View’, all opening to spectacular views of the Dubai skyline. Guests can also opt for ‘Twin’ rooms that connect through a foyer.

‘The Restaurant’ concept – designed in the style of an avant-garde French apartment with inspired spaces from the Living Room to the Kitchen – is now open at the property.

Also open is the ‘Lounge’, a social oasis with spectacular views, serving a la carte meals to lighter fare and afternoon tea; and the all-time favourite ‘Katana’, which brings robatayaki-style cuisine to life, offering a uniquely delicious and expert blend of Japanese tradition and modern fare.

The ‘Cigar Lounge’ offers guests a range of cigars that is as extensive as it is exquisite, including sought-after limited editions from some of Cuba and South America’s finest cigar houses, while the ‘Club Lounge’, accessible exclusively to guests staying in the Club Suites and Rooms, offers international cuisine and complimentary beverages in a premium ambience all through the day.

Soon to open are ‘The Galliard’ bringing authentic Turkish flavours and inventive expressions of French and Spanish cuisine and ‘STK’, an ingenious interpretation of an American steakhouse in the form of a chic, contemporary lounge.

‘Neos’, the ultra-luxury lounge on Level 63, assuring guests a never-before ambience, and ‘Zeta’, an al fresco outlet at the lobby level offering California- and Asia-inspired cuisine and signature beverages, will also open shortly.

Meanwhile ‘The Spa at Address Downtown’ has nine treatment rooms, a hammam, steam rooms and relaxation areas, complemented by a state-of-the-art, 24-hour Fitness Centre offering personal training services. With an infinity pool cascading over five tiers with direct Burj Khalifa views and relaxation areas, The Spa at Address Downtown is the ultimate getaway for guests in the heart of the city.

The new interiors are said to bear the hallmarks of great public spaces throughout the world. The lobby offers the unexpected with fine architectural detailing and hand-crafted accessories. Each aspect of the hotel has been designed to lend distinctive individuality.

Pictured: The lobby 

For the guest rooms, the practical is elevated to the superlative to serve as personal oasis while curios of every type are assembled at the all-day dining spaces to delight guests. The vigor of the cityscape and pace of modern life is softened by the lounge’s enveloping environs, with soft light, and refined finishes.

Address Downtown stands out for its keen attention to service with airport VIP welcome on arrival, private limousine transfers, pre-check-in and in-room check-in options, in-room coffee machine and tea choices, luxurious toiletries, video on demand, a dedicated, knowledgeable concierge, 24-hour business lounge, 24-hour in-room dining, relaxation areas and more. Guests can also benefit from a dedicated Qix Club for children.

Emaar Hospitality Group also operates Address Boulevard, Address Dubai Mall, Palace Downtown, Vida Downtown and Manzil Downtown in Downtown Dubai. Find out more and book your stay online at: www.addresshotels.com

UNDER-THE-SEA HOTEL EXPERIENCE TO DEBUT AT CONRAD MALDIVES

‘Sea’ the Maldives from an entirely new perspective…

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has announced the submersion of what is believed to be the world’s first undersea residence, which will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The result of a significant $15 million USD investment will transform the Maldives experience for travelers who want to be truly immersed within the natural beauty of the Indian Ocean.

As the first international hotel brand to enter the Maldivian market 20 years ago and home to the world’s first undersea restaurant, Ithaa, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island continues to pioneer and innovate with the groundbreaking introduction of the undersea residence.

Aptly named THE MURAKA or coral in Dhivehi, the local language of the Maldives, the undersea residence gives guests an intimate and immersive experience of one of the Earth’s most breathtaking marine environments. Muraka is designed to blend into its environment, giving guests’ unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean at every turn. With vibrant colors and a diverse array of marine life all around, Muraka’s residents will be able to sleep alongside the wonders of the abundant and colorful marine life that inhabit the sea.

“Driven by our inspiration to deliver innovative and transformative experiences to our global travelers, the world’s first undersea residence encourages guests to explore the Maldives from an entirely new perspective below the surface of the sea,” said Ahmed Saleem, a Director at Crown Company and chief architect and designer of the undersea residence.

“THE MURAKA marks our second venture in underwater architecture and technology, next to Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, which is celebrating its 13^th anniversary this month. Through our rich history of being a trailblazer in innovative luxury hospitality, we are proud to remain at the forefront of cutting-edge design, technology and architecture.”

The undersea residence is a two-level structure comprised of space above the sea level and an undersea suite designed for sleeping under the ocean’s surface. The undersea suite features a king size bedroom, living area, bathroom and spiral staircase that leads to the upper level living room. The undersea bedroom floor level sits five meters (16.4 feet) below sea level, providing uninterrupted views of the surrounding marine environment.

Muraka’s upper level features a twin-size bedroom, bathroom, powder room, gym, butler’s quarters, private security quarters, integrated living room, kitchen, bar and dining, which features a deck that purposely faces the direction of the sunset for optimal viewing pleasure. On the opposite side of the villa sits the relaxation deck that faces the direction of sunrise and is complete with an infinity swimming pool. The upper level also contains an additional king size bedroom and bathroom, which boasts a masterfully appointed ocean-facing bathtub, ideal for soaking in views of the endless horizon. In total, Muraka can accommodate up to nine guests.

“Through our development of the world’s first undersea residence, we continue to shine a light on the Maldives as a luxury destination as well as a cultural and natural wonder for global travelers,” said Stefano Ruzza, General Manager at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. “We are excited to present Muraka’s unique sleeping under the sea experience to our future guests, providing them with an extraordinary seascape of the Maldives from an entirely new perspective.”

Located in the Maldives’ best diving and snorkeling spots, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has created a space that invites and inspires with a distinctive design that flows harmoniously with the natural environment. The resort features purposefully designed villas and suites, 12 award-winning restaurants and bars, two spas and a selection of culturally inspired experiences set against the awe-inspiring Maldivian surroundings. With the introduction of the world’s first undersea residence, Conrad Maldives continues to evolve the diversity of experiences offered to guests.

For more information and for reservations, please visit www.conradmaldives.com

 

FIRST LOOK INSIDE THE QE2 DUBAI: HOTEL ROOM AND BAR LAYOUT REVEALED

Pictured (above – top): image from The QE2 Dubai Facebook page, pictured (above – below): screenshot from the new QE2 website 

The future of The Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), one of the world’s most famous ocean liners, has been under much speculation since it retired from carrying passengers in 2008.

It sailed the seas as both a transatlantic liner and a cruise ship from 1969 to 2008 from the UK to New York City. Built in Clydebank, Scotland the QE2 was considered the last of the great transatlantic ocean liners until the QM2 entered service.

When QE2 retired from active Cunard service in November 2008, she had been acquired by Dubai World which planned to begin conversion of the vessel to a 500-room floating hotel.

Latest reports reveal that the QE2 has been moved to Dubai Drydocks World to begin her transformation into a world-class hotel at Port Rashid. A recent post from The QE2 Dubai Facebook page states: “Famed for her storied past from the 1960s, the Queen Elizabeth 2 is docked permanently at Dubai’s Mina Rashid and will soon become a floating entertainment, heritage and hotel destination.”

Fan website QE2 Story was the first to post of the ship docking at Port Rashid, with other reports suggesting that the hotel will open as early as this month. Cruise Arabia reporting that this has come from new information from the reservations team at PCFC Hotels, the operator of the new floating hotel concept.

In anticipation of the hotel launch, a new website recently went live with a “we’re hiring” notice at the top of the agenda.

At http://www.qe2.com – a “coming soon” banner is proceeded with promises of a “new take on hospitality” and a “royal experience”. You can also submit your email address to receive updates.

Pictured: On the new QE2 Dubai Facebook account, the above image was posted on 1st April 2018 revealing a first look at one of the newly renovated hotel rooms with the following statement…

“Comfortable, refined and replete with the authentic elegance of her former years, the Queen Elizabeth 2 rooms and suites have been thoughtfully restored with all of the modern technological conveniences of today, blended with her maritime interiors. Expect dark wood paneling, comfortable bedding, fresh paneling and vintage appliances redefined. It’s not long until her new journey begins…watch this space! #stillmakinghistory”

Pictured: The QE2 Dubai Facebook also revealed a first look at a renovated bar inside the hotel with the following caption…

“Discover a world of gastronomy, entertainment and nightlife experiences onboard the QE2.  From casual and fine dining, to grand theaters and nightclubs – she will have a selection of 12 diverse venues to uncover at her prime location in Dubai’s Mina Rashid… #stillmakinghistory”

We at talkabouthospitality will ensure to keep you as up to date as possible on the future of this treasured ship as a top hotel. Find out more on The QE2 Dubai Facebook page

 Pictured: screenshot from the new QE2 website – http://www.qe2.com

 

EXPERT CHEFS TO DEMONSTRATE LATEST TRENDS IN F&B IN THE KINGDOM AT HOTEL SHOW

The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia is returning to Jeddah for its 6^th annual edition next week and various live kitchens will be set up across the show floor demonstrating the latest local and international products and trends in F&B.

The Inter-Hotel Culinary Competition is returning for its highly-anticipated second edition, endorsed by WORLDCHEFS, The Saudi Arabian Chefs Association and Culinary Partner Unilever Food Solutions. Meanwhile Unilevers’ stand will have its own dedicated kitchen where various new products and recipes will be revealed to the Saudi market for live demonstrations.

Chef Jean Van Der Westhuizen, Executive Chef Middle East, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who will be cooking up a storm at the Unilever showcase at the event, commented: “The Saudi food industry grows differently to other markets. There has always been a growing popularity for importing international brands into the Kingdom and we can see that these have started to adapt more closely to the unique needs of Saudi Arabian diners.

“We want to cater to the specific needs of the customers in HORECA and their guests. Being at The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia gives us the opportunity to interact with the industry to identify their needs and wants, and share the latest local and international trends and insights.

“We are seeing that owners and managers of high-end hotels, restaurants, and business class travel are searching to enhance their guest experience through high quality natural flavors, and they also care about every detail of service. Pure Leaf, a premium tea brand, popular in the United States, is a great fit for this purpose.

“Less sugar-based beverages are increasingly important. Thus our launch of Lipton Freshly Brewed Ice Tea offers great alternatives to soft drinks to the more health conscious diner.”

Pictured: Chef Jean Van Der Westhuizen, Executive Chef Middle East, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Unilever Food Solutions will be cooking up a storm at the Unilever stand at The Hotel Show in Jeddah

Unilever will also use The Hotel Show as a platform to highlight its latest innovation in its foods portfolio with ‘Knorr Tomato Powder’ – a product which transform 88 dehydrated tomatoes into 6.7 litres of rich tomato sauce in just one minute. The sauce is an innovative solution for Chefs delivering less wastage, more yield per pack, savings with storage space, and provides a highly versatile ingredient for use in many dishes.

The Unilever Food Solutions team will also share its latest, specialist advice for Ramadan at the Jeddah event, focusing on inspirational buffet recipes, monitoring dish consumption to manage costs, and reducing waste, to name a few.

See the latest trends in food and beverages in the Kingdom at The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2018 at the Unilever Food Solutions stand E98 and the second edition of The Inter-Hotel Culinary Competition – featuring the Chefs working behind the scenes at some of the Kingdom’s leading hotels – 10-12^th April 2018 at the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events.

Find out more and register to attend The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2018 for free at: www.thehotelshowsaudiarabia.com

 

TOURIST BOOM PROPELS MIDDLE EAST ABOVE EUROPE IN TERMS OF PLANNED HOTEL ROOM OPENINGS

The Middle East’s tourist boom shows no sign of slowing – as new figures reveal the region has overtaken Europe in regards to the number of new hotel rooms in the pipeline.

According to ‘The Middle East Hotel Construction Overview’ report by TOPHOTELPROJECTS – prepared ahead of this year’s editions of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia (10-12^th April 2018) and The Hotel Show Dubai (16-18^th September 2018) – the Middle East is set to add 238,963 new hotel rooms to its current supply, the majority of which will open in the next five years.

There are 214,743 guest rooms set to open in Europe, putting the Middle East ahead of its neighboring region – despite Europe having more new hotel builds in the pipeline.

Ray Tinston, Portfolio Director of The Hotel Show events, said: “This new report reveals the extent to which the room to project ratio for Middle Eastern hospitality projects is considerably higher than average.

“Hospitality here is synonymous with luxury, opulence and pushing boundaries in terms of scale, magnitude and grandeur. As five star developments and mega resorts continue to dominate its construction pipeline, it’s not surprising that this region has an extraordinary number of rooms in development, even higher than compared with regions with a larger amount of individual hotel projects.”

The UAE (222 projects / 126,576 rooms) and Saudi Arabia (143 projects / 55,810 rooms) are the two most active countries for hospitality development in the Middle East.

An even clearer indicator of continued growth for the region is its having more hotel rooms on the way than South America and Africa combined.

“Dubai continues to lead the global hospitality industry in terms of innovation,” said Tinston. “The world’s tallest hotel has just opened here, and it is due to welcome the first hotel in the world with its own rainforest. Developers here continue to push boundaries – it’s a very exciting market.”

Pictured: Gevora Hotel – the tallest hotel in the world – recently opened on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road

The region’s strong placing is being attributed to substantial growth across its major countries. Saudi Arabia, for example, is in the midst of widespread change in line with the governments’ Saudi Vision 2030 – with a focus on improving its position as a destination for tourism.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts currently operates 11 hotels across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has five hotel projects under development in its major cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, Al Khobar – popular with leisure tourists with its coastal location – and industrial city Wa’ad Al Shamal.

Marc Descrozaille, President Middle East & Africa, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, said: “Saudi Arabia is not only home to the Gulf’s largest population, with more than 33 million residents and a robust domestic tourism market, but has become the focal point for government and international investment, based on economic diversification plans designed to secure its long-term prosperity.

“We continue to seek more opportunities to expand our footprint in Saudi Arabia, given its long-term business, investment and tourism prospects. New cities, bigger airports, major leisure-focused tourism attractions and new visa rules are all part of the plan to put the Kingdom on the global tourism map. Saudi’s big-picture plans for development will benefit the hospitality market and the economy at large.”

Pictured: Upcoming hotel opening for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mövenpick Hotel Heraa Jeddah

The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2018 is set to return to the Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events next month (10-12^th April 2018) for its sixth edition, with highlights including its highly anticipated ‘Inter-Hotel Culinary Competition’ endorsed by WORLDCHEFS, The Saudi Arabian Chefs Association and Culinary Partner, Unilever Food Solutions.

Hundreds of global brands will showcase the latest products and services designed for the hospitality industry from interiors to technology to thousands of hoteliers and restaurateurs in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the 19^th edition of The Hotel Show Dubai will take place 16-18^th September 2018 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Its world-renowned live features including The Middle East Housekeepers League of Champions and The Middle East Hospitality Leadership Forum, are set to return in a big way for 2018.

Find out more about The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2018 and The Hotel Show Dubai 2018 at: www.thehotelshowsaudiarabia.com / www.thehotelshow.com.

Ice hotel opens in Finland inspired by ‘Game of Thrones’

A brand new ice hotel has just opened in Finland designed after the characters, scenes and landscapes in HBO’s epic fantasy drama series ‘Game of Thrones’.

The ‘Lapland Hotel SnowVillage’ has transformed its annual ice hotel experience into a GoT-inspired frozen resort in collaboration with HBO Nordic.

GoT may not hit our screens again until 2019, but fans of the show can experience its colder landscapes (the Wall and the place beyond…anyone?) at the hotel for a limited time as summer is coming! The seasonal resort is only open until April 8th of this year.

Come face to face with GoT’s iconic ‘White Walkers’ in the form of giant ice sculptures and experience some of the more memorable features from the show such as the ‘Hall of Faces’ or a dragon, shaped in to a slide!

Located in Kittilä, within the Lapland region, just over an hour’s flight from Helsinki, the impressive hotel took only a month to build from just ice and snow by professional sculptors from the likes of Russia and Poland.

It has 24 rooms and ten suites, each with unique sculptures. Its temperature is on average just 23 degrees Fahrenheit, but this is warm in comparison to its surroundings at a mere 10 degrees. According to Conde Nast Traveler, the hotel recommends staying just one night, with the option to enjoy the rest of a stay at the ‘SnowVillage’ from one of its warmer cabins close by.

The hotel also encourages day visits, as there is much more on offer at the SnowVillage: reindeer rides, ice sculpture workshops, husky safaris, an ice movie theatre, ice restaurant (with local fare such as reindeer on the menu) and the Ice Bar.

Rooms at the Lapland Hotel SnowVillage start at $200, whilst entry to the SnowVillage for a day is $18. Find out more at: www.laplandhotels.com 

 

 

Nakheel and RIU announce plans for 800-room hotel and water park resort on Dubai’s Deira Islands

Joint venture signs AED385 million deal to build 800-room beachfront hotel and water park

Master developer Nakheel and Spain’s RIU Hotels & Resorts have signed a contract worth AED385 million for the construction of their 800-room, joint venture beachfront resort and water park at Deira Islands in Dubai.

Set for delivery in 2019, the resort, which has a total investment value of AED670 million, will be built by Bin Ladin Contracting Group LLC Dubai, who was chosen from a shortlist of 10 contractors who bid for the project. Construction will be completed in two years.

Nakheel has now awarded almost AED8 billion worth of infrastructure and construction contracts at Deira Islands, with more on the way.

Under the joint venture, Nakheel and RIU Hotels & Resorts will deliver a new hospitality concept for Dubai, offering mid-scale, family-orientated, all-inclusive beachfront accommodation. The resort, RIU’s first in the Middle East, will be one of Dubai’s biggest in terms of hotel rooms.

RIU Hotels & Resorts has almost 100 hotels, with around 45,000 rooms between them, in 19 countries. Together, these welcome over four million guests a year and provide jobs for nearly 27,000 people. RIU is one of the most popular hotel chains in the Caribbean and the second largest in Spain in terms of revenue.

Nakheel Chairman, Ali Rashid Lootah, said: “Today marks a key milestone for the Nakheel Hospitality, Deira Islands and Dubai. Our first international joint venture will bring a new dimension to Dubai’s hospitality offering by providing a new concept in accommodation and attracting a new market segment to the emirate. The RIU resort at Deira Islands is a shining example of our commitment to delivering a diverse range of tourism-related projects that will help the government achieve its 2020 tourism targets, and I look forward to seeing this exciting resort come to fruition.”

Joan Trian, RIU’s Financial Director, said: “Today we are a step closer to the opening of our first hotel in Dubai. We are sure that our loyal clients will want to explore the new offerings of the city with us, and we look forward to attracting new customers to our joint venture hotel, too. Nakheel has proven to be the best partner for our entry in to the Middle East market, and we hope it is the first of other projects to come. In fact, this is a great step forward in our long-term expansion strategy in the Middle East and South East Asia”.

Located on a prime beachfront plot at Nakheel’s new, 15.3 sq km Deira Islands coastal city, the resort features seven food and beverage outlets, three swimming pools, a fitness complex, children’s club and water park. Nearby is Deira Central, Nakheel’s sprawling mixed-use community with the upcoming Deira Mall as its centrepiece. Deira Islands Night Souk is also within easy reach.

The joint venture is one of 16 projects in Nakheel’s AED5 billion hospitality expansion programme, under which some 6,000 new rooms and hotel apartments will be delivered across Dubai in line with the Government of Dubai’s tourism vision.

Deira Islands, which is expected to have a population of 250,000 and to create 80,000 jobs, will add 40km of coastline to Dubai.

Find out more: www.nakheel.com and www.riu.com

WORLD’S FIRST GUITAR-SHAPED HOTEL TO OPEN IN FLORIDA IN 2019

This one is really cool…

Upon its completion in 2019, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood (not as in LA, but a city on Florida’s east coast, between Fort Lauderdale and Miami) will be the world’s first building shaped like a guitar.

Over 35-stories-tall, the hotel and resort – currently under construction – will boast more than 1,200 rooms and Bora Bora-style villas surrounded by water.

“Not only do you have all these individual lagoons that you can swim through, but literally rooms submerged in water, where you can stay in overnight with butler service…waterways and canals and lazy rivers – just a lot of fun stuff,” James F. Allen, Chairman at Hard Rock International, commented to reporters at a guitar-smashing (literally – a tradition for Hard Rock venues) launch event with famous musicians in attendance, recently held at the resort.

The iconic new project is an expansion of the popular existing Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino which will nearly double its current size. The US $1.5 billion renovation includes doubling the size of the casino and in time, demolishing its current nightlife venue – Hard Rock Live – to make way for a brand-new, state-of-the-art, 7,000 seat venue.

The visionary guitar hotel structure is the vision of Allen, who is also longtime CEO of Seminole Gaming.

“It will be the first building in the world that’s truly to scale designed as an authentic guitar,” he added.

“So it’s not just an exterior facade, the curving of the building will be identical to an authentic guitar. We think the building itself will be must-see attraction.”

As well as getting to marvel at the hotel’s avant-garde shape, guests will have the opportunity to experience its 41,000-square foot spa as well as several restaurants and lounges. A 10-acre complex at its base will offer beach club dining, watersports, private cabanas with plunge pools, multiple waterfalls, and more.

Find out more: www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com

2018 FORECAST AS BUSY YEAR FOR UAE HOTEL OPENINGS WITH 83 NEW PROJECTS SET TO LAUNCH

As the region’s largest and longest-standing hospitality event draws to a close for 2017, forecasters have revealed that 2018 is expected be hugely eventful for the UAE’s hospitality industry – with no less than 83 new hotels set to open.

The latest Middle East and Africa Hotel Construction report by TOPHOTELPROJECTS –  commissioned by The Hotel Show Dubai 2017, the 18^th edition of which concludes today (20^th September 2017) at the Dubai World Trade Centre – has identified the UAE as being the busiest country for hotel construction in the Middle East and Africa.

The region currently has more than 200 hotel projects in the pipeline, with Dubai (164 projects), Abu Dhabi (25 projects) and Ras al Khaimah (12 projects) seen as the busiest areas for hotel construction in the UAE. Of these properties, 83 will open next year.

Some of the most anticipated hotel openings include Dubai’s Rosemont Hotel and Residences, Curio Collection by Hilton (730 rooms) and Fairmont Abu Dhabi Marina Hotel & Residences (812 rooms).

“The spotlight is firmly on the hospitality industry in this region, particularly the UAE,” commented Gary Williams, Event Director of The Hotel Show, part of the dmg events hospitality portfolio which also includes The Leisure Show and the Middle East Hospitality Awards – which have all run in Dubai this week to massive success.

“We have welcomed more regional and international guests to our events this week than ever before in our 18-year history serving this market, some of which have massive expansion plans for the region, covering hundreds of hotels.

“Some of the business deals orchestrated at our shows this week have been unprecedented, and this just goes to illustrate once more how continually forward-thinking and how constantly growing the hospitality market is in this part of the world. With experts revealing that hotel openings are going to galvanise the market from 2018, we are set to provide the industry with an even larger showcase of the best products and insights.”

Event organisers have today revealed the dates for next year’s The Hotel Show Dubai and The Leisure Show Dubai. Both will take place 16-18^th September 2018.

In making that announcement, the event organisers also unveiled how both shows will be brought to life with more live features than ever before.

Following on from the huge success of its debut running in 2017, The Middle East Housekeepers League of Champions will once again pit the region’s exceptional pool of background staff against one another in The Hotel Show’s timed contest to clean-up ransacked guest rooms, which attracted an incredible 28 different teams for its inaugural hosting.

The Middle East Hospitality Leadership Forum – which itself drew capacity crowds to every discussion at this year’s show – will return too, maintaining the same quality caliber of speakers which included Issam Kazim, CEO, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM).

At The Leisure Show, new features will include The Landscaping Competition, The Outdoor Furniture Showcase and Everything Golf – the latter geared at providing all the equipment vital to developing and maintaining the region’s unparalleled golf offering.

The ever-popular Fit Hub will bring live gym sessions back to the Dubai World Trade Centre once more, while the Pool and Spa Conference will gather leading professionals to dissect both the challenges and opportunities facing one of the Middle East’s fastest growing industries.

To find out more about the 2018 editions of The Hotel Show and The Leisure Show, please access: www.thehotelshow.com and www.theleisureshow.com