UAE: Sofitel Signs Big Property Middle East In Dubai

Sofitel has signed its largest property in the Middle East with development partner MKM Commercial Holdings LLC: the Sofitel Dubai Wafi, which is expected to open in early 2019.

Sofitel Dubai Wafi will feature 501 luxury guestrooms, inclusive of 86 suites, ranging in size from 55-625m2, in addition to 97 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom serviced residences to be operated on an extended-stay basis.

The property will offer a number of dining concepts including an Asian speciality restaurant, gastro pub, a destination restaurant, bar and lounge on the 43rd and 44th floors, a French lobby café, an all-day restaurant and a pool bar.

It will have a SoSpa facility, a comprehensive gymnasium, outdoor pools, private cabanas and a kids club. Business travellers will have access to 10 meeting rooms in addition to a 1,115m2 ballroom.

Located right next to the Raffles Dubai, also owned by MKM Commercial Holdings, the properties will offer some facilities on a cluster level.

AccorHotels has 39 existing properties in the UAE, in addition to 23 others under development. In the Middle East and Egypt, AccorHotels currently operates 96 hotels encompassing 28,800 rooms across the luxury to economy segments.

The Group’s regional network is expected to double in number, bringing over 25,000 additional rooms and nearly 2,400 branded residences to the Middle East.

Paramount Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to start developing Paramount Residences Doha The Pearl, marking the group's first appearance in Qatar.

Paramount Residences Doha is located on the Pearl Doha, and will be developed by Regency Group Holding and Paramount Hotels & Resorts together.

The property is set to open during the fourth quarter of 2018 and will consist of 275 units comprising studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom residences, including four duplex units.

Development amenities feature Paramount Hotel & Resorts signature elements including a California-inspired pool deck destination, work & play suites, a screening room, wellness & fitness centre, kids studio club and The Vault, a branded merchandise store also offering products from selected partners.

"Most people know the famous Paramount Pictures logo, with the mountain and 22 stars, and they also watched many of the iconic movies the studio has produced. The hotels, resorts and residences produced by PHR FZ-LLC will be developed using the creative process honed over Paramount’s 100-year history,” said Thomas van Vliet, CEO, PHR FZ-LLC, in a statement.

Hotel apartment Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana in Abu Dhabi has completed its AED 50 million (US$ 13.6 million) renovation project, marking the occasion with a relaunch ceremony attended by Rotana senior executives and dignitaries.

The completed renovation encompasses the property's 288 guestrooms, the main lobby, recreation centre, meeting space and the debut of a new restaurant concept.

With respect to its location, facilities and services, Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana has always been an iconic hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The renovation project was an important step for our owners and for Rotana to provide new levels of accommodation and facilities to our loyal guests and visitors to the city, said general manager Nadim El Zyr.

The renovation programme occurred over three phases, in a case study earlier this year, so as to minimise discomfort and inconvenience to guests.

The first phase saw the completion of Café 302, which was launched in July 2016. Café 302 serves buffet breakfast, an a la carte lunch and dinner, takeaways from its deli counter as well as retail items from around the world.

The second phase saw the completion of the property's 260 square metre meeting space as well as redevelopment of its leisure facilities.

The meeting and banquet facilities are comprised of a ballroom which can accommodate up to 100 guests and two smaller function rooms, ideal for small and medium sized events.

Bodylines Fitness and Wellness Club, Al Maha Arjaan’s recreation facility, has a renewed poolside with Italian marble flooring and new cabanas.

The property's spa doubled in size, with four new massage treatment rooms and a relaxation area, and an upgraded gym has been installed d as a part of the renovation.

The final phase of the renovation involved the property's guestrooms and suites. Each room was upgraded with new furniture, décor and carpets imported from Italy and the UK. New 50-inch TVs and enhanced Wi-Fi coverage have also been installed in all rooms and suites, with new kitchen appliances added to the suites.

We understand our guest mix and took their needs in to consideration early on in the planning. We will certainly try our utmost best to provide our valuable guests a pleasurable experience to remember at the all new Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana”, concluded El Zyr.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi hotels saw differing revenue growth in April, according to new data from STR.

Dubai's revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose by 17.6% while RevPAR in Abu Dhabi fell by 6.5% compared to April 2016.

Dubai hotels had the highest occupancy levels in the Middle East and North Africa region in April, according to a new EY report. The report added that "Dubai city hotels continued to lead in terms of the highest occupancy in the region, recording 88.6% occupancy in March 2017.

Apart from Abu Dhabi, UAE hotels overall saw positive results, with occupancy up by 7.2% to 83.5%, while average daily rates (ADR) increased by 6.3%.

Hotels in other parts of the Middle East saw occupancy rise by 7.3% to 75.7%.

In Kuwait, occupancy levels rose by 16.2% to 69.5% while RevPAR soared by 17.6%. According to STR, this was as a result of Saudi school holidays driving travellers to Kuwait.

STR also reported that Oman saw a 15.4% rise in occupancy to 68.1%, while ADR increased 5.7% and RevPAR rocketed by 22% compared to April 2016.