UAE: Rove Hotels Are For The Modern Nomad Who Roams Freely

Rove Trade Centre is the fourth property to open under Rove Hotels, a contemporary lifestyle brand.

Next to the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Rove Hotels property is seated at the juncture of Dubai’s thriving business centres, both old and new.

Walking distance from Dubai Metro, Rove Trade Centre offers easy access to Downtown Dubai, DIFC, City Walk and the Satwa neighbourhood

With its unique design, Rove Trade Centre has 270 rooms, 30% of them interconnecting.

Rove Hotels, the contemporary lifestyle brand by Emaar Hospitality Group, has unveiled its fourth hotel, with a focus on the fast-growing meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism sector of Dubai.

The home-grown Dubai hotel brand continues to offer strong value for business and leisure travellers, as Rove Trade Centre joins the portfolio of three other operational properties under Rove Hotels, Rove Downtown, Rove City Centre and Rove Healthcare City, all enjoying strong occupancy levels.

Six more Rove Hotels are being developed, also in strategic locations across the city, each meeting the needs of visitors from across the world seeking value lifestyle experiences in Dubai.

This will take the total number of rooms under Rove Hotels, developed as a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Meraas Holding, a Dubai-based holding company, to over 3,700 by 2020.

Rove Trade Centre, as the name underlines, is defined by its location next to the Dubai World Trade Centre, which has an impressive calendar of big events throughout the year.

Moreover, the new hotel is only 10 minutes away from the Dubai International Airport, and near the Dubai International Financial Centre, Rove Trade Centre is situated at the intersection of the two commercial hubs of the city, the traditional hubs of Bur Dubai and the fast-emerging new central business district.

Offering a design-influenced lifestyle experience for value-conscious business travellers.

Rove Trade Centre has 270 rooms and will also appeal to leisure travellers who can access Dubai’s leading tourism, retail, food and beverage, and leisure destinations such as Downtown Dubai, City Walk and the Satwa/Jafiliya and Karama neighbourhoods.

Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: Rove Hotels addresses a very clear industry requirement.

The need to offer contemporary lifestyle hospitality experiences for value conscious business and leisure travelers visiting the city.

We will continue to develop hotels in central locations, assure hyper-connectivity and mobility through Metro and public transport, and deliver lifestyle amenities that are relevant to our guests.

He added: Rove Trade Centre, like all other operating Rove Hotels, also brings a unique positioning to the market.

Dubai’s MICE sector is reporting robust growth, and with the preparations of Expo 2020 gaining momentum, the city is welcoming business professionals who are discerning yet value conscious.

Rove Trade Centre is uniquely positioned for welcoming MICE visitors as well as business guests and leisure travellers offering them the distinct Rove experience, complemented by its central location and tech-driven environment.

As with all Rove Hotels, Rove Trade Centre also has its own unique design, and it employs art to tell stories that offer Instagrammable moments throughout the hotel.

Of the 270 rooms, 30 percent are interconnected, adding the convenience of families. Every room has a 48-inch interactive TV screen with a smart media hub that serves as the perfect fit for the tech-savvy traveller.

Free Wi-Fi access, comfortable mattresses, sofa beds for extra guests, mini-fridge, safety locker and a modern bathroom with power rain showers are standard.

With the needs of business guests in mind, Rove Trade Centre offers smart services for the modern traveller including the convenience of late check-out at 2pm.

A 24-hour gym, a welcoming pool and sun deck cultivate a relaxing ambience.

The hotel also has a 24-hour self-service Laundromat, boutique convenience store, luggage store rooms and safety deposit boxes, all adding to the independent lifestyle of its guests.

Rove Trade Centre also feature the much-admired all-day neighbourhood hangout at Rove Hotels properties, with quality coffee and healthy globally inspired food served till late.

The hotel also offers flexible set-ups for meetings and events with well-connected meeting rooms. Guests can choose their space of choice for meetings and networking events which can be booked by the hour.

A Pit Stop is also offered for more relaxed gatherings. The Daily is available for lunch during meetings. Coffee, tea and water are complimentary.

Rove Hotels are for the modern nomad who roams freely, and is interested in exploring the city’s identity, as well as for those who travel for business or leisure.



Tourism Observer

EGYPT: Address Marassi Beach Resort Offers Waterfront Lifestyle By The Mediterranean

140-room Address Marassi Beach Resort is among 14 upcoming Address Hotels + Resorts

A part of Emaar Misr’s Marassi, hotel project has an idyllic location overlooking the turquoise waters of Sidi Abdel Rahman Bay

Address Marassi Beach Resort, the second hotel project by Emaar Hospitality Group in Egypt, is redefining the standards of world-class hospitality with its idyllic waterfront location by the Mediterranean Sea, overlooking the turquoise waters of the Sidi Abdel Rahman Bay.

An integral part of Marassi, the master-planned touristic and residential development by Emaar Misr, Address Marassi Beach Resort was unveiled earlier this year at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.

Featuring only 140 luxury rooms and suites, along the North Coast of El Alamein, the hotel is one of the 14 upcoming projects under Address Hotels + Resorts, the premium luxury hotel and serviced residences brand of Emaar Hospitality Group.

With five operational hotels in Dubai, Address Hotels + Resorts has positioned its properties as a choice perfect for business, leisure and group travellers.

Positioning its messaging as Where life happens, Address offers a more personal and engaging experience to guests in a premium lifestyle environment, enriching the lives of its guests with luxury, style and elegance.

Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: Address Marassi Beach Resort is one of our prestigious international developments set along the Mediterranean coast and integrating the assorted lifestyle amenities of a central marina.

The hotel is designed and developed to high standards of design and quality, and focuses on providing memorable holiday and leisure experiences for our guests.

Bringing the brand values of gracious hospitality, exceptional service and unique value for guests.

Address Marassi Beach Resort will further energise tourism to Marassi and contribute to the national economy supporting the development vision of the government.

Address Marassi Beach Resort offers spectacular views of the waterfront with its interiors radiating contemporary elegance that uses earth-tone colours.

Rough stone work, warm wood textures and smooth transparent glass contrast throughout the hotel to present dramatic finishes.

The grounds are landscaped with creativity and sensitivity. A full range of experiences are provided from quiet sitting areas, private function spaces and interesting, meandering paths dotted with features.

Emaar Hospitality Group is also operating Address Marassi Golf Resort + Spa in Egypt, which will offer 49 luxurious and spacious rooms and suites overlooking the 18-hole golf course.

Strongly influenced by classic Tuscan-style architectural features, the luxury resort will have restaurants, a spa and pool.

Part of the project is Address Residences Marassi Golf Resort + Spa with only 68 Tuscan-style serviced residences and a further 20 branded residences benefiting from onsite restaurants, health spa, fitness club and swimming pool.

A true Mediterranean destination, Marassi is accessible from the Burj El Arab and El Alamein airports, both of which offer direct connections to major European cities.

The resort has a marina, golf course, and daycare facilities.

The first phase of the Marassi Beach Clubhouse is already open to the public. Emaar Misr has also completed the renovation of the historical Alamein Hotel, which has boosted the number of tourists to the region.

The upcoming international footprint of Address Hotels + Resorts includes: Jabal Omar Address Makkah in Saudi Arabia; Address Istanbul and Address Residences Emaar Square Istanbul in Turkey; and Address Marassi Al Bahrain.

Emaar also owns and manages a portfolio of hospitality assets and under Vida Hotels and Resorts, an upscale lifestyle hotel and residences brand; and Rove Hotels, a contemporary midscale hotel and residences brand.



Tourism Observer

UAE: Emaar Hospitality Group Wins Microsoft Dynamics Digital Transformation Award

The award was given in the hospitality category at a special awards ceremony that recognised the UAE’s most innovative organisations in the field of digital transformation.

The Microsoft Dynamics Digital Transformation Awards, held during Microsoft’s Digital Transformation Awareness Month, recognised those playing a leading role in driving successful digitisation initiatives that lead to better engagement of customers, empowered employees, optimised operations and reinvented products and services.

Judges assessed the achievements of several digital trend-setters that had used Microsoft solutions such as Dynamics 365, the Azure cloud, Office 365 and Power BI to propel their organisations to startling new performance heights.

Under strong consideration was the extent to which each candidate had reinvented their business models through digitization and how they had positively impacted their industry.

The nomination process was conducted through a Microsoft survey, which allowed customers the opportunity to describe an innovative project implemented using Microsoft technology solutions.

Each project was scored on key performance indicators such as customer satisfaction, loyalty, employee productivity, operational efficiency and product or service transformation.

The nominations were split into industry categories: retail, banking, government, hospitality, education, health, energy and entertainment.

Emaar Hospitality Group, won the hospitality category in recognition of driving digital transformation using Microsoft Dynamics solutions that enhances customer service standards, promotes employee efficiency and contributes to improved business outcome.

Emaar Hospitality Group is implementing Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM across all hotels under Address Hotels + Resorts, Vida Hotels and Resorts, and Rove Hotels with the goal of enhancing guest satisfaction.

Assuring a holistic and detailed 360-degree perspective of guest and prospect profiles, interactions, history, and other relevant information.

The innovation solution streamlines and integrates sales, guest services and marketing functions that contribute to increased productivity.

Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said Digital innovation is central to our operational strategy to enhance the customer service experience while achieving higher levels of operational efficiency.

This is part of an organisation-wide digital transformation, steered through three key projects.

The wealth of information about guests, gained from Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM, helps drive cross-selling and up-selling, and improving their guest experience – in turn building our brand loyalty and reputation.

Today, we celebrate the successes of our technology champions, as they reap benefits of digital transformation, said Sayed Hashish, General Manager, Microsoft Gulf.

The UAE has always shown the innovative side of humankind. From soaring skyscrapers to cutting-edge, government e-services, people and organisations here lead the way in building better communities.

The customers we honour today are prime examples of those that have taken the digital plunge, and made great leaps forward using the intelligent cloud and the intelligent edge.

Emaar Hospitality Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, one of the world’s most valuable real estate development companies with proven competencies in property, shopping malls and retail as well as hospitality and leisure.

The group owns and manages a portfolio of hospitality assets and brands including Address Hotels + Resorts, a premium luxury hotel and residences brand; Vida Hotels and Resorts, an upscale lifestyle hotel and residences brand; and Rove Hotels, a contemporary midscale hotel and residences brand.

Emaar Hospitality Group is expanding its portfolio to international markets along with plans to introduce its brands in key gateway cities and tourist destinations in Europe, Middle East and India.

Emaar Hospitality Group was created in 2007 and owns and manages a diversified portfolio of hospitality assets in addition to its hotel brands including serviced residences, golf retreats, a yacht club, a polo and equestrian club, and a comprehensive portfolio of Lifestyle Dining restaurants.




Tourism Observer

EGYPT: Emaar’s Vida Hotels And Resorts Developing The Vida Marassi Marina 120 Room Facility

Emaar Hospitality Group has launched Vida Marassi Marina to yachting and marina enthusiasts in Egypt.

The property will form part of an upcoming hotel project in Marassi, a master-planned lifestyle and tourism destination by Emaar Misr set by the scenic Sidi Abdel Rahman Bay.

Vida Marassi Marina by Emaar Hospitality Group marks the first project under its Vida Hotels and Resorts brand in Egypt, and marks the third hotel project by the Group in the country.

The other hotel projects by Emaar Hospitality Group in Egypt, also located in Marassi, are Address Marassi Beach Resort and Address Marassi Golf Resort + Spa.

The latter hotels are operated by Address Hotels + Resorts, the premium luxury hotel and serviced residences brand.

The Vida Marassi Marina will have 120 elegantly designed hotel rooms and suites offering marina views, and access to a range of lifestyle amenities including yacht club, berthing (accommodation for ships in berths) and others.

An array of amenities including restaurants, meeting facilities, outdoor pools and decks, add to the lifestyle choice of guests.

Olivier Harnisch, chief executive of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: Vida Marassi Marina is a sterling addition to our portfolio of three hotel projects now in Egypt, all within the spectacular community of Marassi.

This new project upholds the brand values of Vida, and will be a catalyst for leisure tourism to Marassi and Egypt with its direct access to the yacht club and berthing facilities.

With marina enthusiasts seeking newer and innovative experiences, the new upscale lifestyle hotel project is uniquely positioned to offer them an elegant destination of choice.

Vida Marassi Marina celebrates the differentiating brand philosophy of Vida Hotels & Resorts, the upscale lifestyle hotel brand.

Targeting the new generation of business executives, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers, the hotel is positioned as a lively and vibrant hub where inspiring minds can create, connect and come alive.

Typical of the brand, with Vida meaning ‘life’ in Spanish, Vida Marassi Marina too embraces warmth, simplicity and creativity in a design-inspired space.

Celebrating a striking contemporary architecture, Vida Marassi Marina will have a fashion-forward interior concept with vast open spaces that exude natural light.

A neutral colour palette is followed to create a fresh feel for the interiors while state-of-the-art technology ensures seamless connectivity.

Offering a retreat-like ambience, the hotel project will stand out for exceptional landscaping that complements its marina-front location.

In addition to wellness facilities and meeting rooms, Vida Marassi Marina will bring themed restaurants.



Tourism Observer

UAE: Emaar Hospitality To Open 6 New Hotels

The hospitality and leisure business of Emaar Properties has unveiled six new hotel projects as part of its regional and international expansion plans, at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2017.

The new hotels and serviced residences in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Egypt add to a portfolio of upcoming properties under the three hotel brands of Emaar Hospitality Group – the premium luxury Address Hotels + Resorts, the upscale lifestyle Vida Hotels and Resorts, and the contemporary midscale Rove Hotels.

In 2016, Emaar recorded revenue AED 1.68 bn –14% more than in 2015. Average occupancy rates are 85%, and its properties have a Premium of 36% in average daily rates over their top peers.

With 10 operational hotels and three serviced residences already, Emaar Hospitality Group now has a pipeline of 26 upcoming projects, a testament to the home-grown competencies of the Group and its expansion strategy to operate hotels in key locations in high-growth markets.

Announcing the new projects at a press conference in Dubai, Olivier Harnisch, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hospitality Group, said the Group’s expansion is underpinned by a commitment to deliver superior guest experiences through distinctively branded properties in key markets globally.

“We are marking our tenth decade of operation this year, and in such a short span of time, we have established our reputation as a home-grown Dubai hospitality group with a fast-growing regional and international footprint. The upcoming properties highlight our competencies as a hotel and serviced residences operator, committed to delivering guest-centric lifestyle experiences.”

“We have recorded a positive growth year in 2016 and continue to build on the success, with the launch of new properties including Address Boulevard and three Rove Hotels in a span of just nine months, all in Dubai.

This demonstrates our focus on not only serving the luxury hospitality market of the city but also to create distinctive brand experiences that appeal to the new millennials and next generation of travellers,” added Harnisch.

Emaar Hospitality Group’s track-record – with average daily rates and occupancy levels higher than industry average – reflects the strong growth of Dubai’s tourism and hospitality sector, said Harnisch. “The Dubai Tourism Vision and Expo 2020 Dubai are strong drivers of growth for the industry, and we will continue to drive our expansion and create a truly world-class infrastructure for visitors to Dubai.”

New projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Egypt

Emaar Hospitality Group’s new projects include Address Dubai Creek Harbour and Address Residences Dubai Creek Harbour in Dubai, which will serve as a vibrant hospitality and leisure hub within Dubai Creek Harbour, the 6 sq km mega-development anchored by the iconic new Tower, designed by Santiago Calatrava. The project opens to spectacular views of the waterfront and the Downtown Dubai skyline.

Also under Address Hotels + Resorts are the new Address Marassi Beach Resort and Address Residences Marassi Beach Resort, which are part of the beachfront Marassi master-planned development by Emaar Misr in Egypt.

Emaar Hospitality Group has already signed a management contract to operate Address Marassi Golf Resort + Spa in the same master-development. These add to the upcoming projects of Address Hotels + Resorts in Dubai, Fujairah, Bahrain and Turkey.

Four new projects will be operated under the Vida Hotels and Resorts brand. These include the Vida Dubai Creek Harbour, Vida Dubai Marina and Vida Residences Dubai Marina. Further, Vida Hotels and Resorts marks its expansion to Abu Dhabi with the management contract to operate Vida Beach Reem Island Abu Dhabi and Vida Residences Beach Reem Island Abu Dhabi, both for Aldar Properties.

Having already expanded with hotel management contracts in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Vida Hotels and Resorts is further strengthening its international portfolio with Vida Marassi Marina and Vida Residences Marassi Marina in Egypt.

Emaar Hospitality Group plans to expand its footprint to other high-growth markets as well as gateway cities such as India and China, and other global gateway cities for the group.

“While we are focused on international markets, we are also growing our footprint in the UAE to meet the burgeoning demand for hotel rooms – in the luxury, upscale and midscale segments,” said Harnisch.

This is reflected in the recent opening of Address Boulevard, the first city lifestyle resort under the portfolio of Address Hotels + Resorts, and three Rove Hotels – Rove Downtown, Rove City Centre and Rove Healthcare City. The Group is on course to open Rove Trade Centre shortly as well as drive the roll-out of six more hotels in Dubai Marina and Dubai Parks and Resorts, among others.

The current portfolio of hotels by Emaar Hospitality Group in Dubai includes Address Boulevard, Address Dubai Mall, Address Montgomerie, Address Dubai Marina, Palace Downtown, Vida Downtown, Manzil Downtown, Rove Downtown, Rove City Centre and Rove Healthcare City.

“An award-winning hospitality and leisure provider, our commitment is to surpass guest expectations. In addition to expanding our portfolio, we are driving the digital transformation of our services to create added value for our guests.

Our projects are showcased at ATM 2017 and we look forward to strengthening our partnerships at this premier event, and to highlight our focus on doubling our portfolio by 2020,” concluded Harnisch.


Tourism Observer

SAUDI ARABIA: 1,490 Rooms And Suites To Open In Mecca 2019 Close To Grand Mosque

Emaar Hospitality Group has signed a deal with Jabal Omar Development to operate a new Address Hotels + Resorts project in Mecca, close to the Grand Mosque.

The Jabal Omar Address Makkah property will have 1,490 hotel rooms and suites – some of which will be available for freehold purchase. It is scheduled to open in 2019.

Jabal Omar is a listed developer of a master planned series of tower clusters within walking distance of the Grand Mosque that will contain more than 2 million square metres of four and five-star hotels.

The first phase is already complete, and contains Hilton and Marriott Hotels.

Thus far, the site has been developed over four phases, but in March this year Jabal Omar announced that it had been granted permission from the Makkah Region Development Authority to increase the size of its project site by 42 per cent to 167 hectares.

It said the increase would allow it to build fifth, sixth and seventh phases.

Emaar Hospitality said that the project would be the first Address Hotels and Resorts site in Saudi Arabia, although Emaar’s Saudi subsidiary, Emaar Middle East, had previously developed 316 serviced apartments within the nearby Makkah Clock Tower development, but these are operated by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. They were completed in 2013.

We are honoured to mark the expansion of Address Hotels + Resorts, the premium luxury hotel brand under Emaar Hospitality Group, to Saudi Arabia with the signing of this important management contract with Jabal Omar Development Company, said Mohamed Alabbar, the chairman of Emaar Properties.

As an iconic development situated near the Grand Mosque, Jabal Omar Address Makkah will appeal to visitors from across the world.

Yasser Faisal Al Sharif, the Jabal Omar chief executive, said: By choosing a brand that has its roots in the region, we are confident of delivering a hospitality choice that will support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to promote religious and cultural experiences.

Figures published by the hospitality consultancy STR yesterday confirmed that Saudi Arabia is the fastest-growing hospitality market in the region, with 40,145 rooms under development across 95 projects.

According to property consultancy Colliers International, the supply of hotel rooms in the holy city is expected to grow by 150 per cent by the end of 2019.

The number of rooms stood at 14,675 by the end of the first quarter of this year, but this is predicted to grow to 36,758 by the end of 2019.

UAE: Emaar Hospitality’s The Address Downtown DubaiTo Re-open Next Year

Emaar Hospitality Group’s The Address Downtown will re-open around mid-2017, said Chris Newman, Corporate Director of Operations during his recent visit to Mumbai. The property was shutdown after a fire broke out during New Year ’s Eve celebration last year. This is the first announcement on re-opening the iconic property. Speaking at the Emaar Hospitality Group roadshow held at Four Seasons Mumbai, he also stated that this year the Group will witness the opening of Dubai Opera around October.

Talking about the business, Newman said, “It (hotel industry) is not getting any easier, so we need to stay on our toes. For the products that we already have, we need to invest in and make them even better.”

He added that The Palace Downtown Dubai and The Address, Dubai Mall will undergo renovation next year. Also, in 2017, the group will also witness completion of The Address Residences Sky View, which is scheduled for March.