Hotels

The world’s tallest hotel is now open for business.

The Rose Rayhaan by Rotana hotel is an impressive 333 metres high and offers 482 rooms and suites spread over 72 floors.

It is situated on the Sheikh Zayed Road in the main business district of Dubai, opposite the Financial Centre Metro Station.

The hotel operates under Rotana’s alcohol-free Rayhaan Hotels and Resorts brand and will focus on serving guests from the GCC and local market.

Dubai’s hotels and resorts fared well in a recent survey completed by readers of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

The Emirate dominated the Best Resorts in the Middle East category, occupying the top 4 positions. The Burj Al Arab came first, followed by the Madinat Jumeirah, the One & Only Royal Mirage, and the Ritz Carlton. The Hyatt Regency was ranked 10th.

In the Best Hotels in the Middle East category the Jumeirah Beach Hotel was ranked number one. Other hotels receiving top marks were the Park Hyatt Dubai (3rd), Grand Hyatt Dubai (9th), Jumeirah Emirates Towers (10th), and the Fairmont Dubai (13th).

Over 25,000 readers participated in the survey. The results appear in the November issue of the prestigious magazine.

Depa has won an AED207 million contract to fit out Dubai’s new Conrad hotel.

The Conrad Dubai is a 51-floor hotel on the Sheikh Zayed Road, now scheduled to open in 2011. Conrad Hotels is a luxury hotel brand, operated by Hilton Worldwide.

Depa specialises in fitting and out and furnishing five-star hotels, yachts, restaurants, luxury apartments, and other prestigious properties. The company based in Dubai.

Dubai’s Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa to become the first 5-star hotel in the world to offer the famed Dinner in the Sky Restaurant.

Hailed as one of the most surprising events of the planet by Forbes magazine, Dinner in the Sky brings a whole new way of dining for anyone who wishes to transform an ordinary meal or meeting into a magical moment that will leave a lasting impression on their guests!

22 guests will be hosted at a table suspended up to 50 metres above the beach, allowing them to enjoy stunning aerial views along with great food.

‘We’re extremely happy to be able to announce Dinner in the Sky for our guests,’ said Thomas Kathmann, Director of Food & Beverage at the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa. ‘It really is a unique experience and something you’ll remember for many years to come.’
This new form of dining will be a regular feature at the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Dubai, Jumeirah Beach. In fact, the Habtoor Grand prides itself on being the first 5-star Hotel in the World to have a ‘Dinner in the Sky’ as a regular fixture in its dining options.

‘You will need a bit of a head for heights, but almost all our guests end up really enjoying having their dinner floating high above the ground,’ said Sean Keith, Partner at Event Horizon. ‘You’re safely strapped into your seat, which allows everyone to enjoy the amazing views and unique atmosphere of dining in the sky.’

Starting from 1st October 2009 and running through to the 31st May 2010, regular diners can enjoy this amazing experience. The hotel also expects to attract corporate customers wishing to entertain their clients and hold unique business meetings.

Event Horizon LLC and Mindset Media selected the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa as the venue for the Dinner in the Sky Restaurant, as the hotel enjoys an excellent location, regularly organizes successful events and hosts reputable food & beverage outlets.

The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced plans for a new Park Inn hotel at Dubai Airport Free Zone. It will offer 312 rooms and is scheduled to open in 2012.

Park Inn is a mid-market brand of the Rezidor Hotel Group. Other brands in their portfolio are Radisson, Country Inn, Missoni, and Regent.

Seawings currently have a couple of Ramadan offers on scenic flights over Dubai:

Ramadan Sunset Special

Flight from Dubai Creek to Jebel Ali Hotel including iftar dinner at Jebel Ali Hotel.
Flight time: 18:00 departure from Dubai creek.
Flight duration: 30 mins dock to dock.
Price: 1,125/AED per person

Ramadan Afternoon Special

Flight from Dubai Creek to Dubai Creek including iftar dinner at Park Hyatt Dubai
Flight time: 17:00 Departure from Dubai creek.
Flight duration: 40 mins dock to dock.
Price: 1,225/AED per person

To book visit seawings.ae.

Note: Dubai Online is currently offering readers 10% discount on standard Seawings packages.

Roya International has announced that the Media One Hotel at Dubai Media City will open in October 2009.

The 4-star hotel occupies the lower half of the Media One Tower, a 43-storey tower owned by the Al-Jaber Group. The upper 20 floors of the building will house offices.

A must-experience feast is awaiting the guests at Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa right through the Ramadan month. Located on the pristine Jumeirah Beach, this five star deluxe resort is all set to treat guests to a great mix of traditional fares and modern amenities. This year, the resort is back with its much-celebrated Iftar at Al Dhiyafa and the exotic Ramadan Tent named the ‘Hush Lounge’.

Daily during the fast breaking hour, the resort’s Al Dhiyafa gets lively to welcome guests with a lavish Iftar buffet starting from AED 175 per person inclusive of municipality fees and service charges. The Iftar starts from sunset and continues till 8:00 p.m. It features a fine array of delectable Arabic cuisines, traditional Ramadan juices and much more.

Yet another speciality of the Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, during the month, is its Hush Lounge. Blooming with the magical spirit of the Ramadan season, the Hush Lounge presents a relaxing ambience where guests can spend quality time with their friends and family. The guests are offered a wide assortment of traditional Arabic delicacies, along with the finest selection of sweets, Arabic coffees and a host of shisha flavours, as they unwind till the early hours for Sohour.

Arabian Business reports that the Burj Dubai will open on December 2 2009, UAE National Day.

The Armani Hotel, occupying the lower floors of the building, will open on the same day.

The final piece of glass cladding was manufactured last week and is currently awaiting installation.

IFA Hotels and Resorts (IFAHR) has announced that major building work on the Fairmont Palm Residence has been completed.

The development, on the trunk of the Palm Jumeirah, consists of over 550 deluxe apartments and penthouses. They are housed in 2 buildings, separated by the Fairmont Palm Hotel and Resort.

Full completion is expected in the third quarter of 2009, with handover to owners shortly after.