It’s all about rest and relaxation this week with the opening of two new spas, and historic Jeddah is about to boost its hotel offering with 1800 new rooms!

Campbell Gray Hotels’ Middle East expansion

Campbell Gray Hotels & Resorts, renowned for its bespoke luxury portfolio, has formed a strategic partnership with Valor Hospitality Partners to expand its presence in the Middle East and beyond. The partnership will not only focus of enhancing guest experiences and drive commercial success, but also expand the Campbell Gray brand in key locations. Some of the upcoming projects include The Gray properties in Diriyah in Saudi Arabia and in Egypt.

Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s new look

Jumeirah Beach Hotel has unveiled its newly renovated Al Bahar Villas. The property’s 19 luxurious one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas feature contemporary interiors with earthy tones and organic textures. Guests can look forward to a range of services, including private butlers, access to the Al Bahar Club lounges, Executive pool, as well as complimentary access to the KiDS Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark. Also available to guests are complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, and drinks (2hrs daily), private dining experiences and in-villa spa treatments.

Mercure Hotels’ ‘1,000 hours of local flavours’

Mercure Hotels recently celebrated the opening of its 1,000th hotel, the Mercure Dubai Deira with the launch of their “1,000-Hours of local flavours” initiative, which highlights local cuisine and beverages at select hotels over 42 days. Mercure Dubai Deira is offering special dishes and drinks, such as the “Agarwood Fashioned” cocktail and “Masala Carat Tea,” made with local ingredients. Guests can also participate in cultural activities like traditional weaving workshops and cooking classes.

Real Madrid Brings the Magic to Dubai

Dubai Park and Resorts has unveiled Real Madrid World, the world’s first football-themed park. Spanning six-hectares, the attraction features more than 40 rides and experiences celebrating the legacy of Real Madrid. The grand opening was attended by Real Madrid legends Emilio Butragueño and Roberto Carlos, where they participated in various activities, including football matches with children and meeting fans. Some of the experiences at the park include rides, interactive games, and exhibits documenting the club’s history and trophies. The park also features a dedicated Inclusive Sports Day for people of determination.

Kleindienst Group to add 5000 new rooms to Dubai

Kleindienst Group, the developer behind The Heart of Europe, has announced plans to significantly expand Dubai’s hospitality sector, investing $6 billion to add 5,000 five-star hotel rooms in the city. With the 20 hotels and resorts in the pipeline, this makes the group the largest five-star hotel developer in Dubai. The additional rooms will represent a 10% increase to Dubai’s current five-star hotel room inventory, which stands at 52,750 rooms according to the Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

Diwali upped Dubai hotel occupancy in October

Dubai’s hotel industry experienced a strong October 2024, with occupancy rates reaching their highest level since 2012. This surge was driven by the Diwali festival, which boosted occupancy to 82.2%, increased average daily rates (ADR) by 2.5%, and revenue per available room (RevPAR) by 3.9%. The highest occupancy in the city and RevPAR were recorded on 29 October, while the highest ADR was achieved on Diwali night, October 31st.

JLL to shape the future of hospitality in Makkah

Saudi real estate developer, AlDyar AlArabiya, has partnered with JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group to develop a new hotel within the Masar masterplan in Makkah. JLL will play a crucial role in selecting the optimal hotel operator and negotiating favourable contract terms. At this new hotel, guests can look forward to various accommodation ranging from rooms, suites, and serviced apartments. Also, with retail offerings integrated into the project and its close proximity to a planned mall and the Haramain Railway Station, guests will have easy access to shopping, dining, and transportation.

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Earlier this week

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown opens spa

Hotel Indigo Dubai Downtown has introduced its new spa, Wellbeings, aimed at elevating the wellness experience in the UAE. This innovative spa offers a wide range of treatments, from traditional relaxation therapies including massages and facials to cutting-edge practices such as cryotherapy, IV drip therapy, sound healing, neuro linguistic programming (NLP), halo therapy, and more. Christine Wambui, Guest Experience Manager at Hotel Indigo, shared that their signature treatment, the Couples Experience incolves a cleansing organic scrub in a shared steam and bath, followed by the choice of a 60-minute custom massage and facial.

Oman’s first Guerlain Spa opens

Oman’s first Guerlain Spa has opened its doors at The St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort. Offering a range of signature treatments, including the Imperial Face Sculpt and the Ultimate Black Orchid, guests can choose from a variety of treatments including massages, body scrubs, and specialised therapies for men and expectant mothers. Guests will notice that the spa’s serene ambiance is brought about by a combination of Omani traditions Guerlain’s signature features. The Guerlain Spa also offers a membership program that provides exclusive benefits, including discounted spa services and access to workshops led by expert therapists.

Hawar Resort by Mantis set to open in December 2024

Hawar Resort by Mantis, a luxurious eco-conscious resort, is close to completion. Located on Bahrain’s pristine Hawar Island, the resort’s 102 accommodation options including rooms and overwater villas, have been designed to blend seamlessly with the island’s natural beauty. Guests can look forward to enjoying a variety of activities, from water sports and the Bear Grylls Survival Academy to spa treatments and fine dining. With the final touches underway, this eco-luxury destination is set to welcome its first visitors in late December 2024.

Historic Jeddah to get 1,800 hotel rooms

Al-Balad Development Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund has announced a significant project to revitalise the historic district of Jeddah with the aim to transform the area into a vibrant hub for tourism, culture, and commerce. The company plans to develop 1,800 hotel rooms, 9,000 housing units, and more than 1M sqm of retail and office space within the historic district. Involving the restoration and refurbishment of numerous historic buildings, including mosques and traditional houses, the development will be a mix of residential, commercial, and hospitality offerings.

Diriyah partners with Raffles

Diriyah Company has partnered with Raffles Hotels & Resorts to launch Raffles Residences Diriyah, a collection of 90 luxury apartments and townhouses in the historic Saudi city. Offering the elegance and glamour of Raffles and the rich cultural heritage of Diriyah, the residences will provide access to world-class amenities and breathtaking views of Wadi Hanifah. This partnership is part of Diriyah Company’s broader vision to create a thriving community within in Diriyah, attracting residents from both within Saudi Arabia and internationally.