Top 3 Headlines
Hotel of the Year award for Charthouse Bahrain Harbour
Charthouse Bahrain Harbour won Hotel of the Year at the 2025 Power List Middle East Awards in Bahrain. Operated by Areen Hospitality, the hotel has become a key landmark in Bahrain Bay since opening two years ago.
It offers apartment-style accommodation, premium amenities, and a marina location, attracting both leisure and business travellers. The award recognises its role in boosting Bahrain’s tourism sector and delivering consistent service standards.
Hyatt sees rise in MICE demand in Middle East
Hyatt Hotels recorded over 42,000 MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) enquiries in the Middle East in 2024, up 5.2% YoY, driven by demand for authentic cultural experiences. The UAE led with nearly 24,000 enquiries (+6.6%), while Saudi Arabia saw over 7,000 (+10%).
Grand Hyatt Dubai remains a major hub with 12,000 sqm of event space, including one of the region’s largest hotel exhibition centres. Hyatt’s Together by Hyatt platform is boosting appeal with curated local experiences, such as beekeeping in Oman and truffle hunting in Hungary, while growing demand for full hotel buyouts is shaping the future of corporate events.
Millennium and Taiba relaunch two Madinah hotels
Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA and Saudi Forward Hospitality Company Taiba have relaunched Millennium Al Aqeeq and Millennium Taiba in Madinah, both located steps from Al-Masjid An-Nabawi.
The relaunch follows major upgrades, including enhanced digital booking, improved dining options, and tailored services for religious travellers. The properties target Umrah pilgrims, families, and visitors as the partnership aims to elevate Islamic hospitality standards, blending comfort with cultural and spiritual reverence.
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Noteworthy:
- Formerly with Raffles, Armani Hotel Dubai, The St. Regis, and Sofitel, Indri Halina has been appointed as Director of Marketing at Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort. She will lead brand marketing and communication for the resort with a focus on global positioning.
- Chef Simone De Vivo has joined WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton as Executive Chef bringing luxury and culinary leadership experience from venues like The Ritz-Carlton, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, and Atlantis Paradise Island.
- Dubai’s Al Habtoor Polo Resort is participating in a new experience portfolio-wide called ‘The Rewarding Escape’. Guests who reserve a suite for three nights or more will get a one night stay and complimentary breakfast at Al Habtoor Palace in Budapest. Incentivising travel across the Al Habtoor portfolio.
- The H Dubai has marked five consecutive years of Green Key certification as of 2025. It retains the global eco-label by implementing sustainable hospitality practices, including waste reduction initiatives, energy-efficient systems, water conservation, community partnerships and guest engagement in environmental awareness.
- JA Resorts & Hotels has launched five bespoke staycation itineraries at Jebel Ali Beach properties, tailored for multigenerational families, parents with toddlers, kids 4+, teens, and couples. Experiences include nature walks, spa treatments, sports, scavenger hunts, rose petal baths, and curated dining. Guests get personalised itineraries and a JA Passport with activity rewards, including a Maldives trip.
- IHG has celebrated a major milestone, surpassing one million operated rooms across EMEAA, driven by accelerated hotel openings throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
- Planned for Jumeirah Beach, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts are bringing a new landmark development to Dubai. The project will feature a 195-room hotel, eight private villas, wellness and dining facilities including a padel court, plus a residential component with 63 luxury apartments and five beachfront villas.
- Rotana has just partnered with commercial hospitality platform, Lighthouse to roll out commercial intelligence tools across 79 operating and pipeline hotels to optimise pricing strategies, revenue management, and competitive positioning in global markets.
- UAE developer, Arada has been awarded an AED618 million contract for the development of the Anantara Sharjah Residences and Resort on Al Heera Beach. The development is expected to take two years.
