By April Hutchinson www.ttglive.com
Dubai-based hotel management company The Address Hotels & Resorts is to double its portfolio in the next two years with plans to open five hotels internationally.
The Address, The Terrace is scheduled to open near Nusa Dua and Kuta in Bali by the end of next year with 199 rooms.
A Morrocco property will open within Jnan Amar Polo Retreat in Marrakech next year, as will the Domaigne de Lavagnac hotel in Languedoc-Rousillon.
The Address is owned by Emaar Hospitality Group, which also owns Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world and Dubai Mall, the world’s largest mall and entertainment complex, both in the newly-created ‘downtown’ area of Dubai.
Hotels in Sanya in China and Istanbul are also set to join the portfolio, which includes five managed hotels in Dubai – The Address Downtown, The Address Dubai Mall, The Address Dubai Marina, The Address Montgomerie and The Palace – The Old Town.
“It’s just three years since we launched The Address Hotels and Resorts as a brand at Arabian Travel Market,” said Amit Arora, vice president sales and marketing for Emaar Hospitality Group. “We are delighted with the reception for our hotels so far and were also really pleased to be able to work with ILTM in its hosting of international luxury buyers at ATM for the first time.”
Arora said the Dubai hotels had experienced a great first quarter, partly because the turmoil in the region had seen some leisure and corporate travellers transfer their plans to Dubai, seen as a safe haven.
“We are also starting to benefit from Dubai’s growing cruise market, which saw 400,000 passengers enter the emirate last year,” he said.
The ‘downtown’ area of Dubai is being marketed as The Centre of Now, drawing travellers to its mix of dining, shopping and entertainment, Arora said.
“Our hotels in the downtown area are perfect for pre- and post-cruise stays who come to see the mall, the tower and the fountains in a walkable, relaxed environment. The cruise market has meant a completely new opportunity for us,” said Arora.
“We also continue to see fantastic airlift into Dubai from the likes of India and China which is also fuelling stays at our hotels, as well as many international events such as the Dubai International Film Festival,” he added.
Also part of Emaar’s portfolio is Atmosphere, the restaurant which opened this year at 122 storeys high to great success within Burj Khalifa, Arora said, and Armani Dubai, a five-star hotel within the tower.
A second Armani property is due to open in Milan later this year with 95 rooms.
