Dubai’s new hotel rating system to acknowledge budget boom
Under the new ratings, five-star hotels will have three categories - Platinum, Gold and Silver. The criteria for other hotels categories, ranging from four- to one-star properties, have also been overhauled. Hotel apartments will now be rated in three categories (Basic, Standard and Deluxe) instead of two.
Downtown Dubai introduces new Trolley Bus tours
The iconic attractions in Downtown Dubai, described as 'The Centre of Now,' can now be accessed by visitors with a new convenient addition - the luxury Trolley Buses. Emaar Malls Group, the shopping malls and leisure subsidiary of Emaar Properties, has introduced air-conditioned Trolley Buses, each with a capacity of 25 passengers to enhance the ease of access for visitors to Downtown Dubai.
Emaar aims for low-cost home market
Emaar plans to swap penthouses for affordable housing as the developer of the Burj Khalifa looks to capitalise on the need for 3.5 million affordable homes in the Middle East. Known for its luxury master-planned developments, Emaar has launched a division to focus on building low-cost homes in the region.
Madi International and Essie, celebrate Essie’s 30th anniversary high up at Burj Khalifa
The celebrations were held at the picturesque and stunning At.Mosphere Lounge on Level 122 at Burj Khalifa - the highest lounge in the world. The event was attended by dignitaries, top company officials and members of the media.
Grosvenor House Dubai opens new Toro Toro restaurant
Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai celebrates the first of four new dining experiences to open in the breath-taking Tower Two. Toro Toro (meaning bull) is an all new dining concept developed by internationally acclaimed, Latin American Chef Richard Sandoval. The restaurant offers varied dining experiences that span over two floors on the marina's edge.
Armani Hotels and Resorts opens Armani Hotel Milano in collaboration with Emaar Properties
Following the success of the Armani Hotel Dubai, located in Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, the Armani Hotel Milano opens in the heart of the city, within the extraordinary palazzo at Via Manzoni 31, originally designed by Enrico A. Griffini and completed in 1937 in the rationalist style of the time.
Dammann Freres’s distributor Sarya partners with Middle East hotels
With the most prestigious hotel brands establishing their presence in the Emirates, Sarya Group LLC, exclusive retailer and agent to Dammann Freres and Canasuc in the Middle East has partnered with elite brands such as the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Armani Hotel; the Address Hotels; Khalydia Palace Rayhaan Hotel; Royal Mirage Hotel; and even the 7-star Royal Mansour - Marrakech in Morocco to provide them with these royal products.
Damac Properties introduces Damac Suites and Spa at Cityscape
The company will oversee Damac Properties' first serviced apartment development, 'Burjside Boulevard,' in the exclusive Downtown Dubai/Burj Khalifa precinct. In addition, the service will also be made available to residents of other premium Damac Properties' projects.
PwC relocates offices to Emaar Square
PwC, the leading international professional services organisation, has relocated its Dubai staff to bigger, more spacious offices in Emaar Square, Downtown Dubai. The customised space of over 50,000 square feet was chosen to accommodate PwC's growing multinational staff in support of its ambitious growth plans, particularly on the UAE, to meet the needs of the market. PwC currently has nearly 600 people based in Dubai, representing 45 nationalities, plus almost 200 people based in Abu Dhabi and 15 in Sharjah.
Boutique hotels look to grab foothold in Middle East
Certainly the Gulf has seen a minimal number boutique hotels developed to date, but examples are popping up in certain locations. "The prime example is of course the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, which appears to have filled a glamourous and exclusive top-end niche in the market,"
