Tag: abu dhabi hotels
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Say Hello To The New Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Seems like there's a lot of action going on in Abu Dhabi is the these days. If it's not the Ritz-Carlton opening, it's the St. Regis. And if it's not Le Bristol, it's the budget-oriented Ibis.
And here's another one to add to the list: last Wednesday, Rosewood Abu Dhabi opened as the first Rosewood property in the UAE (though there are three others in the Middle East, with a Dubai property on the way). The 189-room hotel no doubt hopes to profit from an expected influx of visitors to AUH thanks to the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2015, and the Guggenheim in 2017 (both designed by Frank Gehry).
Hotel Woes / Hotel News / Rocco Forte Hotels / Prague Hotels / Abu Dhabi Hotels / → All Tags
Rocco Forte Hotels Struggles, Drops The Augustine Prague
Despite optimism and tons of hotel openings in some places, especially Europe, we all know the travel industry isn’t completely out of the water when it comes to the financial crisis.
One hotel group that's been feeling the squeeze is Rocco Forte Hotels, a small family-run collection of hotels across Europe, including Brown’s Hotel in London and Hotel de Russie in Rome. After a difficult few years, this month the group dropped both Rocco Forte Abu Dhabi, the first hotel to be introduced solely with the group name, and The Augustine in Prague.
Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Openings / Hotel Construction / Hotel Closings / Hotel Renovations / Turks and Caicos Hotels / Marriott Hotels / Florida Hotels / Abu Dhabi Hotels / Naples Hotels / → All Tags
A Day of Openings, Closings, and Revivals for Ritz Hotels
Today seems to be a banner day for Ritz-Carlton Hotel news, we've got three pieces of juicy goss that just needs to be shared. Here's the tea:
In our recent Abandoned Hotels story, we lamented the construction of Molasses Reef, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve resort had been languishing untouched in the Turk and Caicos since 2008 (it began in 2001) and showed no signs of ever coming to fruition. Well, a miracle has happened and the project is back on! According to HotelsMag.com, they've received confirmation on the private (you can only arrive by boat, small plane or helicopter) 125-unit resort's opening from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.
HotelChatter also checked with our RC sources, and the luxury Caribbean resort is indeed a go. We were told an official release will soon come. European developers have taken over with an apparent $130 million investment to complete a project that's already had $300 million sunk into it by previous interested party, Logwood Development. Construction is expected to resume this year (keep your fingers crossed).
But wait, there's more Ritz-Carlton rumblings for ya!
Hotel Delays / St. Regis Hotels / Abu Dhabi Hotels / Luxury Hotels / → All Tags
Another Abu Dhabi Delay of the St. Regis Kind
Well, it was supposed to happen today, but it looks like the St. Regis Abu Dhabi's opening will be delayed--this time until April 15th.
Guess you shouldn't rush what promises to be one glam piece of property with 283 gussied-up guest rooms including 40 grand suites, including one actually located on a bridge that offers second-to-none Arabian Gulf views. Then there's the 24-hour butler service that each guest is entitled to.
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Club Floor Upgrades Worth The Splurge
We know this will come as a surprise, but there are lots of ways to spend extra cash for extra amenities at hotels worldwide. Sometimes it's not so much - like the $9 upgrade at the Radisson Blu Chicago we broke the news on last year - and others, as you'll see below, are completely designed for people impervious to price.
The matter of money may be a matter of perspective, but one thing we can all agree on is that spontaneity at the counter can certainly spice up your stay. And most of the time you will benefit from wheeling and dealing on-site - we find you're more likely to get a better deal in the moment than with the set prices online, so be sure to bring your poker face to the round table.
Here, we've put together a list of some upgrades that we feel are good examples of what's happening out there on a whole. Our advice? Do your research, for sure, but have fun with it. Sometimes, a simple upgrade is a great way to turn a typical stay into a memorable one.
Hotel Openings / Dubai Hotels / Abu Dhabi Hotels / Marriott Hotels / Starwood Hotels / St Regis Hotels / Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
2013 Is Shaping Up To Be a Pretty Good Year For UAE Hotels
Things are most definitely not slowing down over in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. After announcements on forthcoming hotels by Le Bristol and the budget-oriented Ibis, it looks like the 395-room Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi is now taking rezzies for stays beginning on Jan 1, 2013. Whoopie!
Marriott's luxury brand already has quite a strong presence in neighboring Dubai, with two properties—the beachfront Ritz-Carlton Dubai Marina (which happens to be undergoing some major renovation/expansion work), and the snazzy Ritz-Carlton DIFC—attracting plenty of luxury-seekers in an already luxury-saturated market. But further down Sheikh Zayed Road, this will be Ritz-Carlton's first Abu Dhabi location.
But that's not all! Read on to find out about more UAE openings coming up around the corner!
Hotel Openings / Budget Hotels / Ibis Hotels / Accor Hotels / Abu Dhabi Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
To The Delight Of Budget Travelers, Ibis Makes Its Abu Dhabi Debut
In other news that's sure to make UAE travelers happy, Ibis, which identifies itself as an "economy" brand of hotels, is making its long-awaited debut in Abu Dhabi.
Ibis Abu Dhabi Gate, as it will be known, will open this month in Musaffah at the entrance of the city, near the Abu Dhabi Int'l Airport (AUH), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with rates starting at $61/night.
While the 252-room hotel is the brand's first in Abu Dhabi, Ibis in fact already owns no less than five hotels in neighboring Dubai, the cheapest of which has rates starting as low as $65/night.
Hotel Deals / Viceroy Hotel Group / Los Angeles Hotels / Riviera Maya Hotels / Ski Hotels / Colorado Hotels / Miami Hotels / Abu Dhabi Hotels / → All Tags
Attention Impulse Buyers: Viceroy's 48-Hour Sale Is On Now
Here’s one of those sales where our heart starts beating, we say throw caution to the wind (and take a quick look at our calendar) and BOOK it! Starting today and ending 9/19 at 11:59 PST, the Viceroy Hotel Group is having a 48- Hour Sale.
You can save from 15%-50% per night on their worldwide luxury properties from Anguilla to Abu Dhabi. So, whether you want an island getaway, ski vacation or city escape, there are plenty o' options here.
There's only a little bit of time to think about this, so we’ll make it quick and highlight just some of the properties available:
Viceroy Anguilla
•Rates start at $138.25
•Applicable Travel Dates: September 18-December 20
•Valid for all accommodations except 1, 2, and 3-bedroom villas
Hotel Hype / Abu Dhabi Hotels / Le Bristol Hotels / Paris Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
A Touch of Paris in the Middle East: Le Bristol Abu Dhabi to Open in 2013
Among the many luxurious hotels in Paris, only few are considered to be on a shortlist of “palace” hotels. Traditionally, these include names like the Hotel Ritz (for some, the original luxury hotel and now closed for a multi-year renovation), Le Meurice, (Four Seasons) George V, Le Crillon, and Le Bristol.
Having opened its doors in 1925, Le Bristol Paris is part of the Oetker Collection, a small group of particularly luxurious hotels that includes the Cannes Film Festival - and Karl Lagerfeld - favorite Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes and Palais Namaskar Marrakech (as well as a private jet to get from one to the other).
While Abu Dhabi might not come to mind at first as a destination for the Oetker Collection to open its second Le Bristol, such is the plan for next year. While details of the hotel are still very limited, it looks like there will be 184 rooms, with an additional number of suites, a spa, and even a concert hall.
Edition Hotels / Abu Dhabi Hotels / Hotel Hype / Hotel News / → All Tags
The Latest Edition On Edition Hotels, Now With Opening Dates
Once again we're checking in with the hotel brand that we love to check in on--Edition Hotels.
Since our last Edition round-up in April, we've actually had a contributor go inside the one and only open Edition Hotel in the world--Edition Istanbul. We've also learned that an Edition Hotel is coming to West Hollywood. And now we can add more details on the Edition Abu Dhabi to the mix.
According to a tourism report, Abu Dhabi is going to get a major influx of hotels over the next three years--about 20 in all--five of which will be Marriott Hotels and one of which will be a 244-room Edition Hotel. Now, on the surface that sounds exciting. But a hospitality consultant is warning that the hotels won't fare very well because there is not enough demand for hotel rooms in Abu Dhabi right now. Sigh. This doesn't bode very well for Edition. Hopefully, it's not too late to pull out.
Hotel News / Hotel Openings / Abu Dhabi Hotels / Luxury Hotels / → All Tags
Abu Dhabi Brings More Bling With Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa
Apparently it's not the end of hotel development in Abu Dhabi as we wondered way back when, given news of the Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa, which opened in June.
Guests immediately realize they’re in for an unusual experience when they’re greeted in the lobby by a falconer, offered local dates and traditional local coffee. The air permeates with heady scents dispersed from a burning bakhour.
The five-level hotel has 222 rooms that combines distinctly Arabian accents from mosaics to 18-carat gold fixtures. And while we haven’t heard much about the standard rooms, we’re gobsmacked by the description of the hotel’s the Royal Mangroves Residence, said to be the largest suite in the UAE. Designed for those “seeking the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity” the ten-bedroom suite boasts a private 33-foot rooftop pool with a swim-up bar, its own dedicated entrance and access to a limousine service, private chef, butler and a massage and beauty therapist. We so want to make friends with the person(s) who’ll call this place home.
Hotel Hype / Hotel Construction / Abu Dhabi Hotels / → All Tags
Is This The End of Hotels for Abu Dhabi?
It looks like in future years, we won't be adding too much to the Abu Dhabi section of our Master Hotel Openings List.
The UAE city will no longer be issuing new hotel licenses because, not-so-shockingly, there is apparently a big oversupply of hotel rooms. Reuters reports:
The average room rate in Abu Dhabi dropped 14 percent to about 450 dirhams in 2011, the paper said, as four thousand new rooms came online -- bringing the total number of hotel rooms to almost 23 thousand in the capital.
Yowza. And that oversupply exists even though 2.11 million guests stayed in hotels in Abu Dhabi in 2011.
Fortunately, hotels that are already under construction like the St. Regis and the Ritz-Carlton will not be affected by this new order. Even better, hotels with licenses that have not yet begun construction will still get to keep their licenses. So no worries, we can expect at least a few more thousand hotel rooms in Abu Dhabi in the coming years.
[Photo: Panoramas]
