The Arabian Travel Market is four days of intense tourism business dealings — hotel launches, talk of airline profits and roll-outs of business-class lie-flat beds, cruise liners and gigantic nuts — with plenty of parties for the tired travel executives to unwind at. Yes, it’s a business event, but it’s also very exciting for us UAE residents — because we spend nearly as much time in hotels as we do in our homes and offices, right?
That’s why we’ve checked out the event to bring you the latest on the new hotels that open their doors in the coming months, in time for your next staycation.
OPENING IN MAY:
Rove
This new chain of mid-priced hotels by Emaar will open the 420-room Rove Downtown Dubai, its first property, in May, just across from the Al Murooj Rotana and next to The Dubai Mall’s extension, to be followed by a location in Satwa and other spots around Dubai.
The focus here is on the independent traveller who literally wants to rove — not lounge. Expect speedy check-in via an app; grab anything you’ve forgotten from the in-house convenience store. There’s also a major focus on art — works by local artists were commissioned for the hotel and curated by Capsule Arts. Think photographs by Alia Al Shamsi and digital drawings by Dubai-based illustrator and graphic designer Dina Sami, focused on the Za’abeel — a neighbourhood that’s at once urban and rural. The murals in the public spaces were created by Dubai-based creative collective Ape Creative. That’s just for starters. Rove Satwa hotel will have 480 rooms; upcoming are Rove Port Saeed (270 rooms next to the Dubai International Airport), Rove Oud Metha (286 rooms near Dubai Healthcare City), Rove Dubai Marina (384 rooms in Dubai Marina), Rove Al Jafiliya (270 rooms near Dubai World Trade Centre), and Rove At The Park (458 rooms next to Dubai Parks and Resorts).
What makes it unique: The DIY angle: self-service check-in (and late checkout at 2pm) and 24 luggage lockers, gym and laundromat.
The rooms: Overlooking Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, they are all 26sq metres, have 48-inch interactive TV screens, free Wi-Fi, rain showers; and 30 per cent of the rooms are interconnecting.
Relaxation? There’s a pool and sun deck, healthy comfort food stop: The Daily Downtown Dubai
Opening: May 6, with Rover rooms starting at Dh250, not including tax. Ten hotels will roll out by 2020.
Four Seasons Abu Dhabi
Dubai now has two properties from the Canadian luxury hotel group, so it was about time the capital got their own — in this case, the hotel has been created with the culture and history of the city in mind. Catering to both business travellers and families looking to explore Abu Dhabi, it’s located on the hyper-modern Al Maryah Island and is connected to both the upscale Galleria Mall and the Global Market Square. GM Sam Ioannidis says the local, cultural inspiration goes beyond the cliche — and even the visuals. “We’ve tied every nuance that we possibly can to respect our local culture,” he says. “You walk into this light, bright, marble lobby which is extremely different from our competitors. We spent a lot of time researching the history and culture of the nomad ... it’s all been intertwined. It’s all about the respect of our destination. Today’s traveller doesn’t want a cookie-cutter experience. They are looking for a bespoke experience that’s culturally sensitive.” That means scents of oud, and locally created music wafting through.
What makes it unique: There are views of the sea from every guest room, restaurant and even the banqueting areas.
The rooms: 162 rooms and 38 suites
Relaxation: Want to eat at the same Italian restaurant beloved by Washington D.C.’s movers and shakers, from the Clintons to George Stephanopoulos? Do Head to Cafe Milano, an Abu Dhabi outpost of DC’s favourite Italian, based at the Four Seasons here. There’s also a Chicago-style steakhouse with Al Capone vibes (politicians and gangsters — we like this vibe) and of course, a chic, sleek cocktail bar, this time with European inspiration, called Zsa Zsa (after Ms Gabor). All have indoor and outdoor seating.
Opening: May 5. A premiere room starts at Dh1,390.
W Hotel Dubai Al Habtoor City
Just the sound of this hotel’s features conjures up “cool”. Case in point: They don’t call it a swimming pool. It’s a Wet Deck, and trust us, this is going to be fun. The Starwood group’s avant-garde brand is all about modernity, art, style and fun. The hotel will send guests straight up to the 30th floor for check-in; above that is Namu, a restaurant where Japanese food will face-off against Korean in an age-old battle of which is best (kimchi for the win!). There’s also going to be a nightclub at the top of the hotel, under a domed roof, called Boa, and we hear one of the city’s biggest party animals is in charge of the fun there. The Wet Deck will also turn into a poolside party spot, after dark. Think Blue Marlin Ibiza or Barasti, on the edge of Business Bay. The massive Westin, with over 1,000 rooms, will open next door, overlooking the Dubai Canal project; the classy St Regis, on the other side, is already open.
What makes it unique: It’s the first W — an iconic hotel brand — in the UAE. Finally.
The rooms: 356 vividly designed rooms and suites. The Spectacular rooms are 44-46msq; the Marvellous 46msq on a high floor. The bathrooms feature Bliss products — they call them the “sinkside six”.
Relaxation: There’s 24 Mediterranean food at Level Seven
Opening: We’re nearly there — May 10. A Spectacular room starts from Dh1,050 excluding taxes.
LATER THIS YEAR:
The Oberoi, Al Zorah, Ajman
This property looks simply stunning, and unlike anything we’ve seen in the UAE until now. All other resorts better take note. Beyond the sleek, contemporary architecture, it’s an eco-resort with white sand beaches, blue lagoons, and green mangroves inside 247 acres of protected forest. Already open is an 18-hole golf course by Nicklaus Design. You can canoe through waterways, kite surf, go dirt biking or cycling on the property, while children are catered for with an activity area and a shallow swimming pool for toddlers. For the man who dreamed this up, look no further than 87-year-old Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi, the group’s executive chairman. It’s his “vision for the brand, the hotel and the company”, we’re told.
What makes it unique: Hotel execs tell us there are sixty species of bird, a fish nursery and offshore coral to explore.
The rooms: Villas, either two or three bedroom, have a private sundeck and at least one temperature-controlled pool, while rooms and suites have private terraces; all rooms have sea views, Wi-Fi and Oberoi E’nhance, the Indian hotel group’s iPad management system. Luxury rooms are 66 square metres; deluxe 85 square metres.
Relaxation: There’s a spa and hammam; head to the beach restaurant and bar, on a wooden deck, for grilled seafood, or visit La Vinoteca or the cocktail bar.
Opening: The fourth quarter of 2016.
Renaissance Downtown Hotel
It’s the first (kind of — see below) of this brand for the UAE, one of five hotels Marriott is opening in the country this year (also coming: Abu Dhabi’s first Marriott Hotel and followed by UAE’s second Autograph Collection Hotel, the 86-room La Ville Hotel at City Walk). It’s aimed at both business and leisure travellers. (Old-timers will recall the Renaissance hotel that was in Deira, with the legendary Spice Island restaurant. The brand has since had a complete revamp, and hence they are positioning this as the first in the UAE.)
What makes it unique: Get guidance from local experts called Navigators.
The rooms: There are 298 rooms
Relaxation: There will be restaurants by two (as yet unnamed) celebrity chefs in house, a “speakeasy style cocktail bar” and the Six Senses spa.
Opening: The end of this year.
WORTH THE WAIT
The Address Fujairah Resort + Spa
The UAE’s most stunning staycation destination (sorry, RAK) is getting a new resort. For those of you who make a beeline for the east coast once the weather on the Gulf heats up, you’ll understand why this is such exciting news. The Address hotels have luxurious city hospitality — but how will it shape up in Sharm — a beachside location just south of the existing hotel strip in Al Aqah. This hotel will have the mountain and sea views you expect from a Fujairah resort.
What makes it unique: Details are still sparse, so we’ll have to wait and see.
The rooms: 196 rooms, plus there are also residences if you like it so much that you want to stay forever.
Relaxation: A spa, a 500-metre promenade, beach access, and a food and beverage plaza. There’s also the requisite dive centre.
Opening: Hold your horses. We won’t be checking in until 2018.
