Second Radisson Blu Resort In Tunisia Opens

The Rezidor Hotel Group has opened the Radisson Blu Resort & Thalasso, Monastir in Tunisia, its second resort in the country. Set on a 5-hectare beachfront site overlooking the Gulf of Hammamet, the resort is just 2 kilometers from the international airport and 5 kilometers from the town of Monastir and its attractions, including a 9th century Mosque, 8th century Ribat and the Museum of Islamic Art.

 

260 guestrooms, including 14 Junior Suites, 6 Senior Suites and 2 Presidential Suites combine comfort with style. Each room is equipped with comfortable bedding, a spacious bathroom, LCD television, complimentary high-speed internet access, telephone, in-room safe, minibar and feature a well-proportioned balcony/terrace. The resort will also open 20 luxurious Spa Suites, located within the Thalassotherapy Center, in 2010.

 

The resort presents guests with diverse dining options at its restaurants and bars. Chef’s Market, the buffet restaurant, offers tantalising breakfast and dinner dishes influenced by Tunisian and Oriental flavours in elegant surroundings, while MONA serves international dishes prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients. The beach restaurant, La voile, serves a range of international favorites in an informal setting by the seashore and guests can retreat to the resort’s many bars and lounges, including the Rendez-vous Bar and Moorish Cafe.

 

At the heart of the Radisson Blu Resort & Thalasso, Monastir is the 14,000-square meter Royal Elyssa Spa Cinq Mondes & Thalasso, due to open in 2010. The center offers state-of-the-art spa facilities, swimming pools, hammams, treatment rooms and food & beverage outlets, where guests can rejuvenate and relax in comfort with the variety of treatments, including the signature Thalasso treatments utilizing the healing properties of seawater. The resort also offers guests a large outdoor swimming pool, a heated indoor swimming pool and sports activities including tennis, table tennis, beach volleyball and watersports.

 

The resort is also ideal as a conference venue, with 3 elegant and versatile function rooms, a 400-square meter ballroom and spacious grounds for outdoor events capable of accomodating up to 800 guests. Each venue is equipped with high-speed internet access and are supported by the latest audio-visual equipment and a full-service business center.

 

Radisson Blu Resort & Thalasso, Monastir joins the 296-room Radisson Blu Resort & Thalasso, Djerba located on the island of Djerba in southeast Tunisia. The brand operates over 155 hotels in Africa, Europe and the Middle East, with an additional 47 projects under development.

 

For more information, visit www.radissonblu.com.

Flydubai Touches Down In Sudan

Low cost carrier Flydubai has added its eighth route since its inaugural flight in June 2009. The airline commenced services from its base in Dubai to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan on Sunday, 8 November 2009. Onboard the inaugural flight was Flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith al Ghaith, who was welcomed by a Sudanese delegation on arrival.

 

From now until 16 December 2009, flight FZ 631 departs Dubai daily at 1845 hrs, arriving in Khartoum at 2150 hrs. The return flight, FZ 632, will depart Khartoum International Airport at 2235 hrs and land back at Dubai International Airport at 0340 hrs the next morning.

 

The outbound flight will be retimed to take off at 2045 hrs from Dubai for a 2350 hrs arrival into Sudan from 17 December 2009, with the return leg departing Khartoum at 0035 hrs and arriving back in Dubai at 0540 hrs. All flights will be operated with Flydubai’s 189-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

 

Khartoum is Flydubai’s third destination in Africa, after Alexandria and Djibouti. The airline is on an aggressive expansion and is set to launch flights to Baku, Azerbaijan later this month.

 

For more information, visit www.flydubai.com.

United Adds New Destinations For 2010

United Airlines has announced it will begin flights from the USA to new destinations in Africa, Europe and the Middle East in 2010. The Chicago-based airline will inaugurate a daily, same-plane service to Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria, as well as flights to Brussels and Bahrain.

 

Washington DC – Accra – Lagos

From 2 May 2010, United will fly non-stop from Washington DC to Accra, connecting the capital cities of the USA and Ghana. The service is United’s first-ever non-stop flight to Africa and continues to Lagos, Nigeria.

 

Flight UA 990 departs Washington Dulles International Airport at 2210 hrs, arriving in Accra at 1240 hrs the next day, before continuing to Lagos at 1420 hrs where it lands at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 1625 hrs. The return flight, UA 991, takes off from Lagos at 2115 hrs for Accra, where it arrives at Kotoka International Airport at 2120 hrs, before departing at 2300 hrs back to Washington DC, where it arrives at 0625 hrs the next morning.

 

United will operate on the route daily with a 4-class Boeing 767-300ER aircraft configured with 6 First, 26 Business, 71 Economy Plus and 80 Economy Class seats. 

 

Chicago – Brussels

United Airlines will also expand its operations at Brussels with a new flight connecting the Belgian capital to Chicago. The new service, which begins on 28 March 2010, adds a second US city to the airline’s flights from Brussels, in addition to its existing Washington DC-Brussels service.

 

Flight UA 972 departs Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 1800 hrs and arrives in Brussels Airport at 0920 hrs the next morning. The aircraft returns to Chicago as flight UA 973 at 1100 hrs, landing back at O’Hare International Airport at 1315 hrs.

 

Flight timings have been scheduled to allow for connections at O’Hare International Airport to cities in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Across the atlantic, the new route allows passengers to enjoy convenient connections to onward destinations on Brussels Airlines, which joins the Star Alliance next month. United will fly a 4-class Boeing 767 aircraft on the route daily.

 

Washington DC – Kuwait – Bahrain

Beginning 18 April 2010, United will extend its existing Washington DC-Kuwait service to Bahrain. United Airlines will become the first and only US carrier to serve Bahrain and the flight will be the only same-plane service between Bahrain and the North America.

 

Flight UA 982 departs Washington Dulles International Airport at 1812 hrs, arriving in Kuwait at 1335 hrs the next day, before taking off again at 1450 hrs for Bahrain, where it arrives at 1555 hrs. The return flight, UA 981, takes off from Bahrain International Airport at 2125 hrs, landing in Kuwait at 2230 hrs. The flight continues to Washington DC at 2345 hrs for a 0647 hrs arrival the next morning.

 

Operated by a Boeing 777-200 fitted with 348 seats in a 3-class configuration, passengers can look forward to a product enhancement as the airline outfits its aircraft with the new United First and Business Class cabin product in 2010 and 2011.

 

For more information, visit www.united.com.

W Hotels Opens 35th Property

W Hotels has opened its 35th property with the unveiling of the new W Boston, marking a milestone in the brand’s ongoing expansion. Located in the heart of Boston near Chinatown and the Theater District, the hotel is designed as a ‘virtual garden’ concept and is the result of a collaboration between local architect William Rawn, TRO Jung|Brannen and New York-based Bentel & Bentel. The building’s glass facade enables light to be subtly transitioned as it filters through into the interior spaces, while the designers have made use of falling water and a modern fireplace to create visual interest of the interior.

 

The hotel features 235 guestrooms and suites, ranging from W Hotels’ signature Wonderful Room to the Extreme WOW Suite, vividly-designed with high-energy interiors familiar to guests at sister properties around the world. Each room is furnished with the W bed and pillow menu, a spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and rain shower complemented by amenities from Bliss, flat-screen televisions with CD/DVD player and iPod docking station, high-speed internet access, dual-line cordless telephones with voicemail feature, workdesk and a munchie box/minibar.

 

Dining at W Boston promises to be a gastronomic experience with outlets offering gourmet food and drinks from Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and master mixologist Sasha Petraske. Market by Jean-Georges serves a multicultural menu inspired by Asian, French and Italian influences and prepared with ingredients from the New England region. The cozy W Bar boasts stylish spaces to mix and mingle over drinks and light snacks, while Descent, scheduled to open early next year, will be an exclusive underground spot with cocktails created by Sasha Petraske of New York’s Milk & Honey fame.

 

Business travellers at W Boston requiring conference facilities will have 9 spaces available to them, including the 177-square meter Great Room. Each meeting space is equipped with complete audio-visual support and a teleconferencing system, with business and secretarial services provided by the WIRED business center. Guests seeking a workout can do so at the SWEAT fitness center, or indulge in the variety of spa treatments available at Bliss Spa.

 

W Boston is the brand’s ninth hotel to open in 2009. W Hotels is on track to double its portfolio by 2011, with new hotels scheduled to open in Athens, Bangkok, Dubai, Hollywood, Koh Samui, London, Marrakech, Paris and Shanghai.

 

For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

New Hotel Openings In UAE

The UAE has continued its hotel boom with the opening of 2 new hotels this week in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The spectacular Yas Hotel welcomes its first guests in support of this weekend’s Formula One race while The Address Hotels+Resorts have opened The Address Dubai Marina.

 

Yas Hotel

Positioned on the Yas Marina Circuit that will host the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the 499-room Yas Hotel is the latest addition to the accomodation offering in Abu Dhabi. The international airport is 10 minutes away from the hotel, while the city centre, corniche and Dubai are easily accessible via a network of highways.

 

The rooms and suites at the hotel boast views of the race track, marina and the island at large with large floor-to-ceiling windows that open out to private balconies and have been designed to be contemporary and comfortable. Accomodation options range from the 54-square meter Deluxe and Executive Rooms to the magnificent 572-square meter, duplex Diwan Suite. All rooms are furnished with luxury bedding, an all-glass bathroom with rain shower, 42-inch LCD television with facility panel for iPod, laptop and device connectivity, high-speed internet access, telephone with voicemail feature, work area, in-room safe, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. In addition to the standard amenities, all suites also feature private terrace access, separate living and dining areas, while the 2 Diwan Suites have a dedicated elevator and a full chef’s kitchen.

 

Dining at the Yas Hotel promises to be a gastronomic experience with a selection of unique restaurants serving the finest specialties from around the world. The all-day dining Origins restaurant offers an international buffet and succulent rotisserie, while Amici serves rustic and classic Italian fare. At Atayeb, guests can sample foods from the bordering regions of the Mediterranean and the Middle East accompanied by Moroccan and Lebanese wines. The best of Asian cuisine is offered at Angar, Kazu and the Noodle Box, serving Indian, Japanese and traditional street food respectively, while seafood lovers can indulge in the freshest catch from the region’s waters including oysters, Gulf shrimp and Omani lobsters at Nautilus. Guests seeking a light meal can head to the Yas Lounge where pastries, cakes, house chocolates and desserts are served with freshly brewed coffees. After sundown, the Rush Bar, Skylite Lounge, Latitude & Longitude pool bars provide ideal venues to relax and mingle over drinks.

 

Set in the newest recreational districts of Abu Dhabi, the Yas Hotel showcases a diverse range of recreation and leisure facilities, including a state-of-the-art gymnasium with sauna and steam rooms, a luxury spa with 10 treatment rooms and 2 rooftop swimming pools. Beyond the hotel, the 143-berth marina and yacht club promises watersports activities and guests can also play a round of golf at the Middle East’s first 18-hole links golf course. Yas Island will also be home to shopping malls, a Warner Brothers theme park and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the first theme park dedicated to the Italian carmaker.

 

Meeting and event space at the hotel total 962 square meters and include the 509-square meter Al Manaar ballroom, as well as 6 meeting rooms and 4 boardrooms. Each venue features advanced audio-visual equipment, with the meeting rooms and boardrooms also enjoying natural light. A fully-equipped business center is available to support guests and meeting planners with their individual requirements.

 

For more information, visit www.theyashotel.com.

 

The Address Dubai Marina

In neighbouring Dubai, The Address Dubai Marina is the latest addition to the portfolio of The Address Hotels+Resorts. The 200-room hotel offers easy access to Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi and is a short ride from the Dubai Media and Internet Cities, Knowledge Village, Jebel Ali Free Zone and some of the city’s business hubs.

 

Each of the stylish rooms and suites feature luxury bedding with pillow choices by Muehldorfer, spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, accompanied by bath amenities from Angelo Caroli, flat-screen televisions with iPod docking station, high-speed internet access, telephone with voicemail capability, workdesk, fully-stocked minibar and coffee-/tea-making facility. 5 accomodation types are available, including the 280-square meter Presidential Suite with a residential-style living area, dining room, 2 bedrooms, study, kitchen and exclusive access to the Club Lounge.

 

5 outlets at the hotel offer guests a variety of dining options, with the signature restaurant, Mazina, serving Asian, Arabic and European dishes prepared in front of guests in the show kitchens. Rive Gauche blends the charm of a classic French brasserie with the modernity of Dubai, where guests can dine on the outdoor terrace to views of the marina. Located in the lobby, Kanbaa, serves snacks and freshly baked sweets and savouries, as well as afternoon tea. Shades, the poolside restaurant offers light meals in the day, turning into an urban retreat for cocktails and live DJ sets after sundown, while the aptly-named Blends is a mix of 3 innovative experiences. The trendy lounge offers champagne and fine wines displayed in magnificent floor-to-ceiling cellars, with a dedicated cigar room stocking limited edition Cuban and South American cigars, while the mixologists concoct creative beverages in the cocktail lounge.

 

As a business hotel, The Address Dubai Marina features meeting facilities that cater to events of all sizes. The Constellation Ballroom can accomodate up to 1,000 guests, with an adjoining poolside terrace that is ideal as a pre-function or breakout space. 15 other meeting rooms feature private balconies overlooking the marina and can accomodate groups from 10 to 100 guests. The hotel’s event planners are on-hand to assist guests in planning their event, ranging from audio-visual support to gourmet banquets.

 

After a day of business, guests can relax at The Spa, where they can indulge in signature treatments using essential oils from Aromatherapy Associates. There are 12 tranquil treatment rooms with luxurious shower facilities and views of the marina, while the sauna and steam baths provide a deep and relaxing cleanse. An infinity pool, modern fitness center and hair salon complement the wellness facilities, while the beach and waters of the Arabian Gulf is a short walk away.

 

The Address Dubai Marina joins other The Address properties in Dubai, including The Address Dubai Mall, The Address Downtown Burj Dubai and The Palace – The Old Town. For more information, visit www.theaddress.com.

Media One Hotel Opens In Dubai

Frankfurt-based WORLDHOTELS has added a new property in Dubai to its hotel portfolio under the Deluxe collection. Located in the heart of the emirate’s bustling Media City district, Media One Hotel occupies the first 23 floors of a 43-floor mixed-use tower and is minutes from Dubai Marina and the iconic Palm Jumeirah.

 

Each of the 260 rooms and 10 suites feature comfortable bedding, a bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, satellite television and high-speed internet access. Other amenities include a workdesk, telephone, in-room safe, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities.

 

3 restaurants in the 4-star property offer guests various dining options. At The Med, guests can indulge in mediterranean favorites throughout the day, while CafeM and Z:ONE serve international cuisine.

 

Targeted at professionals, Media One Hotel boasts 7 meeting rooms capable of accomodating up to 90 guests, supported by a fully-equipped business center. For recreation, there is an outdoor pool, fitness center, sauna and steam room.

 

A collection of unique, independent hotels, WORLDHOTELS has almost 500 affiliated properties in more than 300 destinations and 70 countries worldwide.

 

For more information, visit www.worldhotels.com.

Aloft Arrives In The Middle East

Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Aloft brand makes its debut in the Middle East, with the opening of the new Aloft Abu Dhabi today. Located within the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), the 408-room hotel is minutes away from the airport, downtown Abu Dhabi and Yas Island, which hosts the emirate’s inaugural Formula One grand prix next weekend.

 

One of Abu Dhabi’s largest hotels, the property incorporates several environmental sustainability features in its design and construction. Guests are greeted by park-like landscaping upon arrival and natural materials such as cork and sustainable wood veneers can be found throughout the hotel. 560 solar panels, covering a total area of 2,300 square meters, will supply 90% of the hotel’s hot water and saving an estimated 870 mega watt hours of electricity every year.

 

Each room and suite at Aloft Abu Dhabi features the brand’s signature platform bed, spacious bathrooms with oversized showerheads and amenities from Tried and Blue by Bliss, extra-large windows, minibar and complimentary coffee/tea. Entertainment and connectivity facilities include a 42-inch LCD television, plug & play connectivity station, telephones and high-speed internet access.

 

A selection of innovative dining options is available at the hotel. The 24-7 re:fuel by Aloft self-serve gourmet eatery offers sweet, savoury and healthy treats, while Dine serves international cuisine from its open kitchen. The w xyz bar lets guests meet and mingle in its lively and abuzz surroundings. On the rooftop, relax@12 and Maï Cafe provide locations to relax and chill-out over snacks, drinks and shisha.

 

Aloft Abu Dhabi offers facilities catering to both business and leisure travellers. A 24 hour business center is available in the hotel, as well as 2 tactic rooms totalling 54 square meters of meeting space that can be easily configured to suit individual needs and equipped with a full suite of multimedia tools. Larger conventions can be catered for at ADNEC’s 55,000 square meters of multi-function exhibition space. After a day of meetings, guests can unwind at the re:mix lounge where they can watch television, play a game of pool, or lounge over their favorite book. Guests who prefer to workout can utilize the re:charge gymnasium and splash outdoor pool on the rooftop. Younger guests at the hotel can join camp Aloft, a program designed to ensure fun for them and peace-of-mind for parents as they proceed for meetings or personal time.

 

A vision of W Hotels, Aloft combines urban-inspired design with accessible technology, style and a social atmosphere. Aloft Abu Dhabi joins 38 other Aloft properties around the world in locations such as Beijing, Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis, Montreal and New York.

 

For more information, visit www.alofthotels.com.

Rotana Expands Portfolio In Middle East

Middle Eastern hotel operator Rotana Hotels has expanded its portfolio in Abu Dhabi and Beirut. The Abu Dhabi-based group has opened its first Centro Hotels by Rotana property on Yas Island in time for the emirate’s inaugural Formula One Grand Prix and a new Arjaan-branded property in Beirut, its third hotel in the Lebanese capital.

 

Centro by Rotana Yas Island

Adjoining its sister Yas Island Rotana hotel, the new Centro Yas Island is centrally located within the southern district of the island minutes away from the new Yas Marina Circuit. The hotel is 10 minutes away from the airport and 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi.

 

Each of the 259 rooms and suites have been designed in a contemporary style to maximize space and light. Room amenities include comfortable bedding, bathroom with shower, flat-screen television, high-speed internet access, workdesk, telephone, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities.

 

The hotel has 3 food & beverage outlets, including the c.taste full service, all-day dining restaurant offering international buffets. Guests with a tight schedule or preferring to dine in the comfort of their rooms can choose from the selection at c.deli, a take-away dining concept. The hotel’s bar, c.mondo, is an ideal place for guests to mingle and interact over drinks and snacks at its numerous informal zones.

 

Centro Yas Island has 3 well-equipped meeting rooms offering up to 147 square meters of convention space. Each venue is fully equipped with audio-visual technology and supported by a well-appointed business center. For recreation, the hotel’s fitness center provides guests with a gymnasium, swimming pool, sauna and steam room.

 

Raouché Arjaan by Rotana

Situated in the heart of Beirut, on the upmarket Raouché Boulevard, the new Raouché Arjaan by Rotana offers guests spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel is minutes away from Rafik Hariri International Airport, the downtown area and the city’s main exhibition grounds.

 

Catering to both long-term guests and travelling families, 176 studios and suites are furnished with luxury bedding, spacious bathrooms, multi-channel satellite television, high-speed internet access, IDD telephone with voicemail, in-room safe, coffee-/tea-making facilities and a kitchenette with a microwave oven.

 

Dining at Raouché Arjaan by Rotana is available at the all-day dining Murjan Restaurant offering continental and traditional Lebanese fare in an informal yet stylish setting. At the Bella Vita Cafe and Terrace, guests can enjoy fragrant teas, premium coffees and confectionery while relaxing and catching up with friends.

 

Recreation is provided by the hotel’s rooftop swimming pool, a state-of-the-art Bodylines fitness center, massage facilities, as well as a male and female sauna. Business travellers and meeting groups can utilize the 2 meeting spaces which can accomodate up to 150 guests and are equipped with audio-visual support and facilities, as well as a business center offering secretarial and other services.

 

Rotana Hotels can currently be found in 14 cities across 6 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. For more information, visit www.rotana.com.

Etihad To Return To Colombo In 2010

The national carrier of the UAE, Etihad Airways, has announced it will resume flights from its Abu Dhabi base to Colombo. Beginning January 2010, the airline will operate a 2-class Airbus A320 aircraft configured with 20 Pearl Business and 120 Coral Economy class seats 4 times weekly between both cities.

 

Flight EY 266 will depart Abu Dhabi International Airport at 2155 hrs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport at 0345 hrs the next day. The return flight, EY 267, takes off from Colombo at 0445 hrs and lands back in Abu Dhabi at 0800 hrs.

 

The airline has timed the flights to allow passengers convenient connections with key destinations in its network, including Moscow, New York and Toronto. Etihad is targeting increased tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka following the end of the civil conflict, as well as the large expatriate Sri Lankan community in the UAE and the Middle East.

 

Etihad stopped flying to Colombo in September 2007, but maintained service with codeshare partner Sri Lankan Airlines. With the resumption of flights, Sri Lankan Airlines will place its ‘UL’ code on the Etihad-operated services.

 

For more information, visit www.etihadairways.com.

Garuda Indonesia To Reopen Jakarta – Amsterdam Service

Following a 5-year absence, Indonesian flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is to return to Europe with the reopening of its flagship Jakarta-Amsterdam route, operated via Dubai, from June 2010. Amsterdam is the first of several European services planned by Garuda Indonesia, which was recently permitted to operate in the European Union following improvements to its safety standards.

 

Flight GA 088 departs Jakarta at 2100 hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0209 hrs the next morning before departing again at 0315 hrs for a 0800 hrs arrival into Amsterdam. The return service, GA 089, takes off from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 1000 hrs, landing in Dubai at 1830 hrs and departing for Jakarta at 1945 hrs, where it lands at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 0710 hrs the next morning.

 

Garuda Indonesia will operate a 2-class Airbus A330-200 aircraft, configured with the airline’s latest cabin products. Passengers will enjoy 36 full-flat beds in Executive Class, while the Economy Class seats feature a 32-inch seat pitch and 6 inches of recline. Individual touch-screen monitors deliver audio-video on-demand entertainment in both classes.

 

The airline joins several airlines already established on the route, including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. Garuda Indonesia currently flies to 17 international destinations including Bangkok, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Osaka, Perth, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

 

For more information, visit www.garuda-indonesia.com.