BLACKLANE UNVEILS ALL-ELECTRIC CHAUFFEUR SERVICE IN DUBAI

BLACKLANE, the chau eur-hailing service which operates in more than 50 countries, has launched its first all-electric fleet in Dubai comprising a collection of Mercedes EQS cars. The on-demand electric-car chau eur service is initially available in DIFC, Downtown Dubai, D3, Business Bay and DXB Airport, with plans to roll out the o ering across the rest of the emirate later this year. Blacklane’s services include one-way trips, return journeys, airport transfers, hourly and daily bookings within Dubai as well as inter-emirate travel. The pricing for the route is fixed at the time of booking and there are no additional costs above that displayed when confirming the booking.

Marriott agrees mega deal for eight hotels in Madinah

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL has agreed a major deal with Rua Al Madinah Holding Company to open eight hotels in the city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia. The hotels will cumulatively feature approximately 4,400 rooms across eight of Marriott’s brands – The RitzCarlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels, Westin Hotels and Resorts, Le Meridien Hotels and Resorts, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft Hotels, and Courtyard by Marriott. The hotels will be located close to the Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid An Nabawi. Marriott’s current portfolio in Saudi Arabia includes 36 properties and more than 10,000 rooms across 11 brands.

Emirates reveals allnew aircra livery

THE LIVERY OF EMIRATES aircra has undergone a refresh. e UAE ag on the Emirates tail n is now more dynamic and features a 3D e ect artwork, while the wingtips have been painted red with the Emirates logo in Arabic calligraphy displayed in reverse white. e UAE ag colours have also been painted on the wingtips facing the fuselage. e airline added that the signature gold “Emirates” lettering across the main body in English and Arabic is now 32.5 per cent larger. Around 24 Emirates aircra , including 17 Boeing 777s, are expected to sport the new livery by the end of 2023.

COLLECTIVE RETREAT CONFIRMS OPENING IN SAUDI ARABIA’S NEOM

Collective Retreats has said that it will open a sustainability-focused property in Neom’s Trojena. Slated to welcome its rst guests by the beginning of 2026, Collective Trojena will be located in the mountain destination in north-west Saudi Arabia. e retreat will feature approximately 60 open-air guest rooms. With a focus on sustainability, the property will rely on solar and wind energy, while developing technology in water desalination and brine processing to achieve zero waste residue.

Clinique, Jayasom reveal plans for wellness-focused properties in Amaala

CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE HEALTH RESORT (pictured above) will open a new wellness-focused property in Amaala’s Triple Bay hub along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. It will include 13 villas as well as 52 rooms and suites. With an emphasis on longevity, the 36,115 sqm resort features a central ‘Longevity Plaza’ leading to four distinctive areas of the property corresponding to each one of the brand’s pillars – medical care, nutrition, movement and wellbeing. e resort will also feature a museum, beach club, workshop and training rooms, a private dining space, and even a cooking school. e medical pillar of the brand will see Clinique include an advanced diagnostics lab and radiology, neuroscience, dermo and aesthetics wings. On the wellbeing front, it will include a cryochamber, hyperbaric suites and IV infusion therapies too.

Meanwhile, Jayasom has announced plans to open its own resort in Amaala. Jayasom Wellness Resort, Amaala (pictured right) will feature 177 keys and is also situated in Triple Bay. e property will include residences available for sale to private owners. ere will be approximately 7,000 sqm of space dedicated at the resort to covering disciplines including holistic health, tness, physiotherapy, nutrition, aesthetic beauty, and spa treatments.

Three Marriott Properties To Open On Sindalah Island In Neom

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL will open three properties on NEOM’s luxury island destination of Sindalah. It will include Mariott’s first Autograph Collection Hotels property in Saudi Arabia, as well as two Luxury Collection hotels. Marriott’s Autograph Collection Hotels in Sindalah is slated to open in 2024. Plans for the resort include 66 rooms and suites, including one- and two-bedroom villas and multiple dining options. The two Luxury Collection properties will also open in 2024. The first is a beach resort that will o er a mix of 70 luxury rooms and suites, including one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom villas, all featuring private pools. The second is expected to be an all-suite property o ering 115 one-, two- and threebedroom luxury suites.

New Four Seasons announced for Saudi’s Red Sea destination

A Four Seasons

RESORT will open in The Red Sea development of Saudi Arabia. No opening date has yet been confirmed for it. Designed by Foster + Partners, it will o er approximately 149 rooms and suites, all with sea views. The property will also feature six restaurants and lounges, as well as meeting and events spaces and a marine discovery centre. The resort will be located on Shura Island, the hub of The Red Sea development. At present, Four Seasons operates a flagship property in Riyadh at Kingdom Centre. Elsewhere in the country, it has already announced plans for openings in Diriyah and Jeddah.