23 minute read
OPINION
The future is bright for business travel
Catherine Logan, Regional Vice President, Europe, Middle East and A ica, Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), takes a look at the new corporate travel landscape
There is no doubt the global business travel industry has been heavily impacted by the pandemic, and recovery hindered, as travellers and suppliers navigated the diverse range of government restrictions including lock-downs, COVID-19 policies and border closures. Many corporates implemented non-essential travel bans and suppliers quickly adapted their business models to meet the lesser demand.
At the turn of the year, as global travel restrictions loosened, we saw many positive indicators to show that business travel was returning.
Among the GBTA membership, business travel bookings continue to build momentum with reports of month-onmonth increases. Travel managers report an increase in employees’ willingness to travel and to blend business travel with leisure time. Global business travel is now forecast to make a full recovery by 2024, ending the year at $1.48 trillion or just above the 2019 pre-pandemic spend of $1.4 trillion (source: GBTA busines travel index–the BTI™ Outlook).
A er the sharp downturn brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, declining 53.8 per cent in 2020 to $661 billion, global expenditures are expected to have rebounded 14 per cent in 2021 to $754 billion. A year-over-year surge of 38 per cent is expected in 2022 as recovery and pent-up demand kicks into a higher gear, bringing global business travel spending back to over $1 trillion.
As we have seen in the past, with all challenges come new opportunities. During the pandemic, the way we live, work, travel and think about how we treat our planet and people has changed irreversibly; new trends have emerged creating new opportunities. e pandemic has rede ned business travel as we once knew it.
Travel for business could now include ‘travel for work’ as remote and hybrid working models become the norm and corporates look for ways to bring dispersed teams together for collaboration and to instil company culture.
Duty of care is now at the forefront of any employee policy, the health, safety, and wellness of all employees, especially travellers, matters now more than ever.
Sustainability and how we protect our environment is now a rm xture on the corporate agenda, contributing to company objectives. ere is an urgency toward carbon neutrality and the need to make responsible choices that weigh up the ROI of a business meeting with the cost, time, and environmental impact.
Remote working has fuelled digital innovation and it continues to accelerate across the end-to-end business travel experience – booking, travel, expense, payments, and reconciliation. Mobile and the desire to DIY everything – all in the name of e cient and contactless travel and hospitality – has accelerated innovation across the industry. A er two years of interacting online with colleagues, prospects, partners, and clients, it is wonderful to see and hear stories of business travellers meeting and bene tting Business travel is from in person connections. Business travel is returning; it may just look returning; it may a little di erent.
just look a little di erent
ABOUT
Catherine Logan is GBTA’s Regional Vice President for EMEA, responsible for the development and delivery of GBTA activities in the region. Prior to joining GBTA as Marketing and Membership Director in 2012, Catherine worked in a number of senior marketing roles with Capita Plc and Bank of Ireland followed by four years establishing and running successful events and marketing company in partnership with a colleague and friend. She is based in Northern Ireland but enjoyed the extensive travel that came with her role in the pre-COVID age. She is enjoying getting back on the road again.
DUBAI
2071
Dubai’s Museum of the Future (MOTF), which opened its doors on February 22, 2022, takes visitors 50 years into the future to 2071. The city’s newest icon, described by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai as “the most beautiful building on Earth”, is a spectacular pillarless structure that represents the revival of Arab excellence in the fields of science, mathematics and research. Rising 77 metres above the ground, this architectural marvel was built using robotic technology and with an emphasis on sustainability, is powered with 4,000 megawatts of solar energy. MOTF employs the latest technologies of virtual and augmented reality, data analysis, artificial intelligence and human machine interaction. Answering many questions related to the future of humans, cities, societies, life on planet Earth and outer space, the museum’s exhibits, featured across seven unique and distinct floors, provide a window to experience the future in all its aspects and dimensions. There are five distinct exhibitions that explore the future of space travel and living, climate change and ecology, health, wellness, and spirituality. Visitors are encouraged take part in special missions and, unlike a traditional museum that showcases fragments of the past, it provides a portal to the future, in a scientific attempt to explore its variables, potential challenges and expected characteristics. museumofthefuture.ae Gemma Greenwood
The UAE
Paramount Hotel Midtown
Synonymous with entertainment, bold imagination and creativity, the new Paramount Hotel Midtown in Dubai’s Business Bay is steeped in the rich 110-year history perfected by Paramount Pictures. It promises “timeless Hollywood elegance” with design touches including a “golddipped lobby splashed with retro artwork”. There are 281 rooms and suites, including Scene Rooms, A-List Suites and a Paramount Suite, decked out with balconies overlooking the Dubai coastline or Burj Khalifa. Gastronomic experiences include Paparazzi Tuscan, CineScope and Melrose Bar & Lounge, as well as Malibu Sky Lounge and Pool Bar with panoramic skyline views. Facilities include four Business Studios, a PAUSE Spa and PAUSE Fitness Centre, and The Kids Studio Club offering cinematic experiences. paramounthotelsdubai.com/midtown
voco Bonnington Dubai
voco Bonnington Dubai in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), the second voco in the city and formerly Bonnington Hotel Dubai, features 208 rooms and promises a “modern, stylish and unstuffy experience”.
As part of the transformational works carried out at the property, the refurbished guest rooms benefit from the voco design concept with thoughtful comforts like cosy bedding made from 100 per cent recycled materials, Antipodes high-quality organic bathroom amenities in larger dispenser bottles, and high-speed WiFi, Smart TVs, executive desks and inroom refreshments. Facilities include meeting rooms; a Leisure Deck with a swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna and steam rooms, a beauty salon and a pool bar; and dining experiences such as The Cavendish and the awardwinning Irish pub McGettigan’s. ihg.com
Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai
The Middle East’s first property under the boutique lifestyle brand, Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai is pitched as a new social hub in the city’s La Mer district, just 20 minutes from Dubai International, and features 173 rooms and suites, plus casual dining venues, including an all-day dining restaurant, The Shisha Lounge, The Lobby Lounge and The Pool Bar. For leisure there is a temperature-controlled outdoor pool, a spa and a 24-hour fitness centre. Guests can also expect a full-service concierge, multilingual staff, laundry, dry-cleaning services, and valet parking. hyatt.com
CLOCKWISE FROM
ABOVE: Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai; Paramount Hotel Midtown’s Blockbuster Suite Bedroom; voco Bonnington Dubai’s King room
OPPOSITE PAGE:
Paramount Hotel Midtown
INK Hotel Dubai
INK Hotel is a four-star boutique property located in the Al Jaddaf Waterfront community overlooking Dubai Creek. The five-storey hotel with contemporary design is described as “fun, trendy and offbeat”, focusing on sustainability and “inclusive hospitality”. It features 63 rooms with two room sizes – 23 sqm rooms that can be interconnected and 30 sqm rooms, and Wi-Fi is complimentary. Hotel facilities include a rooftop swimming pool with Dubai Creek views, a pop-up gym and designated areas for pets. With sustainability crucial to operations, INK Hotel has solar panels installed on the roof and staff uniforms are made from recycled plastic. The all-day dining restaurant, Bistro by INK, has collaborated with the local café roastery, Grandmother, to provide speciality coffee along with other treats and stocks climateconscious, ethical, organic teabags from Pukka. It offers indoor and outdoor seating. INK Hotel is close to contemporary art attractions such as Jameel Arts Centre and Al Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture and provides access to the 6km waterfront promenade with the weekly INK Running Club hosted by Nike running ambassador Manal Rostom. inkhotel.me
25hours Hotel Dubai One Central
The very first 25hours hotel to open in the Middle East offers 434 rooms and suites and a guest experience that gives a nod to the ancient traditions of the Bedouins, brought back to modern life through innovative design. A fun property with plenty of spaces to work, rest or play, it is intended for real people to “come as they are”. The hotel is just a stone’s throw from DIFC and also overlooks the stunning Museum of the Future. For dining, there’s Tandoor Tina, combining British and North Indian cuisines; Nomad Day Bar by Dubai-based cult coffee roasters, Nightjar; and the super popular Berlin import, Monkey Bar on the rooftop, next to the pool. There’s a spa (The Extra Hour) and an indoor and outdoor gym inspired by the vibes of Venice Beach. 25hours-hotels.com
ABOVE: 25hours Hotel Dubai One Central LEFT: INK Hotel Dubai
The very first 25hours hotel to open in the Middle East asks you to “come as you are”
Hyde Hotel Dubai
The recently opened Hyde Hotel Dubai in Business Bay is the second Hyde hotel globally. Described as “a lifestyle concept with personality”, if offers large rooms and suites, a home-from-home guest experience and outstanding dining options. They include Hudson Tavern, the place to grab a beer and craft burger; Cleo, a vibrant Eastern Mediterranean-inspired restaurant promising elevated social dining; and Katsuya, serving Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi’s authentic Japanese cuisine with impressive views of the Burj Khalifa as a backdrop. Facilities also include five meeting rooms, a ballroom, rooftop pool and lounge, a gym and the Cinq Mondes Spa. sbe.com/hotels/hyde/dubai
Premier Inn Barsha Heights
The 11th Premier Inn in the MENA region and the seventh in Dubai, the new Premier Inn Barsha Heights introduces the UK brand’s redesigned guest rooms, a newlook lobby and fresh concepts in F&B. The hotel offers 219 rooms, all with complimentary Wi-Fi and comprising family, twin, double and interconnecting options, plus rooms for people of determination; three F&B outlets – Mr Toad’s Pub & Kitchen, Lillie’s Pad rooftop garden bar, and a Costa café; a spacious lobby; 10th-floor swimming pool and terrace; a well-equipped gym; male and female prayer rooms; and meeting rooms. It is well located, close to Dubai’s malls and key attractions and offers underground parking and shuttle-bus services. mena.premierinn.com
Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park Dubai
Holiday Inn Dubai Science Park hotel, opening soon, will comprise 402 rooms and suites. Located near Arabian Ranches and Motor City, the property offers five meeting rooms and a conference hall seating 600 guests, four food and beverage outlets, an outdoor swimming pool and a gym.
FROM TOP:
InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa; Hyde Hotel Dubai; Premier Inn Barsha Heights
InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa
The luxury brand’s first hotel in the northern emirate is located on Hayat Island and offers 351 sea-facing rooms, suites, and private pool villas; six dining outlets; and an exclusive Club InterContinental. Dining options include Levant & Nar serving Levant-influenced delicacies with a modern twist; NoHo, a trendy hangout inspired by the artistic streets of North Houston in New York, serving sharing platters; and the poolside ShaSha bar. For leisure there’s an infinity pool, water sports, a curated activity programme, health club with fitness studio, outdoor tennis court and male and female saunas. Spa InterContinental was scheduled to open last month (April) and meeting and events space covers almost 1,000 sqm. ihg.com
InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi
Opening in Q4, InterContinental Residences Abu Dhabi will offer 130 studios and one-, two-, and threebedroom apartments, most with sea views from their balconies. The units will have a fully equipped kitchen and walk-in closet. Facilities will include a private beach; outdoor Jacuzzi; kids’ pool; gym; several indoor and outdoor dining options, including inroom dining; a lobby lounge; meeting rooms; and underground parking. radissonhotels.com
Saudi Arabia
JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
Situated on King Fahad Road, five minutes from King Abdullah Financial District, JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh will occupy one of the city’s most desirable addresses when it opens this quarter. It will also be one of the tallest properties in the city, spanning 66 floors, with 349 rooms and suites and dining outlets including the renowned JW Steakhouse. marriott.com
Shangri-La Jeddah
Shangri-La made its brand debut in Saudi Arabia in February with The Shangri-La Jeddah opening in Burj Assila, the city’s building. It features 220 rooms and suites with Red Sea and city views; three restaurants, including the brand’s famous Chinese dining concept, Shang Palace; extensive wellness facilities; a dedicated kids’ club; and versatile meeting and event spaces including the 960 sqm Shangri-La Grand Ballroom with Red Sea views. The hotel is close to major shopping areas and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, home to the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. shangri-la.com
CLOCKWISE FROM
RIGHT: Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah Corniche; Shangri-La Jeddah; JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh; Somerset Downtown Al Khobar
Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah Corniche
Located in South Obhur on the new corniche, just 12 minutes from King Abdulaziz International Airport and close to King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, this property is designed for the modern traveller, with an emphasis on “delivering what matters the most”. There are 301 rooms, including 113 suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and sea views, plus 24-hour room service, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Dining options include the Creek Restaurant for all-day dining, featuring Arabian and international dishes, and the Lobby Café, serving specialty coffees, light bites, and refreshments. For business travellers there are eight fully equipped meeting rooms. Other facilities include a health club and swimming pool. marriott.com
Somerset Downtown Al Khobar
The Ascott Limited (Ascott) recently opened its seventh property in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Somerset Downtown Al Khobar is located on Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Road, close to the city’s shopping malls, beaches, gardens, museums, and restaurants and easily accessible from King Fahd International Airport, King Abdul Aziz Port, and the Bahrain-Khobar causeway. The 16-storey, 139-key property offers one-, two- and threebedroom spacious apartments with inspiring living spaces, designed to accommodate work and rest, and stunning city views through floor-toceiling windows. Amenities include a swimming pool, a fully equipped gymnasium, and a children’s play area. Meeting rooms are also available, while the in-house restaurant serves global cuisine. discoverasr.com
Holiday Inn Jeddah Corniche
Opening in Q4, the 156-room property is located behind Corniche Road, near Jeddah Waterfront, InterContinental Jeddah and Crowne Plaza Jeddah. The hotel will offer guests a business centre, two meeting rooms (450 sqm in total), a gymnasium, spa, pool and three dining options. holidayinn.com
Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport
Occupying a 50,000 sqm plot, this is more a business village than your archetypal vertical hotel block. It has 471 rooms including duplex suites, three-bedroom villas and family connecting rooms with a wide range of amenities such as coffee machines and rain-showers and each with a balcony. Dining options include allday dining venue Lune Restaurant, and Kazbah Café, serving light bites. The hotel offers 11 meeting rooms with state-of-the-art technology and a soon-to-open auditorium spanning more than 1,800 sqm. It’s close to King Khalid International Airport and there are no old-school 2pm check-in and 12 noon checkout times. Instead, the hotel offers a 22-hour stay for a one-night charge. Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport also offers its guests three outdoor pools, two indoor pools, a separate ladies and men fitness studio, and a spa. radissonhotels.com
Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre
Opening in Q3 2022, the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre will feature 200 rooms, a 200 sqm all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a lobby, a lounge and a café. The hotel will also offer an indoor swimming pool and a fitness space. With a 1,075 sqm meetings and events area and 5,600 sqm car parking and within walking distance of Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre, the hotel is ideal for anyone attending an event or in town for visiting for business. The rooms boast spectacular views over Riyadh and business travellers can benefit from a stay in an Executive Room or Suite, which include access to its business class lounge. radissonhotels.com
BELOW LEFT: Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport BOTTOM: Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre
Jeddah Marriott Hotel Madinah Road
The recently launched Jeddah Marriott Hotel Madinah Road, located in Jeddah’s central business district, is located across two tower buildings and is close to Jeddah’s famous corniche, the Jeddah International Exhibition & Conference Centre, and the King Abdulaziz International Airport. The 274-room property is designed to reflect the newest global design vision for Marriott Hotels, featuring sophisticated and intuitively designed spaces for today’s modern traveller. Each room features a space to work and relax, intuitive in-room amenities, deep-soaking bathtubs and walk-in showers. The hotel also offers M Club, an exclusive space reserved for Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite Marriott Bonvoy members, as well as Club Room guests, offering complimentary breakfast, beverages and hors d’oeuvres throughout the day. The M Club also offers the brand’s signature Mind Menu, a selection of snacks and beverages to enhance mind and body. Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the M Club provides free Wi-Fi, printing services and power supplies to ensure uninterrupted productivity for business travellers. There are also three culinary experiences including Sky View, offering signature dishes and panoramic views of the city; allday dining venue Olive Tree, located in the lobby and serving international and Arabic dishes; and Olive Terrace, an outdoor venue with live cooking stations. There are six meeting rooms and a Grand Venue for up to 600 guests, plus a 24/7 fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, children’s pool, the Saray Spa, and a ladies-only salon. marriott.com
Swissôtel Living Jeddah
Swissôtel Living Jeddah, due to open this year, will feature 150 rooms across six categories: 43 Studio King, 10 Studio Two Single Beds, 68 One Bedrooms, six Vitality Suites (with exercising space and equipment), 22 Two Bedrooms, and one Three Bedroom, all with modern design, innovative technology, a kitchenette
Jeddah Marriott Hotel Madinah Road reflects Marriott’s new design vision
with washing machine, and unique Purovel personal amenities. The luxury living brand’s first property in Saudi Arabia will also feature three meeting rooms (pictured) equipped with the latest AV, a ballroom, dining FROM TOP: Jeddah concepts, and a wellness centre with Marriott Hotel gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, and Madinah Road; Swissôtel Living spa with Swissôtel’s signature Purovel Jeddah Spa amenities. swisshotel.com
Qatar
voco Doha West Bay
This 46-floor property in West Bay has 396 rooms and suites, “well-loved” restaurant and lounges including The Social, Serenitea, and Sky Lounge on the 35th floor, plus an exclusive helipad and facilities including a pool deck, a 24hour gym with steam, sauna and Jacuzzi, a spa and a kids’ wading pool and five meeting rooms. The property offers a selection of studios, and one-, two- and threebedroom fully-serviced suites. ihg.com
Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Hotel & Branded Residences, Lusail Towers
The iconic Lusail Towers development – an architectural translation of Qatar’s national seal, representing the traditional scimitar swords – will play host to two of the world’s leading luxury hotel brands, Raffles and Fairmont, with both properties set to open this year ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The towers will rise gracefully from podium level, one occupied by the six-star Raffles Hotel & Branded Residences featuring 132 suites and 49 apartments and the other home to the five-star Fairmont with 361 rooms and suites and pitched at business travellers. State-of-the-art entertainment and recreational facilities, including specialist boutiques, VIP movie theatres, signature restaurants and a private Cigar Lounge, as well as exquisite banqueting and conference spaces and dedicated office areas are all part of this project, developed by Katara Hospitality. raffles.com and fairmont.com
CLOCKWISE FROM
BELOW: voco Doha West Bay; Le Royal Méridien Doha; Palais Vendôme; Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Hotel & Branded Residences, Lusail Towers
Le Royal Méridien Doha
Part of the same development as Palais Vendôme, a destination in its own right, Le Royal Méridien Doha, will offer a more contemporary style, reflecting modern French culture and design. The property will house 250 guest rooms, including a Presidential Suite in one wing, while the other wing will offer 150 serviced apartments. Le Royal Méridien Doha is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. marriott.com
Palais Vendôme
A lavish hospitality experience embodying classical Parisian elegance will set Palais Vendôme apart when it opens this year. This Luxury Collection Hotel with a palatial presence will feature 250 rooms, including two Presidential Suites, and will be part of a three-property complex. It will mark the entry of the brand into Qatar, offering global explorers a “unique gateway to this visionary destination”. marriott.com
NH Collection Doha Oasis Hotel & Beach Club
Opening in September 2022, NH Collection Doha Oasis Hotel & Beach Club will be both the first NH Collection property in the Middle East region and the first of the brand globally with a beach club. The 300-key hotel is located in the Ras Abu Abboud area along Doha’s eastern coast, midway between the city centre and Hamad International Airport, and has a rich history. The previous Oasis Hotel, from where the new property takes its name, was in the same location and was Doha’s first ever hotel when it opened in the 1950s. Accommodation options will include a mix of guest rooms and more than 50 suites, the largest being the 332 sqm Royal Duplex Suite. There will be six restaurants and bars, including two specialty restaurants and a rooftop bar, plus a beach club with a swimming pool, padel tennis courts, male and female spas and gyms, a large ballroom and substantial parking.
CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW:
NH Collection Doha Oasis Hotel & Beach Club; The Plaza Doha Anantara Hotel & Suites; Andaz Doha
The Plaza Doha Anantara Hotel & Suites
Minor Hotels will open its second Anantara property in Qatar in Q4. The Plaza Doha Anantara Hotel & Suites, located in Um Ghuwelina, will feature 118 guest rooms and 172 serviced apartment suites, plus a large ballroom and six meeting rooms. It will be a grand-looking property with a palatial façade and inside, blend Parisian design with Arabian luxury, with examples including the hotel’s centre piece – an elegant, airconditioned courtyard atrium. For leisure, guests will be able to choose from a rooftop infinity pool, indoor pool, a gym and a signature Anantara Spa. A kids’ play area and multiple dining options are also among the hotel’s highlights. anantara.com
Andaz Doha
Hyatt will debut its luxury lifestyle Andaz brand November this year to coincide with the FIFA World Cup tournament. The 318-guestroom Andaz Doha, located in the West Bay area of the city, close to embassies, consulates and key government institutions, will boast sea views and four innovative food and beverage outlets. It will represent the third Andaz-branded hotel in the Middle East. hyatt.com
Oman
Avani Muscat Hotel
Located in the Omani capital’s Seeb district, close to both the airport and the city, this contemporary property with “heritage-inspired touches”, features 161 well-designed rooms with workspaces, flexible configuration options and a smartpower panel outfitted with multiple plugs and USB ports. For longer stays there are 45 studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom serviced apartments, the largest of which spans 128 sqm. Hotel facilities include Trisis, a nature-inspired all-day dining restaurant specialising in Omani, Arabic and international cuisines; Avani’s easy gourmet grab-andgo concept Pantry, known for its honest, nutritious meals and specialty coffee; the alfresco Patio Bar offering refreshments and overlooking the outdoor swimming pool; AvaniFit, featuring a gym, sauna and steam room; and the AvaniKids club for young guests. avanihotels.com
Crowne Plaza West Cairo – Arkan
The first hotel to launch under the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand in Egypt, this property is located in the Sheikh Zayed district in the west of the Egyptian capital. The 178-room hotel, which is part of the Arkan Plaza complex, features the Plaza Workspace, a flexible and hybrid lobby space offering guests the opportunity to switch between work and downtime, plus five meeting rooms, event spaces and an exclusive Club Lounge. With IHG’s Meet with Confidence programme, guests have the flexibility to book future meetings and events with zero cancellation fees at participating hotels. Dining options include Amphora for allday dining, Mayrig, a restaurant specialising in cuisine from Lebanon and Armenia, and Miss Li Lee, serving Asian flavours and home to an outdoor terrace. ihg.com
Egypt’s first Crowne Plaza branded property has opened in West Cairo
FROM TOP: Avani Muscat Hotel; Crowne Plaza West Cairo – Arkan
Egypt
Jordan
Centro Mada Amman
Centro Mada Amman, a concept hotel designed for “a new generation of travelling executives demanding finesse and functionality at reasonable rates”, has opened in the Abdoun business and leisure district, close to key embassies, historical sites, and the Queen Alia International Airport. The hotel features 194 hotel rooms and suites, each designed to maximise space, light and efficiency, with smart technology and in-room entertainment. Lifestyle-focused eateries include all-day-dining concept FLO, which is open 24 hours daily; GLO, a modern laid-back poolside venue with views of the city; and 24-hour in-room dining. For leisure, there’s an outdoor temperaturecontrolled pool on the rooftop and a gym open 24 hours a day, and for business, three well-equipped meeting rooms and a pre-function area, as well as co-working spaces. rotana.com/centrohotels
FROM TOP: Centro Mada Amman; The Ritz-Carlton Amman; Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé
The Ritz-Carlton Amman
The Ritz-Carlton Amman Hotel opens its doors this month (May 2022). Located in a 20-storey tower in the city’s prestigious 5th Circle district, the property features 192 rooms and suites, eight dining destinations, 1,250-square-metres of event space, and an ESPA Spa. ritzcarlton.com
Morocco
Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé
Opening this year, Fairmont La Marina Rabat-Salé, is located between the cities of Rabat and Salé, on the banks of the Bouregreg River, offering the best of three worlds: land, sea, and river. The hotel is divided into two areas. The first, on the riverside, will house 186 elegant rooms and suites, while the second is a residential complex with 88 fully furnished Fairmont luxury residences. The unique property with avantgarde architecture will feature three restaurants, a Fairmont Gold Lounge, two bars, up to 10 meeting rooms, a wellness and fitness area, a heated infinity pool on the rooftop and 12 shops. fairmont.com
