10-11 ttg_lux_AOL+news 2/3/09 10:59 Page 11
OPTIMISM FOR HOTELS
IN THE MIDDLE EAST
The global economic downturn will act as a
catalyst for shaking up hotel operators and
investors in the Middle East, leaving behind
only those who are truly committed,
according to organisers of the 2009 Arabian
Hotel Investment Conference.
The recession could also see the return of
those who might previously have been “priced
out” of the market.
“It may seem
there is little scope
for growth in the
hotel sector, but that
ONE & ONLY’S EASTER OPENING
is not the case,” said
Jonathan Worsley, ne & Only Cape Town is to open months with Espa treatments has also been created.
co-organiser of AHIC.
“The current O
ahead of schedule on April 4 in time for The hotel will have a tri-level wine loft with more
Easter and the hotel marks the return of Sol than 6,000 bottles of South African wine and a
environment has Kerzner to his homeland, writes April Hutchinson. chef’s table with wine tastings also made available.
been welcomed by many as a chance to “There was a great local motivation to finish the The hotel’s Vista Bar will become a big part of city
separate the serious players from the hotel,” said One & Only Resorts president Paul life, said Jones, looking out towards Table Mountain
cowboys. AHIC this year will bring in the Jones. “The hotel has been more than six years in and offering specially-created cocktails with an
people at the forefront of shaping hotel the making and we have gone all out to create African flavour.
investment in the region for the next 10 years. something really special.” “Everything at the hotel will be a real
It may not seem as sexy as previous years but The hotel is on Cape Town’s V&A waterfront and experience,” said Jones. “South Africa itself is very
it is still business as usual,” he added. brings Gordon Ramsay’s Maze and Nobuyuki anticipative about the hotel and we feel there is a
Taking place May 2-4 at the Madinat “Nobu” Matsuhisa to Africa for the first time. groundswell of momentum generally in the
Jumeirah (pictured) in Dubai, more than 100 It is the group’s sixth property and its first urban country, with the World Cup around the corner.”
speakers will be involved in the three-day resort. Its guestrooms are split between 91 rooms The meetings and events sector, and weddings
forum. “The overall mood of the investment and suites within the central seven-storey Marina market, have also been considered and Jones
market is cautious rather than gloomy,” said Rise, while 40 villa-style suites have been designed expects 20% business traffic at the hotel. A
Worsley (arabianconference.com). on a specially-built island. A dedicated Spa Island children’s club will also be a key feature.
QANTAS SHOWS OFF ITS A380
NOTES MORE FROM BALES Bales
Worldwide has new luxury properties in its
Australia and New Zealand 2009 programme
Qantas bought the “A380 experience” to London for including the Injidup Spa
more than 200 agents and operators, with cabins Retreat on Margaret River and
and seats set up within the capital’s IMAX cinema. the new Wolgan Valley Resort
Travel Counsellors Kate Sykes, Rosemary Clark and Spa in Australia. In New
and Jennifer Bradnam (pictured) were among those Zealand, three luxury lodges –
finding out about the inflight wines, cuisine and Kauri Cliffs (pictured),
amenities on the A380, which will now operate on Treetops Lodge & Estate and
five flights a week from May following the delivery Otahuna Lodge – feature
of Qantas’ fourth A380. The carrier’s A380s are (balesworldwide.com).
configured with 450 seats across four classes, the CANOUAN CAN New Liat
least number of seats of any A380s in operation. flights from Barbados to
Canouan make access to the island’s Raffles
resort more cost effective and frequent,
says ITC Classics, which is offering up to
THE ADDRESS SPREADS
50% off stays. Seven nights starts from
TO MORE POST CODES
£1,575pp including breakfast, Liat flights
and British Airways flights (itcclassics.co.uk).
Emaar Hospitality is to expand The Address brand to HOT TURKEY The new gem for Harlequin
three more properties following the launch of The Holidays’ European portfolio is the Mardan
Address Downtown Burj Dubai, writes Michael Lane. Palace, Antalya, which shows off palatial
A 245-room The Address Dubai Mall is scheduled to Ottoman architecture and an impressive
open in May and 200-room The Address in Dubai 7,500sq m spa (harlequinholidays.com).
Marina is slated for July. A management contract to run IN GOOD TASTE New for 2009, Remy Martin
the Jnan Amar Polo Retreat has also been signed. is throwing open its doors for connoisseurs to
Emaar chief operating officer Christoph Mares said get the insider track on the Cognac house.
The Address had exceeded expectations: “We’re in the Les Rendez-Vous visitor packages include
60s already for occupancy and average rates are solid. half-day tastings and private tours
This is all extremely positive for a hotel that is a new accompanied by
brand, and newly launched at the height of economic Remy Martin experts.
challenges all around us.” Cognac blending
The group is now looking at London, New York and workshops can be
Shanghai as potential locations for new hotels. arranged (visites
Michael Lane’s review of The Address, p60. remymartin.com).
11
in the know
spring 09
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