Business travelers never had it before when planning for their Abu Dhabi travel. Glad tidings are on their way and all set to make them euphoric. Abu Dhabi is currently seeing a deluge of visitors with occupancy rates in hotels considerably increasing. These are some exciting times for the visitors as room rates at luxury hotels are on constant decline because of increased competition.
Media reports recently said that Abu Dhabi hotels will see 850 new rooms by the end of 2014. This was revealed in a study made public lately. The reports quoting the said indicated that 3,450 additional rooms will make debut by the 2016 end. Most of the new rooms will be in the five-star segment. The total number of rooms to be available by the end of 2016 will reach 22,300.
The study said that business travelers have been the greatest beneficiary of the increased competition now in the hotel sector. The competition has significantly reduced rates driving occupancy throughout Abu Dhabi, particularly in upscale segment.
The study revealed that 149 hotels and hotel apartments in the UAE reported a 33 percent increase in customers in February y-o-y. The occupancy reached 81 percent during the period, up 4 percentage point last year. The number of customers who checked in was about 262, 000, while guest nights increased 21 percent m-o-m to 815,718. The study quoting the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority said that the average room rate decreased 9 percent in the first two months of 2014.
According to hotels and tourism industry experts, Abu Dhabi is currently witnessing a new wave of hotels. This has generated a big demand and simultaneously attracting new markets, particularly in leisure and business travel segments. They also remarked that the tourism outlook is quite favorable in the medium term.
Travel experts have forecasted that the tourism demand is looking upwards and is likely to go through a significant change in the medium term. The factors being prominently cited includes near completion of several major projects, expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport as well as UAE national carrier Etihad Airways, new visitor attractions on Yas and Saadiyat Islands, and constant and growing stopover demand.
Here are latest updates on developments currently going on in the luxury hotel sector in Abu Dhabi. These are the following:
Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri wins 2014 Travelers’ Choice Hotel Award
Media reports published recently said that Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri has been presented with the 2014 TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Hotel Award. The hotel now figures in the list of “Top 25 Hotels in the United Arab Emirates”. The hotel earned a rating of 90 percent. This is being acknowledged as exceptional traveler rating over past year.
Arbind K. Shrestha, General Manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, said that it is a matter of great delight for the hotel to have received this prestigious award. He said that the hotel continues to be a market leader in Abu Dhabi, while establishing luxury excellence and due recognition from business as well as leisure travelers from across the world.
Danat Hotels and Resorts planning two new hotels
Danat Hotels and Resorts is currently working on expansion plans in the UAE and will be opening two new hotels in Abu Dhabi. The two hotels – Century Hotel Apartments and Danat Residence – will be opening before the end of 2014. The Century hotel apartments will comprise of 60 luxury apartments, while the Danat Residence will have 190 flats.
Walid Nicholas Harouni, Hotels Division Manager of Danat Hotels and Resorts, said that many other hotel projects are currently underway in the UAE. There are plans for adding 30 villas as well as 100 apartments to Danat Jebel Dhanna property. Harouni disclosed that the group has been continuously showing admirable performance and achieved an occupancy rate of 83 percent in 2013.
ESPA opens at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi
According to recent media reports, the flagship ESPA has now been opened at The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal. The ESPA is situated inside the Venetian Village. ESPA is aiming to turn into a prime deluxe spa city in Abu Dhabi.
The Venetian Village, where the ESPA is located, is a waterfront residential region. It emulates the scenic Italian piazzas which had traditionally been at the centre of community life. The serene setting of the ESPA reminisces of the Beduin culture of Arabia, where the visitors can look forward to pioneering spa treatments. The beachfront spa promises to provide a meditative, contemplative and calm space for socializing, reflecting and relaxing.
The splendid Moroccan hammam is located on two levels. The spa offers holistic relaxation and rejuvenation with its 16 extravagantly appointed treatment suites, marbled steam rooms and saunas dazzling with natural daylight. The spa’s sublime beauty has been created through ample usage of natural ingredients such as brown onyx, iridescent glass and limestone providing an instant harmonious feeling. The visitors can look forward to a welcome drink of cardamom-infused Arabic coffee upon their arrival.
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi is located on the picturesque Grand Canal. The waterfront luxury hotel is spread over 57 acre area. The hotel extends a broad classification of accommodation alternatives, including 4 Suites and 85 private villas.
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