Jumeirah to operate luxury resort on Bali

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:16:16 GMT

Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, has signed a management agreement with PT Asia Pasifik Properti to operate a luxury resort on the island of Bali, Indonesia. The resort will be known as Jumeirah Bali and is expected to open in 2015.

Jumeirah Bali, located on the southern tip of the exclusive Jimbaran District, will look out onto the pristine sands of the renowned Dreamland surfer's beach and is adjacent to Bali's exclusive New Kuta Golf Course. Consisting of 80 spacious hotel suites and 25 private villas, and set amidst lush, tropical gardens, Jumeirah Bali will feature architectural designs reflective of Bali's rich cultural heritage and modelled after an ancient Javanese-Hindu water palace.

Jumeirah Bali will offer a variety of fine international and local cuisines in three restaurants. It will offer Jumeirah's signature Talise Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. The resort will also feature an exclusive cliff-top wedding venue that captures stunning sunset views. A fully equipped business centre complete with meeting rooms and the latest communications technology will enable Jumeirah Bali to cater to both upscale corporate and leisure guests.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Jumeirah Group's Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Sukowati Sosrodjojo, Chief Executive Officer of PT Asia Pasifik Properti, said: "Jumeirah sets a new standard of luxury hotels and resorts that reaches far beyond the industry. From its superb service and personalised attention towards its guests to the unique blends of architectural concepts and designs, Jumeirah has raised the bar of luxury travel and living."

Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman of Jumeirah Group said: "We are delighted to bring the Jumeirah 'Stay Different' experience to Bali. Our guests will enjoy the exclusive and pristine beachfront location as well as the traditional Balinese ambiance of the resort. This reaffirms our commitment to celebrating the cultural uniqueness of every destination, while offering our award winning service in the most luxurious settings."

Jumeirah currently has one hotel open in the Asia region - Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel, Shanghai. A further five luxury hotels are under development in China, in addition to a hotel in Thailand.

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About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts, including five star hotels in Dubai and luxury resorts Dubai. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi; the five star hotel in DubaiBurj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vittaveli luxury hotel Maldives; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai; Jumeirah Frankfurt in Germany; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes luxury hotels London; Jumeirah Grand Hotel via Veneto in Rome and Jumeirah Essex House 5 star hotels New York. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

About PT Asia Pasifik Properti:
PT Asia Pasifik Properti is a REKSO Company that was established on 2006 as a property developer with the first task is to develop a luxurious resort in Bali. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Indonesian Companies (Globe Asia Magazine 2010), REKSO Group is widely respected in business circles for its focus, stability, expansion of scale, and brand leadership, which is achieves by adhering to the very best business ethics, social and environmental responsibility, and sustainable development in all of its operations.

Jumeirah's the noodle house earns Superbrand status

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:48:34 GMT

Jumeirah has announced that the noodle house, the flagship brand of Jumeirah Restaurants LLC serving cuisines from South-East Asia, has been awarded Superbrand status for 2012.

The Superbrand status is assigned to a company or a brand based on market dominance, quality, trust, longevity, goodwill, customer loyalty and market acceptance. The Superbrands organisation, which began in 1994 and analyses the history and strength of different brands in over 87 countries, is universally commended for being an arbiter of branding excellence.

The noodle house was voted a Superbrand by the Superbrands Council which consists of eminent industry figures including Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, and Laila Sohail, CEO, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment.

Phil Broad, Managing Director of Jumeirah Restaurants LLC, said: "We are extremely proud to be awarded the Superbrand status for 2012. This achievement reflects our hard work and continuous efforts towards developing the noodle house brand in the course of the past ten years. It is a great honour to be recognized by an international award-giving body for achieving high standards of excellence and quality services."

Starting out as a home-grown brand in 2002, the noodle house is now operational in 21 outlets across eight countries with additional outlets in the pipeline. In 2011, Jumeirah Restaurants LLC signed agreements to open the noodle house in three more countries in 2012: Russia, Lebanon and Bahrain. This expansion will see the noodle house operational in a number of countries around the world by the end of 2012.

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About the noodle house:
The first brand to be developed by Jumeirah Group's dedicated restaurant division, the noodle house is a popular casual dining restaurant serving a South East Asian cuisine in an informal yet stylish setting. Established in 2002, it provides a vibrant casual atmosphere where chefs prepare aromatic dishes within minutes over an open flame and in full view of the guests. The noodle house is also light years away from the standard concept of 'fast food' and boasts remarkably knowledgeable and enthusiastic waiters.

About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts, including Dubai hotels and 5 star hotels in London. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes luxury hotel in central London; Jumeirah Frankfurt luxury hotel in Germany, Jumeirah Essex House luxury hotel New York; Jumeirah Himalayas luxury hotel in Shanghai and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the Maldives. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts announces winter sale

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:16:45 GMT

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has announced its winter sale, offering savings of up to 50% off the standard room rate at the company's portfolio of 4 and 5 star hotels and resorts in the UK and Spain.

The luxurious, 5-star Macdonald Spa hotel in Bath provides guests with the perfect opportunity to explore the historic city, while other options include unwinding with a family adventure break at the 4-star Macdonald Cardrona hotel in Peebles or even relax with a winter sunshine break at Macdonald Villacana resort in Malaga. The winter offer also allows children aged 12 and under to stay and eat for free.

To qualify for the offer, potential guests must book their stay between now and 6 March and stay with the hotel group before 16 March 2012.

This latest seasonal deal also offers guests a 3-course dinner with a bottle of wine from just £20 per person. And whether patrons choose to dine in the award-winning John Paul at The Marine at the 4-star Macdonald Marine Spa & hotel in North Berwick or the new Scottish Steak Club at Macdonald Inchyra Spa & hotel near Stirling, diners are assured of culinary excellence within a hotel group where chefs proudly prepare mouth-watering dishes from whole raw ingredients.

Ruaridh Macdonald, Sales and Marketing Director of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, commented: "Wherever our discerning guests choose to stay within Macdonald Hotels & Resorts this season, our fabulous winter offer guarantees couples and families the chance to banish the January blues with savings and exemplary service at truly luxurious hotel locations across the UK."

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About Macdonald Hotels:
First established in 1990 by Donald Macdonald and colleagues Macdonald Hotels & Resorts operates over 40 hotels across the UK and ten resorts throughout the UK and Spain. Macdonald Hotels employs over 4,400 staff and operates in excess of 4,500 hotel rooms. Its focus is on developing its strong portfolio of four and five star hotels, with each offering its own character and individuality underpinned with the quality and attention to detail expected of the Macdonald brand. In particular, the company prides itself on the seasonality and provenance of its food within the hotels, from breakfast through to dinner, as well as its wide range of specially selected wines. As testament to the excellent level of service the Group provides, it has on numerous occasions won several prestigious accolades, most notably the AA Hotel Group of the Year 2007-08 and the National Customer Service Awards for Leisure and Tourism.

Guoman Hotels' Royal Horseguards reveals its New Year's Eve packages

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:33:07 GMT

Guoman Hotels' The Royal Horseguards hotel has revealed a number of options for guests wishing to celebrate the arrival of 2012 at the hotel.

Among the New Year's Eve packages available is the 'Midnight Revels' package in which guests can ring in the New Year over a 6-course menu served in the swanky Gladstone Library overlooking the midnight fireworks display at the London Eye. A more intimate evening can be found at the hotel's award winning OneTwentyOneTwo restaurant which offers equally stunning views of the fireworks. With 2012 being billed as a year of celebration for London, this year's fireworks display is set to top all previous efforts.

For 'Midnight Revellers' The Royal Horseguards is the only place to be this New Year’s Eve, with first-class food and drink and breath-taking views of the celebration from the hotel's own private terrace. Guests can start the evening in the stunning Reading & Writing room with a wonderful champagne reception, accompanied by a live band, before sitting down to a delicious 6-course dinner featuring the finest ingredients and festive drinks. As the final countdown to the old year begins, guests will be able to hear Big Ben strike midnight and toast 2012 with a glass of chilled champagne from the private terrace.

For guests interested in a more low-key New Year's Eve celebration, The Royal Horseguards AA Rosette winning OneTwentyOneTwo restaurant is offering a 6-course fine dining experience which includes a half bottle of wine, champagne on arrival and at midnight, as well as live music over dinner.

About Guoman Hotels
Guoman Hotel Management Limited operates two hotel brands within the UK market; Guoman Hotels, an exclusive collection of luxury hotels located in central London and Thistle Hotels, a chain of quality full service hotels in the UK’s major cities.

Guoman Hotels in the UK consists of four landmark properties; Charing Cross, The Cumberland, The Royal Horseguards and The Tower. Whilst each hotel in the portfolio is different with its own unique identity and style, each provides the very highest levels of comfort and service to its guests.

In 2010, Guoman Hotels launched internationally with its new property opening in Shanghai. In the UK, The Grosvenor Victoria property will join the collection in 2011.

Guoman Hotel Management Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GuocoLeisure Ltd, part of the Hong Leong Group which has hospitality and leisure businesses across the globe with hotels in Europe, USA, Australasia and Asia.

Jumeirah followers design the 'Hotel of the Future'

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:28:33 GMT

Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, recently engaged with the audience at the annual TEDx Dubai event to create the hotel room of the future.

Participants to the conference, as well as keen Tweeps from Dubai, the UAE and the world, shared their creative and original ideas which were then converted from the digital realm to a futuristic masterpiece with the help of talented local artist Zanjeer Salam.

The result was a four metre canvas displaying a variety of unique ideas of what the 'Hotel of the Future' may look like, where it may be situated, and what features and facilities would be available.

The TEDx programme is designed to give communities, organisations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue at the local level. Jumeirah Group, a sponsor of TedX Dubai, used social media as a channel to engage with the public and merge their virtual ideas to create a physical masterpiece. This unique concept is a reflection of the innovativeness and ingenuity associated with the Jumeirah brand.

The top 10 ideas to be transposed to the canvas were:
- #HotelFuture floats in clouds and has invisible walls and floors to offer a breath-taking view. Food can be teleported.
- The flying hotel that glides travellers around the world in style.
- "Holographic Virtual Personal Assistant" with a menu of caricatures to choose from.
- An underwater hotel with a view of the marine life from the windows.
- It'd be nice to see some pet-friendly hotels.
- Hotel of the future should have iPads in every room.
- The walls of the room would basically be an LED touchscreen that could be dimmed to convert to glass with the view.
- Guests are virtually transported to a destination of their choice by selecting one from Jumeirah hotels' travel channel.
- Hotel in the Heavens - zero gravity orbital hotel located on the moon. Wake up gazing out at terra firma in repose.
- Each bedroom in the #HotelFuture will have its own robot for cleaning and other services.

Jumeirah captured the experience with an on-site camera crew to capture the ideas as they were illustrated. The video can be viewed on www.jumeirah.com/tedxdubai.

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About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts, including Dubai hotels and luxury hotels London. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London; Jumeirah Frankfurt in Germany, Jumeirah Essex House in New York; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the Maldives. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers opens its doors in Abu Dhabi

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:30:18 GMT

Jumeirah at Etihad Towers opened its doors to the world on November 1, 2011, with its very first guest checking into the property. The luxury hotel located on the Arabian Gulf in the Ras Al Akhdar area of Abu Dhabi, which is close to the central business district and ministry compounds, is the first Jumeirah property to open in the UAE's capital.

Consisting of 382 guestrooms and suites, 199 fully-serviced residences, 12 restaurants, bars and lounges, Talise Spa and one of the largest conference centres in Abu Dhabi spread over 66 floors, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers is furnished throughout in a modern contemporary design using rich materials including highly prized Italian marble, custom-designed hand-tufted carpets and photographic art works depicting life in Abu Dhabi during the 1960s from the private photographic collection of His Highness Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan.

With a focus on comfort, quality craftsmanship, and an ability to support and enrich the urban lifestyles of modern professionals, the luxury hotel in Abu Dhabi offers both convenience to business travellers, as well as resort relaxation for guests seeking leisure experiences thanks to the hotel's own private beach. The rooms, suites, residences and food and beverage outlets offer superb vistas of Abu Dhabi's Corniche, city skyline and coastline.

In addition to the luxury accommodation and hospitality services on offer, a major draw card of the property will be its gourmet experiences. Among the 12 restaurants, bars and lounges to operate within the property, two signature restaurants, Li Beirut and Quest, will offer a unique modern interpretation to Lebanese and Asian cuisine respectively, and will form a new social focal point for Abu Dhabi's culinary set. Additionally, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers' own Talise Spa will also provide a unique relaxation experience within the capital with its fully contained Treatment Suites, Turkish Hammam and Rasoul treatments.

Another major feature of the first of Jumeirah's Abu Dhabi hotels is the Conference Centre, one of Abu Dhabi's largest, which can accommodate up to 1,400 guests in a conference setting or 1,000 guests for an individualised seated banquet dinner. Designed to enhance the seamless coordination of events and uninterrupted flow of visiting guests and delegates, the conference centre, including its Mezzoon ballroom, all 13 meeting rooms, VIP suites, Bridal Suite, business centre and Events Showroom, is completely and uniquely housed on the same Podium 4 Level.

About Jumeirah at Etihad Towers:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts regarded as among the most luxurious and innovative in the world. The business, social and gourmet hub of Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah at Etihad Towers offers a relaxed and bespoke urban lifestyle experience based on personalised care, craftsmanship and a passion for unique culinary experiences. Located on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the 5 star luxury hotel spans 66 floors and includes 382 guest rooms and suites of refined elegance offering the latest technology and stunning Corniche and coastal views. The hotel features a Club Executive Lounge, 199 serviced residences, 13 restaurants and bars, Talise Spa, Six P Gym, and one of the largest and most sophisticated hotel conferencing centres in the United Arab Emirate'’s capital. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers was developed under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Suroor bin Mohammed Al Nahyan's Projects Department.

Jumeirah's portfolio of hotels also includes luxury spa hotels and luxury resorts in Dubai.

Jumeirah wins two major UK digital awards

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:22:21 GMT

Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and member of Dubai Holding, has won two major awards in as many weeks for the quality of its expertise in digital strategy.

On 11 October 2011, the company won The Best Hotel Website Award at The Travolution Awards, then shortly after received another award, jointly with its partner bigmouthmedia, for Best Use of Search Engine Optimisation for Corporate Communications at the Digital Impact Awards, which were held on 20 October 2011.

The Travolution Awards aim to recognise companies, brands and individuals who excel in the fields of online travel distribution, digital marketing and technology, and are the UK travel industry’s highest accolade for innovation and excellence online. Entries were vetted by eleven independent judges from leading digital, travel and distribution organisations.

The Digital Impact Awards is the UK's leading awards programme and they aim to recognise, benchmark and celebrate excellence in digital stakeholder communications. The awards provide an opportunity for all staff, companies and agencies alike, to see their efforts recognised and to celebrate excellence in digital communications. The success of Jumeirah and bigmouthmedia at this particular ceremony shows how highly regarded the work they have been doing together is within the digital communications industry, as competition for the award was highly competitive.

Both of the awards highlight the work that Jumeirah has put into updating their website to make it suitable for users all over the world - Jumeirah.com is available on mobile and in English, Arabic, Mandarin, Russian and German, to meet guests' requirements and support the company's ambitious global expansion.

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About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company, member of Dubai Holding and one of the world's leading luxury hotel chains, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts.

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, a number of Dubai Hotels such as Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah luxury hotels in Central London like the Lowndes Hotel; hotels Frankfurt such as the Jumeirah Frankfurt, Jumeirah Essex House in New York; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai and luxury hotels Maldives such as the Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the Maldives. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

Guoman's Royal Horseguards hotel to host Bonfire night tea

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:06:55 GMT

Guoman's flagship five star hotel, The Royal Horseguards, will be hosting a Bonfire night themed afternoon tea, offering a specially created Fawkes-inspired menu.

The prestigious, luxury hotel famed for its cellar and underground tunnels to Whitehall, is the perfect hideout on a chilly November night, located just moments away from the spot where the original Gunpowder plot was foiled over 400 years ago.

The specially created Fawkes-inspired afternoon tea menu is sure to warm customers through. Guests start the menu with a hot chocolate shot and 'toast your own' marshmallows, served complete with tea-light for toasting.

The menu is complimented with a selection of white chocolate and chilli ganache truffles and tea infused macaroons. The sweet treat is topped off with sparklers and a scrumptious roasted chestnut cupcake with lightly fried parsnip crisp and yummy mini toffee apple lollies which garnish a mulled wine jelly with cinnamon cream.

The Bonfire Night Tea, available until 6th November, is served in The Royal Horseguards' luxurious lounge with open fire. For more information on the Royal Horseguards afternoon tea menus, guests can visit the hotel deals page on the Guoman website.

The Royal Horseguards Hotel was recently awarded the highly acclaimed AA London Hotel of the Year 2010/2011. The hotel also enjoys a prestigious riverside location, within walking distance of Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Parks, making it an ideal location to watch the fireworks displays on November 5th.

About Guoman Hotels:
Guoman Hotel Management Limited operates two hotel brands within the UK market; Guoman Hotels, an exclusive collection of luxury London hotels and Thistle Hotels, a chain of quality full service hotels in the UK’s major cities.

Guoman Hotels in the UK consists of four landmark properties; Charing Cross, the Cumberland, The Royal Horseguards (current AA London Hotel of the Year 2010/11) and The Tower. Whilst each hotel in the portfolio is different with its own unique identity and style, each provides the very highest levels of comfort and service to its guests.

In 2010, Guoman Hotels launched internationally with its new property opening in Shanghai. In the UK, The Grosvenor Victoria property will join the collection in 2011.

MWB Group Holdings Plc. announces Robert Cook to step down

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:30:44 GMT

MWB Group Holdings Plc. ("MWB" or the "Group"), the listed hotels and serviced offices holding company, has announced that Robert Cook, Chief Executive of the Group's award-winning boutique hotels business, is to leave the business to pursue new opportunities.

Robert has been head of the Group's boutique hotel company Malmaison and Hotel du Vin since 2004 when he re-joined the business as Chief Executive of Malmaison. Later the same year he worked closely with the Group Board to double the size of the boutique hotel business through the acquisition of Hotel du Vin which took the collection of luxury hotels to 15.

Since then the management team has focused on growing and developing the business, making it the UK’s leading lifestyle hotel group with 26 boutique hotels and two stand-alone restaurants.

Richard Balfour-Lynn, CEO of MWB, said: "Over an eight year period Robert, working closely with MWB’s executive management team, has helped drive the growth of the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin brands throughout the UK and together we have developed the business into one of the country’s foremost boutique hotel groups.

"However, we understand Robert's desire to seek new challenges and equally it is the right time for a successor with a new perspective to ensure the brands maintain their cutting edge approach to hospitality and to lead Malmaison's entry into the international market.

"The successful refinancing of the Malmaison Group, combined with an established and strong operating team within the brands, provides a great platform for growth in the future and we are optimistic over the medium-term for the success of our business."

Robert Cook, commented: "It has been a truly exciting and rewarding journey over the past eight years. I believe I am leaving a business that is in great financial shape, has a fantastic team of people and two brilliant brands. I think the time is now right to move on to something new while bringing in a fresh pair of eyes and new ideas will help to develop the business further as well as refresh the brands."

About Hotel Du Vin:
Hotel du Vin think quintessential British style. Hotel du Vin combines an elegant and unpretentious style with an unquestionable devotion to wine. The hotel offers fourteen converted spaces, including a Georgian townhouse, a brewery, and a hospital, all eclectically furnished in a timeless manner. Guests can enjoy a trademark hotel bistro serving outstanding, locally sourced produce from its new homegrown and local menu, an outstanding cellar, Egyptian linen and monsoon showers in the guest rooms, a Laroche tasting room for the wine-lover, a cigar shack in its gardens, and inspiring original art in its halls.

About Malmaison:
Malmaison offers twelve boutique hotels in the UK, all featuring super slinky rooms and suites, with super-fast broadband. Guests can enjoy visiting the high-octane bars stocked with cocktails and bubbly within the hotels and can dine on the best local produce in the hotel restaurants.

Jumeirah Group recognised at Digital Impact Awards

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:06:05 GMT

Jumeirah Group has been shortlisted for the Best Use of Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) for Corporate Communications at the Digital Impact Awards for a successful online campaign carried out in 2011.

The Digital Impact Awards are one of the UK's highest honours for work in the digital sphere. Judged by some of the most esteemed digital consultants, academics and communications professionals in the UK, the award recognises and celebrates excellence in digital stakeholder communications.

Jumeirah partnering with bigmouthmedia, worked together to develop a SEO strategy targeted at high-end travellers with an aim to drive sales by developing page rankings and increasing relevant and high-quality search engine traffic.

Goals of the campaign were to increase traffic, bookings and revenue by 10 per cent, increase rankings and authority on the site, as well as gain improved visibility for keywords in the extremely competitive luxury travel market.

Campaign results show a 26 per cent increase in organic search visits for Jumeirah, along with a 26 per cent increase in number of bookings for organic search and a 50 per cent increase in revenue from organic search.

Jumeirah is a hospitality industry leader with a diverse portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.

Winners of the Digital Impact Awards will be announced on 20 October.

About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts, including luxury hotels in central London, hotels in Dubai and Jumeirah beach hotels. Jumeirah also operates the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London; Jumeirah Frankfurt in Germany, Jumeirah Essex House in New York; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the Maldives. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

Jumeirah announce Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management accreditation

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:25:06 GMT

Jumeirah has announced that the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM), one of the world's leading hospitality management schools and a part of the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company, is now accredited in both Australia and the UK.

The International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE), an Australian-based accreditation body, has reviewed the curriculum, staffing and facilities and determined that the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management has met their international benchmarks. All THE-ICE accredited institutions are highly regarded for their hospitality and tourism courses and EAHM has now joined the ranks of these institutions which include public and private universities from more than 10 different countries.

Earlier in 2011, EAHM was also accredited by the Institute of Hospitality (IOH) which is a UK-based accreditation body that promotes the highest professional standards of management and education in the international hospitality, leisure and tourism industries. The IOH conducts extensive research into best practices in the industry and its review of EAHM's study programmes led to the awarding of the accreditation.

Commenting on both accreditations, Ron Hilvert, managing director of EAHM, said: "Accreditations and quality assurances have become an integral part of our institutional review process. We have been benchmarked against top hospitality schools by independent bodies in the UK and Australia and these accreditations are a further endorsement of the exceptional work done by our faculty, our students and our colleagues."

As a result of the accreditations, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management is now recognised by the higher education authorities in the UAE, UK and Australia. In addition, the ongoing academic association with world-renowned hospitality school, Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, continues to enhance the quality of all study programmes."

About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts portfolio of luxury hotels includes hotels in Dubai and Jumeirah beach hotels. Jumeirah also operates the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London; Jumeirah Frankfurt in Germany, Jumeirah Essex House in New York; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai and Jumeirah Dhevanafushi in the Maldives. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

Jumeirah Emirates Towers holds Vertical Marathon

Tue, 24 May 2011 11:12:42 GMT

Jumeirah Emirates Towers has hosted this year's Vertical Marathon to raise funds for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

The event saw 236 runners ascending Jumeirah Emirates Towers for the annual fundraising event, with participants raising a total of AED 177,000 for MSF. This brings the total amount raised for MSF through this popular event to AED 1.083 million to date.

The event, which is in its ninth year, was organised by Jumeirah Emirates Towers with the support of the Red Crescent Society.

The Vertical Marathon requires participants to climb the 52 floors of the Jumeirah Emirates Tower in Dubai, which has a total of 1334 steps. Anyone can take part, with children as young as two taking part in previous years. Participants are split into five groups; males under 18, females under 18, 18+ males, 18+ females and groups, which can contain three or four members. Participants are timed using computerised timing chips by Premier Timing.

Brazilian national Gustavo Ayres Netto ascended the 350 metre high Office Tower of Jumeirah Emirates Tower with a winning time of 8.49 minutes. The winning female was Jo Phillimore with a time of 11.57 minutes, and the winning team, Dubai American Academy, made it to the top in 10.59 minutes.

MSF is an international independent humanitarian medical organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from health care without discrimination in more than 60 countries.

The event was sponsored by Move One Relocations, with Premier Timing, Puma, Swarovski and Acqua Panna all taking part as event support partners.

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About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel chain and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including hotels in Dubai city, luxury hotels in central London and luxury hotels in New York City.

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London; Jumeirah Essex House in New York; and Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management and Beijing Hospitality Institute sign agreement

Mon, 23 May 2011 12:07:58 GMT

The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, one of the world's leading hospitality management schools and part of Jumeirah Group, recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Beijing Hospitality Institute.

The agreement establishes an academic exchange programme between The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management and Beijing Hospitality Institute - a specialist university certified by the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL). The agreement provides study abroad programmes for students, faculty exchanges, academic cooperation and programmes for the development of young talent in the hospitality industry.

Commenting on the new partnership between the two universities, Ron Hilvert, managing director of the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, said: "We are delighted to celebrate this joint collaboration as it will give students the invaluable experience of both academic as well as professional life in two thriving destinations. And we look forward to receiving the first set of students from Beijing in the next academic year"

Gao Songtao, president of the Beijing Hospitality Institute added: "This agreement brings academic alignment between two organisations focused on delivering consistently high standards in the hospitality sector. It is a big win for our students, our teaching staff and ultimately hotel companies around the world."

In March 2011 Jumeirah Group opened its first property in China, the five-star luxury Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in the Pudong area of Shanghai. The company has a further five properties under development in Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Sanya, Macau and Qiandaohu.

About The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality management is a leading provider of University-level business education in the Middle East; it offers both undergraduate and post-graduate degrees designed to develop the hospitality leaders of the future.

Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London; Jumeirah Essex House in New York; and the 5 star hotel Shanghai, Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

Jumeirah opens its first hotel in Pudong, China

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:04:18 GMT

Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, has announced the soft opening of its first five-star luxury hotel in China at the Himalayas Centre in Pudong, Shanghai.

Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai features 401 contemporary Chinese-style guestrooms, including 62 suites and residences, four restaurants and lounges, a 24-hour fitness centre and indoor swimming pool. The hotel also offers extensive meeting, conference and event facilities, including two grand ballrooms and a 5000m2 rooftop Infinity Garden, perfect for weddings and outdoor events. The interior of the hotel was designed by KCA International, whose portfolio includes the Burj al Arab in Dubai, which is also run by Jumeirah.

Jumeirah Himalayas luxury hotel in Shanghai is part of the landmark Himalayas Centre, a spacious new arts and cultural hub including the 1,100-seat DaGuan Theatre, Himalayas Art Museum, a luxury brand mall and impressive outdoor event venues, such as the Infinity Garden and Wuji Plaza. Designed by world-renowned architect Arata Isozaki, who also created the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Stadium and Los Angeles MoMA, the landmark Himalayas Centre was honoured with the CCTV "Designing for China" Award in 2008, alongside Herzog & de Meuron's National Stadium in Beijing.

Located in the heart of Pudong, Jumeirah Himalayas Shanghai hotel is directly opposite the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) and close to the lush green expanse of Century Park. The nearby Maglev train station offers swift transfers to Pudong International Airport.

Capitalising on its position next to SNIEC, Shanghai's largest exhibitions venue, Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel features 1939m2 of premium meeting and conference venues. The 864m2 column-free Grand Ballroom with 12-metre-high ceilings, the highest ballroom ceiling in Shanghai hosts Shanghai’s premier banquets, cocktail parties and conferences for up to 800 guests. A second ballroom and seven multi-functional meeting rooms cater for up to 350 guests and are equipped with high-tech audiovisual equipment, high-speed Internet and abundant natural light.

In addition to Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel Shanghai, Jumeirah Group has five other luxury hotels in China currently under development: Jumeirah Hangzhou, Jumeirah Guangzhou, Jumeirah Qing Shui Bay Resort Sanya, Jumeirah Macau and Jumeirah Thousand Islands Lake Resort in Qiandaohu.

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About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of luxury hotels and resorts. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London; and Jumeirah Essex House in New York. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

Malmaison launches new website

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:48:08 GMT

Malmaison, the boutique hotel chain has launched its new website after 6 months of preparation. The site demonstrates Malmaison's commitment to innovation and enhancing the user’s experience of the brand online. The website was launched on November 25th.

Working with Leighton, the digital agency behind the Tourism Australia site and Mobile Travel Technologies, www.malmaison.com is fully integrated from browsing to booking, providing a seamless user journey as well a whole host of new innovative functionality. The site utilises leading development architecture with a resilient hosting platform that increases speed, stability and, most importantly, making it more secure for users.

Contextualisation for registered users will enable dynamic content to be delivered enhancing the user experience delivering targeted offers and special deals. Direct links to the booking system enables real time visibility of availability for both bedrooms at the luxury hotel and tables in the brasserie. Enhanced tracking codes provide opportunities to re-engage with guests who have dropped out of the booking process no matter the reason.

Dominic Edmunds, Operations Director at Leighton said: "We're delighted to be working so closely with Malmaison. We're genuinely proud of the new websites and the revised architecture of the customer experience. By working as an extension the Malmaison Brand and Marketing team, we've been part of a fruitful collaboration, which has focused on the customer throughout. This is the first step in a new digital strategy that will lead the market."

In anticipation of the launch the brand counted down online to ensure that their regular users knew something special was about to happen. The launch was also communicated in a 'save the date' email to Malmaison's registered database with the added incentive of an extra special Christmas hotel offer that went live on the 25th. The launch was supported by an engaging social media strategy. Twitter followers were able to enter a prize draw just by retweeting on the launch date of 25th November to win up to 75 prizes including 2 for 1 overnight stays, dinner and 25% off spa treatments. Friends on Facebook were also be able to download a voucher for a celebratory glass of Champagne when they dined from the 25th - 30th November.

This is just the beginning of the Malmaison online revolution. Over thecoming months users can expect to see more innovations and additions to the site with a digital magazine in the pipeline as well as the long awaited loyalty programme which is due to be launched in June 2011. Malmaison and its partnership with bigmouthmedia will also implement an aggressive integrated Social Media, SEO and PPC strategy, setting the standard for the future.

About Malmaison:
Malmaison is a hotel group currently operating 12 properties across the UK, including a Liverpool hotel, Edinburgh hotel and a Newcastle hotel.

The chain was formed in 1994 and is named after the Château de Malmaison on the outskirts of Paris. The chain is owned by MWB Group Holdings which also owns the Hotel du Vin hotel chain.

Guoman Hotels announces Taste of Christmas High Tea

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 12:04:48 GMT

Guoman Hotels has announced it will be launching its Taste of Christmas High Tea at Guoman's historic five-star The Royal Horseguards, in London's Whitehall.

The festive-themed high tea selection, created exclusively by the hotel's talented resident pastry chef Joanne Todd offers a cosmopolitan afternoon tea menu that incorporates yuletide tastes from around the world. Visitors can enjoy their afternoon tea in front of the fireplace in the hotel's lounge which is decorated with festive garlands and a traditional Christmas tree.

Joanne's menu includes German mini stollen topped with fresh red currants and a shard of curved black and white marble-effect chocolate, a French ginger bread macaroon with vanilla cream and American cookies infused with ginger. For those looking for a taste of the Far East, the traditional English Christmas pudding is available but wrapped in a fortune cookie and banana leaf. A delicious egg custard tart, which comes with a nutmeg meringue and a spiced pear and chocolate log, is also on the menu.

To round off festivities, diners can finish with a blood orange and cranberry vodka jelly garnished with a white chocolate rum snow ball, spiced scones and mince pies served with mulled wine clotted cream.

The Taste of Christmas High Tea for two will be available from 1 until 31 December at Guoman's The Royal Horseguards.

The Royal Horseguards also offers guests a selection of festive packages from a Christmas Day Lunch to an enchanted evening of fine food, wine and entertainment.

About Guoman Hotels:
Guoman Hotels in the UK consists of four landmark properties; Charing Cross, The Cumberland, The Royal Horseguards and The Tower. Whilst each hotel in the portfolio is different with its own unique identity and style, each provides the very highest levels of comfort and service to its guests.

Guoman Hotels offers a number of luxury UK hotels including London hotels, hotels near London Eye, hotels near Marble Arch and hotels near Westminster.

Rezidor announces opening of a new Radisson Blu Hotel in Milan

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:21:15 GMT

The Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the fastest growing hotel companies worldwide, has announced the opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Milan in Italy. The existing hotel - originally opened in 2007 as the Chedi Milan - features 250 rooms and will be rebranded in the first quarter of 2010.

"Milan is a key market for us. The city is one of the world's fashion capitals, and we are delighted to be present in town with our chic, contemporary and design orientated core brand, Radisson Blu," said Kurt Ritter, President & CEO of Rezidor. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Milan is Rezidor's second property in Italy - the company also manages the 232 room Radisson Blu Es. Hotel, Rome.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Milan is located north of the city centre, within minutes of Milan's two trade fairs. Its 250 rooms each offer an average size of 37 m2 and are decorated in an "Asia-meets-Italy" style designed by the reknowned Indonesian firm Jaya & Associates. Extras include elegant limestone bathrooms, flat screen TVs and free high speed internet access. Besides a restaurant and lounge bar, the hotel also offers nearly 800 m2 of meeting and conference space. Guests can also enjoy the spa and the indoor swimming pool.

Since its first opening in 2007, the hotel has received rave reviews from a number of publications. Fortune Magazine proclaimed it as one of the Best New Business Hotels in the World. The UK's Daily Telegraph called it a "super-chic urban retreat" and Vogue UK proclaimed it as "the place to stay if you want to mix with the high fashion crowd in the Italian capital of style". Under the first class and full service Radisson Blu brand, the luxury hotels sophisticated image will be developed further and brought to new heights.

About The Rezidor Hotel Group
The Rezidor Hotel Group is one of the fastest growing hotel companies in the world. The group features a portfolio of more than 380 luxury hotels in operation and under development with 81,700 rooms in almost 60 countries including luxury hotels in London, luxury hotels in Dublin and luxury hotels in Rome.

Rezidor operates the brands Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts Regent Hotels & Resorts, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites in Europe, Middle East and Africa, along with the Goldpoints plus loyalty programme for frequent hotel guests. Under a worldwide licence agreement with the iconic Italian fashion house Missoni, Rezidor also operates and develops the new lifestyle brand Hotel Missoni. In November 2006, Rezidor was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Carlson Companies is the main shareholder.

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