Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has pledged to eliminate all single-use plastic, across its entire portfolio of luxury hotels, by the end of March 2021.
While the travel industry has already made great strides towards the removal of plastic straws and single-use drinking bottles, the Group is keen to play its part in the luxury hotel segment and commit to a wider and more challenging aim to abolish all single-use plastic currently in use across all operational departments, including rooms, spa, transport, restaurants and bars. The aim is to cover plastics used in all areas of the hotel, and not just in the public areas that the customer sees.
Nature lovers and adventure seekers looking for a true taste of the Emirati lifestyle don’t have to look any further. Al Badayer Oasis by Mysk, the third gem in Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)’s ‘Sharjah Collection’, nestled in central Sharjah’s lively Al Badayer Desert, is now welcoming guests.
Elevating the adventure and excitement of a typical hotel stay, Marriott Bonvoy is offering members exclusive access to incredible experiences across Luxury Collection Hotels in the Middle East, each designed to define the destination with a unique and cherished expression of its location. From UAE to Lebanon, from a private tour of an Arabian stud farm, to an indulgent dine under the stars epicurean journey and desert experience, to a patisserie masterclass, each experience unravels the indigenous charm befitting the destination.
Shaza Hotels has announced the opening of the highly anticipated Al Badayer Oasis – Sharjah Collection by Mysk. Owned by Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Al Badayer Oasis is a picturesque desert retreat set against the sweeping dunes of central Sharjah.
Whether you are in search of a dream getaway, a unique beach holiday or simply a blissful weekend break, Shaza Hotels offers the perfect escape for all nature lovers with the Sharjah Collection by Mysk. The moment you step into the peaceful surroundings of Kingfisher Lodge or Al Faya Lodge, you begin to feel the stress melt away.
Bespoke luxury and social responsibility harmoniously come together at Al Bait Sharjah, a member of The Leading Hotels Of The World. Situated within the region’s largest historical preservation and restoration project, the property reflects decades of Emirati heritage, with a promise to protect and preserve the environment through its ethical practices.
With the Eid holidays soon approaching, Al Bait Sharjah reveals the Sharjah Delight, an exquisite staycation offer that welcomes guests to escape from the bustling city and celebrate the occasion with their loved ones. The perfect time to get together with friends and family, come home to Al Bait Sharjah this Eid and experience ‘togetherness’ – disconnect from the digital world and spend quality time catching up with your friends, share an intimate meal with your siblings or reminisce your childhood with your parents.
One of the hotels, the Kingfisher Lodge in Khor Kalba, is now in its soft launch
Three new luxury eco-hotels will open this year as part of the “Sharjah Collection” by South Africa-based Mantis Hospitality, it was announced.
Three new luxury eco-hotels will open this year as part of the “Sharjah Collection” by South Africa-based Mantis Hospitality.
The hotels are the result of a partnership between Mantis Hospitality and the Sharjah Investment and Development.
One of the properties, the Kingfisher Lodge in Khor Kalba, is now in its soft launch, and includes 25 luxury tens in a desert wetland area of Sharjah which is home to mangroves, tidal creeks and beaches.
According to Mantis, the property is designed to have a “safari” feel for its guests, and also includes a wellness spa situated in a dedicated tent.
Two other properties are set to launch this year. One, the Al Badayer Oasis Lodge, will include 19 rooms and 10 tents, as well as a number of restaurants and an open-air theatre.
The second, Fossil Rock, is a converted lodge that was originally built in the 1960s, and will hold up to 10 guests at a location in Mleiha near the area’s archaeological ruins.
The facility will include a private pool and spa featuring a “Himalayan sea salt room”.
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has appointed Shaza Hotels to manage three luxurious retreats, which are Kingfisher Lodge in Kalba, Al Badayer Oasis in Al Badayer and Al Faya Lodge in Mleiha.
The high-end destinations, which fall under the ‘Sharjah Collection’ brand by Shurooq, will be operated and fall under the management of the Mysk by Shaza brand, specialised for its international-based qualities and hospitality experiences that support the authenticity and culture of servicing unique lifestyles in the travel and tourism market.
The announcement took place during Shurooq’s 12th participation at the 53rd edition of ITB Berlin, under the Sharjah Pavilion led by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). The world’s largest travel and trade exhibition is slated to conclude tomorrow (Sunday March 10th).
Attending the announcement was His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Shurooq, His Excellency Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), Ahmad Obaid Al Qaseer, COO of Shurooq, Simon Coombs, President & CEO of Shaza Hotels, and representatives from Sharjah state entities, Shaza Hotels and international media representatives.
Surrounded by magnificent landscapes and majestic dunes, the Sharjah Collection is one of its kind in Sharjah and the UAE. From the natural retreat experiences in Kingfisher Lodge to the desert escapes-themed Al Faya Lodge or the Caravanserai in Al Badayer Oasis, each of these boutique-like resorts offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the nature, culture and heritage of the location and discover a fascinating mix of indigenous experiences.
His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Shurooq, said: “Our three upcoming luxurious lodges will further strengthen Sharjah’s positioning and leading rank in the world of authentic and eco-tourism experiences worldwide. Our initiatives in doing this announcement during ITB Berlin is to strengthen this message among international tourists and international investors keen on expanding their operations in the UAE and the region.”
He continued: “These three hospitality properties and destinations are the emirate’s first of their kind, proving services and experiences that are niche and new on a regional level, creating perfection in our concept of merging nature, luxury, culture and heritage into each destination.”
He added: “Our new appointment follows our vision that is set for all three properties respectively, with absolute confidence and trust into Shaza’s world-renowned services and qualities that will directly transform this vision into a physical and tangible reality that is opened to all guests, visitors and tourists of all ages in Sharjah and the world.”
Shaza Hotels, a member of the Global Hotel Alliance, is growing rapidly in the Middle-East with a focus on strengthening its presence in the UAE. Mr. Simon Coombs, President & CEO of Shaza Hotels, stated, “We are very proud to partner with Shurooq and grateful to H.E. Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal for entrusting us with the management of the Sharjah Collection by Mysk. Each retreat is a superb addition to our portfolio as it is unlike any other hotel accommodation in the region.”
He added: “We greatly value our relationship with Shurooq and have a genuine interest in supporting the government initiatives to promote multiple destinations in Sharjah. Each member of the Sharjah Collection is like a tourism pavilion of the Emirate, and we are keen to develop with Shurooq other flagship retreats to allow visitors to discover the hidden beauties of Sharjah.”
The Kingfisher Lodge in Kalba will offer guests a gateway to a unique world of conservation, in an intimate setting. A 60-minute drive from Kalba is Al Badayer Oasis, which portrays a perfect example of a Caravanserai. A picturesque desert stop set against the sweeping dunes of central Sharjah and a perfect place for relaxing after a day of adrenaline-fuelled desert excitement. As for Al Faya Lodge located near Fossil Rock in Mleiha, guests will immerse themselves in the region’s ancient culture and history through archaeology, recreational activities, wellness and breath-taking natural landscapes.
Sharjah’s hotel industry continues to expand across multiple segments of the business, fueled by growth in revenues, the emirate’s economic development and innovation in the local tourism sector. According to Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), which recently launched its own ‘Sharjah Collection’ luxury hotel brand, Sharjah hotel revenues have been growing at 12 percent per annum and are expected to reach AED 830 million (US$ 227m) by the end of 2019.
Sharjah currently boasts more than 100 hotels and hotel apartments, including properties managed by some of the leading hotel groups in the world including Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Louvre Hotels Group, Premier Inn Hotels, Rotana Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, and Wyndham Worldwide. Some 500 new 4- and 5-star hotel rooms and suites are expected to be made available by the end of 2017, with a further 1,000 four- and five-star rooms and suites being added by the end of 2020*.
So far this year, Sharjah has already seen the opening of Louvre Hotel Group’s 180-room, theatrically-themed Royal Tulip Act Hotel in Al Majaz waterfront area and Flora Group’s 110-room Sharjah International Airport Transit Hotel, while Sharjah’s first Four Points by Sheraton is expected to open with 220 rooms by the end of 2017.
A luxury tent at Kingfisher Lodge
Shurooq plans to open three new luxury properties by the end of this year, including its first properties managed under the new ‘Sharjah Collection’ hospitality brand. The authority has set out to inspire the tourism sector with ambitious and innovative property developments, in particular hotels and resorts aimed at eco-tourism and heritage tourism.
Shurooq’s AED 100 million (US$ 27m) Al Bait Hotel, a luxury five-star hotel located in the Heart of Sharjah heritage area and managed by Singapore-headquartered GHM Hotels, will open later this year with 53 luxury suites. Meanwhile, the authority also plans to open two four-star tented resorts under its ‘Sharjah Collection’ brand by the end of 2017: Kingfisher Lodge near Sharjah’s east coast-town of Kalba (also see below) and Al Badayer Lodge, which is part of Al Badayer Desert Camp project, 40-minutes’ drive away from Sharjah city.
Shurooq has already announced several new hotel and resort projects this year:
– Kingfisher Lodge, a four-star hospitality project opening later in 2017, will feature 20 luxury tents offering a unique experience in the heart of Kalba’s scenic beauty, supported by luxury hotel services and amenities.
– Mleiha Desert Resort, the 60,000 square metre five-star desert resort in the Mleiha Archaeological and Eco-Tourism Project announced during this year’s Arabian Travel Market, is to be developed by Qatari tourism company Al Wanis, at a cost of AED 60 million (US$ 16.4m). The resort will include 45 exclusively designed vacation villas and is scheduled for completion towards the end of 2019.
– Al Khan Village Resort, a five-star hospitality development worth AED 120.6 million (US$32.8) is to be developed by Omran Properties and is expected to open in 2019.
– Bait Khalid Bin Ibrahim in Heart of Sharjah, the region’s largest historical preservation and restoration project, will comprise two four-star Bed &Breakfast properties converted from traditional Emirati villas.
Visual of the 66,302 square meter Al Khan Village Resort
Other Shurooq projects in process include Al Jabal Resort, Chedi Khorfakkan, on Sharjah’s east coast, which will offer 100 luxury suites built on a hillside with seaside views.
Sharjah’s development pipeline also includes new properties from Accor, Sheraton, Hilton and Jannah Hotels and Resorts. Among them is a 200-room Novotel is being built adjacent to Expo Centre Sharjah; a 47-storey, 270-room Aloft Sharjah also near to Expo Centre; a 188-room Pullman Sharjah in Al Majaz area; a DoubleTree by Hilton, also in Al Majaz area, that will offer 254 suites and serviced apartments, opening 2020; a 57-storey Jannah Al Khan Hotel & Spa in Sharjah’s Ras Al Khor area, opening 2020; and a US$100 million (AED 367m) art and culture themed 5-star luxury beachfront hotel and resort which is expected to offer more than 200 rooms and suites.
Visual of the Khorfakkan Corniche project
Further announcements of new hotel and resorts can be expected in the future, with a number of large-scale mixed-use developments including new hotel properties. Shurooq has specified new hotels in its plans for the east coast town waterfronts of Kalba Eco-Tourism Project and the Khorfakkan Corniche Development. A hotel development is also planned as part of the AED 2.26 billion (US$ 600m) Maryam Island mixed-use project, which is being developed by Omran Properties in Sharjah city. In addiiton, Tilal Mall, which is expected to open in 2019 as part of Tilal City, will also include a new four-star hotel.
Sharjah hotels had a strong start to 2017, beating regional averages to achieve a 5.5 percent growth in occupancy during January, compared to the same month in 2016. Hotel occupancy rates in the United Arab Emirates are generally ranked among the highest in the world.
