Luxury hotel brands offer new experiences in Dubai

Dubai, the always-evolving heartbeat of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the arrival of five major hotels arrivals in 2025
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Dubai’s tourism industry continues with the opening of a suite of accommodation options catering to families, luxury travellers, and visitors seeking affordable stopover stays, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) says.

 

The newcomers will be: 

Ciel Dubai Marina

Rising above Dubai Marina, the upcoming Ciel Tower (top image) will be the world’s tallest hotel. Stretching over 80 floors, this architectural gem will house over 1,000 rooms and suites, along with 10 diverse dining options. Guests will enjoy an exclusive Observation Deck on the 81st floor with views of the city, as well as a luxury spa, high-tech fitness centre, and sophisticated guest lounge. 

Mama Shelter

Recently opened, the affordable Mama Shelter brings a playful, design-led brand to Business Bay. Geared towards modern travellers, this lifestyle hotel has four stylish swimming pools, one featuring a semi-submerged bar, an outdoor cinema, and a rooftop DJ lounge. One for the young, or young at heart. Mama Shelter boasts a co-working space with five private ateliers. 

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

The brand new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is the latest chapter in Jumeirah Group’s ultra-luxury evolution. The property features 386 rooms and suites, 82 luxury residences, an 82-berth superyacht marina, 11 dining experiences and a TALISE spa. Panoramic windows frame views of the Arabian Gulf and the iconic Burj Al Arab, while four sparkling outdoor pools provide leisure oases.

Delano Dubai

The Delano brand's Miami origins give a different accent to the Delano Dubai, which arrives in the UAE with 251 rooms and 84 suites; many designed with secluded balconies, high ceilings, and wellness-driven details. Set along 250 meters of beachfront, the Delano offers views of the Arabian Gulf and guests can unwind at the oceanfront pool, indulge in a range of retail, dining and entertainment options. 

Mandarin Oriental Downtown

Opening in June 2025, Mandarin Oriental Downtown will mark the brand's second hotel in Dubai and third in the UAE. Located in the striking Wasl Tower, this 303-meter skyscraper boasts the region’s tallest ceramic façade. Inside are 259 elegant rooms and suites, along with 224 residences. Guests can enjoy dining at Tasca by José Avillez, unwind in the 25-meter pool, or skip traffic with transport from the hotel’s helipad. 

Accor revs up its presence across Asia

The travel industry is back at full throttle - as evidenced by new signings across Asia from the Accor group.

Accor announced the signing of six significant projects (new builds and acquisitions) in the first quarter of 2024, reinforcing its commitment to growth and innovation in key markets across the continent. 

Garth Simmons, Chief Operating Officer, Premium, Midscale and Economy Division for Accor in Asia, said: "Each signing highlights our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional hospitality experiences and expanding our presence in key markets regionally.

"These new signings encompass a diverse range of properties, including hotels and serviced apartments, as well as the world's largest Pullman property, marking a momentous stride in our effort to innovate and diversify our offerings. These projects reflect our dedication to pioneering the future of hospitality."

Which is some serious hype. 

The recent signings include:

Mövenpick Vung Tau (Vietnam) (top image) will open its doors in 2027 and is an hour's drive on the new highway from Long Thanh international Airport. It will offer 433 guest rooms

Pullman Living Bangkok Sukhumvit 16 and Pullman Residences Bangkok Sukhumvit 16 (Thailand), which comprises a 200-key hotel and 225-apartnemt residential complex.

Novotel Living Bangkok Don Muang (Thailand), with a combination of an 80-key hotel and 112-key serviced apartments, spread across 19 floors just five minutes away from Bangkok's Don Muang International Airport.

Novotel Tangerang BSD City (Indonesia) in the heart of the Bumi Serpong Damai City Central Business District in Greater Jakarta with 285 rooms.

ibis Styles Ambassador Jeonju City Center (South Korea), which is Accor's first hotel in Jeonju. The 81-key property will undergo a soft refurbishment during the first half of 2024 with a plan to re-open its doors to guests later this year.

Pullman Mactan Cebu Hotel & Residences (Philippines) is set to become the world's largest Pullman property when it opens in 2028. It will have 200 guest rooms and suites alongside 900 branded residences.

In Japan, meanwhile, the Accor Juggernaut has announces the opening of 22 hotels with over 6,000 rooms, doubling the group's footprint in Japan.

The hotels, comprising 12 Grand Mercure and 10 Mercure hotels, range in location from the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido to the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa.

Pan Pacific Hotels bullish about expansion

Singapore-based Pan Pacific Hotels Group has unveiled plans to expand globally, and appointed new public relations experts.

With over 50 hotels and resorts in more than 30 key cities, the Pan Pacific Hotels Group is set to launch Hotel Bellustar a Pan Pacific hotel and Hotel and Hotel Groove, a Parkroyal Hotel, in Tokyo next week.

The Pan Pacific Orchard Singapore (top) and the refurbishment of the Pan Pacific Singapore are set to be opened in August.

"To support its global expansion plans, PPHG has appointed Anne Wild & Associates to help co-ordinate its international public relations in the Australian and New Zealand markets," the company said in a statement.

"We're thrilled to showcase PPHG’s Asian expansion in the Australian and New Zealand markets, to be part of the the PR activations for the group's growth, and to use our in-depth industry expertise to showcase PPHG’s innovative approach and exciting expansion strategy,” said managing director Anne Wild.

“We are looking forward to leveraging our unique partnership with the Travel Lifestyle Network to tap into the specific market knowledge and expertise of leading agencies around the world to deliver exceptional results for this prestigious new client."

Cinn Tan, PPHG’s Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, said: “We look forward to implement our global PR strategy as part of our group expansion in key cities such as Tokyo, Nairobi, Jakarta, Hanoi, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and our home ground, Singapore."

Meet some new places to imbibe around New South Wales

Tourism is back, with several new places to drink opening this month in country New South Wales.

Among the highlights listed by Destination New South Wales: 

Circular Quay Gem

Bar Mammoni (above) https://barmammoni.sydney is a newcomer at Quay Quarter just back from the Sydney waterfront. It is the latest arrival from restaurateur Scott Brow, who also operates eateries Lana and Grana and cocktail bar Apollonia. It switches from an espresso bar in the morning to a cocktail bar after dark. No bookings.

Raise the Bah  

Wine time in Cootamundra just arrived as Bah Bah Food & Wine opened its doors on the town's main street, serving local Riverina wines, a selection of craft beers and expertly made cocktails. A menu of share plates also showcases the region's seasonal ingredients. 

Wake-up call 

The Early Opener is the latest place to start the day in Narrandera, an hour's drive from Wagga Wagga on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. The early-morning café (doors open at 4am) serves great coffee, decadent pastries and cakes, and fresh salads to the Riverina town. 

Beach brews 

Adding to Newcastle's growing craft brewery scene, Modus Brewery offers a bright and breezy 300-person space in the seaside suburb of Merewether. Thirty-six taps offer a rotation of the Modus core beers, including their non-alcoholic NORT range and limited-edition sour, lager and dark beers.

Pretty in Printhie 

One of Orange's best-known wineries, Printhie Wines, has just launched a new restaurant and cellar door. The new venue provides premium 'beyond the cellar door' experiences, including a range of tastings, vineyard picnics and a sparkling masterclass.

Image: Steve Woodburn, Destination NSW