Hyatt to open five new hotels in ME by 2023
Hospitality chain Hyatt is powering ahead with continued portfolio growth and expansion in the Middle East. The planned expansion includes the opening of the first Hyatt Centric branded hotels in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the first Andaz branded hotel in Dubai, and the second Alila branded property in Oman.
These lifestyle properties will provide luxury and adventurous travellers with unique experiences in hand-picked destinations and are expected to add more than 1,300 keys to the region, bringing the number of Hyatt lifestyle hotels in the Middle East to seven by 2023.
“The Middle East is seeing a rising demand for lifestyle hotels,” said Kurt Straub, vice president of operations for the Middle East, Africa and South West Asia for Hyatt. “At Hyatt, we aim to grow with intent. And with that in mind, we strive to expand our brand presence in the region by introducing lifestyle-driven brands that cater to the needs of our guests and, at the same time, fit very well into their locations. The five planned openings in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman cement our commitment to the region and will provide an enhanced lifestyle experience for our guests.”
The expected growth includes the debut of Hyatt’s fastest-growing lifestyle brand across three countries, with the projected openings of Hyatt Centric Dubai La Mer (2020), Hyatt Centric West Bay Doha (2020), and Jabal Omar Hyatt Centric Makkah Hotel and Residences (2023). Located in the heart of the world’s most exciting cities, Hyatt Centric hotels are thoughtfully designed to enable exploration and discovery. The upcoming debut of Andaz Dubai The Palm (2019) will mark the second Andaz hotel in the UAE and expand the luxury lifestyle brand’s presence in the Gulf nation. The hotel will offer an immersive, multisensory local experience, weaving in distinctive elements of the city’s rich culture and heritage, a signature of the Andaz brand. Alila Hinu Bay Salalah (2020) will be the second Alila resort in Oman and will bring to life the brand’s contemporary expressions of century-old traditions, authentic experiences and sustainable mindset. Known for crafting rare and intimate destination experiences in unique locations globally, the Alila brand seeks to redefine luxury in the lifestyle space.
There are currently two Hyatt lifestyle hotels in the Middle East: Alila Jabal Akhdar, a luxury boutique resort perched 6,562 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level in the Al Hajar Mountains of Oman, and Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, located in the iconic Capital Gate building, the world’s furthest leaning hotel at an impressive 18-degree incline.
Following the acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality in November 2018, Hyatt announced the organisation of a new, dedicated lifestyle division, which brings together Hyatt’s and former Two Roads Hospitality’s lifestyle brands, including Andaz, Alila, Hyatt Centric, Joie de Vivre and Thompson Hotels. The first of its kind for Hyatt, this new cross-functional division centres on the development, positioning, and execution of Hyatt’s lifestyle portfolio.
"Our guests' preferences keep evolving, and we want to ensure that we cater to every traveller’s needs and desires,” said Frederic Flageat-Simon, Hyatt’s global head of lifestyle operations. “The introduction of a dedicated lifestyle division reflects our commitment to further carve out Hyatt's role in the ever-growing lifestyle segment. We have identified this segment as a key growth driver for us and strive to advance care for our guests and meet their preference towards personalized, rare and meaningful experiences.”
Hyatt recently added lifestyle brands Alila, Thompson and Joie de Vivre into its World of Hyatt loyalty program, with more than 40 hotels across the brands joining the program in many new destinations globally, providing members with more possibilities to discover unique experiences while enjoying the rewards they’ve come to expect from World of Hyatt.
Hyatt’s growth in the lifestyle segment includes plans for the following hotel openings in the Middle East:
Andaz Dubai The Palm, UAE
Slated to open in late 2019, Andaz Dubai The Palm will be the first Andaz branded property in Dubai and the second in the UAE, joining Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi. It will feature twin 15-storey towers, with 217 guestrooms and 116 serviced apartments, four restaurants, a fitness centre, a spa, and exclusive beachfront access.
Alila Hinu Bay, Oman
A luxury destination set to open in 2020, Alila Hinu Bay will feature an incredible spectrum of marine life and nature reserves on an untouched coastline. Radiating sophistication, vibrancy and vivacity, the stunning beachfront resort will be comprised of 112 retreats and villas, each thoughtfully designed with unparalleled quality and comfort, built for artisanal living.
Hyatt Centric Dubai La Mer, UAE
The Hyatt Centric brand will mark its entry into the UAE with the expected 2020 opening of Hyatt Centric Dubai La Mer. The hotel will comprise 156 rooms and suites, two restaurants, meeting facilities, a rooftop bar, and a pool area.
Hyatt Centric West Bay Doha, Qatar
The Hyatt Centric brand is expected to enter Qatar with Hyatt Centric West Bay Doha, slated to open in 2020. Located in a 32-storey tower, the hotel will comprise 236 contemporary guestrooms, in addition to 84 serviced apartments. Guests will find plenty of social spaces to connect, including four dining outlets, a spa, a health club, a swimming pool, two meeting rooms and two ballrooms. Located in the heart of Qatar, the hotel will be within walking distance of City Center shopping mall and several other key attractions.
Jabal Omar Hyatt Centric Makkah Hotel and Residences, Saudi Arabia
Expected to be the first Hyatt Centric branded hotel in Saudi Arabia, Jabal Omar Hyatt Centric Makkah Hotel and Residences will boast a prime location, close to the Grand Mosque of Makkah. Set to open in 2023, the hotel will feature 196 guestrooms and suites, as well as 200 residences offering modern design elements skillfully blended with touches of local art and culture.
Hyatt branded lifestyle hotels currently open across the Middle East:
Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi
Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi occupies floors 18 to 33 within the iconic Capital Gate building. All aspects of the 189 contemporary, luxurious guestrooms and suites have been designed for today’s traveller and exude a sense of warm Arabian hospitality. The hotel’s permanent art gallery highlighting local Emirati artists, local touch points weaving in the sights and sounds of Abu Dhabi culture, and cultivated dining experiences invite guests to arrive as a visitor and leave as a local.
Alila Jabal Akhdar, Oman
Alila Jabal Akhdar is a haven for adventure travellers, nature lovers and those seeking a retreat from the desert heat, with 86 beautifully appointed suites and villas that are surrounded by mountains, small hamlets, old, uninhabited villages, caves and canyons, as well as countless small roads connecting to new valleys and views. - TradeArabia News Service