Winners of Middle East Hotel Awards 2016 

12 Dubai Hotels win at Middle East Hotel Awards 2016

The awards ceremony, held on 24 May at the Palazzo Versace Dubai, witnessed a 63 per cent increase of submissions on the previous year’s edition, with the 6-month old hotel topping the list.

Judges for the ME Hotel Awards stated that the significant rise in the number of entries in 2016 can be attributed to increasing interest from hotels and suppliers based in the GCC and Levant regions. The 19 independent industry judges assessed each entrant based on research conducted by “mystery shoppers” over a six-month period.

More than 400 hoteliers from throughout the Middle East attended the awards ceremony (24th May 2016) at the Palazzo Versace Dubai, which took away the award for Best New Hotel 2016. The Middle East Hotel Awards were established in 2010 to highlight and reward excellence across the vibrant hotel industry in the region.

Christopher Hewett, Best New Hotel judge for 2016 commented, “There were high expectations for Palazzo Versace Dubai and it didn’t disappoint. The high quality and attention to detail is synonymous with the Versace brand and this hotel is not different. Although the hotel is of the highest quality in terms of design and finishing, what stands about with this property is the exceptional level of service. The team members throughout the hotel really went above and beyond with warm and engaging service which solidified their position as the best new hotel in the Middle East.”

Commenting on the award for Best New Hotel, Raza Jafar, CEO of ENSHAA Group, the owner of the Palazzo Versace Dubai, said, “We are delighted to have been recognised as ‘Best New Hotel’ by the judges of the prestigious Middle East Hotel Awards. To be acknowledged in this way is testament to all efforts that have been made to create something uniquely special, in the region’s 5-star luxury hotel segment. This honour is a shared reward for all the hard work and commitment that has been put in by the developers, designers, management and team members, to offer a world-class luxury experience for all our guests.”

Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, which unveiled its $100 million (AED 368 million) refurbishment in 2015, won across two categories: Best Hotel Suite and Best Hotel Renovation/Refurbishment. The hotel boasts unique ‘Aspen Chalets’ with rustic interiors, ‘crackling fireplaces’ and views of the Ski Dubai indoor ski slope, for an exclusive ‘winter wonderland’ in the desert.

Level 43 Sky Lounge, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road won the Best Middle East Hotel Bar award for the 2ndyear running. A pool bar by day and lounge bar by night, judges commented that the spectacular, 360 degree views of Dubai’s skyline and personalised service could not be paralleled.

Dubai winners in new award categories introduced for 2016 included: Atlantis the Palm, Dubai (Best Family-Friendly Hotel); Huddle Sports Bar & Grill, Citymax, Al Barsha (Best Sports Bar); and Asado at The Palace Downtown (Best Al Fresco Dining Experience).

Other, coveted new award categories for 2016 were won by hotels in Ras Al Khaimah (Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah -Best Luxury Hotel) and Bahrain (CUT by Wolfgang Puck at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay – Best Fine Dining Restaurant).

The remaining Dubai winners for 2016 included: Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa (Best Outdoor Area); InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City (Best Conference & Banquet Facilities); Citymax Al Barsha (Best Budget Hotel); XVA Art Hotel, Dubai (Best Boutique Hotel); Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai (Best Business Hotel 4*); Sofitel The Palm Dubai (Best Hotel 5*); and Savoy Suites Hotel Apartments Dubai (Best Eco Initiative).

Other 2016 winners from hotels outside Dubai included: Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport (Best Airport Hotel); Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay (Best Lobby/Lounge); InterContinental Al Khobar Hotel, Saudi Arabia (Best Community Engagement); Shangri-la, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi (Best Hotel Apartment); Al Faisaliah Hotel (Best Business Hotel 5*); Banyan Tree Al Wadi (Best Resort Hotel); Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi (Best Hotel 4*); and the Best Hotel Partner award for 2016 went to Kazareen Textile Company.

Source: CPI Financial – 12 Dubai Hotels win at Middle East Hotel Awards 2016

 

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