Emaar Hospitality Group acquires management of Al Manzil, Qamardeen hotels 

(MENAFN Press) Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality & leisure subsidiary of global property developer Emaar Properties PJSC, has acquired the management of Al Manzil and Qamardeen hotels, two key hospitality assets of Emaar, located in Downtown Dubai. The two hotels were earlier managed by Southern Sun Hotel Group.

With Emaar Hospitality Group assuming the day-to-day operations of the two hotels, the Emaar subsidiary now has seven hotels in Dubai under its management including five Address Hotels Resorts.

Emaar also operates the Armani Hotel Dubai in Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. The Group also owns and manages a diversified portfolio of hospitality assets including hotels, serviced residences, golf retreats, a polo & equestrian club, lifestyle dining outlets and the Dubai Marina Yacht Club and Marinas.

By assuming the management of Al Manzil and Qamardeen by Emaar Hospitality Group, the business subsidiary of Emaar will lend its extensive expertise in managing a diverse portfolio of hospitality assets to the two hotels.

Al Manzil and Qamardeen are prime hotel assets of Emaar popular among both business and leisure travellers, led by its central location in Downtown Dubai, described as 'The Centre of Now.' Both hotels are in easy access to the business nerve-centres and tourism attractions of the city including Burj Khalifa; The Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination; and The Dubai Fountain, the tallest performing fountain.

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: "Tourism and hospitality are the key growth drivers of Dubai, and over the years, we have acquired strong competencies in the hospitality & leisure sector through our world-class assets in Dubai.

Our expansion to hospitality is in line with our growth strategy of creating long-term value for our stakeholders, while also contributing to Dubai's economic growth.

With Emaar Hospitality Group assuming the management of Al Manzil and Qamardeen, we are looking at introducing the home-grown capabilities achieved by our hospitality subsidiary and offer a differential lifestyle experience for our guests."

Richard Weilers, Managing Director, Southern Sun Middle East said: "It was a rewarding experience establishing Al Manzil and Qamardeen hotels and cementing their position as highly preferred properties in Dubai's competitive hospitality scene.

In our six years of operating the properties, both Al Manzil and Qamardeen have consistently emerged at the top of their peer category, winning numerous guest and industry-voted accolades.

The Southern Sun brand is one of a number of brands owned by holding company Tsogo Sun, Southern Africa's premier hotel and entertainment group."

Al Manzil and Qamardeen will retain their brand identity, with Emaar Hospitality Group to focus on further strengthening service standards and introducing guest-focused amenities that will add to their tangible benefits. Stefan Viard, Hotel Manager of The Address Dubai Mall, will be the acting General Manager of Al Manzil, and Aamir Khan, Hotel Manager of The Address Dubai Marina, will be acting General Manager of Qamardeen.

Combining hi-tech business environments with a traditional Arabian feel, Al Manzil and Qamardeen are four-star deluxe hotels that are distinguished by the elegant ambience and central location in The Old Town of Downtown Dubai.

Al Manzil, ideal for business travellers, features ground plus eight floors and offers 197 rooms. The hotel has several restaurants, three meeting rooms to seat up to 130 people and a 12-seater boardroom.

Qamardeen Hotel sports a fashionable, hip alternative dcor style, and with ground plus 5 floors, the hotel offers 186 rooms including suites, queen and twin rooms and rooms for the physically challenged, and a wide range of restaurants.

Both hotels have a large swimming pool and modern fitness facilities, and offer free WiFi access with complimentary internet connectivity in all rooms and at the 24-hour business centres.

Emaar's hospitality & leisure business contributed AED 1.22 billion (US 332 million) to the company's annual revenues in 2011, and AED 403 million (US 110 million) during the first quarter of 2012.