More than 400 hoteliers attended the Middle East Hotel Awards 2016 at the new Palazzo Versace Dubai.
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).
DUBAI – Twelve Dubai hotels won across 24 award categories to dominate the Middle East Hotel Awards 2016 this week.
A total of 70 hotels and hotel suppliers from across the region were shortlisted. Other winners came from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
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.
Speaking at the venue, Sandra Tikal, General Manager of the Palazzo Versace Dubai described the award-winning new hotel as an “urban resort” as well as a “true European palace with an Arabic edge”.
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.”
Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, which unveiled its US $100 million (AED368m) 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 2nd year 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.
After the presentation of the ‘Best Eco Initiative’ award, its category sponsor MODUL University Dubai made an announcement launching the Middle East Sustainable Tourism Education and Research Center (MESTER). The first Center of its kind to be established in the Middle East, MESTER “supports the region’s efforts in driving sustainable tourism through investment in education scholarships, research grants and entrepreneurship support”.
Other sponsors for 2016 event included: Khaled Ahmad Foudeh (KAF); Fiore Rosso; Mai Dubai; Giffard; Desert Stallion by CWS; Patchi; and Tonino Lamborghini.
The Middle East Hotel Awards 2016 – Full Winners List
BEST LOBBY/LOUNGE
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
BEST OUTDOOR AREA (non F&B)
Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
BEST SPORTS BAR
Huddle Sports Bar & Grill, Citymax, Al Barsha
BEST HOTEL BAR
Level 43, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road
BEST AL FRESCO DINING EXPERIENCE
Asado, The Palace Downtown Dubai
BEST FINE DINING RESTAURANT
CUT, Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
BEST CONFERENCE AND BANQUET FACILITIES
InterContinental Hotel Dubai Festival City
BEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
InterContinental Al Khobar Hotel, Saudi Arabia
BEST ECO INITIATIVE
Savoy Suites Hotel Apartments LLC Dubai
BEST HOTEL APARTMENT
Shangri-la, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
BEST HOTEL SUITE
Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates
BEST HOTEL RENOVATION/ REFURBISHMENT
Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates
BEST HOTEL PARTNER
Kazareen Textile Company
BEST BUDGET HOTEL
Citymax Al Barsha
BEST AIRPORT HOTEL
Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport
BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL
XVA Art Hotel, Dubai
BEST BUSINESS HOTEL 4*
Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai
BEST BUSINESS HOTEL 5*
Al Faisaliah Hotel
BEST RESORT HOTEL
Banyan Tree Al Wadi
BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTEL
Atlantis, The Palm
BEST NEW HOTEL
Palazzo Versace, Dubai
BEST HOTEL 4*
Traders Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi
BEST HOTEL 5 *
Sofitel The Palm Dubai
BEST LUXURY HOTEL
Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
