The ballroom lobby post renovation. The ballroom lobby post renovation.

The Grand Hyatt Dubai opened in 2003 and offers 13 F&B outlets, 682 rooms and suites, 186 hotel apartments, four swimming pools, 8,000m2 of event space, featuring two ballrooms, 22 live kitchens, 14 meeting rooms and several outdoor  venues.

It also features elaborate gardens and open spaces which, in the winters, are converted to al fresco dining venues.

Following an extensive renovation that began in the summer of 2016, the Grand Hyatt Dubai hopes to offer its guests grandeur like no other. The rooms have been given a brand new look along with creating more space for added comfort.

According to analysts, renovations and rebranding help reposition hotels in the market, especially during tough economic conditions. A report by Faithful+Gould stated that owners of existing hotel stock are under pressure to compete with the new and upcoming provision. For hotels that are more than 15 years old, renovation and refurbishment are required to optimise value, maintain a competitive market position, reflect brand development, or modernise the facility.

RATIONALE AND  OBJECTIVE

As a 14-year old hotel, the Grand Hyatt Dubai was due for renovations to offer guests a modern feel while retaining the original theme, Malek Safa, executive assistant manager, sales and marketing, Grand Hyatt Dubai told Hotelier.

“Grand Hyatt Dubai has been open since 2003, this our 14th year of operation. In the past 14 years the hotel established itself and became a legacy, an icon for Dubai as a destination. In order to rejuvenate this legacy, we decided to renovate the guest rooms, one of the ballrooms, and the staff canteen,” he said.

The Baniyas Ballroom, after renovation, is the largest ballroom in a five-star hotel in Dubai. “The total event space available is 3,200m2 and can accommodate up to 2,500 guests. This keeps us competitive and I would say ahead of the market in this part of the  business,” he said.

Safa added: “We are excited to have the ballroom operating for a year now. The work began in the summer of 2016; the process was done gradually to minimise interference with the guests. The renovations for the rooms were done in two phases — Tower A with 126 rooms was done last year and was completed in six months and Tower B work began in the summer of 2017 and was completed in September.”

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