Rotana to open 14 new hotels in the Middle East in 2018

Rotana is on track to open 14 properties by the end of 2018, which will see the UAE-based operator entering new markets such as Iran and Tanzania.

Before the year 2017 draws to a close, the operator expects to welcome four new hotels in the UAE. These include the five-star Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Pearl Rotana in Abu Dhabi, Al Bandar Rotana, and Al Bandar by Arjaan Rotana Dubai will join the company’s 34 hotels. In addition, the group will open new hotels in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq and Tanzania by the end of the next year as part of its efforts to increase its global footprint.

Saudi Arabia tops Rotana’s list of markets for expansion. Three properties are scheduled to open in different cities of the Kingdom by 2018 with an emphasis on its affordable lifestyle hotels brand “Centro by Rotana”.

Rotana president & CEO Omer Kaddouri said in a statement: “2017 has been a tremendous year as we celebrated our 25th anniversary, along with great successes in the UAE and across the globe. Drawing on our past has enabled us to map out our future and lay the groundwork for our forthcoming investments; the opening of 14 new properties.

“Saudi Arabia is heading for a phenomenal growth with massive scale up in investments and infrastructure projects. The recent announcements of new ambitious tourism projects have made it a more attractive market. The Kingdom will continue to be one of our key markets going forward,” Kaddouri continued.

“Turkey, which continues to attract tourists from across the world with its diverse offerings, is another major focus market for Rotana in the coming years.”

In addition, Rotana has put in place an active pipeline for untapped markets in Africa. “Our additional focus areas include Tanzania, where we will be opening our first five-star hotel in Dar Es Salaam. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to our elevated hospitality offering in this destination,” Kaddouri added.

“Looking beyond 2018, we have an incredibly strong pipeline of expansion, with 48 properties under various stages of development. To date, we have hosted more than 225 million guests at our hotels around the world and we’re excited to welcome much more over the next 25 years.”

Rotana is set to open six hotels in the UAE, three in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, two in Turkey and one Iran, Iraq and Tanzania by the end of 2018. Click through to find out what these projects are:

Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Abu Dhabi – Q4 2017 
Located on Saadiyat Island, this five-star resort will be a few minutes’ drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Saadiyat Rotana will feature 327 rooms and suites, thirteen beach villas, a private stretch of beach and conference facilities. Guests will have a choice of eight dining outlets serving a wide range of cuisine and access to the Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Centre.

Pearl Rotana, Abu Dhabi - opening Q4 2017 
The second Rotana property to open in Abu Dhabi in Q4, Pearl Rotana will offer 315 rooms and suites in Abu Dhabi’s business district. Located just a few steps from the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the luxury hotel will feature five food and beverage venues, Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, and seven meeting and boardrooms.

Al Bandar Rotana, Dubai – opening Q4 2017 
Al Bandar Rotana is located in Dubai Creek, just a few minutes from Dubai International Airport. The five-star property will include 190 rooms and suites, wellness and leisure facilities along with five dining venues.

Al Bandar Arjaan by Rotana, Dubai – opening Q4 2017
Connected to Al Bandar Rotana, Al Bandar Arjaan will offer 90 fully-furnished serviced apartments.

Beach Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi – opening Q1 2018 
Beach Rotana will be adding 326 studios and apartments to its existing complex. Guests will benefit from Beach Arjaan’s central location, with shops, Saadiyat Island, the new Central Business District and the Corniche mere minutes away. The hotel features a Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, Zen the spa, kids club, 11 dining outlets, outdoor pool and tennis courts.

Centro Olaya, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – opening Q1 2018
Centro Olaya will feature 156 spacious rooms, three dining outlets and three meeting rooms. 

Centro Corniche, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia – opening Q1 2018
This Centro hotel sits on the Al Khobar Corniche and has unobstructed views of the sea. Featuring 247 rooms and suites, Centro Corniche also offers meeting rooms, three dining outlets, a gymnasium and swimming pool.

Centro Salama, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – opening Q1 2018 
Alongside Centro Shaheen, this is Rotana’s second property under the Centro brand to open in Jeddah. The hotel features 189 rooms and suites, Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, a swimming pool and meeting facilities.

Centro WestSide Istanbul, Turkey – opening Q1 2018
Situated on the European side of Istanbul, in the Günesli neighbourhood, this 152-room hotel is in close proximity of Istanbul International Airport and commercial districts of the city. Centro Istanbul’s amenities include three dining outlets, Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club, indoor swimming pool, business centre, and meeting rooms.

WestSide Arjaan Istanbul by Rotana, Turkey – opening Q1 2018 
Connected to Centro Istanbul, this Arjaan property will include 153 fully-furnished hotel apartments, three dining outlets, recreation and fitness facilities including a swimming pool.

Johari Rotana, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania – opening Q1 2018 
Set to be Rotana’s first property in East Africa, Dar Es Salaam Rotana will be located in the MNF Square in the Tanzanian capital Dar Es Salaam. The luxury hotel will feature 256 rooms and suites.

Imam Reza Rayhaan by Rotana, Mashhad, Iran – opening Q3 2018
The first Rotana property to open in Iran, as part of the Rayhaan brand, this five-star hotel is located in Mashhad. Guests will be located next to the city’s main cultural attractions including the shrine of Imam Reza. The hotel will feature 275 rooms and suites.

Slemani Rotana, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq – opening Q3 2018
Slemani Rotana, Rotana's third hotel in Iraq, will have 240 rooms and suites, business centre, fitness facilities, five meeting rooms and a choice of four dining outlets.

Al Jaddaf Rotana, Dubai – opening Q4 2018
The luxury hotel will feature 338 rooms and suites, along with an array of food and beverage establishments.