Hilton said to replace Marriott as operator of Dubai's Habtoor City hotels

By Devina Divecha and Sarakshi Rai

Hilton Hotels and Resorts will reportedly take over Habtoor City hotels, that until July 31 are operated by Marriott International, HotelierMiddleEast.com has learned.

The Habtoor City cluster hotels are currently operated by Marriott International as St. Regis Dubai, W Dubai Habtoor City and The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City.

Al Habtoor Group declined to comment when approached by HotelierMiddleEast.com and is set to reveal all at a press conference on Tuesday, July 31.

New signage has also gone up at the Al Habtoor City hotels with the St. Regis Dubai now bearing a 'Habtoor Palace' sign and the W Dubai - Al Habtoor City hotel now bearing a 'V' signage which is rumoured to be a Curio Collection hotel. 

When initially contacted by HotelierMiddleEast.com, a Hilton spokesperson said: "Hilton has an active pipeline of 23 hotels in the UAE. We have no new projects to announce at this stage and cannot comment on rumours or speculation."

When the hotels first opened, it was Dubai’s first St. Regis, the UAE’s first W hotel and the largest Westin in the Middle East. The hotels collectively offer nearly 1,600 rooms, 18 restaurants and lounges, two spas, 34 meeting and banqueting spaces and three ballrooms.

When news of the deflagging was made public, Marriott International said in a statement to Hotelier Middle East that it was a mutual decision reached amicably between the parties, adding that the management of these hotels will be transferred to the owning company.

"The parties are working closely together to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for associates, clients and partners," the statement said.

As of July 1, 2018, Marriott International also no longer manages The St. Regis Dubai, Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. The management has been transferred to Al Habtoor Group.