Dubai Has One Of The Largest Concentrations Of 5 Star Hotels In The World

The New York Times said that Dubai has one of the largest base for 5 star Hotels in a long report released on Dubai on Tuesday, July 29^th. http://nyti.ms/1AIKUBc  

The hotel occupancy has remained above 80%, which is on par with London and New York, the paper reported.  “Dubai has one of the highest concentrations of five-star hotels of any major city in the world and one of the highest occupancy rates for hotel rooms,” said Chiheb Ben-Mahmoud, executive vice president and head of hotels and hospitality, Middle East and Africa at Jones Lang LaSalle. “Dubai is seen as trendy and dynamic, which is why designer hotels are now in line.”

Designer hotels are aiming to take a piece of the growing pie with luxury products, spa offerings and a keen attention to detail, according to the report. A Roberto Cavalli branded hotel is in the pipeline while the Palazzo Versace hotel is scheduled to open in 2015, it said. The Armani hotel in Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world opened in 2010 through a collaboration between Giorgio Armani and Emaar.

The paper reported that, several five star hotels have opened in many of the tourist hubs. “A drive along the Palm Jumeirah reveals newly paved paths leading to the luxurious entrances of the Waldorf-Astoria, Sofitel Dubai the Palm, Anantara Dubai the Palm and billboards for a coming W Hotel.”

“Like other hotels in the five-star segment, designer hotels have identified Dubai as an important market as the city strengthens its role as a business and leisure hub,” Ben-Mahmoud said. “But these fashion-branded hotels will only work as solid propositions, not a gimmick.”

According to research by consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle, international operators control about 68 percent of the 93,000 hotel rooms available in the city and a majority is in the five-star category. By 2016, more than 28,000 rooms will be added, mainly at the highest price point, where room rates are around $1,200 a night or as much as $10,000 for a suite, it said.

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