| Dh400m resort taking shape in Ras Al Khaimah
Dubai: A major beachfront resort, Al Hamra Palace Hotel, billed as Ras Al Khaimah's seven-star property, is taking shape at a cost of Dh400 million, officials said. "It will be a spectacular project and an architectural landmark, something like the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi," said Tawfiq Al Hajj, sales manager of Al Hamra Palace Hotel. The resort will comprise 546 rooms including 300 hotel rooms, 37 luxury suites, five restaurants, three bars and 246 serviced apartments. The entire project stretches across 1.5 kilometres of prime beachfront. The hotel will be managed by Ras Al Khaimah-based Al Hamra, which also owns and operates Al Hamra Fort Hotel and Beach Resort, Al Hamra Village Town House and Khatt Springs Hotel and Spa. Owned by the Ras Al Khaimah government, the resort will open during the middle of next year.
Four Seasons to build hotel near Disney World
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts plans to build a luxury hotel and 18-hole championship golf course along the northeast border of Walt Disney World outside Orlando, Fla. The Toronto-based luxury hotel chain is involved in one of two expansion plans that will take eight to 10 years to fully develop, said Meg Crofton, Disney World's president. The Four Seasons hotel will anchor a 365-hectare development that already houses two golf courses. A second development, just outside Disney World's western entrance, will have about 4,500 time-share and hotel units around a retail village. .
MSPA International appoints regional director in Southern Asia
Joseph Polito will serve to the position of Regional Director in Southern Asia for MSPA International, a leading spa operator in Asia-Pacific region. In his new role, Joe will oversee all MSpa activities in Thailand, Southeast Asia, India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka. He will be instrumental in maximizing existing business as well as leading future development for the group.
Joe brings with him a wealth of experience and a career that has seen the opening and management of some of the most celebrated luxury resorts and spas in the world. Most recently, Joe was the opening General Manager of the prestigious 'Hotel De la Paix' in Siem Reap, near the world famous ancient city of Angkor. The hotel opened to international acclaim and garnered several awards including one of the best new Hotels, Spas and Restaurants in the annual Conde Nast Traveler Magazine Hot list.
Island hoppers, pack your passports
Hot to explore the next big thing in the Caribbean? During the past year, a beach bag full of new lodging, flights and other attractions has popped up across the region. The most significant development has been the new regulations requiring that all non-nationals entering Caribbean countries, Bermuda and the Bahamas by air have a passport. The rules, which went into effect Jan. 23, have sent many Americans scurrying to apply for passports; similar requirements for visitors arriving by land or sea will be phased in by Jan. 1. Not surprisingly, travel to Puerto Rico -- which U.S. citizens can enter without a passport -- has increased sharply, according to tourism officials. It's too early to tell the exact levels visits have risen islandwide, but the Sheraton Old San Juan has reported a 30 percent uptick in occupancy during January.
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