Dubai’s lodge business experiences a parallel increase – in makeovers for older properties
3 min read
Dubai: Together with the brand new builds, a few of Dubai’s present motels and resorts shall be up for some main makeovers – and thus creating extra alternatives for suppliers to the business.
The Dubai-based Ishraq Hospitality is budgeting a sizeable funding over the subsequent two years for the renovation of the group-owned Vacation Inn Categorical and Crowne Plaza Deira properties. “We plan to relaunch each properties, particularly Crowne Plaza Deira, (which has been) a legacy vacation spot within the neighbourhood,” mentioned Richard Haddad, CEO of Ishraq.
“We even have a steady property enchancment plan, an ongoing venture that appears into enhancing all our properties.”
Renovations to be the norm
Haddad mentioned that present motels must make investments closely in renovation and refurbishment to compete towards the 15,000 new rooms Dubai will add this 12 months.
“We’ve got to offer our motels a face life to remain forward of the sport,” he mentioned.
The refurbishments would concentrate on three core components: enhancing in-room and property-wide tech options (company want superior Wi-Fi connectivity always in addition to top-notch in-room leisure), design, and sustainability.
Picture Credit score: Clint Egbert/Gulf Information
“Friends are way of life motels,” mentioned Haddad. “We can not have plain, classical lobbies with fundamental design components anymore. Motels should be sustainable as nicely.”
Resort manufacturers in Dubai are investing closely in renovating legacy motels, a few of that are older than 10-15 years, to convey them as much as present business requirements. As Haddad mentioned, they’ll should be aggressive with the brand new crop of motels which can open within the years to return.
The older motels will certainly see renovations coming their means within the subsequent 5 to seven years. “In six to seven years, we won’t see a single scruffy lodge in Dubai,” mentioned Philip Wooller, Space Director, Center East and Africa for STR Inc.
Furthermore, adoption of digital upgrades – whether or not as a service or an add-on – can also be a should. “Greater than ever, hospitality organisations should undertake modern digital options to raised serve their company and workers in addition to be aggressive and adaptable in a continuously altering and demanding market,” mentioned Tariq Valani, World SVP Help Companies – Accor for Tech and World SVP Expertise – Fairmont.
The identical is going on in a number of markets inside the area.
In keeping with US-based Lodging Econometrics, no less than 123 new motels with 30,113 rooms will open within the area this 12 months. Subsequent 12 months, 116 motels with 29,085 rooms are anticipated to open, with Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt the first decisions.
In keeping with Christian Walter, World CEO of PKF hospitality group, there was a notable rise in well-funded actual property funds specializing in hospitality, together with Blackstone Actual Property’s current initiative.
“Blackstone’s $30.4 billion fund is the most important ever within the hospitality-centred class, and different financing autos like investor golf equipment are additionally rising,” mentioned Walter.
These alternatives within the UAE have attracted main gamers from areas such because the Center East, Europe, the Far East, and the Americas.
“Dubai’s attraction as a worldwide model vacation spot has attracted quite a few non-Center Jap manufacturers looking for to determine their presence,” mentioned Walter. “Furthermore, possession constructions have develop into extra refined, reflecting the business’s evolving panorama.”

Picture Credit score: Clint Egbert/Gulf Information
Investor sentiment
The UAE is now the primary ultra-luxury market on the earth, outperforming conventional luxurious markets equivalent to Venice, Paris and London or New York. “I feel it is a ‘golden period’ for the area’s hospitality business, particularly for those who had been to have a look at the expansion price of all of the regional airways,” mentioned Wooller.
Motels want a classy face-lift
The brand new crop of lodge company is demanding increasingly more services that cater to ‘workcations’ and ‘bleisure’ vacation traits, combining enterprise actions with resort-like components. “The boundaries between work and trip have gotten more and more fluid, particularly with youthful generations,” mentioned Walter.
This pattern is shaping new lodge ideas and merchandise, as city motels undertake options from resorts and leisure locations, whereas conventional leisure locations incorporate business-friendly attributes.

Picture Credit score: Clint Egbert/Gulf Information