InCity Hotels

Though nobody dares deviate from the official “all is well” line, Dubai hotel occupancy is at record lows. Has the Dubai city been rumbled?

There’s a quiet desperation in Dubai hotels, which have seen occupancies plummet this summer. Reliable sources told Kipp Report that average occupancy in city hotels at the end of June was 56%; the swanky new Raffles was struggling thanks to a high-rate, no-beach double whammy at 19%, while the Grand Hyatt was at 40%. The latter denies this figure. It does admit occupancy is a little lower so far this summer, but says the current rate is around 70%. Raffles also denies 19% - it says June closed with 30% occupancy.

Even so, compared to last year, when DTCM (Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing) claimed record occupancies of 85%, ahead of Hong Kong, Sydney, Tokyo and London and nobody was discounting hotel rooms in Dubai, this year one can walk into most hotels at half price. Each is coping with whatever strategy best suits its market positioning, but nobody dare admit officially that there is a problem.

General opinion suggests the situation could be a combination of factors, some external - like the globally depressed economic scenario and higher cost of flights thanks to spiralling oil prices - but there is a nagging suspicion the city has been rumbled: strained infrastructure, choked roads, few transport options, ugly cranes and little to do beyond malls.

Travel agents would add greedy hotels to the litany: when the sun shone brightly on Dubai three, even two years ago, most hotels happily raked in as much as they could with four-star properties increasing rates to an extortionate Dh800-1,200.

This year, the city finds itself excluded from brochures of leading European travel agents, who would rather sell holidays to Sri Lanka, Thailand or other exotic destination that, one assumes, offer more by way of enriching experiences at lower prices. Ironically, Thomson Holidays, Europe’s leading travel agency now recommends Israel as the only destination worth visiting under “Middle East”

Source - Kipp Report

Hotels near to the airport are very popular as it saves a lot of travel time, hotels near Dubai airport just serves the purpose. Moreover, most of the hotels cater to the needs of business and leisure travelers alike. Today’s travelers loom for the best be it the location, facilities and prices.

The tourist influx has resulted in number of hotels mushrooming in all parts of the city but Dubai Airport has number of hotels in Dubai Airport coming up.

Dubai International Airport serves Dubai, the largest city of the UAE. Voted as the best international airport in the world, this Dubai airport is the hub for all major international airlines besides Emirates. The Dubai International Airport started operations in 1960 and is the busiest airport in the Middle East. Looking at the influx of travelers this airport is being complemented by Dubai Central International airport, which will cater to the future travelers. Located conveniently from the city center, it is a small drive in a taxi. Elegantly designed airport boasts of its large duty free shopping center, easy availability of taxis, ATMs, car rentals and hotel reservations. Travelers can find number of hotels near Dubai airport located at a short distance.

Finding a comfortable and a suitable accommodation in the airport area is not difficult. As Airport hotels Dubai, provide accommodation for all types of travelers, including business travelers and budget travelers. Passengers traveling on tight schedules, rest and relaxation are a luxury that can now be afforded at one of the hotels in Dubai Airport.

After arriving at the Dubai Airport, is an experience with a lot of services available at the traveler’s disposal. With the number of transit passengers and travelers to Dubai has increased so is the available facilities and services. The Airport’s Duty Free is world famous, which is a shopper’s paradise, providing shopping opportunities for jewelry, electronics, designer wear, cosmetics children products etc. among the various services the food court is an important where one can enjoy international food, with all specialty cuisines available. Located between the gates 12 and 14 is an entertainment zone for kid’s and women. Children can have all the fun in the play zone where as the mother’s lounge is just right for women with kids. Dubai airport’s highlight is the various lounges it offers to travelers to relax themselves or attend to their business during their travel time. From First Class lounge, business Lounge, Airline lounges, to Quiet Lounges, one will find a lounge suiting your requirement and taste.

The Dubai Airport hotels add charm to the Airport services with their excellent location and services. The Airport hotels are all elegantly furnished, providing immense pleasure when putting up here. Each of Airport hotels Dubai has a unique accent of its own, which is well visible in the individualistic character. The hotels belong to international chains, but have made sure that the traditional touch of the city culture does not get affected.

All of the Dubai Hotels are amongst the finest in all of the world. The hotels Dubai offers cannot be matched by anywhere else, not only are all Dubai hotels layered with excellent customer care and attention to detail but the hotels Dubai offers give you the added attraction, of being in the world’s premier travel destination: Dubai.

What can be better than opening the window of any one of the hotels Dubai showcases and seeing the wonderful city sprawled out underneath the Dubai hotels view? Dubai can reveal to all travellers something of a jewel in the middle of the desert and everyone who stays in hotels Dubai offers never forgets it.

All Dubai hotels are welcoming and have a great staff who are eager to make sure that your dream holiday comes true. You will also be able to find hotels Dubai offers that can meet your budget. Whether you are looking for Dubai hotels that are first class and have excellent accommodation and full facilities, or you are seeking those rather beautiful cheap hotels Dubai hides away for the best customers, you will be certain to find the right place to stay.

Some of the things you can see and do once you have settled into your Dubai hotels suite is to go and visit all of the world class attractions and venues that are on offer. You must go and see all of the wondrous sights and sensations that are awaiting you and to soak up every last breath of Dubai culture. From the exquisite shopping arcades that boast some of the worlds most outrageous designer labels, to the gala of tasty restaurants and cafes that dot Dubai with pleasure, you must try them all! Once you have booked your hotels Dubai package, you won’t be able to stay away from the city!

There are many Dubai hotels that are of 4 and 5 star quality and you should stay in these if you are looking for a truly luxuriant experience. Other cheaper hotels Dubai offers can be found through travel agents or by looking on the Internet. You will find the right place to stay when you are in your dream vacation destination, come to Dubai and let all of your troubles be taken care of!

Dubai Jumeirah Hotels owns the Emirates Towers hotel, the Jumeirah Beach hotel, the Madinat group of hotels, which includes Mina A Salam, Al Qasr & the Madinat Souk which houses the largest swimming pool in the Middle East. Jumeirah also owns the amazing desert hotel, Bab Al Shams, located in the desert with sand dunes rolling from its perimeters and making a fantastic landscape for the falcon shows and camel riding they offer.

All Jumeirah Dubai hotels have amazing architecture and are worth a visit for this alone. This, together with their famous customer service values, makes them a great choice for visitors to Dubai. For a true taste of Arabia, visit the Madinat Souk, part of the Madinat and Mina A Salam complex located on Jumeirah beach. This resort offers 42 restaurants overlooking the Burj Al Arab and each is situated on the edge of their very own canal. Watch the dhows transport the hotel guests around this vast complex on their waterways and lagoon. It really is a beautiful spot for a sundowner or a meal incorporating food from all over the world.

There are many other famous branded hotels in Dubai, from The One and Only Royal Mirage to Hiltons, Sheratons (both beach and airport locations), the Kempinski Group, Shangri La Group and Crown Plaza among many others. Most Dubai hotels are at 5 star standard, however there are some lower cost hotels such as the 4 star Al Manzil hotel, located behind the world’s tallest building the Burj Dubai nestling in its own Arabian style architecture and complementing the huge sky rise buildings surrounding it.

The Grosvenor House hotel located in Dubai Marina is a fantastic venue for staying or visiting their restaurants and bars. Have a drink in Bar 44 located on the 44th floor of the hotel and offering amazing views of the Marina area, and then take the express lift down to the fabulous Buddha Bar for a fusion of Thai and international cuisine.

All 5 star hotels in Dubai have pools, gyms and restaurant facilities with many offering spa areas as well. Of course the crème de la crème of spa facilities has to be located within the 7 star hotels of the Burj Al Arab, where reservations are recommended and the environment is so much part of the treatment you will never want to leave!

Many Dubai hotels also offer apartment facilities so if you are here longer term and want to experience more of the home comforts, these are a great option.

Other companies capitalizing on the huge tourism market here are with their Versace Palazzo hotel and the Trump Towers hotel (located on the famous Palm Island). Versace should be opening its doors to the international elite during 2008 with the Trump Tower hotel opening scheduled to be around early 2010.

Ranging from amazing desert hotels, luxury beach hotels and fantastic corporate hotels in the city, Dubai offers an eclectic mix to choose from. However, all are within close proximity of all tourist facilities, shopping malls and attractions as well as its fantastic beaches - you can’t go far wrong with any location. Most city business hotels located along Sheikh Zayed road also have affiliations with beach hotels and will transport you to the beach during your stay.