MUSCAT -- Ibis Muscat, the newest addition to the growing ibis network in the Middle East, has officially opened its doors to the public. With its 171 modern rooms, the internationally branded hotel sets new benchmarks in the Sultanate's economy hotel market. The hotel is owned by Kuwait-based Action Hotels, a subsidiary of Action Group Holdings and managed by Accor Hospitality Middle East.
Ibis Muscat is strategically situated in the Al Khuwair area of Muscat, easily accessible from the Sultan Qaboos Street. Close to the main business hub, ministries and embassies of the Sultanate, ibis Muscat offers business and leisure travellers well-appointed quality accommodation and services.
Welcoming the announcement, Shaikh Mubarak A M al Sabah, Chairman of Action Hotels Company and Vice- Chairman of Action Group Holdings, said: "We are very proud of this new hotel in Oman. The opening of the first ibis hotel in Muscat is consistent with our strategy to introduce distinctive mid market hotels in the Middle East.
Oman's tourism sector has much to look forward to in the next few years and we are confident in its long-term growth and believe there is a strong demand for this type of property for corporate and leisure markets alike. This new addition to our existing three ibis properties in Kuwait, Amman and Melbourne marks a new milestone, and further strengthens our partnership with Accor as we open the first Accor hotel in Oman."
The hotel features well-designed and fully-equipped en-suite rooms with large double-beds, free high speed wireless Internet connection (WiFIi, LCD flat-screen TVs and direct-dial phones. The hotel has interconnecting rooms available, smoking and non smoking floors plus five special need rooms, and four well-appointed meeting rooms. Other facilities include WiFi in the lobby and public areas, free underground car parking and free safety deposit boxes in each bedroom.
A variety of dining options include the open restaurant and the 24-hour snack service. The open restaurant offers pasta and grill speciality cuisine, in a charming authentic Italian setting. Guests can enjoy freshly prepared Italian food in a friendly atmosphere. Christophe Landais, Managing Director, Accor Hospitality Middle East said, "ibis Muscat joins Accor's rapidly expanding ibis hotel network. Currently we have six operational ibis hotels in the Middle East (four in UAE, one in Kuwait, one in Jordan).
Our ibis brand strongly leads in the economy hotel market since its introduction to the Dubai market in 2003. Highly resilient, ibis remains one of the best performing brands in our portfolio and we aim to replicate its success in the Omani market." Since 2008, Action Hotels, one of the fastest growing and most innovative mid market hotel developers in the Middle East and Accor, the European leader and a major global group in hotels, have embarked on the development of three and four star hotels in the Middle East region.
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2009
