200-room Novotel Muscat Azaiba reinforces strength of the upper midscale brand in the Middle East

AccorHotels, the world’s leading travel & lifestyle group, today announced the signing of a management agreement with Al Anwar Holdings SAOG, one of Oman’s leading investment holding companies, for one of the first Novotel hotels in the Sultanate.

Opening in 2020, the 200-room Novotel Muscat Azaiba will be the closest internationally branded midscale hotel to the Oman Exhibition & Convention Centre, which continues to host thousands of delegates at the Sultanate’s most high profile conferences and events.

Commenting on the signing, Olivier Granet, Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer of AccorHotels Middle East and Africa, said: “Our agreement with Al Anwar Holdings marks the beginning of a trusted partnership and the strategic expansion of our signature upper-midscale brand. Novotel has long established itself as a top choice in the region’s hospitality scene. With the brand’s entry into Oman, the Novotel Muscat Azaiba will join over 30 operational and pipeline properties under the brand, making Novotel the largest mid-market brand in the Middle East.”

“We are confident that with its location, amenities and unique positioning, the Novotel Muscat Azaiba will be considered a top choice for MICE and leisure travellers seeking to sample Oman’s evolving offer,” concluded Granet.

Massoud Al Harthy, Chairman of Al Anwar Holdings SAOG commented: “As Oman takes great strides in economic diversification, we see a major opportunity to grow our portfolio through a focus in hospitality.  The location of Novotel Muscat Azaiba on Sultan Qaboos Road near Oman’s prestigious international convention centre positions it as a unique offering in the market.”

“Partnering with AccorHotels was a natural choice for our move into hotel development as we aim to work with a team that has a strong track record and reputation as a leading travel and lifestyle group in the Middle East,” concluded Al Harthy.

Located in close proximity to Muscat International Airport, the upcoming Mall of Oman and the districts of Shatti Al Qurum and Al Khuwair, Novotel Muscat Azaiba provides convenient access to key business and leisure destinations in Muscat.

The hotel will also offer 200 modular and spacious rooms for visitors. Guests can take the opportunity to stay in shape and recharge their energy using a fully-equipped gym, The In Balance Spa or the hotel’s swimming pool. A variety of dining outlets will be on offer, including a lobby lounge and all-day dining restaurant. Adding to the area’s MICE offering, Novotel Muscat Azaiba will feature 400 square meters of meeting space for medium to large scale gatherings.

In the Middle East, AccorHotels currently operates more than 100 hotels, encompassing over 31,000 rooms, in addition to almost 90 hotels under development across the luxury to economy segments. The network is expected to double in size, bringing over 50,000 rooms in operation and pipeline to the region.

ABOUT NOVOTEL

With Novotel, AccorHotels offers every guest the freedom to fully enjoy their stay.

Novotel Hotels, Suites & Resorts provide a multi-service offer for both business and leisure guests, with spacious, modular rooms, 24/7 catering offers with balanced meals, meeting rooms, attentive and proactive staff, kid areas, a multi-purpose lobby and fitness centers. Through PLANET 21, AccorHotels’ sustainable development program, Novotel commits to Man and the Planet. Novotel has over 480 hotels and resorts in 59 countries, ideally located in the heart of major international cities, business districts and tourist destinations.

AccorHotels is a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,100 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.

novotel.com| accorhotels.com

ABOUT ACCORHOTELS MIDDLE EAST

AccorHotels Middle East is one of the fastest growing hospitality groups in the Middle East. Currently, the Group’s regional portfolio includes more than 100 operational hotels representing over 31,000 rooms in ten countries. AccorHotels’ portfolio spans a wide range of world-class brands ranging from luxury and upscale Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Swissôtel and Majlis Grand Mercure, to midscale Novotel, Mercure, Adagio and economy ibis and ibis styles. With over 25 years of regional experience, AccorHotels Middle East was the first to establish a training academy. Dubbed as Tamheed – AccorHotels Académie Middle East, the training facility is dedicated to educating and preparing associates at all levels and ensuring optimal career development.

ABOUT ACCORHOTELS

AccorHotels is a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,200 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe. Benefiting from dual expertise as an investor and operator, AccorHotels operates in 95 countries. Its portfolio comprises internationally acclaimed luxury brands including Raffles, Sofitel Legend, SO Sofitel, Sofitel, Fairmont, onefinestay, MGallery by Sofitel, Pullman, and Swissôtel; as well as the popular midscale and boutique brands of 25hours, Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter and Adagio; the much-prized economy brands including JO&JOE, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and the regional brands Grand Mercure, The Sebel and hotelF1. AccorHotels provides innovative end-to-end services across the entire traveler experience, notably through the recent acquisition of John Paul, world leader in concierge services.

With an unmatched collection of brands and rich history spanning close to five decades, AccorHotels, along with its global team of more than 250,000 dedicated women and men, has a purposeful and heartfelt mission: to make every guest Feel Welcome. Guests enjoy access to one of the world’s most rewarding hotel loyalty programs - Le Club AccorHotels.

AccorHotels is active in its local communities and committed to sustainable development and solidarity through PLANET 21, a comprehensive program that brings together employees, guests and partners to drive sustainable growth.

Accor SA is publicly listed with shares trading on the Euronext Paris exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and the OTC marketplace (Code: ACRFY) in the United States. 

Press contact:
Aditi Mane
Finsbury
+971 50 738 4146
Aditi.mane@finsbury.com

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© Press Release 2017