Dubai’s new Four Seasons Resort at Jumeirah clinched the ‘Best New Hotel’ award at the Middle East Hotel Awards held recently in the UAE emirate.

Christopher Hewett, associate director of TRI Consulting and Middle East Hotel Awards judge for 2015, said: “With its elegant established landscaping and genuine service, the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach sets a new benchmark for luxury in a country which already does luxury so well.”

The five-star hotel opened in November 2014, boasting 237 rooms including 49 suites. Guests enjoy views of the Arabian Gulf on one side, and of the downtown Dubai skyline and Burj Khalifa on the other, 10 restaurants and lounges, and one of Dubai’s most lavish spas.

Around 19 Dubai hotels won across the total 21 award categories, dominating the winnings this year.

The location of the 2015 awards ceremony, the Waldorf Astoria Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, won Best Hotel Suite. Its decadent Royal Suite described by Hilton as the ‘largest suite in Dubai’ occupies the entire top floor of the hotel and is accessible through a private VIP lift, with features including a TV room, his and hers dressing rooms, grand piano and spacious terrace.

Best Resort was won by Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, situated deep within Dubai’s dune and desert landscape in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Meanwhile, Best Outdoor Area, sponsored by outdoor furniture specialists Fiore Rosso, was taken away by The Address Downtown Dubai for its stunning terrace area with excellent views of the Burj Khalifa.

Other winners from throughout Dubai for 2015 included: Jumeirah Creekside Hotel (Best Lobby/Lounge and Best Community Engagement/CSR); Level 43, Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road (Best Bar); Atlantis the Palm (Best Recreation Facilities); Savoy Park Hotel Apartments (Best Environmental Innovation); Ahsant Premium Hotel Suppliers (Best Hotel Partner); Eastern Mangroves Suites by Jannah (Best Hotel Apartment); Centro Barsha Hotel Rotana (Best Budget Hotel); and JW Marriott Marquis Dubai (Best Business/City Hotel).

However, the coveted Best Middle East Hotel award for 2015 was won by the five-star Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, located overlooking the Arabian Gulf on Bahrain’s west coast – the first hotel in Bahrain to win this award. Other winners included hotels from Doha, Saudi Arabia and Ras al Khaimah.

“We received a record number of entries from hotels located in Dubai this year, which reflects a very active market,” said Christine Davidson, Event Director, DMG Hospitality Portfolio. “With 4,000 new rooms entering the Dubai market by the end of this year and the refurbishment of existing properties, the level of competition has never been higher. Hoteliers are clearly recognising the importance of maintaining high standards and continually raising the bar. This can only be a positive for Dubai to maintain its position as a world-class destination.” – TradeArabia News Service