AccorHotels, a leading travel and lifestyle group, today announced the signing of a management agreement with Al Anwar Holdings, one of Oman’s leading investment holding companies, for a new  Novotel hotel 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. 

 

The agreement follows close on the heels of AccorHotels signing a management agreement with Oman Hotels & Tourism Company to develop Novotel Muscat Al Khuwair.  

 

Commenting on the signing, Olivier Granet, managing director and 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,” said Granet.

 

Massoud Al Harthy, chairman of Al Anwar Holdings, said: “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. – TradeArabia News Service