Dubai:There is a festive mood everywhere in the UAE – which is bolstered further by the opening of a new hotel, Al Khoory Sky Garden – at the same place where its parent company Al Khoory Group was born five decades ago.
The Group’s hospitality arm, Al Khoory Hotels, opened Al Khoory Sky Garden at the heart of Deira, Dubai where it all started. The opening of the hotel marks the beginning of a week-long festivities to celebrate its Golden Jubilee of the UAE National Day on December 2.
Al Khoory Sky Garden hotel is located on a plot of land where Al Khoory Group had started its business operations around 50 years ago – the year the UAE Federation was formed. Fifty years later, the group is re-creating history with its new hotel – just a few days before the UAE National Day when the country charts a new beginning for the next 50 years.
The location where the hotel stands, used to be known as ‘Port Saeed’ area that stretches to the bank of Dubai Creek – walking distance from the then Al Khoory Group office and yard, where wooden merchant boats used to transport goods to and from India’s economic gateway Mumbai, Pakistan’s Port of Karachi, Bandar Abbas in Iran and other harbours in the GCC region.
Dubai Creek and Port Saeed used to provide the economic lifeline to Dubai – then a trading outpost – before Port Rashid in Shindagha became a major harbour. The merchant wooden boats still ferry goods to and from the berthing space in Dubai Creek, next to Al Maktoum Bridge where Dubai Customs has its operations. Dubai’s economic landscape started to expand on both sides of Dubai Creek due to hectic trading activities.
“The opening of the Al Khoory Sky Garden Hotel coincides with the UAE National Day and it reflects our strong commitment to the UAE economy and especially the tourism industry,” says Abdullah Khoory, Vice-Chairman of Al Khoory Group.
“Our family has a strong emotional attachment to this particular plot of land where my father established our family business fifty years ago. We still have fond memories that dates back to the formative years of the UAE – with less vehicles on the semi-paved roads – when many modern amenities that we take for granted, was a luxury.
“Life used to be simple, less hectic. Our business grew from there and we feel a strong attachment to the place – although things have changed drastically around it. So, this location and the opening of the hotel is a significant milestone in our business,” he says.
“On this occasion, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude to our country’s leadership, especially His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for their vision and leadership that created opportunities for all.
“We believe in the long-term sustainability of the UAE economy and the country’s vibrant tourism industry. Al Khoory Sky Garden has already started offering international and regional tourists the best of our hospitality services,” he added
The opening of Al Khoory Sky Garden Hotel couldn’t have been timed better with hotel occupancy jumping to near 100 percent since October 2021 – due to the opening of international borders and the Expo 2020.
Passenger traffic at Dubai International Airport (DXB) has grown by almost 20 per cent in the last four weeks to reach 20.7 million in the year to date to October 2021. This is the result of the changes in travel restrictions in key global markets in recent months, which is generating renewed confidence in the prospects of international travel.
Al Khoory Sky Garden’s location provides easy access to important business and leisure venues such as Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Expo 2020, Dubai Airport Free Zone and Port Rashid. For travelers looking to explore the city, the hotel is a short distance away from major shopping malls like Deira and Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Festival City, Dubai Mall, iconic destinations such as Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame, Dubai Fountain and entertainment hubs like Dubai Museum, Al Seef, City Walk, La Mer, Kite Beach, Dubai Aquarium and more.
With 279 spacious rooms and suites with premium amenities and interconnecting facilities, Al Khoory Sky Garden Hotel is an ideal hotel in the middle of the central business district in Deira which also features four food and beverage outlets including an all-day dining facility, spa, gymnasium, outdoor swimming pool, kids club, games room, a large ballroom and three meeting rooms.
“We are very happy and excited to formally welcome guests to the flagship property of Al Khoory Hotels and what better timing to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebrations of the UAE National Day. Our vibrant colours, tastefully designed rooms and facilities at the hotel along with the latest features in guest room management offer a sustainable solution in maintaining the temperatures and lighting levels in their rooms to their liking. Al Khoory Sky Garden Hotel offer our guests some great dining options and meeting venues and enough recreation options for the family as well thus having all the elements of a great hospitality experience,” says Arun Kumar, General Manager of Al Khoory Hotels.
“For last decade and many more years, Dubai has been the most visited top 10 city and lately appointed as safest city in the world. Moreover, 4M visitors travelled to Dubai since January 2021. It shows that, now we as Al Khoory Sky Garden Hotel management can only look forward to starting 2022 with full motivation and determination to achieve further records in Dubai tourism industry,” added Senol Sarisen, General Manager of Al Khoory Sky Garden Hotel.
As a UAE home-grown hospitality brand, Al Khoory Hotels offer guests the unique experience of hospitality at some of the finest hotels and hotel apartments in Dubai. Hotel properties managed by Al Khoory Hotels, a subdivision of Al Khoory Group are family-friendly hotels – a growing segment in international tourism.
Al Khoory Hotels have been ranked among the top 5 percent employers in the UAE for professional excellence and for helping people get back to work. Al Khoory Hotels has recently recruited around 100 professionals. Professional excellence, employee happiness and customer happiness have been part of the group’s corporate culture.
Al Khoory Hotels is going to open one more property in the UAE in the next few months while planning to expand further to other emirates and Oman.
