Hi guys -
I know this one's a long way off but after nearly three decades of having left the Kuwaiti market, Hyatt is FINALLY returning with a Grand Hyatt in 2020.
Hyatt originally managed a beachfront hotel in the Al-Bida'a area of Kuwait in the 1980s called the Hyatt Regency Kuwait. It left Hyatt and rebranded before the Iraqi Invasion of 1990 as an independent hotel called Kuwait Regency Palace, which was then burned down and all but destroyed during the Invasion itself. It sat derelict until the early 2000s when the owning family decided to turn it around and rebuilt a beautiful new place called - originally enough - The Regency. I always wondered why Hyatt never had Kuwait on their regional expansion radars throughout the years as it seemed like a prime spot for any number of its brands.
Looks like the hotel forces that be have finally listened: one of Kuwait's premier malls is currently undergoing a massive expansion project that will see new shops, restaurants and cafés added to it in addition to a series of tennis stadiums, courts and clubhouse facilities as part of Kuwait's new tennis headquarters. The country aims to attract international sports teams and events and as someone very well acquainted with the company that owns 360 Mall and a variety of other projects in Kuwait, I can attest to the incredible quality that the Grand Hyatt will be built to.
Press release below. Great news!
khabah
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HYATT AND TAMDEEN GROUP ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR GRAND HYATT KUWAIT
Grand Hyatt Kuwait will add to the brand’s growing presence in the Gulf region
CHICAGO (November 9, 2015) – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a contract with Tamdeen Group to develop a 261-room Grand Hyatt hotel in Kuwait. Expected to open in 2020, the newly built hotel will be an integral part of 360 MALL, an iconic premier luxury shopping destination that integrates retail, leisure and entertainment under one roof. Grand Hyatt Kuwait will mark the fifth Grand Hyatt hotel in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), after the opening of Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi in 2016.
Located seven miles from downtown on 6th Ring road, Grand Hyatt Kuwait will be within close reach of various embassies, a number of government ministries and the Kuwait International Airport. Grand Hyatt Kuwait will offer standard rooms of 130 square feet (40 square meters), four food and beverage outlets where guests can enjoy inventive cuisine, and first class meeting and events facilities that will cater to government, business and social events in the city.
Grand Hyatt Kuwait will be designed by RTKL Architects, who also designed the existing 360 Mall. As with all Grand Hyatt hotels, this new development will offer guests a sophisticated environment, based on innovative design and architecture complementing Kuwait’s unique culture.
“Kuwait is increasingly becoming a major gateway city, so we are delighted to announce this plan to bring the Grand Hyatt brand to this global business and cultural hub,” said Peter Norman, senior vice president, acquisitions and development for Hyatt – Europe, Africa, and Middle East. “We look forward to welcoming guests to Grand Hyatt Kuwait, where they will be able to experience the innovative design, dramatic architecture and superior service for which the Grand Hyatt brand is known. It is also a pleasure to execute this project with Tamdeem Group who are well known for the impeccable quality of their developments.”
Tamdeem Group is an organization aiming to reshape the urban and social landscape of Kuwait through developing innovative mixed-use projects.
“We are honored to work with Hyatt as the brand continues to expand its presence in the Gulf region,” said Mohammed Jassim Khalid Al Marzouq, chairman, Tamdeen Group. “Grand Hyatt Kuwait, our first project with Hyatt, will bring the hospitality aspect of the 360 MALL to life as part of the expansion of the prestigious international tennis complex launched earlier this month. Given Hyatt’s strong brand name and the new hotel’s excellent location, we believe that Grand Hyatt Kuwait will attract both business and leisure travelers from across the region.”
The state-of-the-art facilities available to guests at Grand Hyatt Kuwait will extend beyond the hotel, as it forms part of 360 MALL’s expansion comprising the new state-of-the-art Sheikh Jaber Al Abdullah Sabah Tennis Complex. With the expansion, 360 MALL will grow to more than 390,000 square feet (120,000 square meters). This new leisure complex marks an important milestone in the growth of Kuwait’s luxury market, and Grand Hyatt guests will be able to enjoy its facilities right at their doorstep.
The Tennis Complex will have combined stadium seating for more than 7,600 people across two main arenas, each with the capacity to hold 4,000 people and 1,600 respectively, eight indoor courts with more than 500 seats and eight outdoor courts with 1,500 seats.
About Grand Hyatt
Around the world, Grand Hyatt hotels unlock the extraordinary in every moment by creating experiences beyond expectation. Located at the crossroads of local culture and global business within major gateway cities and resort destinations, each Grand Hyatt hotel is uniquely designed to reflect its own distinct environment and provides a hub for travelers and locals alike. Grand Hyatt hotels exemplify the pursuit of life lived grandly offering guests superior service, first-class accommodations and an abundance of options within a multicultural backdrop of dramatic architecture and innovative design. Grand Hyatt properties boast inventive restaurants, luxury spas, fitness centers, and stunning business, meeting and event facilities. The Grand Hyatt brand stands to make every moment memorable through its commitment to #LivingGrand every day. For additional information or to make a reservation, please visit
http://www.grandhyatt.com.
The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.
About Tamdeen Group
Tamdeen Group is one of the largest privately held conglomerates in Kuwait. Through diverse holdings in real estate, entertainment, shopping centres, hotels and cinemas the group owns assets valued at USD$4 billion. The Hotel is being developed by Spirit Real Estate Development Company, in which Tamdeen holds an approximately 90% interest. Spirit Real Estate Development Company will also develop the Kuwait International Tennis Complex. Grand Hyatt Kuwait will be the flagship asset in Tamdeen Group’s growing hospitality portfolio.
About Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company with a proud heritage of making guests feel more than welcome. Thousands of members of the Hyatt family strive to make a difference in the lives of the guests they encounter every day by providing authentic hospitality. The Company's subsidiaries manage, franchise, license, own and develop hotels, resorts, branded residences and vacation ownership properties under the Hyatt®, Park Hyatt®, Andaz®, Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Zilara™ and Hyatt Ziva™, Hyatt Residences® and Hyatt Residence Club® brand names and have locations on six continents. As of September 30, 2015, the Company's worldwide portfolio consisted of 627 properties in 52 countries. For more information, please visit
www.hyatt.com.