Business Traveller (Middle East)
BREAKS
where they can combine work with recreation, reports Dominic Ellis
Cup 2017 will be held between April 7-14, following on from the Dubai Challenge Cup, Julius Baer Gold Cup, Polo Masters Cup and McLaren Cup (click on dubaipologoldcup.com for more details). The British Polo Day in March attracted more than 500 guests.
Strangely for all the sculptures, paintings and ornaments I spot on the exclusive two-hour tour, I don’t see any horses – even though the grounds are so large they host more than 500 stables – but in some ways that seems appropriate, as Henning explains.
“Polo doesn’t last all year and outside the season and match days we still have this wonderful place to fill,” he said. “I think we’ll get a lot of meetings which are not necessarily polo or equestrian related – it’s somewhere different yet close to the city. One of the attractions of the resort is once you’re through the gates, you’ve escaped the city. You have the sense of space and peace.”
Jason Harding, Complex General Manager at Al Habtoor City, joins us and underlines the wider lifestyle appeal in the context of staycations, MICE and incentives. “What guests want is time – so whether they want to relax at a polo event, chill out with a partner over a meal or have a meeting, this resort allows them to do what they want.”
While the 500sqm ballroom can only hold up to 200 people, the add-on pre-function space and terracing provides flexibility. The third floor has two function rooms, on each side, with large balconies and grandstand views.
We pop into one of the one-bedroom Lady Astor Suites (12 on this floor, 26 in total) which features a dual-access terrace from the bedroom and lounge (all Deluxe rooms, Lady Astor Suites and Royal Suites overlook the polo fields). Soft brown leather folders evoke a saddle-leather style and bathrooms contain gold furnishings and traditional-looking taps. Rooms towards the end of each wing have a stronger resort feel, leading into outdoor courtyards. Online rates for a deluxe polo view king bed room start from Dhs1,634.
Back downstairs, the Argentinian Grill Pit has an interesting design twist, with five attractive alcoves in the centre rather than the sides. An ageing room is on the left and semi-open kitchen at the end. “It’s our signature restaurant,” says Henning. “We’ll have some North American too but good mixture, with Our Executive Chef and F&B Manager, David Contreras is from Argentina which makes its authentic. We want to keep it relaxed.”
Two open-air Jacuzzis at the end come with more generous terracing and meandering pool and swimup pool bar.
The arrival of a second St. Regis in Dubai marks a milestone for the brand and brings the curtain down on the end of a busy construction period for Al Habtoor Group. The four-star Metropolitan Hotel Dubai held its official opening last month, complementing the trio of five-star hotels at Al Habtoor City (St Regis, W and Westin).
The polo resort also adds a new dimension in the fast-moving sports and hospitality sphere. Golf and motor racing enjoy established links and properties such as Park Hyatt Dubai, The Address Montgomerie Dubai, Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa and Viceroy Abu Dhabi generate immediate associations. But the recent opening of this resort and Marriott Hotel Al Forsan Abu Dhabi have taken it to a bolder level, albeit in totally different contexts.
Around a dozen rooms overlook the courtyard, which is where we round off for afternoon tea. Surrounded by small orange trees, I feel I could be in Andalusia.
MARRIOTT AL FORSAN TARGETS ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS
Driving into Marriott Hotel Al Forsan in Khalifa City – which officially opened on March 21, a short drive from Abu Dhabi International Airport – the panoramic hotel fills my eyes. Only in the UAE could sports clubs have state-of-the-art floodlights and facilities that would be the envy of lower league football grounds back home. Even the spa has a separate entrance.
You only really grasp the sporting scale from the rooms on the top fifth floor where equestrian, football and watersports/wakeboarding unfold in one unbroken view and there’s plenty more, what with indoor paintballing, go-karting, clay pigeon shooting, tennis and basketball. Nearby, the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium is also visible.
“In the evenings, it’s always busy,” said General Manager Richard Bleakley .“They’re looking into installing 4G FIFA standard pitches which would be perfect for the big teams to have their winter training camps. There are other events too, such as the GCC touch rugby tournament and the equestrian centre hosted a showjumping event, broadcasted on OSN.”
Bleakley has his eyes on regular sports-minded guests as much as group tournament business and it seems fortuitous timing, with UAE authorities keen to promote active lifestyles, and build on existing opportunities – such as with Etihad-sponsored Manchester City. Last month saw 800 players from across the Middle East attend Zayed Sports City for the first Manchester City FC Abu Dhabi Cup.
“Ultimately the goal for the hotel is to have separate packages for each of the sports, so you can book with us and use the facilities – we just have some insurance details to sort out.” In the meantime, activities can be organised for guests individually.
You wouldn’t guess there are 400 rooms in the resort. The stretched design reminds me a little of airport
Sports and sports-related activities are very important for the local population for health and well-being and it’s another way of diversifying the economy beyond oil
hotels such as the Sheraton Milan Malpensa; perhaps walking should be added to the list of activities.
The finishings look sharp and Executive Rooms look a good option for unwinding after exercise, with TVs in the bathrooms. Deluxe rooms (42sqm) start from Dhs549, rising to Dhs706 for executive rooms and Dhs1,700 for executive suites.
MICE facilities include a ballroom divisible by three with vast terracing, and an executive lounge, open to Marriott Rewards Platinum/Gold and Suite guests.
F&B highlights include the vast Khayal all-daydining venue with six separate sections, Couture Lounge and The Grill which offers diners kitchen views, and the Appaloosa bar and restaurant. Each venue provides yet more terracing, with the exception of the window-bound, non-alcoholic lobby bar whose blue chandelier, open spaces and plenty of seating make a pleasant first impression.
More conventional leisure touches include the 50-metre pool, which halfway along merges into a leisure pool with Splash poolside bar. A kids area is beyond, and inside is a gym (Precor) and spa with an ethereal, butterfly design entrance.
Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, for Marriott International, said while sports resorts are established in the US and Europe, having them in this region is “completely new territory”.
“Sports and sports-related activities are very important for the local population for health and well-being and it's another way of diversifying the economy beyond oil,” he said.
Rashed Al Qubaisi, General Manager, Al Forsan Holding said: “Sports tourism is growing in Abu Dhabi and there's a big difference from where we were five years ago to where we are now.” He added it plans to introduce an online payment gateway on the resort's website (alforsan.com).
UNWIND AT NEW OBEROI GOLF RESORT
Oberoi Beach Resort Al Zorah, located in Ajman around half-an-hour from Dubai International Airport, will accept reservations from April 2. Nestled within 247 acres of protected forest, Al Zorah is home to almost 60 bird species and a fish nursery. The premium resort's principal allure is its proximity to the 18-hole Niklaus Design golf course, but it offers kayaking, kitesurfing and fishing. The spa will offer Western, Eastern and signature Oberoi massage therapies, Turkish hammams and Ayurveda, as well as a children's activity area and shallow pool for young children. Room categories include Royal Suite with terrace, Premium three-bedroom villa with pool, Premium two-bedroom villa with pool, Premier Suite, Premier Room and Deluxe Room (all three with private terrace).
F&B includes The Vinesse – set on an al fresco glass island, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner – Acquario (seafood), Poolside Restaurant and Health Bar, Gin & Cocktail Bar and La Vinoteca wine bar.
Stay three nights in a Deluxe Room with private terrace, including two 18-hole rounds of golf, for Dhs5,980 weekdays until May 20, rising to Dhs6,120 on weekends between September 17-October 31.
SPORTS SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON QATAR
It’s hard to miss the 51-floor Torch Doha, which is the centrepiece of Aspire Qatar Zone, an all- encompassing “sports medicine, research and education destination”. The Victorian-inspired Movenpick Hotel Al Aziziyah Doha is also on site. Aspire Zone Foundation – in collaboration with the Qatar Taekwondo & Judo Federation – recently hosted the second edition of the Qatar International Taekwondo Open, in the Aspire Ladies’ Sports Hall.
LA LIGA KICKS OFF IN DOHA
Katara Hospitality has teamed up with Spanish football league LaLiga, to launch the world’s first LaLiga Lounge at Hotel Park (close to Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel). Expected to open mid-2017, the lounge will feature big-screen TVs that will broadcast live matches, along with an official league shop and sports-themed restaurant.
SADDLE UP AFTER BRUNCH
If you’re looking for a different equestrian experience to the polo, Al Wadi Desert, Ras Al Khaimah, A RitzCarlton partner hotel, is laying on an Equestrian Brunch where “professional or amateur riders can book their private horse ride in the desert following brunch”. Priced AED220 plus 10 per cent service charge for adults, half price for six to 12-year-olds, under sixes free.
SPORTS FOR ALL AT ARMED FORCES
The Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel in Abu Dhabi takes recreation to another level with its mixed gym, dedicated cardio gym, indoor Olympic pool, squash court, bowling centre, tennis courts, Al Maqta Sports Hall, Martial Arts stadium, Caracal Shooting Club and football courts (natural and artificial grass), paintball field and track & field facilities.
DRIVE INTO WATER AT CORINTHIA HOTEL ST. GEORGE’S BAY
Many golfers have an understandable aversion to water but guests at Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay Malta are being encouraged to face their fear and drive off into the sea. The hotel is using special Ecobioballs which convert into fish-food on contact with seawater and biodegrade in less than 48 hours. n