Once again the World Luxury Hotel Awards turned the spotlight on some of the world’s most sought after hotels, lodges, resorts & private islands, as they scooped the world’s most prestigious honors for luxury hotels at the glitzy 2012 Gala ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur on October 13th.

The Meydan Hotel won the prestigious title of “New Luxury Hotel – 2012”

Mr. Abdin Nasralla, Vice President of Meydan Hotels & Hospitality said: “The Meydan is positioned as a Destination Hotel, and we are honored by our connection to horseracing and the world renowned Dubai World Cup. To win this accolade is an incredible achievement for the entire team at Meydan. With the recent opening of the new Meydan Beach facility, our existing tennis academy and the 9-hole golf course at Meydan, we now offer the largest hotel sports offering in Dubai with activities ranging from horseracing, tennis, golf, shooting to blo-karting, jogging, cycling, fitness and aikido.” We are all delighted to add another award into the Meydan family.

Note to Editors:

The Meydan Hotel
The Meydan Hotel provides a prime location to catch the exhilarating action of the racing season, and creates a coveted travel destination all-year round. With 284 extravagantly appointed rooms and suites, The Meydan Hotel will change your perception of travel with unrivalled standards in luxury hospitality.

The Meydan is a true destination hotel and offers a myriad of iconic meeting venues ideal for business and leisure travelers alike.

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Nestled in the dunes of Dubai, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is the ultimate luxury retreat. An exclusive low-rise resort surrounded by natural desert landscape, Bab Al Shams offers guests a one of its kind traditional experience that is true to the culture and heritage of the UAE. Bab Al Shams is located in the heart of the desert, adjacent to Dubai International Endurance City, only a 40-minute drive from the city center of Dubai.

For further information about Meydan Hotels and its properties please contact:
Craig Senior
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
Meydan Hotels & Hospitality
Telephone: +971 4 381 3154
Email: craig.senior@meydanhotels.com
www.meydanhotels.com

The Meydan Hotel won the prestigious title of ‘Middle East’s Leading Sports Resort’ at the World Travel Awards and received Silver at the MENA Travel Awards in the categories of ‘Best Conference/Convention Hotel’ and ‘Best Five Star Business/Corporate Hotel.’

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa was named the ‘UAE’s Leading Hideaway Resort’ at the World Travel Awards for the third year in a row and received Gold in the category of ‘Best Five Star Leisure Hotel’ at the MENA Travel Awards.

Mr. Abdin Nasralla, Vice President of Meydan Hotels & Hospitality said: “The Meydan is positioned as a Destination Hotel, and we are honored by our connect to horseracing and the world renowned Dubai World Cup. To win the accolade for the leading sports resort is an incredible achievement for the team. With the recent opening of the tennis academy and the 9-hole golf course at Meydan, we now offer the largest hotel sports offering in Dubai with activities ranging from horseracing, tennis, golf and shooting to blo-karting, jogging, cycling, fitness and aikido.”

He added: “It’s a true honor for Bab Al Shams to win the UAE’s Leading Hideaway Resort for the third time. Since the opening of the resort in 2004, we have established ourselves to offer our guests a unique and truly authentic desert experience, which is so true to the culture and heritage of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.” The resort also offers an array of sporting options including, archery, falconry demonstrations and a dedicated games lawn featuring croquet, table tennis and putting.”

Note to Editors:

The Meydan Hotel
The Meydan Hotel provides a prime location to catch the exhilarating action of the racing season, and creates a coveted travel destination all-year round. With 285 extravagantly appointed rooms and suites, The Meydan Hotel will change your perception of travel with unrivalled standards in luxury hospitality.

The Meydan is a true destination hotel and offers a myriad of iconic meeting venues ideal for business and leisure travelers alike.

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Nestled in the dunes of Dubai, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is the ultimate luxury retreat. An exclusive low-rise resort surrounded by natural desert landscape, Bab Al Shams offers guests a one of its kind traditional experience that is true to the culture and heritage of the UAE.

Bab Al Shams is located in the heart of the desert, adjacent to Dubai International Endurance City, only a 40-minute drive from the city center of Dubai.

For further information about Meydan Hotels and its properties please contact:
Craig Senior
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
Meydan Hotels & Hospitality
Telephone: +971 4 381 3154
Email: craig.senior@meydanhotels.com

This partnership means that DOTW’s 150,000 travel trade customers can now connect directly with The Meydan Hotel and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai via its online reservation system DOTWconnect and have seamless access to the hotels’ dynamic rates and inventory.

Craig Senior, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for Meydan Hotels & Hospitality said: “We are delighted to have entered into this important partnership with Destinations of the World, which will allow us to connect directly with our travel trade partners globally and provide them access to the latest availability and rates at our hotels.” He added: “As a new luxury hotel & hospitality brand in the market, global connectivity with our trade partners is extremely important to us and this partnership will help us to further strengthen our distribution network globally.”

"It is with great pleasure that we now have Meydan Hotels & Hospitality seamlessly connecting with DOTWconnect. This new distribution channel will not only enhance our productivity with their unique collection of properties, by allowing our travel trade customers to access the last minute availability and dynamic rates, it will also make for a far more efficient booking process for everyone involved; from the hotel properties through to the end consumer" said: Steve Harrop, Group Chief Operating Officer, Destinations of the World.

About Destinations Of The World:
Destinations of the World (DOTW) is a leading global travel industry wholesaler with a network of 21 offices in 16 countries worldwide including over 400 multilingual professional staff providing sales, operations, finance and IT support to their travel trade clients around the globe.

DOTWconnect, DOTW's state of the art Online Reservation System, currently connects over 150,000 travel agents worldwide to suppliers in more than 1,200 cities around the globe. DOTWconnect`s key successful features include XML, White Labelling, controlled Online Contracting and Supplier extranet. Launched in February 2008, v2.0 was launched only one year later and dynamic feature updates are constant to meet the growing needs of our expanding markets and customers.

For more information about Destinations of the World please visit www.dotw.com

About Meydan Hotels:
Meydan Hotels & Hospitality, a division of Meydan City Corporation, launched its own hotel brand Meydan Hotels on January 1st 2011 and assumed management of its owned properties Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa and The Meydan hotel, which were formerly managed by the Jumeirah Group.

Under their new management, Bab Al Shams and The Meydan hotel can now be booked online though the Meydan Hotels website on www.meydanhotels.com

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Nestled in the dunes of Dubai, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is the ultimate luxury retreat. An exclusive low-rise resort surrounded by natural desert landscape, Bab Al Shams offers guests a one of its kind traditional experience that is true to the culture and heritage of the UAE.

Bab Al Shams is located in the heart of the desert, adjacent to Dubai International Endurance City, only a 40-minute drive from the city center of Dubai.

The Meydan, a Destination Hotel
The Meydan hotel is located at the epicenter of one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations. A true destination hotel, The Meydan offers unrivalled views over the grounds that are host to the richest horserace in the world, the Dubai World Cup.

Located just 10 minutes from the heart of Dubai’s business districts and the world’s largest shopping center, The Meydan hotel offers a myriad of unique and iconic places to meet.

Press contacts:
Craig Senior
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
Meydan Hotels & Hospitality
Direct: +971 4 381 3154
Email: craig.senior@meydanhotels.com

Anne Bleeker
Director
In2 Consulting
Mobile: +971 56 6030886
Email: anne@in2consulting.com

This partnership means that DOTW’s 150,000 travel trade customers can now connect directly with The Meydan Hotel and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai via its online reservation system DOTWconnect and have seamless access to the hotels’ dynamic rates and inventory.

Craig Senior, Regional Director of Sales & Marketing for Meydan Hotels & Hospitality said: “We are delighted to have entered into this important partnership with Destinations of the World, which will allow us to connect directly with our travel trade partners globally and provide them access to the latest availability and rates at our hotels.” He added: “As a new luxury hotel & hospitality brand in the market, global connectivity with our trade partners is extremely important to us and this partnership will help us to further strengthen our distribution network globally.”

"It is with great pleasure that we now have Meydan Hotels & Hospitality seamlessly connecting with DOTWconnect. This new distribution channel will not only enhance our productivity with their unique collection of properties, by allowing our travel trade customers to access the last minute availability and dynamic rates, it will also make for a far more efficient booking process for everyone involved; from the hotel properties through to the end consumer" said: Steve Harrop, Group Chief Operating Officer, Destinations of the World.

About Destinations Of The World:
Destinations of the World (DOTW) is a leading global travel industry wholesaler with a network of 21 offices in 16 countries worldwide including over 400 multilingual professional staff providing sales, operations, finance and IT support to their travel trade clients around the globe.

DOTWconnect, DOTW's state of the art Online Reservation System, currently connects over 150,000 travel agents worldwide to suppliers in more than 1,200 cities around the globe. DOTWconnect`s key successful features include XML, White Labelling, controlled Online Contracting and Supplier extranet. Launched in February 2008, v2.0 was launched only one year later and dynamic feature updates are constant to meet the growing needs of our expanding markets and customers.

For more information about Destinations of the World please visit www.dotw.com

About Meydan Hotels:
Meydan Hotels & Hospitality, a division of Meydan City Corporation, launched its own hotel brand Meydan Hotels on January 1st 2011 and assumed management of its owned properties Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa and The Meydan hotel, which were formerly managed by the Jumeirah Group.

Under their new management, Bab Al Shams and The Meydan hotel can now be booked online though the Meydan Hotels website on www.meydanhotels.com

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Nestled in the dunes of Dubai, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is the ultimate luxury retreat. An exclusive low-rise resort surrounded by natural desert landscape, Bab Al Shams offers guests a one of its kind traditional experience that is true to the culture and heritage of the UAE.

Bab Al Shams is located in the heart of the desert, adjacent to Dubai International Endurance City, only a 40-minute drive from the city center of Dubai.

The Meydan, a Destination Hotel
The Meydan hotel is located at the epicenter of one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations. A true destination hotel, The Meydan offers unrivalled views over the grounds that are host to the richest horserace in the world, the Dubai World Cup.

Located just 10 minutes from the heart of Dubai’s business districts and the world’s largest shopping center, The Meydan hotel offers a myriad of unique and iconic places to meet.

Press contacts:
Craig Senior
Regional Director of Sales & Marketing
Meydan Hotels & Hospitality
Direct: +971 4 381 3154
Email: craig.senior@meydanhotels.com

Anne Bleeker
Director
In2 Consulting
Mobile: +971 56 6030886
Email: anne@in2consulting.com

The annual World Travel Awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry. According to the organizers 213,000 industry professionals participated in the voting process leading up to this year’s awards.

Mr. Abdin Nasralla, Vice President of Meydan Hotels & Hospitality, said: “It is a true honor and privilege to be voted the UAE’s Leading Hideaway Resort. Since the resort’s opening in 2004, we have worked really hard to offer our guests a unique and authentic desert experience that is so true to the culture and heritage of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.”

He added: “Our signature restaurant Al Hadheerah is the region’s first authentic open-air desert restaurant, which has an adjacent heritage village that features a souk and the most up-to-date museum in Dubai, providing an informative walk-through experience of how people once lived in times gone by, giving guests a truly authentic Arabian desert experience.”

About the World Travel Awards
The World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry.

Votes are cast by travel professionals, which include travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe. Votes are cast globally by fellow industry professionals in over 1, 000 different categories.

Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators and destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.

For more information please visit the official website World Travel Awards.

Note to Editors:

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Nestled in the dunes of Dubai, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is the ultimate luxury retreat. An exclusive low-rise resort surrounded by natural desert landscape, Bab Al Shams offers guests a one of its kind traditional experience that is true to the culture and heritage of the UAE.

Bab Al Shams is located in the heart of the desert, adjacent to Dubai International Endurance City, only a 40-minute drive from the city center of Dubai.

For further information about Meydan Hotels and its properties please contact:
Anne Bleeker - In2 Consulting
anne@in2consulting.com
Telephone: +971 56 6030886
Or visit www.meydanhotels.com/news

This marked an important milestone for Meydan Hotels & Hospitality and is in line with the division’s strategic goals. Having successfully launched the two hotels under the Jumeirah Group, Meydan Hotels was delighted to take on the management of both properties under the newly formed hotel brand.

Translated from Arabic, Meydan means ‘a meeting place’. Meydan Hotels, through its collection of luxury hotels & resorts, provide its guests and customers with a myriad of unique and iconic places to meet. Whether it is a meeting of minds at a board meeting or a meeting of hearts at a wedding reception, Meydan Hotels has unrivalled venues that make its properties the place to meet. Meydan Hotels not only personifies warm, authentic yet modern Arabian hospitality; it also represents luxury, elegance, space, sports, style, action and serenity.

With its home in Meydan City, a prestigious new business, sporting and lifestyle destination in Dubai, Meydan Hotels is ideally situated at the epicenter of one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations and just 10 minutes from the world’s largest shopping mall and Dubai’s business districts.

Meydan Grandstand
Located in the heart of Meydan City, the Meydan Grandstand is an ideal venue, not only for enjoying the races, but also for hosting corporate events such as meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions as well as private entertainment all year round.

From the Sky Bubble offering 360° views of Dubai, the Imax Theatre seating over 500 people and the Gallery for award ceremonies, to outside terraces & decks, luxurious banquet rooms & private suites and The Apron for large concerts and festivals, Meydan is one location that can accommodate a wide range of possibilities.

Meydan. One dynamic location. Many possibilities.

Sizzling Summer Specials
Meydan Hotels has just launched its Sizzling Summer Specials offering spectacular summer packages at both The Meydan hotel and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa.

Stay 4, Pay 3!
Special room rates available for GCC residents at The Meydan hotel starting from AED 525 per room per night, inclusive of breakfast and subject to 10% municipality fees and 10% service charge.

This summer package includes:
- Free shuttle service to Dubai Mall
- Free Wi Fi
- Free beach access
- Free water park access (once per stay on a minimum stay of 3 nights)
- 1 complimentary session for each guest at our Shooting Simulator
- 25% off Spa treatments, subject to availability


Special Group Rates are available from AED 425 per room per night, inclusive of breakfast and subject to 10% municipality fees and 10% servicecharge. Daily Delegate Rates available from AED 165 for a full day and AED 125 for a half day.

Special rates available for GCC residents at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa starting from AED 765 per room per night, inclusive of breakfast and subject to 10% municipality fees and 10% service charge. Special Group Rates are available from AED 650 per room per night, subject to 10% municipality fees and 10% service charge. Daily Delegate Rates available from AED 190 for a full day and AED 175 for a half day.

All Summer Specials are valid from May 1st to August 30th 2011 and are subject to availability.

Good Food!
Al Hadheerah, the signature restaurant at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, received the award for ‘Best Middle East & North African’ at the BBC Good Food Middle East Awards.

Abdin Nasralla, Vice President of Meydan Hotels & Hospitality commented: “We are very proud to have received this prestigious award for Al Hadheerah restaurant and this is an important achievement for us. I would like to thank my team at Bab Al Shams who work so hard to surprise and delight our guests every day and who have played such an important role in the restaurant’s success.”

Like a scene straight out of an Arabian fairytale, Al Hadheerah Desert Restaurant is the region’s first authentic open-air desert restaurant, featuring belly dancers, henna artists, a live band, singers, dancers, Bedouin Arab horsemen and a camel caravan on the dunes overlooking the restaurant. The décor recreates the magic of an ancient fort, with natural stone, rock walls and a sunken seating area. And there’s no mistaking the mouth-watering aroma of Arabic cuisine, as it drifts from thelive cooking stations, wood-fired ovens and spit roasts.

The ambience is further enhanced by the adjacent heritage village that features a souk and the most up-to-date museum in Dubai, providing an informative walk-through experience of how people once lived in times gone by.

Sport Meets Tranquility
Sport meets tranquility at The Meydan. As a true destination hotel, a wide range of exciting and relaxing activities is on offer. Soak in the spectacular views of the Meydan racecourse from the rooftop infinity pool, visit the stables for a tour, or shoot your way to the top of your game a the target and shooting simulator.

From Novice to Pro
The Meydan Tennis Academy is the home of the rising pros. With its soft opening this month, The Meydan Tennis Academy is the only facility in the UAE to feature 3 dedicated junior courts as per the new WTA regulations.

With a total of 9 floodlit courts, 3 dedicated junior courts and one multipurpose court, The Meydan Tennis Academy is one of the largest tennis clubs in the region offering not just a world class tennis program, but also a wide range of additional sports activities including basketball, volleyball, handball and badminton.

Meydan Golf Course at Nad Al Sheba
The development of the fully floodlit 9-hole golf course at The Meydan is well underway and is expected to open in October this year. The course will feature some of the original holes of the much sought after Nad Al Sheba course combined with some spectacular and challenging new ones.

With the ability to expand into an 18-hole course, this world-class golf facility will feature a 32.000 square feet Clubhouse offering a wide range of leisure and entertainment options for the entire family. It will include a restaurant and bar, dedicated function areas, a games room, a children’s entertainment area, world-class changing facilities, prayer rooms, a pro shop and much more.

Located adjacent to The Meydan hotel, guests will also have access to the facilities at the five star hotel, making it a true sporting destination for golfers and their families.

Note to Editors:

Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Nestled in the dunes of Dubai, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is the ultimate luxury retreat. An exclusive low-rise resort surrounded by natural desert landscape, Bab Al Shams offers guests a one of its kind traditional experience that is true to the culture and heritage of the UAE.

Bab Al Shams is located in the heart of the desert, adjacent to Dubai International Endurance City, only a 40-minute drive from the city center of Dubai.

The Meydan, a Destination Hotel
The Meydan hotel is located at the epicenter of one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations. A true destination hotel, The Meydan offers unrivalled views over the grounds that are host to the richest horserace in the world, the Dubai World Cup.

Located just 10 minutes from the heart of Dubai’s business districts and the world’s largest shopping center, The Meydan hotel offers a myriad of unique and iconic places to meet.

Under their new management, Bab Al Shams and The Meydan hotel can now be booked online though the Meydan Hotels website on www.meydanhotels.com

For further information about Meydan Hotels and its properties please contact:
Anne Bleeker
In2 Consulting
anne@in2consulting.com
Mobile: +971 56 6030886
Or visit www.meydanhotels.com/news

AbdinNasralla, Vice President of Meydan Hotels & Hospitality commented: “We are very proud to have received this prestigious award for Al Hadheerahrestaurant and this is animportant achievement for us. I would like to thank my team at Bab Al Shams who work so hard to surprise and delight our guests every day and who have played such an important role in the restaurant’s success.”

Like a scene straight out of an Arabian fairytale, Al Hadheerah Desert Restaurant is the region’s first authentic open-air desert restaurant, featuring belly dancers, henna artists, a live band, singers, dancers, Bedouin Arab horsemen and a camel caravan on the dunes overlooking the restaurant.The décor recreates the magic of an ancient fort, with natural stone, rock walls and a sunken seating area. And there’s no mistaking the mouth-watering aroma of Arabic cuisine, as it drifts from the live cooking stations, wood-fired ovens and spit roasts.

The ambience is further enhanced by the adjacent heritage village that featuresa souk and the most up-to-date museum in Dubai, providing an informative walk-through experience of how people once lived in times gone by.

The restaurant features authentic cuisine from the Middle East, served with bread from Arabic bread ovens; at live cooking stations food is prepared and cooked in a variety of traditional methods that include wood-fired ovens, charcoal grills and spit roasts.

As of 1 January 2011 Bab Al Sham Desert Resort & Spa and its sister property The Meydan hotel are managed by Meydan Hotels.

Note to Editors:
Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Nestled in the dunes of Dubai, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is the ultimate luxury retreat.

An exclusive low-rise resort surrounded by natural desert landscape, Bab Al Shams offers guests a one of its kind traditional experience that is true to the culture and heritage of the UAE.

Bab Al Shams is located in the heart of the desert, adjacent to Dubai International Endurance City, only a 40-minute drive from the city center of Dubai.

The Meydan, a Destination Hotel
The Meydan hotel is located at the epicenter of one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations. A true destination hotel, The Meydan offers unrivalled views over the grounds that are host to the richest horserace in the world, the Dubai World Cup.

Located just 10 minutes from the heart of Dubai’s business districts and the world’s largest shopping center, The Meydan hotel offers a myriad of unique and iconic places to meet.

Under their new management, Bab Al Shams and The Meydanhotel can now be booked online though the Meydan Hotels website on www.meydanhotels.com

For further information about Meydan Hotels and its properties please contact: pr@meydanhotels.com or visit

This marks an important milestone for Meydan Hotels & Hospitality and is in line with the division’s strategic goals. Having successfully launched the two hotels under the Jumeirah Group, Meydan Hotels is delighted to take on the management of both properties under the newly formed hotel brand.

Mr. Abdin Nasralla, Vice President of Meydan Hotels & Hospitality commented: “We are very pleased to welcome Bab Al Shams and The Meydan hotel to the group. With this important transition we have officially established our hotel brand, and we look forward to continue serving our guests from around the world who have come to know our hotels over the years.”

Translated from Arabic, Meydan means ‘a meeting place’. Meydan Hotels, through its collection of luxury hotels & resorts, will provide its guests and customers with a myriad of unique and iconic places to meet. Whether it is a meeting of minds at a board meeting or a meeting of hearts at a wedding reception, Meydan Hotels has unrivalled venues that make its properties the place to meet. Meydan Hotels not only personifies warm, authentic yet modern Arabian hospitality; it also represents luxury, elegance, space, sports, style, action and serenity.

With its home in Meydan City, a prestigious new business, sporting and lifestyle destination in Dubai, Meydan Hotels is ideally situated at the epicenter of one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations and just 10 minutes from the world’s largest shopping mall and Dubai’s business districts.

Under their new management, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa and The Meydan hotel can now be booked online though the Meydan Hotels website on www.meydanhotels.com

For further information about Meydan Hotels and its properties please contact:
Email: pr@meydanhotels.com
Telephone: +971 56 6030886

About Meydan Hotels
Translated from Arabic, Meydan means ‘a meeting place’. Meydan Hotels, through its collection of luxury hotels & resorts, provides its guests and customers with a myriad of unique and iconic places to meet.

Whether it is a meeting of minds at a board meeting or a meeting of hearts at a wedding reception, Meydan Hotels has unrivalled venues that make its properties the place to meet.

Meydan Hotels not only personifies warm, authentic yet modern Arabian hospitality; it also represents luxury, elegance, space, style, action and serenity. With its home in Meydan City, a prestigious new business, sporting and lifestyle destination in Dubai, Meydan Hotels is ideally situated at the epicenter of one of the world’s most exhilarating destinations. Its portfolio currently includes The Meydan hotel and Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai.