Page 12 - #181 May 2023

MIDDLE EAST

QATAR AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES VIP AIRPORT LOUNGE
WITH SPA, GYM AND QUIET ROOMS

Qatar Airways has opened a VIP business lounge at
Hamad International Airport. Called ‘The Garden’, it
includes an airport-spa, quiet rooms, a gym, nursery, sushi
station and gelato dining. The new Al Mourjan Business
Lounge overlooks ‘The Orchard’ and features retail and
dining spaces along with uniquely designed relaxation
spaces and areas to socialise.
This sanctuary is available for Qatar Airways Premium
Passengers and stretches over 7,390sq m and can
accommodate up to 707 passengers. It features 24
quiet spaces, each designed to offer optimum relaxation
available free of charge for the first six hours.
The new lounge fulfils the needs of business, leisure
and family travellers with numerous dining options,
relaxation rooms, a fitness studio, pedicure and
manicure stations, spa facilities, dedicated private spaces,
recreational areas and a nursery.

THE DEVELOPERS OF THE UAE’S FIRST CASINO RESORT HAVE GIVEN A FIRST LOOK AND NEW NAME FOR THE GAME-CHANGING MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR PROPERTY. WYNN RESORTS HAS
ANNOUNCED THAT THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED RESORT COMING TO RAL AL KHAIMAH WILL BE CALLED WYNN AL MARJAN ISLAND. THE GLOBAL HOSPITALITY GIANT ALSO UNVEILED THE
DESIGN VISION OF ITS FIRST-EVER BEACHFRONT RESORT, WHICH IS INSPIRED BY THE TRANQUIL SEASCAPE OF AL MARJAN ISLAND, A GROUP OF FOUR ISLANDS. THE RESORT IS BEING
DEVELOPED WITH LOCAL PARTNERS MARJAN LLC AND RAK HOSPITALITY HOLDING. SET IN A PRISTINE SETTING OVERLOOKING THE ARABIAN GULF, WYNN AL MARJAN ISLAND RISES 305M
ABOVE THE SEA, WELCOMING VISITORS TO A PREMIUM LUXURY EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING ENTERTAINMENT, HIGH-END SHOPPING ESPLANADE AND GAMING AMENITIES.
BLACK FORGE INN SET TO DUBAI REVEALS AED300M
GROW ACROSS MIDDLE EAST YACHT-SHAPED BUILDING

The Black Forge Inn, owned by UFC star Conor McGregor, is Dubai will soon be home to a Mykonos-inspired yacht-style
reportedly eyeing Dubai and Abu Dhabi for new locations as part of project, as announced by Samana Developers, the AED300M
its global expansion plans. development will be located in Arjan.
McGregor’s pub has become popular among global celebrities ‘Samana Mykonos Signature’ will be a mid-luxury residential
since it opened in Drimnagh in 2021. Along with The Marble Arch in project and is one of the twelve to be launched in 2023. The
Drimnagh and The Waterside in Howth, McGregor’s pub empire is launches are attributed to the growth of European buyers and
set to expand further with plans to open The Black Forge in multiple tourists in the UAE. The development is designed and named
locations worldwide. with inspiration taken from the Greek Island, Mykonos. The
According to the front-of-house manager, Liam Flynn, The Black project will have 24 retail units and will offer residents features
Forge is planning to open in the Middle East, US and England. “We’re including private pools and resort-style amenities.
going Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” said Flynn. “Then it’s going to get Samana Mykonos Signature intends to be a cost-effective option
exciting, we’re going to Boston, New York, Chicago and then we’re for tourists and residents looking for staycations. Handovers are
going to London. And all of these pubs abroad are going to be called expected to begin in October 2025.
The Black Forge.” Dubai was recently named the world’s top destination in the
While it is unclear when the expansion will happen, the Black 2023 Travellers’ Choice ‘Best of the Best’ Awards by Tripadvisor.
Forge Inn’s plans to go global have already created a buzz among The city emerged victorious and was crowned the winner over
McGregor’s fans and pub enthusiasts worldwide. popular cities such as London, Marrakech, Bali and Paris.

12 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL MAY 2023