Starwood Hotels Resorts Offers Members Of Its Award-Winning Loyalty Programme, SPG, Special Offers And Awards In Celebration Of Ramadan

Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG), the world renowned and award winning loyalty programme from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, will be celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan with its members across a number of properties across the Middle East and in Egypt.

During Ramadan, SPG members will receive a 20 per cent discount on Iftars at 30 participating Starwood hotels in the UAE, KSA, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Bahrain, Qatar and Jordan. SPG members will also have the chance to win up to 10 prizes including a seven-night stay or weekend stays at one of Starwood’s 200 luxurious resorts. Iftar guests at participating hotels will also have the opportunity to sign up on the spot as an SPG member allowing them to benefit immediately from the discount and enter the raffle draw.

“We are proud to celebrate the heritage of Ramadan with our SPG members by offering an array of celebrations and dining experiences to enjoy,” said Steven Taylor, Vice President Marketing, Starwood Hotels & Resorts. “Our SPG members are some of our most valued and loyal customers and we are always looking at ways we can add meaningful benefits and awards to their travel experiences. The Holy Month of Ramadan is an extremely special time and this offer gives them the perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with families and friends.”

Along with its Ramadan promotion, SPG also recently announced its “SPG Kids Pass,” through which kids 12-and-under can enjoy food and drink on an all-inclusive basis throughout their stay at nearly 150 Starwood resorts.

SPG: Starwood’s Award Winning Loyalty Programme
Launched in 1999, SPG is known today as the industry’s leading loyalty programme, offering travellers the opportunity to earn and redeem points in over 1,000 hotels in more than 100 countries. SPG is designed as the simplest, most flexible and rewarding programme in the industry.

With some of the world’s best known, best loved and most luxurious hotel brands to choose from including St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Méridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft and Element, SPG gives members more of what they deserve, for less.

Key Features of SPG include:
• Three membership levels – Preferred Guest, Gold Preferred and Platinum Preferred. Each membership level offers greater benefits.
• Members can redeem Starpoints for a host of extraordinary rewards, including free nights, airline tickets and once-in-a-lifetime moments.
• Members earn Starpoints for every purchase of eligible items at participating properties.
• With a no blackouts policy, members can redeem points where they want and when they want.
• Members can use Starpoints for hotel services immediately.
• Starpoints never expire as long as members remain active.

For enrollment and more information on Starwood Preferred Guest please visit www.spg.com or call one of the following numbers listed below:
• For those residing in the UAE please call 800 0441 3234 (Toll free number)
• For those residing in KSA please call 800 844 1349 (Toll free number)
• For those residing in Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar & Jordan please call + 353-21-4511056 (Non-Toll free number)
• For those residing in Bahrain, please call 800 00038 (Toll free number)
 

University Of Dubai Awards Students And Organizations At The Annual SLAC Ceremony

The University of Dubai (UD), a prestigious university in the UAE established by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has recognized students and organizations that contributed and supported the Department of Student Services (DSS).

The Student Life Awards Ceremony (SLAC) is a remarkable event held annually to honor those, whose contributions to the university community showed outstanding performance and commitment. The main objective of the event is to appreciate and recognize every effort done to support the DSS at the University of Dubai throughout the academic year. Students, clubs, organizations, faculty and staff were rewarded based on certain criteria set by the SLAC committee.

At the ceremony, organizers of successful events and individuals who took leadership positions in all aspects of student life such as the University of Dubai Student Union (UDSU), student clubs and sports teams were granted awards and certificates in recognition of their positive involvement. DSS also recognized its partners from different industries and business sectors that offered distinguished student services at all levels throughout the academic year.

Such unique event has become the landmark achievement for the University of Dubai as one of its known traditions in promoting all dimensions of quality and valuable candidates.

Dr M. Omar Hefni, President of UD, presented the awards, certificates and gifts to the awardees / winners. He said: “The event was very successful because it was a great gathering for students, the faculty and staff and it helped in strengthening the bond between them. The ceremony also celebrated the achievements of the students and the organizations that were working together in order to deliver successful events and activities organized by the community.”
 

Tiffinbites Crowned Best Asian Restaurant At Ahlan! Masala Awards 2010

Tiffinbites has walked away with the ‘Best Asian Restaurant’ title at the Ahlan! Masala Awards 2010.

The awards – held at Atlantis Hotel, The Palm on 17 December – recognised the achievements of individuals and businesses across the region, particularly in the UAE, and saw some of Bollywood’s hottest personalities – including Amitabh Bacchan, Hrithik Roshan, Karan Johar, Manish Malhotra, Urmila Matondkar and Riya Sen – attending.

According to Radwan Masri, CEO of Sidra, Tiffinbites’ holding company: “Tiffinbites is incredibly proud and honoured to have won the Best Asian Restaurant Award, especially considering we only established our two restaurants in the UAE market earlier this year. This award is testament to our commitment to create the UAE’s most delicious and healthy Indian food in establishments that are not only modern but stylish as well.”

He added: “I would like to thank Tiffinbites’ supportive investors, dedicated staff as well as our loyal patrons for this award, without whose help this title would not have become a reality.”

Tiffinbites opened its first restaurant in the UAE at Mirdif City Centre in March this year, followed by another at The Walk @JBR in May.

Catering to a modern, cosmopolitan and lifestyle conscious crowd, Tiffinbites offers light, healthy and authentic Indian food that’s low in salt and oil, light in spice and tastes just like mama’s cooking. Tiffinbites’ meals contain just ten percent fat and are perfect as a lunchtime snack or hearty evening meal with friends.
 

Benihana Restaurant At Al Bustan Rotana Dubai Is Highly Commended At Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2011

Benihana, the Japanese restaurant at Al Bustan Rotana Dubai, one of the city’s most dynamic dining and entertainment concepts was recognized as ‘Highly Commended’ in the Best Family Restaurant Category at the recent prestigious Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2011.

Hussein Hachem, Cluster General Manager of Al Bustan and Al Murooj Rotana Hotels in Dubai remarked, “Receiving such title is an important achievement for us. Such high mark to our service at Benihana Restaurant makes us proud and at the same time will stimulate our aspirations to achieve even more during the coming year. With the dining filed being highly competitive in Dubai, we appeciate continuous recognition shown towards the restaurant by reputed judges of the award and by Benihana diners.”

Benihana at Al Bustan Rotana Dubai is a perfect place for a fantastic dining adventure, with exciting theme nights and an impressive a la carte menu. Do not miss the entertaining Teppanyaki shows, where chefs flip shrimps tails into their hats and cut sizzling food faster than the eyes can see. Dining at Benihana is guarenteed entertainment for the whole family!
 

Belhasa Projects Wins International SPATA Awards For The Best Domestic Swimming Pool

UAE based Belhasa Projects, one of the world’s largest swimming pool construction companies, has won the international Swimming Pool and Allied Trade Association’s (SPATA) prestigious annual award for the best domestic pools in the overseas category. The company has won the award for the fifth consecutive year and is the only one from the Middle East to have won this year.

SPATA is a member of BSPF- the British Swimming Pool Federation; and of EUSA- the European Union of Swimming Pool and Spa Associations. The internationally renowned SPATA awards highlight the achievements of the pool industry by showcasing the best examples of construction, design and innovation.

Belhasa Projects won a Gold and Silver in the same category.

On receiving the award, Greg Garner, CEO of Belhasa Projects, said: “We are delighted to win the SPATA award again. The criteria for entering the awards are quite strict; there is a great emphasis on design, construction and outstanding quality of work. We won a gold and silver for two pools we constructed for our clients in Emirates Hills in Dubai. Constructing a swimming pool demands a great deal of skill to ensure a trouble free installation, safety and fine aesthetic appeal which are all important factors that will also help to increase the value of the property. We have more than 30 years of expertise in the design, construction, maintenance and refurbishment of swimming pools for homes, educational institutions and commercial establishments.”

Belhasa Projects has constructed over 3,400 swimming pools in the GCC and other countries.

The SPATA Gold that the company received is for a 15.45 metre pool featuring a Balinese Zen architecture which was concept designed by Serendipity and constructed by Belhasa Projects in Emirates Hills.

The company also received Silver at the SPATA awards for the design and construction of a stunning swimming pool for another villa located in Emirates Hills. In collaboration with the internationally renowned UK based Interior Design firm Candy & Candy, the pool was designed to have a contemporary look. The constructed pool is nearly half of Olympic size in length complete with steps, seating areas, planted palm trees, and a mystically positioned gazebo with a water feature that gives a floating appearance in the evening when the lights are on.

“It was just what the client envisioned, a space to relax, unwind and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city,” said Malay Shah, General Manager, Belhasa Projects.

For further information, please contact Lisa George/ Deema Khader, Iris PR, Dubai, UAE. Mob: 050 871 8561/056 628 5066. E-mail: lisa@irispr.net/deema@irispr.net

About Belhasa Projects (BHP)

UAE based Belhasa Projects was launched in 1980 as a specialist in swimming pool construction and today the company is one of the largest of its kind in the world in the sector. BHP constructed pools can be seen in palaces, hotels, leisure complexes and villas.

The company has also diversified into sports coatings, landscaping and maintenance, water treatment projects, concrete repairs, equine pools and MEP. For more information, please visit www.belhasaprojects.com.
 

Emaar Middle Easts Al Khobar Lakes wins Saudi BuildInfra Awards for Best Retail Project honour at the Building Infrastructure Summit

Al Khobar Lakes, the premier waterfront development by Emaar Middle East, the subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, has won the ‘Best Retail Project’ honour at the Saudi BuildInfra Awards 2011, organised as part of the Saudi Arabian Building and Infrastructure Summit held in Riyadh recently.

Emaar Middle East, received the award from Sheikh Abdulrahman Ali Al-Jeraisy, Chairman of the Board, Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the award ceremony.

Al Khobar Lakes is a picturesque development set amidst serene water bodies, and is the largest of its kind integrated community in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom. The first two residential villages in Al Khobar Lakes – Al Nada and Al Ghadeer – were launched to overwhelming home buyer and investor response. Work on the first phase of homes is nearing completion and will be handed over shortly.

Mr Ahmad Al Kulli, General Manager, Emaar Middle East said: “The Saudi BuildInfra Award for Al Khobar Lakes is a reiteration of the world-class build quality that Emaar Middle East brings to its master-planned communities in the Kingdom. All aspects of the development, designed by international architects, have been planned and executed to the highest global standards and will assure a new lifestyle for residents.”

Evaluated by a panel of industry experts the Saudi BuildInfra Awards 2011 recognise the best in class developments in the Kingdom. The Awards highlight the excellence and strategic initiatives in the field of infrastructure creation and development in Saudi Arabia.

Al Khobar Lakes offers the superior location advantage of being near to three key cities in the Eastern Province, only 30 minutes away from the airport and close proximity to Bahrain. The community provides a safe and secure lifestyle environment with abundant greenery and lifestyle amenities such as community centres, a health club and a large retail centre.

Emaar Middle East is also developing Jeddah Gate, a mixed-use project featuring residential units; commercial units; and 75,000 sq m of gross leasable area for retailers, in the Kingdom. The sale of Abraj Al Hilal, a cluster of three high-rise residential towers within Jeddah Gate, gained strong home buyer and investor response.

Another key development of Emaar Middle East in the Kingdom is the Emaar Residences at the Fairmont Makkah, located directly on the Haram Plaza. The serviced residences are offered on a leasehold basis and range in size from 40 sq m for a thoughtfully designed studio to 160 sq m for a comfortable three-bedroom residence.

MEED Honours Supreme Winners Of Quality Awards For Projects At Gala Ceremony

MEED, the Middle East’s premier business intelligence provider, held a gala awards ceremony to recognize top projects across eight different categories at the first MEED Quality Awards for Projects, an independently-judged excellence recognition competition for projects completed in the GCC.

Held on 22 March at the Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the glittering awards ceremony was attended by key government officials and representatives from leading private sector enterprises in the region.

The gas desulphurisation refinery in Bahrain topped the list for the ‘Oil and Gas’ category whereas Qatar’s Mesaieed-A IPP won the ‘Power’ category. Al Ghubrah-5 in Oman and the GPIC carbon dioxide recovery plant in Bahrain emerged winners in the ‘Water Reuse’ and ‘Sustainable Project’ categories respectively. Kuwait National Library was selected for the ‘Social Project of the Year’ award that was sponsored by AMEinfo.

Projects from the UAE took away the maximum awards with five distinctions.

Burj Khalifa was the undisputed winner in the ‘Building Project of the Year’ category sponsored by Technal Middle East, while the ‘Transport Project of the Year’ sponsored by Cadillac was picked up Dubai Metro Red Line. ‘Ferrari Experience’ won the leisure and tourism category for the UAE. Additionally, the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi received a special award titled the ‘MEED Editors Outstanding Achievement for Culture Award’, while ‘MEED Editors Outstanding Achievement Award for Heritage’ went to the ‘Revitalisation of the Old Souq of Dubai’ project.

Edmund O’Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Quality Awards for Projects, said: “The 32 projects that were nominated for the GCC Awards have gone through a rigorous selection process at the national level. Each project was undoubtedly the result of a significant amount of planning and collective effort on behalf of the teams that have created them. The entries demonstrated an immense amount of maturity and each of them answers a specific need within the country where it exists.

“Ascertaining the GCC-wide winners across eight different categories was a difficult decision with projects closely contending for the top spot. To ensure a fair judgement, best practices and bias-free procedures were used while evaluating the first Quality Awards for Projects at the GCC level.”

The award is aimed at promoting integrity and best practices across the GCC region in project management besides recognizing outstanding construction, engineering, sustainable development, architecture, construction and economic and social planning. Each of these was a key criterion that the winners had to meet.

The MEED Quality Awards for Projects are supported by the Bahrain Society of Engineers, Kuwait Society of Engineers, Oman Society of Engineers, Qatar Society of Engineers, Saudi Council of Engineers and the Engineers Society (UAE).

For more details on the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, please visit www.meedawards.com.
 

Benihana Restaurant At Al Bustan Rotana Dubai Is Highly Commended At Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2011

Benihana, the Japanese restaurant at Al Bustan Rotana Dubai, one of the city’s most dynamic dining and entertainment concepts was recognized as ‘Highly Commended’ in the Best Family Restaurant Category at the recent prestigious Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2011.

Hussein Hachem, Cluster General Manager of Al Bustan and Al Murooj Rotana Hotels in Dubai remarked, “Receiving such title is an important achievement for us. Such high mark to our service at Benihana Restaurant makes us proud and at the same time will stimulate our aspirations to achieve even more during the coming year. With the dining filed being highly competitive in Dubai, we appeciate continuous recognition shown towards the restaurant by reputed judges of the award and by Benihana diners.”

Benihana at Al Bustan Rotana Dubai is a perfect place for a fantastic dining adventure, with exciting theme nights and an impressive a la carte menu. Do not miss the entertaining Teppanyaki shows, where chefs flip shrimps tails into their hats and cut sizzling food faster than the eyes can see. Dining at Benihana is guarenteed entertainment for the whole family!
 

Du Wins Top Honours At Prestigious MENA Cristal Awards 2011

In a clear acknowledgement of its creative capabilities, du has been honoured with two awards at the prestigious Mena Cristal Awards 2011, the sixth edition of the Middle East’s first-ever advertising festival. The company was honoured with an impressive Gold (Cristal) award in the Corporate Category for its Ramadan “Time” TV commercial – featuring world-renowned Emirati artist Ahmed Bukhatir – and a Silver (Finalist) award in the Outdoor category for its Real Business Broadband DMC ambient execution “Eye”.

“Through a unified and strategic approach to advertising and communication, we aim to communicate our brand’s young, friendly and innovative image and identity, and we are pleased to see that these efforts are being recognised across the region. We are deeply honoured to receive these awards, and very proud of our ‘Time’ and ‘Eye’ campaigns, along with our many other shortlisted achievements, which clearly demonstrate that we are succeeding in reaching out to people and – true to our philosophy of adding life to life – providing our customers with a unique and inspiring experience of our brand,” commented Hala Badri, EVP Brand and Communications, du.

du was shortlisted for seven awards across four categories including the Smart Business Plan "Building", "Park", "Airport" campaigns in the Daily Press Category, the Smart Business Plan "Building" and Real Business Broadband “Eye” in the Outdoor Category, Business Mobile Broadband “Dubai” in the Magazine Category and the Ramadan TV commercial, “Time”, in the Corporate Category.

“I was honoured to be a part of creating this fantastic TV commercial with du and am very proud of this phenomenal achievement. The aim of this campaign was to help people get the most out of their spiritual journey and bring them closer to their loved ones during Ramadan through the powerful medium of music and prayer. This award truly bears testament to our success in uniting friends and family and providing them with a source of inspiration and comfort during this important religious time,” said Ahmed Bukhatir.

The company recently welcomed Ahmed Bukhatir as its new brand ambassador, in a collaboration that will provide du customers with access to the popular Al Munshed’s spiritual works. Ahmed Bukhatir has been one of the pioneers of Nasheed, an Islamic art in which an artist sings without any musical instrument. The content on offer included music downloads of all 10 Nasheeds from Bukhatir’s seventh album, ‘Moments with Allah’, including the popular new Nasheed, ‘Moth Arafto Allah Rabbi’, meaning ‘Since I came to know my God’.

The MENA Cristal Festival was founded in 2005 with the aim of introducing a new and ambitious competition for advertising in all North African and Middle Eastern countries. It rewards the best advertising creations with the famous Cristal trophy, in the same fashion as the Cristal Festival in Switzerland on which it is modelled. This event gathers all the communications actors in the world: advertising agencies, advertisers, producers, directors, media, survey companies and TV producers, among others, and the aim of the festival is to associate creativity and business, and to promote Arabic advertising creativity.
 

Dubai Culture Extends Deadline For Submissions For Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons Of The Arts Awards 2011

The deadline for the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards, organised by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), has been extended until February 15, 2011.

Submissions can be made online at the dedicated website of the Patrons of the Arts Awards, www.patronsofthearts.ae by individuals or organisations who have made their contributions towards promoting visual arts, performing arts, literature, and film in Dubai.

The Awards are presented in four categories: ‘Distinguished Patrons of the Arts,’ ‘Patrons of the Arts,’ ‘Supporters of the Arts,’ and ‘Friends of the Arts.’ The Distinguished Patrons of the Arts, who have contributed over AED 5 million, will be presented to individuals or organisations for their work across the past three years, from 2008 to 2010. In the other three categories, the evaluation will be based on their contribution during 2010.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, said the deadline for applying for the Awards has been extended following overwhelming response from organisations and patrons. “The new deadline will offer more opportunities for patrons as well as art galleries and cultural organisations to take part in the Awards.”

He added: “The strong response to the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards is a testament to the support for Dubai’s arts and cultural scene extended by individuals and organisations from around the world.”

In its first edition, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards honoured over 50 individuals and organisations for together contributing about AED 250 million to Dubai’s cultural scene from 2007 to 2009.

The Award was announced in 2009 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. A first of its kind initiative, the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Patrons of the Arts Awards is an annual award that will honour and recognize individuals, businesses or organizations for their financial or in kind contributions to the arts in Dubai and their sustained support.