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Rotana and Air Arabia open
new budget hotel in Sharjah

DUBAI — Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East and Africa, announced the opening of its 28th property in the UAE — Centro Sharjah.

The property is owned by the fastest growing low-cost carrier Air Arabia. The partnership is very interesting as the Centro is a budget brand by Rotana and the Sharjah-based airline is also a famous budget airline.

“Air Arabia itself is a very fast growing company and we are very proud to be partner with Air Arabia,” Omer Kaddouri, Executive Vice President – Chief Operating Officer of Rotana, told Khaleej Times at the official opening on Sunday.

Rotana is also a home grown and fast growing brand, Kaddouri said, adding: “We both have quite a few similarities so we feel comfortable together as partners.” Conveniently located near Sharjah International Airport, Centro Sharjah features 306 rooms, including suites, and is equipped with the latest in-room technology, deli-style dining options and 
personal amenities.

The opening of Centro Sharjah additionally marks the attainment of the 800-room milestone for the Centro brand in the UAE, which contributes to a total of 11,226 Rotana rooms available across the Middle East and Africa.

Kaddouri mentioned that the new property will target airport, all the airlines and the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone, which is just behind the Centro Sharjah. It will certainly meet the demands of the new generation of travellers who seek finesse and functionality at reasonable rates in the third largest Emirate in the UAE, he said. With the increasing influx of travellers coming in to Sharjah for both business and tourism, Kaddouri describes Centro Sharjah as an ideal solution to the growing demand for rooms in this city.

New property takes around 3-6 months to get attraction, he said adding: “We are hoping nice occupancy in fourth quarter.” Rotana is working towards the opening of 25 ‘Centro Hotels by Rotana’ properties across the Middle East and North Africa by 2014, introducing a unique outside-the-box solution for the mid-tier market. Centro’s design flexibility allows for easy adaptation to a wide variety of cities, locations and plot sizes.

Describing the property, David Jamieson, General Manager of Centro Sharjah said: “Expressed through its contemporary architecture and unique living spaces embodying the personality of an executive hotel, Centro Sharjah will feature amenities customised to the business traveller’s needs, including meeting rooms, a gymnasium and a swimming pool. This is in addition to ‘C.Taste’, which is a three meal restaurant, Crew Lounge and ‘C.Deli’, an innovative deli take-away dining concept that allows guests to enjoy great food that can be consumed where ever they please.”

Awarded the distinction of Cultural Capital of the Arab World by the UNESCO in 1998 for its commitment to art, culture and preserving its heritage, and admired for its continuous dedication to preserving traditional values alongside modern development, Sharjah is the third most populous city in the UAE, situated on the nation’s west coast.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com