29 Apr 2014
Centara Hotel & Resorts expands into the Middle East with new hotel in Muscat, Oman
BY Helen Andrews
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s largest operator of hotels, is continuing its expansion into the Middle East with the opening of a hotel in Muscat, Oman.
The Centara Muscat Hotel, owned by Irfan International Hotel, is scheduled to open in June 2015. This will be the second property in the Middle East to be managed by Centara – the first is in Qatar.
The 154-bedroom hotel will feature a Spa Cenvaree – Centara Hotels and Resorts’ five-star spa brand. Details of the spa’s exact layout are to be finalised, but healing rituals will incorporate wet areas, relaxation zones and local elements such as hammam.
“We’re excited to expand the Cenvaree philosophy to Oman and showcase the fusion of Thai-hospitality and innovative spa therapies,” Centara’s group director of spa, Tara Hanrahan told Spa Opportunities.
“We are one of Asia’s fastest growing spa chains and Muscat is a great location,” she said.
House products for Spa Cenvaree include brands such as Jurlique and Thémaé. Spa Cenvaree also has its own private line of massage oils, body scrubs and essential oils.
Centara operates 36 spas across 10 different countries – 29 of which are branches of Spa Cenvaree and the other 7 are branches of the value brand, Cense, by Spa Cenvaree.
“We have a strong marketing organisation within the Middle East, along with a very large customer base, so having a hotel in Oman is a strategic advantage for us,” said Chris Bailey, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts.
The hotel will also include two food and beverage outlets, a swimming pool, a fitness centre and meeting facilities.
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