TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences, which started operations on 26 October 2021, celebrated its first anniversary. TRAVTALK had the pleasure to speak with Ligia Brasoveanu, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences, who shared some insights into the business.
TT Bureau
How was the occupancy during the past one year?
It was a great success from the moment we opened the hotel to the public a year ago. In the first five months of opening, the hotel experienced a rapid increase in demand, thanks to the UAE winter season and Expo 2022, both of which played an important role in promoting the hotel and attracting more visitors from within and outside the UAE.
What was it like to open as soon as some travel restrictions were lifted?
We were fortunate to open at a time when guests already had confidence travelling to the UAE, thanks to the country’s strong leadership and the efforts of the authorities to attract visitors from around the world. This helped our hotel performance and the market in general.
From which countries did you receive guests from?
Our guests come mainly from the UAE, GCC and the Levant region. Sharjah has a special relationship with these countries due to its long history and the high number of expatriates living there. In addition, we welcome guests from CIS, India and the European markets where travel restrictions have been relaxed.
Were they family or solo travellers, or those on business or leisure?
In terms of business mix, we see a good mix. Our apartments offer us the opportunity to receive quite a number of guests for shorter or longer stays. Our guests always feel at home with us, because we offer them a home away from home and ensure a pleasant stay. In addition, leisure and family travellers are strong over the weekend, while business and conference trips slowly pick up.
What is unique in the property?
Our view: DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences is the only hotel in Sharjah that offers you a view of the waterfront through the floor-to-ceiling windows from all the rooms.
Apartments: We offer fully furnished serviced flats with 1 to 3 bedrooms for residents and short stays. They are the perfect solution for large families or special occasions.
Indoor pool: We offer a semi-Olympic (25 m) indoor pool, including daily/ monthly passes for our guests.
Majdolin Restaurant: Our restaurant is located on the first floor and offers stunning views of the Al Majaz Waterfront from the outdoor terrace. We serve a wide selection of Levantine dishes and offer our guests memorable experiences in a relaxed atmosphere.
How do you promote the hotel? With agents, OTAs and others?
We use all channels to reach our guests in the way they prefer. We encourage our guests to book through Hilton.com as we always guarantee the best rate on this platform, while we also work with OTAs, DMCs, corporate accounts and government agencies.
Will you be looking at new source markets?
We hope the countries of the Far East and South East Asia to lift their restrictions as we see great potential for them to travel to Sharjah.
