Founded and owned by eminet figure, Mubarak Abdul Aziz Al Hasawi and His Highness Sheikh Sultan, Radisson SAS Sharjah opened its doors in 1982, under the name Sharjah Continental Hotel. Superbly located overlooking the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf with its own white sandy beach and bay, the hotel has been in a prime position to take advantage of the growing leisure and business tourism industry.
In 2002 the hotel became part of Rezidor Hotel Group and shortly afterwards embarked on a major renovation project, transforming the resort and vastly increasing its range of facilities and activities.
Central to the Radisson SAS Sharjah’s impeccable reputation as a quality destination, is its level of service and positive attitude towards its guests. “Every staff member is fully trained with the Yes I Can! philosophy,” explains Guy A. Chidiac, the resort’s general manager. This empowers them to deal with every request positively and make every guest feel that their well being is the sole priority of the member of staff assisting them.” This attention to service is what qualifies the resort’s five-star status. Whatever their query, guests feel appreciated, valued, and are assured of a positive response.
Renovation and expansion
In 2006, Radisson SAS underwent a major renovation, expanding its portfolio of facilities for both leisure and business. All public areas of the resort were refurbished including the grandiose and luxurious atrium lobby, making an immediate impact on guests as they enter the resort for the first time. In keeping with its beachfront location, the décor is fresh and elegant, with marine accents that include palm trees, wicker furniture and seashells. “Our new and improved leisure facilities include the Bay Club,” offers Chidiac, “a state-of-the-art fitness, spa and beach club comprising two fully equipped gyms (including a private ladies-only gym), an open air beach gym, four temperature controlled swimming pools, separate saunas, tennis, billiards, bowling and a children’s fun zone and private bay.”
Another addition particularly popular with leisure tourists is the choice of staying in one of the poolside Boutique Cabana Collection, ideal for relaxing by the pools and enjoying the cooling sea breezes, while enjoying all the amenities of the standard rooms. The highlight of the resort’s renovation however, has to be the Café at the Falls Signature Restaurant. Set in the tranquil surroundings of an indoor tropical forest complete with waterfall, river and wildlife, the Café is also home to a koi fishpond, birds and turtles.
Business par excellence
The facilities for the business guest have also been expanded and enhanced, with a dazzling array of conference and meeting rooms suitable for every corporate event, meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions. From the Harbour Room Boardroom, seating twelve, to the Mubarakia Ballroom with a capacity of 800 guests, the Radisson SAS is without doubt Sharjah’s premier business hotel and resort.
As Chidiac says, “We are proud to say that we have the most number of meeting and events rooms, versatile and flexible to accommodate every requirement an event organiser is looking for.” In total the resort offers two ballrooms and eight meeting rooms, all complete with the latest in technological support and superior catering services. With an eye to the future, Radisson SAS begins its second phase of refurbishment and expansion as from the summer of 2008. This will include renovating the executive business floors, room refurbishments and more meeting rooms.
For Chidiac, the positive feedback received from customers on the renovation projects completed thus far, more than justifies further expansion investments. “The welcome changes have been greatly appreciated by all, especially our guests, who are thoroughly enjoying the new facilities,” he concludes. “We look forward to completing all of the renovations, which will give us a unique identity and will set us far above the competition.”