New hotelier secures 6 contracts for UAE hotels

UAE hotel operator Time Hotels Management has secured the management contracts for six properties in the UAE, the firm has said. The company said the properties, which include two hotels and four hotel apartments, comprise a total of 745 rooms, and employ more than 385 staff. Time, owned by the Gulf General Investment Company (GGICO) and Investment Group Private, confirmed it would not be taking over Layia Hotels Management but said it would be operating as a new brand and management company. GGICO was also one of the founders of Layia Hospitality, launched in 2008, in partnership with hotelier Daniel Hajjar. A court case is currently underway between GGICO and Hajjar. The new properties are: Time Oak Hotel & Suites in Al Barsha, and Time Grand Plaza Hotel in Al Qusais, and four hotel apartments; the Opal, Topaz and Crystal Hotel Apartments in Dubai, and the Ruby Hotel Apartments in Sharjah.