JA RESORTS & HOTELS MARKS SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION WITH THE ADDITION OF TWO SCOTTISH HERITAGE HOTELS TO ITS MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO
JA Resorts & Hotels today announces growth of its portfolio with the addition of Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort – a historic 240-acre estate outside Glasgow, and The Bruntsfield – a boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh. Mar Hall and The Bruntsfield will join JA Resorts & Hotels expanding collection of boutique resorts and lifestyle hotels in Dubai and the Maldives, supporting the brand's repositioning as a globally minded, destination-led, experience-focused hospitality group.
These additions mark a significant milestone for JA Resorts & Hotels and its parent company, Dutco Group, representing the brand's entry into the UK market and a meaningful step in its international growth journey, rooted in distinctive, nurturing hospitality.
With a legacy stretching over 40 years, JA Resorts & Hotels – part of the prestigious Dutco Group – is a homegrown heritage Dubai brand renowned for its warm, authentic service and a guest-first philosophy that champions meaningful, real-world experiences. The UK expansion reflects a bold diversification beyond the UAE and Indian Ocean, as the brand brings its progressive mindset and signature service to new markets – while carefully preserving the individual character and heritage of each new property. Each property in the JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio — from the mountain charm of JA Hatta Fort Hotel to the beachfront tranquillity of JA Palm Tree Court and the natural island beauty of JA Manafaru — is crafted to reflect its surroundings and deliver a distinct sense of place. Mar Hall and The Bruntsfield were chosen for their strong heritage and deep connection to their Scottish settings, making them a natural fit for a collection that celebrates authentic, destination-inspired hospitality and experiences that go beyond traditional hotel stays.
Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort:
Originally designed and built in 1828 by Sir Robert Smirke, the architect of London's British Museum, Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort is a historic 5-star hotel set within a 240-acre estate on the banks of the River Clyde. In 2024, Mar Hall was acquired by Dutco Group and underwent a refurbishment in excess of £25 million before officially re-opening in May 2025, marking one of Scotland's most significant and anticipated hotel renovations in recent years. Mar Hall now houses 74 beautifully-restored guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars and an enticing collection of grand public spaces including a sweeping staircase, 22-seater private cinema, Gaming Room and Billiards Room.
Tucked in Edinburgh's historic city centre, The Bruntsfield is a charming boutique townhouse hotel just a short stroll from iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street Gardens. Built as a Baronial-style residence on Borough Muir in 1861, the hotel boasts an impressive heritage. Following a
£1 million refurbishment completed in 2022, the hotel now features 72 stylish rooms, a vibrant restaurant and bar, a heated secret garden and spacious event facilities – all with sustainability at heart, holding a Gold Green Tourism accreditation. Under new ownership by the Dutco Group from 2024, The Bruntsfield is poised for further investment, with upcoming plans to enhance its guest rooms, dining offering and event spaces, reinforcing its appeal for both business and leisure travellers.
Speaking of the expansion into the UK, Chairman of Dutco Group, Ahmed Baker, says:
'Our journey as a brand has been both dynamic and deeply personal.
Since opening JA Hatta Fort Hotel and JA Beach Hotel in 1981, we've proudly evolved – not just in our properties, but in the scope and spirit of the company itself. As a homegrown brand rooted in Dubai's hospitality heritage, it is especially meaningful to see our growth extend internationally in ways that remain true to who we are. This next chapter reflects our ongoing commitment to creating thoughtful, destination led hospitality experiences that resonate across cultures and geographies.'
Speaking of the growth, CEO of JA Resorts & Hotels, Ralph Porciani says:
'As someone who grew up in Dumbarton and studied and worked in Scotland throughout my early career, I've long seen the country's allure as a key international destination. The addition of these two iconic hotels marks an exciting step for JA Resorts & Hotels and reflect the global confidence in the Scottish market. We look forward to preserving the unique history and character of these heritage hotels, whilst implementing JA's global brand standards and service philosophy.'
Speaking of joining the JA portfolio, Andy Roger, Resort Director of Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, says:
'We have always admired how JA Resorts & Hotels embraces the unique personality of each of its destinations, blending local culture, cuisine, and genuine service. Joining their portfolio feels like a natural fit for Mar Hall, following our extensive 2025 renovation – and we are excited for what is to come.'
Speaking of joining the JA portfolio, Alistair Bruce, General Manager of The Bruntsfield, says:
'The Bruntsfield has always had a strong sense of place and connection to the local community, and we are proud of the character and heritage our hotel represents. JA Resorts & Hotels' thoughtful approach to hospitality and their respect for individuality aligns perfectly with our vision. We are delighted to be part of a brand that values authenticity and is committed to investing in our continued evolution.'
ABOUT JA RESORTS & HOTELS:
A heritage UAE brand with roots dating back to 1981, JA Resorts & Hotels is built on a legacy of nurturing hospitality and thoughtful experiences. Named after the original Jebel Ali Beach Hotel, the group's portfolio includes 7 distinctive properties across the UAE and Indian Ocean — each offering its own character, but united by a shared spirit of generosity, authenticity, and care.
In the UAE, guests can choose from a collection of meaningful stays — the beachfront JA Beach Hotel, the spacious all-suite JA Palm Tree Court, and the contemporary lifestyle-led JA Lake View Hotel, all located along the peaceful shores overlooking Palm Jebel Ali. JA Ocean View Hotel, set along the vibrant Jumeirah Beach Residence promenade, offers uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf and a lively beachfront atmosphere. Beyond the city, JA Hatta Fort Hotel is a mountain escape rooted in nature and discovery, while The Manor by JA in Al Furjan is a modern business hotel designed for comfort and convenience. In the Indian Ocean, JA Manafaru offers barefoot luxury in the pristine Haa Alifu Atoll at the northern tip of the Maldives, a place where nature and culture are deeply woven into every stay.
Adding to its experience portfolio, JA Resorts & Hotels will soon launch the JA Sports & Shooting Club — a new destination for recreation and performance, opening later this year. JA Resorts & Hotels is also a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest network of independent hotel brands, connecting over 800 hotels across 100 countries.
ABOUT Dutco Group Needs verifying:
Dutco Group, established in 1947 as Dubai Transport Company, has grown alongside the emirate into a leading UAE-based conglomerate with diversified interests across sectors such as heavy civil engineering, construction, dredging, oil & gas, logistics, hospitality, trading, real estate and IT. Renowned for its commitment to quality, safety and professional excellence, Dutco employs over 14,000 people across numerous ISO-certified divisions and has delivered landmark projects including Dubai Mall, major ports, highways and luxury hotels.
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Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Mid East Info
JA RESORTS & HOTELS MARKS SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION WITH THE ADDITION OF TWO SCOTTISH HERITAGE HOTELS TO ITS MANAGEMENT PORTFOLIO
The Bruntsfield JA Resorts & Hotels today announces growth of its portfolio with the addition of Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort – a historic 240-acre estate outside Glasgow, and The Bruntsfield – a boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh. Mar Hall and The Bruntsfield will join JA Resorts & Hotels expanding collection of boutique resorts and lifestyle hotels in Dubai and the Maldives, supporting the brand's repositioning as a globally minded, destination-led, experience-focused hospitality group. These additions mark a significant milestone for JA Resorts & Hotels and its parent company, Dutco Group, representing the brand's entry into the UK market and a meaningful step in its international growth journey, rooted in distinctive, nurturing hospitality. With a legacy stretching over 40 years, JA Resorts & Hotels – part of the prestigious Dutco Group – is a homegrown heritage Dubai brand renowned for its warm, authentic service and a guest-first philosophy that champions meaningful, real-world experiences. The UK expansion reflects a bold diversification beyond the UAE and Indian Ocean, as the brand brings its progressive mindset and signature service to new markets – while carefully preserving the individual character and heritage of each new property. Each property in the JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio — from the mountain charm of JA Hatta Fort Hotel to the beachfront tranquillity of JA Palm Tree Court and the natural island beauty of JA Manafaru — is crafted to reflect its surroundings and deliver a distinct sense of place. Mar Hall and The Bruntsfield were chosen for their strong heritage and deep connection to their Scottish settings, making them a natural fit for a collection that celebrates authentic, destination-inspired hospitality and experiences that go beyond traditional hotel stays. Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort: Originally designed and built in 1828 by Sir Robert Smirke, the architect of London's British Museum, Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort is a historic 5-star hotel set within a 240-acre estate on the banks of the River Clyde. In 2024, Mar Hall was acquired by Dutco Group and underwent a refurbishment in excess of £25 million before officially re-opening in May 2025, marking one of Scotland's most significant and anticipated hotel renovations in recent years. Mar Hall now houses 74 beautifully-restored guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars and an enticing collection of grand public spaces including a sweeping staircase, 22-seater private cinema, Gaming Room and Billiards Room. Tucked in Edinburgh's historic city centre, The Bruntsfield is a charming boutique townhouse hotel just a short stroll from iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street Gardens. Built as a Baronial-style residence on Borough Muir in 1861, the hotel boasts an impressive heritage. Following a £1 million refurbishment completed in 2022, the hotel now features 72 stylish rooms, a vibrant restaurant and bar, a heated secret garden and spacious event facilities – all with sustainability at heart, holding a Gold Green Tourism accreditation. Under new ownership by the Dutco Group from 2024, The Bruntsfield is poised for further investment, with upcoming plans to enhance its guest rooms, dining offering and event spaces, reinforcing its appeal for both business and leisure travellers. Speaking of the expansion into the UK, Chairman of Dutco Group, Ahmed Baker, says: 'Our journey as a brand has been both dynamic and deeply personal. Since opening JA Hatta Fort Hotel and JA Beach Hotel in 1981, we've proudly evolved – not just in our properties, but in the scope and spirit of the company itself. As a homegrown brand rooted in Dubai's hospitality heritage, it is especially meaningful to see our growth extend internationally in ways that remain true to who we are. This next chapter reflects our ongoing commitment to creating thoughtful, destination led hospitality experiences that resonate across cultures and geographies.' Speaking of the growth, CEO of JA Resorts & Hotels, Ralph Porciani says: 'As someone who grew up in Dumbarton and studied and worked in Scotland throughout my early career, I've long seen the country's allure as a key international destination. The addition of these two iconic hotels marks an exciting step for JA Resorts & Hotels and reflect the global confidence in the Scottish market. We look forward to preserving the unique history and character of these heritage hotels, whilst implementing JA's global brand standards and service philosophy.' Speaking of joining the JA portfolio, Andy Roger, Resort Director of Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort, says: 'We have always admired how JA Resorts & Hotels embraces the unique personality of each of its destinations, blending local culture, cuisine, and genuine service. Joining their portfolio feels like a natural fit for Mar Hall, following our extensive 2025 renovation – and we are excited for what is to come.' Speaking of joining the JA portfolio, Alistair Bruce, General Manager of The Bruntsfield, says: 'The Bruntsfield has always had a strong sense of place and connection to the local community, and we are proud of the character and heritage our hotel represents. JA Resorts & Hotels' thoughtful approach to hospitality and their respect for individuality aligns perfectly with our vision. We are delighted to be part of a brand that values authenticity and is committed to investing in our continued evolution.' ABOUT JA RESORTS & HOTELS: A heritage UAE brand with roots dating back to 1981, JA Resorts & Hotels is built on a legacy of nurturing hospitality and thoughtful experiences. Named after the original Jebel Ali Beach Hotel, the group's portfolio includes 7 distinctive properties across the UAE and Indian Ocean — each offering its own character, but united by a shared spirit of generosity, authenticity, and care. In the UAE, guests can choose from a collection of meaningful stays — the beachfront JA Beach Hotel, the spacious all-suite JA Palm Tree Court, and the contemporary lifestyle-led JA Lake View Hotel, all located along the peaceful shores overlooking Palm Jebel Ali. JA Ocean View Hotel, set along the vibrant Jumeirah Beach Residence promenade, offers uninterrupted views of the Arabian Gulf and a lively beachfront atmosphere. Beyond the city, JA Hatta Fort Hotel is a mountain escape rooted in nature and discovery, while The Manor by JA in Al Furjan is a modern business hotel designed for comfort and convenience. In the Indian Ocean, JA Manafaru offers barefoot luxury in the pristine Haa Alifu Atoll at the northern tip of the Maldives, a place where nature and culture are deeply woven into every stay. Adding to its experience portfolio, JA Resorts & Hotels will soon launch the JA Sports & Shooting Club — a new destination for recreation and performance, opening later this year. JA Resorts & Hotels is also a proud member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest network of independent hotel brands, connecting over 800 hotels across 100 countries. ABOUT Dutco Group Needs verifying: Dutco Group, established in 1947 as Dubai Transport Company, has grown alongside the emirate into a leading UAE-based conglomerate with diversified interests across sectors such as heavy civil engineering, construction, dredging, oil & gas, logistics, hospitality, trading, real estate and IT. Renowned for its commitment to quality, safety and professional excellence, Dutco employs over 14,000 people across numerous ISO-certified divisions and has delivered landmark projects including Dubai Mall, major ports, highways and luxury hotels.
Egypt Independent
29-07-2025
- Egypt Independent
Gaza and Ukraine will show whether Trump is a true leader or just a bully
Donald Trump looked like the last king of Scotland. To the skirl of bagpipes, the president welcomed Keir Starmer to one of his Scottish golfing palaces in his mother's ancestral homeland. The prime minister flew in Monday as a guest and a supplicant in a corner of his own United Kingdom. Starmer was a mere extra as Trump held court in a mind-bending news conference that rollicked through topics like his hatred of wind power, the window frames in his ballroom and Windsor Castle. Trump capped his protocol-reversing day by flying the PM across Scotland on Air Force One to another of his exclusive clubs, in another ostentatious show of US power optics. A day earlier, the top EU official, Ursula von der Leyen, matched Starmer's effusiveness after arriving at Trump's windswept Turnberry links for an audience bearing a trade deal that some Europeans blasted as a surrender. Events in America's new temporary capital in southwest Scotland were an object lesson in how Trump flexes his indomitable personality and relentless sense of others' weaknesses to impose personal power and rack up big wins for himself. US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrive at Trump MacLeod House & Lodge in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, after flying on the Marine One helicopter on months into his second presidency, Trump is getting exactly what he wants on many fronts. He's destroying the global free trading system by lining up framework trade deals that enshrine one of his longtime obsessions — tariffs. He sent US stealth bombers around the world to bombard Iran's nuclear program. And he's wrung promises of a vast increase in military spending from NATO members. It's the same at home. Trump has bullied Congress into submission. He's imposing his ideology on great universities. He's forced private law firms to do pro bono work for him and he's weaponizing the justice system against his foes. And he's effectively shut down the southern border and halted undocumented migration. This is the kind of 'winning' that eluded him in his first term and that he promised his MAGA supporters would reach such a volume they'd grow tired of winning. Yet Trump is such a polarizing president — one whose 'wins' are sometimes more theater than substance — that his current streak bears close examination. Internationally, it is fair to ask: Is Trump racking up victories for the American people or for himself? Is his coercive power over allies and smaller states a sign of strength or the behavior of a schoolyard tough guy? And what will be the consequence of his wins in the long term — years after his zest for a headline proclaiming a great 'deal' has passed? The alliances that made the US a superpower seem especially vulnerable in this regard. The true global tests of Trump's power If Trump is really a dominant global force, the proof will come in his handling of three critical issues highlighted on his trip to Scotland: a wrenching famine in Gaza, the war in Ukraine and trade. Trump made surprising tonal shifts Monday on Gaza and Ukraine. Responding to hideous video of malnourished children in Gaza, Trump contradicted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's claim that there's no starvation in the enclave after months of Israeli bombardments. 'We have to get the kids fed,' Trump said, promising to set up food distribution centers to alleviate the growing famine. But he offered few details about how this would work in a war zone where civilians have been killed lining up for food. He also ignored US complicity in the aid crisis following difficulties faced by a Washington-backed Israeli program that bypassed UN experts. Palestinians gather to receive food from a charity kitchen amid a hunger crisis in Gaza City on Monday. Khamis Al-Rifi/Reuters Perhaps Trump's commitment is a genuine shift and could lead to him undercutting Netanyahu, a leader who has repeatedly rebuffed US pressure and damaged the president's wish to be seen as a peacemaker. It could be, that as happened after chemical weapons attacks in Syria in 2017, Trump was truly moved by heartbreaking footage of suffering children. But a president with a sharp political sense may have also calculated that growing outrage toward Israel meant he might end up sharing the blame for the horror. The cynic's case is supported by his previous suggestion that Gazans should leave to allow the creation of a 'Middle East Riviera' beach resort. And Trump's evisceration of USAID means the dying Gazan kids will be far from alone. Will Trump follow through on his Putin rebukes? The second test of Trump's global power will come over Ukraine. The president on Monday vented growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin's refusal to accept his generous suggestions for a peace deal in Ukraine, capping his previous 50-day deadline for action to 10 or 12 days. 'We have such nice conversations, such respectful and nice conversations. And then people die the following night,' Trump said. If Trump really switches from buttering up Putin to punishing him, he could hurt Russia, especially with secondary sanctions that bankroll the war by being Moscow's oil exports. But there's a huge problem: That would require the US to directly take on powers such as India and China, risking global economic blowback. Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a forum in Moscow on July 3. Getty Images With Trump in Scotland, his trade negotiators were in Sweden holding high-level talks with China that could yield another 'win' for his tariff strategy and potentially the spectacle of a presidential visit to Beijing this year. Is he really ready to risk all this for Ukraine — a nation that he thinks has already had too much US aid? A robust move against Putin in the coming days that could also rebound against Xi — even against Trump's own political interests — would show the president is willing not just to lord it over Europeans but to stand up to the most ruthless leaders. Failing to take such action would validate critics who see Trump's irritation at Putin as less about Ukraine's plight than about the embarrassment about the president's Nobel Prize campaign being thwarted by his erstwhile hero. Trump's EU trade win may turn out to be less than it seems On the surface, Trump pulled off a genuine win against the European Union in the trade deal and for his 'America First' trade policies, which he views as reversing decades of partners taking advantage of the United States in the interest of reviving American manufacturing. The EU chose not to use its own economic might to inflict pain on the US economy. Instead, it accepted a deal that will see the imposition of a 15% tariff on European exports. The backlash was swift. 'An alliance of free peoples, gathered to assert their values and defend their interests, resolves to submission,' French Prime Minister François Bayrou wrote on X. But others saw pragmatism rather than capitulation, because it's becoming clear that tariffs are existential for Trump — as shown by similar levies included in recent trade deals announced with Japan and the Philippines. Europe's already-sluggish economic growth will take a hit. But a trade war would be worse. US President Donald Trump shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Turnberry, Scotland, on Sunday. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images 'Those who expect a hurricane are grateful for a storm,' said Wolfgang Große Entrup, the head of the German Chemical Industry Association. Trump's estimation that the EU agreement was 'the biggest deal ever' is hyperbole. The short framework is far from a detailed agreement, which may take years to negotiate and thousands of pages to spell out. This all looks like Trump's classic habit of spinning a small breakthrough as a gargantuan win. The framework announcement by the White House is thin and full of conditional language. On closer inspection, it's not clear exactly what the EU has given away. There is no clear indication that the Europeans have ceded to US demands to accept its hormone-treated beef or to ease regulation of Silicon Valley firms. European leaders are playing a long game. A trade war with Trump might have destroyed their efforts to prevent him rupturing the transatlantic alliance, which included a pledge for NATO members to raise defense spending to 5% by 2035 during his last transatlantic trip. It may also not be a coincidence that Trump's change of tack on Ukraine and Gaza — which brought him closer to two critical European foreign policy priorities — came hours after the EU concessions in the trade agreement. Trump's wins are in the open. Europeans are more subtle. Starmer is following the same gameplay. His willingness to check his political dignity at the door each time he meets Trump has yielded a friendship with the president — and a tariff rate of 10%, better than that imposed on the EU. How Trump's push for wins could drain US power Trump's binary view of a life in pursuit of wins means that he must always come out on top and those on the other side must lose. Eventually, this is bound to alienate some of America's best friends. This doesn't matter in the 'America First' creed, which seeks to leverage US might against smaller nations whether they are allies or adversaries. But US alliances and its leadership of like-minded democracy were the key to Washington's power since the end of World War II. And sometimes the country needs its friends — like after the September 11 attacks in 2001. Trump is burning through American soft power at a frightening rate. And as some of America's traditional allies consider closer ties to China, there are clear signs that Trump's transactional approach could wreak long-term damage. In the latest issue of Foreign Affairs, former Bush administration foreign policy official Kori Schake writes that the Trump team is hastening a future in which countries 'opt out of the existing US-led international order or construct a new one that would be antagonistic to American interests.' And it's not even clear that many of Trump's wins will bring greater security at home. After all, by punishing Europe with a 15% tariff on its goods, Trump has imposed yet another consumption tax on Americans. 'It's a number that will hurt both the US and EU economies,' Fredrik Persson, president of BusinessEurope, told CNN's Richard Quest.
Daily News Egypt
29-07-2025
- Daily News Egypt
Gaza crisis, trade on agenda as Trump hosts Starmer in Scotland
US President Donald Trump will host British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday at his Scottish golf resort for talks expected to cover issues from the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza to a bilateral trade deal. Trump, who on Sunday announced a major trade deal with the European Union, said he expected Starmer would also be pleased. 'I like your prime minister,' Trump told reporters, according to The Guardian newspaper. 'He's a little bit more liberal than I am, as you've probably heard, but he's a good guy.' While Starmer had hoped to negotiate a reduction in US tariffs on steel and aluminium, Trump has ruled out any changes to the 50% tariffs on EU imports, saying the trade deal with Britain was 'already done.' The worsening crisis in war-torn Gaza is expected to cast a shadow over the meeting. Starmer's office said the prime minister would discuss 'what can be done urgently to secure a ceasefire in the Middle East.' Starmer is under growing pressure at home and abroad to recognise a Palestinian state. A government source said on Sunday he has recalled cabinet ministers from their summer holiday for a meeting, likely to discuss the Gaza situation. The British prime minister said on Friday his country would only recognise a Palestinian state as part of a negotiated peace deal, a stance that disappointed many in his Labour Party who want him to follow France's lead. Trump on Friday rejected French President Emmanuel Macron's intention to recognise a Palestinian state, a plan that also drew strong condemnation from Israel. Trump said he understood Starmer's desire to discuss Israel, adding that while the United States would increase its aid to Gaza, it wanted others to join the effort. Ukraine will also be on the agenda. British Chancellor James Murray described the situation in Gaza as 'appalling and quite frankly horrifying,' telling British radio, 'Starvation, the securing of food, must not be used as a method of war. It's completely unjustifiable and it must end.' Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Israel must allow aid trucks 'unfettered' access as it was the 'only viable and sustainable way' to get sufficient supplies to the population. Gaza's health ministry has said that dozens of residents have died from malnutrition in recent weeks, as aid organisations warn of widespread hunger among the enclave's 2.2 million people. The two leaders are expected to travel from Trump's luxury golf resort on Scotland's west coast to another sprawling Trump-owned property in the east, near Aberdeen. Starmer travelled to Scotland from Switzerland, where England won the final of the Women's Euro soccer championship on Sunday.
