Latest news with #AlisonGrinnell
Emirates Woman
08-08-2025
- Emirates Woman
Feel the Burn with PEAK HEAT Workouts in the UAE
RAK Hospitality Holding and DRYP Studio team up for the UAE's first outdoor hot fitness experience, returning to Jebel Jais on August 23 and 24. We spoke to Alison Grinnell, CEO of RAK Hospitality Holding; and Jessica Casalengo, Managing Director of DRYP, to find out more. Alison Grinnell, CEO of RAK Hospitality Holding What inspired you to launch PEAK HEAT? We wanted to completely reframe how people experience summer in the UAE. Instead of retreating indoors, we saw an opportunity to embrace the elements and turn the heat into a catalyst for wellbeing. PEAK HEAT was born from that idea. It is a bold, immersive experience that combines movement, altitude and nature at the highest point in the UAE, Jebel Jais. It is more than just a workout. It is about creating space for connection, resilience and self-discovery in an environment that feels both powerful and grounding. Not only is Ras Al Khaimah the nature emirate, but it is where opportunity thrives and an extraordinary powerhouse of innovation and resilience. What makes this different from a typical hot yoga or fitness class? Traditional hot yoga or heat-based workouts rely on controlled indoor studio environments. At PEAK HEAT, nature is the studio. We are 1,934 metres above sea level on Jebel Jais with no air conditioning, no mirrors and no artificial lighting. Just mountain air, golden hour sunsets and a panoramic horizon. The heat is not manufactured. It is real, raw and part of the challenge. That connection to the natural world makes the experience feel incredibly grounding and visceral. It is hot fitness, elevated. Why was Jebel Jais chosen as the location, and how do the natural elements play into the experience? Jebel Jais is the UAE's highest peak, and it brings a unique sense of scale, stillness and cinema that you simply cannot recreate in a studio. The mountain becomes an active part of the experience. Its altitude, the cooler air, the sunset light and the vastness of the panoramic view all contribute to the impact. These elements transform the workout into something deeper and more connected. We wanted to use the natural landscape not just as a backdrop but as an active force in the journey, and Jebel Jais was the perfect setting for that. How has the UAE's fitness and wellness culture evolved, and where does PEAK HEAT fit into that narrative? The UAE's wellness culture has matured enormously in recent years. There has been a shift from surface-level trends to experiences that offer real mental, emotional and physical impact. People are looking for something more meaningful. Something that challenges them and creates a sense of transformation both personally and collectively. PEAK HEAT fits into this evolution as a new kind of wellness experience. It speaks to the adventurous, conscious consumer who wants to step outside their routine and reconnect with nature, with movement and with themselves. This is The High Summer Issue – where's your favourite place to escape the heat? Ironically, I do not believe we always need to escape it. That is what PEAK HEA is all about. Embracing the season and finding strength through it. But if I had to choose a favourite escape, it would be somewhere in nature that offers contrast and clarity. Whether it is the crisp mountain air of Jebel Jais at dawn or the serenity of Ras Al Khaimah's stunning coastal spots, I always find calm in places where the elements take centre stage. Jessica Casalegno, Managing Director of DRYP Studio What led to the collaboration with DRYP? PEAK HEAT grew from Visit Jebel Jais' interest in DRYP and the mutual connections between the two teams. DRYP's hot classes and vibrant community are now well established, and it felt like the perfect moment to bring the Sweat Hub outdoors to the tallest mountain in the UAE. The idea was to take everything people love about DRYP and elevate it, quite literally, in a setting that's raw, powerful, and completely different from anything else out there. Together with Visit Jebel Jais, we wanted to create something immersive that celebrates movement, resilience and nature. What are the physical and mental benefits of training in such raw conditions? Not only does training in the heat challenge your muscular, pulmonary and cardiovascular endurance levels, but it also challenges the mind, pushing you for clearer focus. Detoxing with a deeper sweat, you can also expect glowing skin from continued regular hot classes and a cleaner liver from the constant natural release of toxins. The clean mountain air and high altitude enhance the experience further, giving your body and mind a full reset. It's a completely different feeling from training indoors. It's grounding, energising, and incredibly rewarding. How does PEAK HEAT harness the power of altitude, movement and heat for a fitness experience. PEAK HEAT is a unique experience in which the power of DRYP Sweat Hub is raised to higher heights, engulfed by the warmth of the sun and under the clear sky, sunset sessions within the DRYP community truly hit like no other. The altitude sharpens the breath, the heat intensifies the workout, and the movement brings everything together. As the golden hour light hits the mountain, the sessions take on an energy that is truly unmatched. There's something about moving with your community, outdoors, under the sky, that elevates the whole experience. Can you walk us through the PEAK HEAT journey – from the first breath on the mountain to the last bite of dinner? Clients arrive at Peak Heat together with their DRYP instructor to find a serene location to practice just as golden hour is approaching. Your instructor will guide you through a powerful, sweaty hybrid class that blends fitness, yoga, power and positivity. Just as the sun begins to dip, there's a shift. The session winds down and you're led to 1484 by Puro for a sunset dinner. It's refreshing, restorative, and feels like a reward after the climb. From there, you can retreat to your hotel room at the newly launched Rove Al Marjan for a restful night, completely reset and reconnected. This is The High Summer Issue – where's your favourite place to escape the heat? My favourite place to escape the Dubai heatis to get away to another emirate for a staycation. My husband and I have been retreating to Fujairah for years but this summer we're considering a staycation in Ras Al Khaimah or Abu Dhabi instead. The UAE is full of hidden gems and each emirate truly has something special to offer. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied & Feature Image: Pinterest
Gulf Business
25-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
HR Hotel signs with Hard Rock to launch new hotel and residences in RAK
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes HR Hotel, a joint venture between Malta-based db Group and RAK Hospitality Holding (RAKHH), has signed a suite of agreements with Hard Rock International to develop Hard Rock Hotel & Residences Ras Al Khaimah, a branded mixed-use property slated to open in 2028. Located on the Arabian Gulf adjacent to Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah's Beach District, the project will include approximately 300 hotel rooms and 395 branded residences. The project expected to be complete in 2028 will create around 500 permanent jobs. Amenities will feature multiple dining outlets, a rooftop bar, beach club, spa, fitness centre, event venue and conference facilities. ' Image: Supplied RAK is emerging as a high growth destination Ras Al Khaimah has positioned itself as a high-growth destination by combining investment infrastructure with sustainable tourism. Attractions include Jebel Jais, the UAE's highest peak, and the world's longest zipline. 'This partnership brings together db Group's development track record, Hard Rock's global brand, and our insight into Ras Al Khaimah's market dynamics,' said Alison Grinnell, CEO of RAKHH. The project marks db Group's first major venture outside Malta. 'With nearly four decades in hospitality, we aim to deliver a destination that embodies Hard Rock's energy,' said Silvio Debono, chairman of db Group. RAKHH is also involved in the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort. Hard Rock operates more than 300 venues across 80 countries. Read –
The National
02-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Ras Al Khaimah's hospitality staff campus set to welcome first of 3,000 residents
A massive housing development dedicated to hospitality employees in Ras Al Khaimah is ready to welcome the first of its 3,000 residents, as the emirate gears up to double its hotel inventory within the next few years. The first phase of The Campus, being developed by state-owned Ras Al Khaimah Hospitality Holding, is complete and will start receiving tenants within the next two months, Alison Grinnell, chief executive of RAKHH, told The National. The hospitality-dedicated high-end accommodation project comes as Ras Al Khaimah prepares for an influx of employees to run the multi-billion dollar developments springing up in the emirate. The hospitality sector in the northern emirate is expected to create more than 25,000 new job opportunities by 2030, according to data from Stirling Hospitality Advisors consultancy. The Campus will include shopping avenues, community centres, cafes and outdoor spaces. Phase 2 of the development − the master plan of which has yet to be revealed − is expected to be double the size of the first phase. 'The Campus is a home away from home for hospitality employees – aiming to provide a high quality of life,' Ms Grinnell said. Accommodation will be assigned based on designations and job roles, with units and buildings earmarked for entry-level, supervisory, junior-level management and other managerial staff, media reports earlier suggested, but the company did not comment on it. RAKHH− which operates through several subsidiaries that manage hotels, logistics, restaurants and leisure assets across the emirate − is also working on other hotel projects. 'We have several new hotels in the pipeline, looking to meet the demands of different customer segments and take advantage of the unique topography of the emirate,' Ms Grinnell said. 'We are working on developments on Jebel Jais, on the beach and in the desert. Wynn Al Marjan will contribute circa 1,500 [rooms], which, of course, contributes to the overall inventory growth,' said Ms Grinnell. The $5.1 billion Wynn resort – expected to create 7,000 jobs when it opens in 2027 − is a joint venture between RAKHH, Marjan and US-based hotel operator Wynn. 'The arrival of Wynn Al Marjan will significantly benefit the entire emirate, becoming a strong pillar of the broader destination strategy,' said Ms Grinnell. 'The integrated resort will create extensive job opportunities, increase demand for hotel keys, attract new suppliers and benefit from enhanced staff accommodation." RAKHH's hospitality portfolio also includes Pullman Resort Al Marjan Island, Rixos Beach Resort, Hilton Garden Inn and the Ritz Carlton, Al Wadi Desert. The group, which brought Rixos Hotels to its fold last year, operates and manages hotel ventures across three countries through its subsidiary, Stirling Hospitality Advisors. RAKHH also announced two new additions to its portfolio in Jebel Jais – the Saij Mountain Lodge by Mantis Collection and a fire and grill restaurant concept in partnership with Rikas Hospitality. The tourism boost is also shaping real estate demand in the emirate with the supply of residential units set to double by 2030. A report released by Savills Middle East said at least 11,000 units were scheduled for completion over the next five years. Meanwhile, about 40 per cent of all new developments coming up in the emirate are branded residences, The RAK Investment Pulse report by Stirling Hospitality Advisors found. RAKHH's Ritz-Carlton Residences is seeing strong demand, Ms Grinnell said. Unit prices start at around Dh15 million ($4 million), according to online listings. 'The [branded residence] concept fits ideally with the demands we are seeing from both travellers and new residents. Interest in branded residences is coming from both investors and also people looking for second homes," she said. "We see interest coming from numerous source markets, European, Asian and GCC, varying according to the product on offer." Ras Al Khaimah celebrated its best year for tourism, with a record 1.28 million overnight arrivals in 2024 and plans to increase annual visitors to three million by 2030. Connectivity to Ras Al Khaimah has also improved significantly with the introduction of direct flights from cities in Poland, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Romania, the Czech Republic, Russia, Saudi Arabia and India. With a focus on sustainable tourism, Ras Al Khaimah is also ranked among the top 10 cities for expats in the InterNations City Ranking 2024.
Gulf Business
27-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
RAK has a new real estate investment summit
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) will take centre stage at a global real estate event this May when it hosts the inaugural International Real Estate Investment Summit (IREIS). Set to take place on May 20 and 21, 2025, at the Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Centre, IREIS marks a significant milestone in the emirate's ambitious journey to becoming a premier global investment destination. What to look forward to at the summit The summit features a carefully curated agenda, keynote addresses, investment talks, panel discussions, and immersive networking sessions. Read- Industry heavyweights and policymakers will share insights on market trends, capital flows, and the impact of major projects shaping the region's future, including the flagship $3.9bn Wynn Al Marjan Island resort, set for completion in 2027. The program explores what the introduction of an integrated resort means for RAK and the wider region, with economic insights from Macau, Singapore, and Las Vegas. With 500 delegates and investors from the GCC and global markets, and 40 industry speakers, IREIS will provide unique access to networking opportunities and investment showcases. Attendees can expect roundtable discussions on emerging market opportunities, how RAK is attracting global, deep dives into asset class trends, and insights into tech-driven real estate transformation with a special mini masterclass on the emergence of cryptocurrency in global real estate transactions. RAK: One of UAE's most promising real estate hotspots The International Real Estate Investment Summit comes as RAK is emerging as one of the UAE's most promising real estate hotspots, driven by government-backed initiatives, visionary developments, and a thriving tourism sector. Branded residences linked to globally renowned hospitality names – including Nikki Beach, Nobu, Ritz-Carlton, and Waldorf Astoria – are further positioning RAK as a high-yield destination for investors seeking long-term returns. 'Ras Al Khaimah is undergoing an unprecedented evolution, with world-class projects reshaping the tourism and hospitality sectors,' Alison Grinnell, CEO of RAK Hospitality Holding, said. The inaugural International Real Estate Investment Summit will be a key moment to showcase the vast potential of RAK's real estate market to international investors. Ras Al Khaimah's strategic location: The advantages RAK's geographic location, less than an hour from Dubai, combined with its attainable property prices, strong return on investment, and investor-friendly regulations, is attracting a wave of local and international buyers. According to Stirling Hospitality Advisors, a subsidiary of RAK Hospitality Holding, more than 14,000 new residential units are expected to enter the market between 2026 and 2029, with branded residences accounting for 5,600 of these. 'Marjan's developments, including Al Marjan Island, are at the forefront of RAK's growth story,' said Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan. With world-class infrastructure and a commitment to sustainable, high-value investment opportunities, RAK is poised to become the UAE's next big real estate success story, Al Abdouli added. Sustainability: A key theme at the event Sustainability will be a key theme, with sessions dedicated to eco-tourism investments, smart city innovations, and the transition to net-zero developments. Other notable panels will cover the rise of branded residences, data centre investments, blockchain's impact on real estate transactions and Artificial Intelligence's potential for the sector, with panellists including proptech strategist Lynnette Sacchetto. A dedicated panel will scrutinise cultural identity in architecture, with a restoration case study on RAK's Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village and panellists including Sandra Woodall, Design Principal at Tangram Gulf, and Christine Espenosa-Erlanda, Director of Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ). UAE real estate industry: A sustained boom The UAE's real estate industry is experiencing a sustained boom, driven by multiple factors that have solidified its position as a global investment hub. Notably, in 2024, the total value of real estate transactions across the UAE reached Dhs893bn. Ras Al Khaimah's economic blueprint emphasises infrastructure enhancement, economic diversification, and sustainable growth. Investor-friendly initiatives such as long-term residency visas, streamlined property ownership regulations, and the expansion of RAK International Airport further bolster its appeal. 'This surge is fuelled by strong investor confidence, government initiatives to foster a positive investment environment, and an influx of high-net-worth individuals attracted to the UAE's stability and luxurious offerings. Furthermore, projected growth continues into 2025, supported by ongoing infrastructure developments and the launch of new, high-profile real estate projects. The IREIS Summit by Cityscape is the ideal B2B platform to showcase the best investments', Alexander Heuff, Cityscape Group Director, noted. Cityscape: The role it plays in the real estate ecosystem Organised by Cityscape by Informa Markets, in collaboration with Marjan – the master-developer behind Al Marjan Island – and RAK Hospitality Holding, the leading hospitality group in Ras Al Khaimah, IREIS will bring together elite investors, government officials, and industry leaders. Cityscape, established over 24 years ago, has been instrumental in launching iconic real estate projects such as the Burj Khalifa and Battersea Power Station. As the premier real estate platform in the GCC and beyond, Cityscape connects key stakeholders across the real estate ecosystem, adding significant credibility and influence to this inaugural summit. With a focus on unlocking investment potential, the event will spotlight RAK's rapidly growing real estate market and international markets, providing an exclusive platform for deal-making, networking, and market-shaping discussions. For further information and to register for the summit, visit
