Twenty-five years after it first opened its doors on 10 February 1979, the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai, Metropolitan Hotels International's flagship property, continues to set the standards in an increasingly competitive industry.

Having witnessed regional political turmoil as well as the arrival of most major global players in the local hospitality industry market, the hotel is still a preferred choice for sophisticated leisure and business travelers visiting Dubai.

The property has recorded an average occupancy rate of 85 per cent last year despite economic setbacks, the outbreak of the SARS virus, and an ongoing refurbishment project, which also had a negative effect on visitor numbers.

According to Warwick Janes, the hotel's general manager who is looking forward to a bullish 2004, innovation is the key word behind the property's many successes throughout the years.

"The hotel has been reinventing itself over the years," Janes says.

Indeed, the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai has recorded many of the city's firsts. It boasted Dubai's first pub - The Red Lion pub, as well as its first Chinese restaurant - Summer Place. Both outlets are still as popular today as they were when they opened. The hotel has also given Dubai its first bistro and its first pure seafood restaurant, while events like the Motor Show, Horse and Dogs Show and the Desert Charity Ball all trace their beginnings at the hotel.

Throughout the years a host of VIPs and celebrities visited and stayed at the hotel, including US President George Bush, Britain's Princess Anne, Jordanian Prime Minister Abdulsalam Al Majali Hollywood, the former Pakistan's cricket captain Imran Khan, Hollywood stars Jean Claude van Damme and Omar Sharif, US singer La Toya Jackson, Egyptian actor Adel Iman, Lebanese diva Samira Tawfik and many others.

But you do not have to be a VIP to receive VIP treatment at the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai, its general manager claims. "This is a hotel where guests are remembered," he says, "which is why they keep on coming back here."

The hotel's warm country-house atmosphere also has to do with its popularity. "This hotel has aged gracefully and visitors appreciate it," Janes explains.

The Metropolitan Hotel Dubai may not be as dramatic as some of Dubai's newest hotel developments, but this is exactly where its appeal lies, Janes claims. While some would prefer the buzz of the city's latest hotels, others would rather experience the warm, homely atmosphere that only a well-established property can provide, he says.

Strategically located near Media City and Internet City, the World Trade Centre and other major exhibition and conference facilities, the hotel caters to the corporate business traveller. A mere 10-minute drive away from the Dubai International Airport, the property also offers easy access to what has now become known as 'new Dubai' with its upcoming residential districts. In addition, projects like Burj Dubai - the world's tallest building, part of the Dubai International Financial Centre, are currently being built in proximity to the hotel.

Conferences and incentives organisers can rely on four meeting rooms for up to 100 delegates and can enjoy special delegate rates, secretarial services and the latest audio-visual equipment.

With its tranquil landscaped gardens, the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai also attracts a considerable number of leisure travelers looking to explore Dubai's vibrant shopping facilities and exciting nightlife.

The hotel's guests are mainly from Europe and the Gulf region. A key corporate client for the property is Czech Air, who has been using it to house their personnel flying to Dubai since 1996.

A recent refurbishment has brought all modern comforts to the hotel's 205 elegant rooms and suites. All the hotel's profits have been reinvested in the renovation works in an effort to meet the demands of even the most discerning travelers.

Diners have a choice of 14 outlets featuring a variety of cuisines. The hotel's outlets include Venezia and Don Corleone, both specialising in Italian dishes; Miwako, serving delicious sushi or sashimi; the Fish Bazaar, which tempts the Thai seafood lovers. For the finest in the Chinese cuisine, there is the Summer Place. Al Safa is open 24/7, serving international buffet and a la carte menu. For those who want to dine in privacy of their rooms, they can rely on round-the-clock Room Service. There is also the original English pub - the Red Lion. Guests can dance the night away with our live entertainment at the Rattle Snake and listen to the best of Arabic rhythms at the Al Tarboush nightclub. One can enjoy afternoon tea as well as relax to the soothing tunes of our in-house pianist at the Oak Lounge. While sunbathing, thirst-quenching refreshments are served in the Pool Bar and if you are looking for a convenient way of checking those e-mails from home, the Matrix Internet Café is just at the hotel's Atrium.

The hotel boasts a swimming pool and a state-of-the-art gymnasium, while guests also enjoy complimentary transfers and access to the Metropolitan Beach Resort & Towers, where a wide variety of water sports and outdoor pursuits are available. One of the latest additions to the hotel is the Metroplex Cinema Complex where visitors can enjoy a wide selection of movies at eight different cinema halls.

Guests in search of relaxation and pampering should go no further than the hotel's Ayurvedic centre where the 4,000-years-old healing practice can be enjoyed. The centre offers a variety of treatments specially designed to rejuvenate, distress and detoxify the body. Among the wide array of treatments on offer is Tharpanam, which is designed to alleviate and cure eye diseases and strengthen eyesight. Sirovasthy is a warm oil scalp and body massage, which is believed to fight off memory aliments, sleep disturbances and headaches, while Udvarthanam uses special herbal powders designed to deplete fat tissues and improve muscle tone.

While ensuring the hotel meets the highest standards in comfort is a key priority for Janes, another equally important task is making sure guests receive service that is friendly and efficient. "We classify every member of staff as a sales person," Janes explains.

Promotion from within is another key principle at the hotel. Eight out of the 471 employees working at the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai have been at the hotel ever since it opened. Janes joined the property back in 1982 as an executive chef and then became food & beverage manager. He left the hotel in 1989 only to come back ten years later.

Janes does not seem to mind the hasty pace of his job. "The hotel is my life; I love it when it is busy and running at full capacity," he says.

One of the reasons why he enjoys his job so much is that no two days are ever the same. Making sure the hotel runs smoothly is no easy task if one takes into account the enormous scale of everything. The hotel premises house around 2,000 people, including hotel guests, employees and those living in the adjacent Habtoor residence. The hotel consumes 15,096,966 imp gals of water and 19,612 imp gals of fuel oil per year, while some five tones of laundry are washed there daily.

A lot has changed since the times when the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai was the only hotel in the area besides the World Trade Centre Hotel. The hotel has upgraded its facilities and service, while Metropolitan Hotels International has expanded its portfolio to include six other properties in Dubai, Lebanon and the UK.

A tower of elegance and luxury, the Metropolitan Palace Hotel on Al Maktoum Road presents a new standard of excellence in Arabian hospitality. Located in the heart of Dubai's business district, just minutes by car from Dubai international Airport, this exquisite property is equally appealing to corporate and leisure guests, as well as to visitors from the rest of the GCC region.

The Metropolitan Beach Resort & Towers - a distinctive building on Jumeirah beach is inspired by the architecture of Andalucian Spain. This high-end property features an Olympic-size swimming pool, children's pool, three floodlit tennis courts, two glass-backed squash courts, as well as state-of-the-art gymnasium. A range of outdoor pursuits available to guests includes water skiing, jet skiing, and wind surfing.

To compliment the existing unique property, the Al Habtoor Group has just announced another multi-million dirhams development at the Jumeirah Beach, which further underlines the company's commitment to the city's booming tourism industry. The new project is a 342 units five star hotel, consisting of two towers, an 18-storey tower of 87.5 m height and a 24-storey tower-of 108.5 m height. The two towers are rising from a 2-storey podium and three levels of underground parking, providing parking for 282 cars. The hotel will host several international and theme restaurants. A new state of the art Banquet hall (1350 m2) would be the perfect venue for future official international events and conventions, exclusive weddings and exhibitions.

The new development brings the total room capacity of the Metropolitan Beach Resort & Towers to 446.

Situated in the heart of Dubai, near the main business districts and major shopping centres, the Metropolitan Deira Hotel is a great value for money option.

A true Beirut landmark, the 183-room Metropolitan Palace Hotel - Beirut is a second home for GCC visitors to the Levant. Situated at a walking distance from the exhibition centers of the Beirut Hall and just 10 minutes drive from the airport, the hotel is also a popular choice among business travelers.

The Metropolitan City Centre Beirut, currently under construction, is a comprehensive complex of 115 thousand square metres, and represents a $150 million investment. At a height of 110 metres, the Metropolitan City Centre will be the tallest building on the Beirut skyline and will further enhance the Sin El Fil area. The majestic tower will house hotel rooms and suites. The fifth to 15th floor will include 110 large luxuriously appointed guest rooms and 22 Ambassador suites of 77 m2 each. Floors 16 to 24 have been allocated for 18 stylish apartment suites covering 420m2, each one to include a dining room, kitchen, four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and maid's quarters. Capping it off will be two penthouse suites of 850 m2 each to be located on the 25th and 26th floor. A connection bridge will link the new complex with the Metropolitan Palace Hotel. The combination of exclusive hotel and spa, shopping mall, 3,000 sq. metres of conference and banquet space with state of the art conference facilities and service excellence will make the Metropolitan City Centre the perfect venue for future summits, official international events and conventions, exclusive weddings and exhibitions.

One of the most innovating new development in Lebanon as well,is the delightful Metropolitan Theme Park at Harat El Sit, which is set to become a massive boost to the tourist industry.

Located near the village of Bray-on-Thames, a mile downstream from Maidenhead, close to both Royal Windsor and London, the Monkey Island Hotel has preserved its olt times charm. Its unique name was thought to have originated from the frescoes of monkeys in the Pavilion, created by a French artist in the early 18th Century, for the owner at that time. Popular opinion, however, has it that the name derives from the earliest title of the island, 'Monk Eyot,' suggesting that monks used the island centuries ago.

As part of efforts to enlarge the Metropolitan chain, Al Habtoor Group has signed a contract with Dubai Palm Developers for a plot of 500,000 sq feet to build a new hotel property of Dhs. 250 millions. The new hotel will be based on 'The Crescent'.

Janes, however, is optimistic. "Dubai is rapidly becoming a all-year-round destination and it is rather the case that supply is not keeping up with demand," he says and this will ensure that the Metropolitan Hotel will keep on re-inventing itself for years to come.