A 400-key Copthorne hotel with branded residences in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, a 285-key Grand Millennium on Georgia’s Black Sea coast and Olivier Badard as CEO of Millennium Middle East & Africa
Dubai, UAE: Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA today named two of the developments behind its 29-project pipeline and announced Olivier Badard as CEO of Millennium Middle East & Africa, setting out a next phase built on delivery rather than on further announcements.
The pipeline, announced earlier this month, spans Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, Iraq, Georgia and Oman. The two projects named today show the two directions the group is growing in:
mixed-use developments that pair hotels with branded residences, and destination-led hotels in emerging tourism markets.
“Our regional strategy is moving firmly into its next phase,” said Ali Lakhraim, President of Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA.
“We have established a strong development pipeline, and our focus is increasingly on execution and bringing forward the right projects with partners who share our long-term vision for hospitality and real estate across the region. “Egypt and Georgia represent different but compelling growth opportunities for Millennium.
They demonstrate the breadth of our strategy, from mixed-use hospitality and residential developments to destination-led hotels in growing tourism markets.”
Egypt: hotel and branded residences in one operation
Copthorne Hotel & Residences is being developed by Dominar Development in R8 District, M4 of Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, with a planned opening in 2029.
The development pairs a 400-key Copthorne hotel with approximately 1,600 branded residence units. Residences will have the option to join a rental pool programme managed with the hotel, so the two components operate together rather than side by side. Hotel facilities include four meeting rooms, four food and beverage outlets, two gyms, a spa, a ladies’ salon and nail spa, a swimming pool and parking.
Georgia: the Grand Millennium brand enters a new market
Grand Millennium Georgia is being developed in Kobuleti, on the Black Sea coast, by KBK, a subsidiary of Cristal Building, with a scheduled opening in 2028. The hotel comprises 285 keys with a minimum room size of approximately 35 sqm. Facilities include five meeting rooms and a ballroom, three food and beverage outlets, a club lounge and beach bars, a gym and spa, a ladies’ salon and nail spa, a swimming pool and parking. It is the first Grand Millennium property in Georgia.
Leadership for the delivery phase
Olivier Badard joins as CEO of Millennium Hotels & Resorts Middle East and Africa with a focus on operational performance, commercial delivery, guest experience and long-term value across the portfolio.
“Olivier joins Millennium at an important stage in our regional growth, ” said Lakhraim.
“His extensive experience leading and transforming international businesses across multiple markets will be a valuable addition as we move from building our pipeline to delivering the next phase of our strategy.”We look forward to working closely with him as we continue to strengthen the business, execute our growth plans and create long-term value for our owners, partners and guests across the region. ”
“This is an important moment for Millennium in the region, ” said Badard.
“We have an established operating platform, a proud heritage and significant opportunity ahead of us, in markets going through a real tourism and hospitality transformation.
“What turns that opportunity into results is our people. We have committed teams across the region, and my priority is to support them, bring them together around a clear direction and create the conditions for them to perform. On that foundation we deliver strong execution, commercial discipline and distinctive brands. ”
Growing beyond the traditional hotel model
The residential component in Egypt reflects the convergence of hospitality, branded residences and real estate, and it lets Millennium work with owners and developers across a wider range of asset types than hotel operations alone.
“Our opportunity across MEA extends beyond adding hotels, ” Lakhraim concluded.
“We are building a more diversified portfolio that allows us to respond to different markets, destinations, owners and customers while remaining disciplined in how we grow.
“Arabian Travel Market provides an important platform to engage with investors, developers and partners as we explore the next generation of opportunities for Millennium across the region. ”
Millennium Hotels and Resorts is at Arabian Travel Market 2026 from 14 to 17 September, Dubai World Trade Centre, Exhibition Hall 3, Stand HC3010.Media contact
Vinicius Gonçalves e Souza, Group Brand Office for Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA
About Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East & Africa:
Millennium Hotels & Resorts Middle East & Africa is the regional division of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, an international hospitality group present in key destinations worldwide. The regional portfolio spans The Biltmore, Grand Millennium, Millennium, Studio M, M Hotel, Copthorne and Kingsgate, across major business, leisure and religious tourism destinations.
With its regional headquarters in Dubai, Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA continues to strengthen its presence through new openings, strategic partnerships and development opportunities.
