Mercure Hotels’ commitment to delivering genuine, locally inspired hospitality worldwide has proved to be a winning formula, enabling the brand to celebrate one successful opening after another. The monumental milestone was marked at Mercure Dubai Deira, where the flagship hotel unveiled the brand’s innovative 1,000-Hours of Local Flavours.
Guests ranging from hospitality VIPs to journalists and influencers gathered together on October 30th at the Mercure Dubai Deira to mark the milestone that took the brand’s portfolio to an impressive total of 1,000 addresses.
Mercure Hotels, part of Accor, the leading hospitality Group, marked the monumental milestone with several activities throughout the day, culminating in a lavish dinner for invitees which spotlighted both the 1,000-landmark theme and the brand’s focus on utilizing local produce in its F&B offerings.
1,000-Hours of Local Flavours (42 Days)
The diverse menu featured several dishes that are available to guests at select Mercure hotels for a limited time as part of a celebratory gastronomic initiative titled ‘1,000-Hours of Local Flavours.’ Featuring a combination of inspired drinks, together with a wealth of appetizing savory and sweet delicacies, the initiative was launched on November 1 and runs until December 11, which equates to 42 days, or 1,000 hours.
Commenting on the creative gastronomic campaign, Paul Stevens, chief operating officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Middle East, Africa and Türkiye
at Accor, said: “The unique culinary experience shines a light on local food and beverages, reaffirming Mercure’s dedication to discovering and sharing the authentic tastes of each destination, with unique dishes and beverages available for a limited 1,000-hour period.”
Guests were treated to a vibrant showcase of local cuisine on the celebration menu, created on a ‘Discover Local Elements’ theme. The menu consisted of several dishes and beverages that had been carefully curated in collaboration with local producers and suppliers, including Fresh on Table.
Beverages available included an Agarwood Fashioned, a fragrant cocktail infused with homemade date syrup, spice bitters and a garnish of locally sourced dehydrated pomegranate, enhanced by oud wood chips from Coral Perfumes. Another option was Project ChaiWala’s Masala Carat Tea, made with locally sourced spices and milk, garnished with 24-karat gold leaf.
Carefully curated cuisine
For the food, the chefs embraced both traditional cooking methods and local produce by presenting guests with a rack of lamb, sourced locally within the UAE, infused with cinnamon and cooked until tender in a clay pot. Another savory highlight of the meal was a desert salad, which included leaves from the ghaf tree, a national symbol in the UAE representing prosperity, peace and longevity. Pistachio chocolate, a current on-trend combination in kitchens worldwide, was a key ingredient in the dessert, adding a mouthwatering twist to a delightful traditional honey cake that invitees got to sample.
Stevens explained that the carefully curated menu formed part of Mercure Hotels’ commitment to providing visitors with a warm welcome inspired by local customs and cuisine.
“Mercure ensures guests are immersed in locally inspired atmospheres with our recognized high standards of hospitality,” he said. “These dishes and their ingredients are a reflection of our commitment to giving back to the community and to showcasing Dubai’s rich diversity and culture. We are so excited to be welcoming guests to this gathering tonight at Mercure Deira on the occasion of the 1000th Mercure opening.”
Earlier in the day, guests were treated to several activities that celebrated Dubai’s rich, diverse heritage and culture, and also dovetailed with Mercure Hotels’ philosophy of encouraging travelers to ‘explore the world and feel local everywhere.’
A warm welcome
These included a delightful ride around Dubai Creek in an abra, a traditional ferry boat whose name means ‘to cross’ in Arabic, a traditional weaving workshop and visits to the Gold Souk and Spice Souk. Gastronomy was also on the schedule in the form of an in-house cooking class, where guests had the opportunity to make delicious traditional Arabic ‘luqaimat’ (sweet dumplings) and enjoy a lunch where the topical issue of sustainability was on the menu.
Firmly established as a mid-scale brand, Mercure Hotels opened its first property in 1973 and today, following the opening of Mercure Dubai Deira, is proud to be welcoming guests at 1,000 properties across 65 countries.
“Reaching 1,000 addresses is not just a milestone, it’s a testament of Mercure’s dedication to delivering authentic, locally inspired hospitality across the globe,” Stevens added. “The ‘1,000-Hours of Local Flavours’ embodies a dedication to cultural immersion and community connection, offering guests a unique and memorable culinary journey that celebrates the heart and soul of each destination.”
Mercure hotels are known for providing a welcome portal to destinations, offering a warm invitation to discover and explore local surroundings. The network takes pride in delivering high-quality standards infused with a deep sense of locality. Every detail, from the decorative arts to the curated local food and beverage delights, reflects the unique essence of each location. With the largest development pipeline in Accor’s portfolio, Mercure is set to welcome guests to more than 200 new hotels by 2028, continuing its mission to make travelers feel local everywhere.
