Dubai's St Regis is now called Habtoor Palace

The St Regis Dubai, in Habtoor City on Sheikh Zayed Road, has been renamed Habtoor Palace.

Pictures circulating on social media show the new signage on the former St Regis, and also highlight the absence of the large 'W' sign on what used to be the W Dubai Habtoor City.

The move comes after US hospitality major Marriott International, the largest international hotel operator in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), handed over its operations to Al Habtoor Group properties, the company announced on July 9.

On July 31, the Al Habtoor Group said, the management of the St Regis Dubai, W Dubai Habtoor City and The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City will be transferred to the owning company.

“We maintain a strong and friendly relationship with Marriott International,” said the chairman of Al Habtoor Group, Khalaf Al Habtoor.

“This decision marks the start of a new era for Habtoor Hospitality as we focus more on strengthening our own brands and expanding our hotel-management portfolio.”

But the move from the brand seems to have come early with the hotel clearly displaying its new name Habtoor Palace.

The National