Hotels

KSA THROUGH THE EYES OF HOTELIER HANS SCHILLER

Hans Schiller, GM of Hilton Riyadh and Residences, believes that passion and attitude are core factors in success. Here, the accomplished hotelier discusses the Saudi market.

What are your thoughts when reflecting on your 26 years of experience in hospitality across the Middle East and Africa?

Working in the hospitality field has always been something that I enjoy and I am passionate about. But working in this industry in Europe, Africa and Middle East has been very enlightening and exciting for me. I learned about several different cultures, which I embraced with enthusiasm.

What challenges are you facing in your role as Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences general manager?

Being transparent with the team throughout the pandemic was key for everyone to feel safe. In addition, we activated the blue energy committee to conduct many team-building activities that were appropriate with the pandemic restrictions. These activities definitely excited and motivated the employees. How do you see KSA evolving as a tourism hub?

Hilton is opening many hotels in Saudi Arabia in the years ahead, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for tourism in Saudi Arabia. Amaala, Red Sea projects, Riyadh and Jeddah season are just a few of the kingdom’s efforts to diversify the economy by promoting tourism. hilton.com

Read the full interview on hospitalitynewsmag.com

ENVI LODGES PARTNERS WITH BEYOND GREEN

ENVI Lodges has signed a partnership agreement with Beyond Green, a global portfolio of hotels, lodges and resorts representing sustainable tourism leadership. Beyond Green is owned by Preferred Hotel Group, an international leader in the hospitality industry that provides high-performance sales, marketing and technology solutions to independent hotels and resorts. As part of the partnership with Beyond Green, ENVI will also benefit from I Prefer, Preferred Hotel Group’s loyalty rewards program, allowing guests to earn and redeem points in more than 650 hotels and resorts across 80 countries. ENVI Lodges launched in September 2021 as the GCC’s first luxury eco-lodge brand and management company. ENVI shares Beyond Green’s core values — nature, culture and community — from its design to its operating philosophy. Upon the completion of a required onsite inspection, every ENVI lodge will benefit from Beyond Green’s global distribution system, worldwide call and sales centers, booking engine, connectivity to OTAs, and 200 luxury travel advisor partners. envilodges.com

Read the full interview on hospitalitynewsmag.com

IN BRIEF

Radisson Hotel Group doubles its presence in Makkah, adding nearly 1,000 keys Radisson Hotel Group announced the signing of three hotels within the Thakher Makkah megaproject, an urban development in the city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The new signings will add a total of 992 rooms and apartments, doubling the group’s portfolio in Makkah, a key target growth market in Saudi Arabia. radissonhotelgroup.com

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts to debut in Morocco, Oman and Qatar Solidifying St. Regis Hotels & Resorts’ position as a leader in luxury, the brand expects to expand its existing portfolio of 15 curated resorts, with plans to debut 11 new escapes by 2025 in some of the world’s most coveted leisure destinations, including the Caribbean, North America, North Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. St. Regis has 49 open hotels and resorts today, with 29 hotels and resorts in its pipeline, representing expected growth of nearly 60 percent over the next five years in both urban and leisure destinations.

In the Middle East, the brand plans to grow its presence in Qatar with the expected early 2022 opening of The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl, which features architecture influenced by the distinct Andalusian and Arabesque style and offers views of the Arabian Gulf. The brand also anticipates celebrating its entry into Oman in 2024 with The St. Regis Al Mouj Resort in Muscat. Additionally, St. Regis is expected to open a property in Africa, with the debut of the St. Regis Marrakech Resort slated for 2025. marriott.com

Dur Hospitality launches Nur by Makarem, a three-star hotel brand Seeking to redefine affordable hospitality in Saudi through home-grown brands, Dur Hospitality unveiled Nur by Makarem, its new three-star hotel brand during its participation at the World Travel Market London as part of the Saudi Tourism Authority’s pavilion. Nur by Makarem will convert, operate and manage three-star hotels in Makkah and Madinah, providing hotel owners with the opportunity of having their facilities rebranded to correspond with the “Nur” standard, fully transforming the facility and services in record time. Nur’s viable business model will contribute to the sustainability of the three-star hotels sector while ensuring its adherence to international standards. dur.sa

EGYPT

HYATT REGENCY CAIRO WEST OFFICIALLY OPENS ITS DOORS Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced the opening of Hyatt Regency Cairo West. The 250-room hotel marks Hyatt’s return to Cairo and strengthens its growing footprint in North Africa. Hyatt Regency Cairo West is located within the well-established Pyramid Heights Business Park. hyatt.com

QATAR

STEIGENBERGER HOTELS AND RESORTS TO DEBUT IN DOHA Deutsche Hospitality launched its first Steigenberger Hotel in Doha. The hotel held a soft launch in September and welcomed guests officially in fall 2021. The hotel features 206 guest rooms, including 28 suites and a Royal suite. steigenberger.com

UAE

WORLD’S FIRST WARNER BROS. THEMED HOTEL IS NOW OPEN ON YAS ISLAND Abu Dhabi-based Miral, in collaboration with Warner Bros., announced the opening of The WB™ Abu Dhabi. Located on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, it is the first-ever Warner Bros. themed hotel and part of Curio Collection by Hilton. Furnishings, with nods to Warner Bros.’ legacy of rich storytelling, make up each of the hotel’s 257 rooms. miral.ae

KSA

THE HOUSE HOTEL JEDDAH CITYYARD, A LIFESTYLE DESTINATION, OPENS The House Hotel Jeddah CityYard, part of Jeddah’s first lifestyle destination City Yard, opened in the city’s trendy commercial hub – Al-Rawdah. The 114-room hotel is the focal point of the City Yard complex – Saudi Arabia’s first mixed-use lifestyle hub in the city’s upmarket district. The House Hotel is a Kerten Hospitality luxury boutique hotel brand. kertenhospitality.com

TURKEY

EMAAR HOSPITALITY GROUP’S ADDRESS HOTELS AND RESORTS DEBUTS IN TURKEY Emaar Hospitality Group’s luxury hotel segment Address Hotels and Resorts is welcoming guests at its first-ever property outside the UAE. The upscale development is part of Emaar Square, located on the Asian side of Istanbul. The hotel boasts 182 rooms, two dining outlets, an executive club lounge, a spa and much more. emaarhospitality.com ACCOR EXPANDS ITS FOOTPRINT IN SAUDI ARABIA BY LAUNCHING FIRST NOVOTEL IN MADINAH Accor is growing its portfolio in Saudi Arabia by partnering with Taiba Investments to launch the first Novotel Brand in the holy city of Madinah. The property includes 394 keys, three F&B outlets, as well meeting rooms and retail space. all.accor.com

UAE

STAYBRIDGE SUITES DUBAI FINANCIAL CENTRE INAUGURATED IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) and SRG Holding have opened the third Staybridge Suites hotel in Dubai. This 48-story tower is located opposite the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Each of the 360 studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites comes equipped with a fully fitted kitchen and living space. ihgplc.com

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UAE

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL TO OPEN W DUBAI – MINA SEYAHI Marriott International, Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement with wasl Hospitality & Leisure LLC, a subsidiary of wasl Asset Management Group, to bring the W Hotels Worldwide brand to Dubai’s sought-after Jumeirah Beach coastline. The 31-floor W Dubai – Mina Seyahi will feature 318 rooms. Anticipated plans include a new sunset destination experience by the pool overlooking the Mina Seyahi bay, as well as a signature outlet on the 31st floor, with views of Dubai’s world-famous Palm Jumeirah Island. Opening: 2022 whotels.com

KSA

SLS ANNOUNCES SLS RED SEA IN COLLABORATION WITH THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY SLS Hotels & Residences, in collaboration with The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), has announced the launch of the SLS Red Sea project. The project will create 150 hotel rooms, including 12 suites and 15 villas spanning more than 800,000 square feet of singlestory accommodation. Opening: Q1 2023 slshotels.com HYATT ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR GRAND HYATT THE RED SEA Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with The Red Sea Development Company for a 430room Grand Hyatt hotel on Shaura Island, the hub of the ambitious Red Sea Project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The luxury resort hotel will represent the largest of 11 hotels set to open on the island and will occupy a prime position within this innovative tourist development. Opening: end of 2023 hyatt.com

KSA

IHG HAS ANNOUNCED ITS 11TH PROPERTY IN RIYADH IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a management agreement with Al Aqeeq Real Estate Development Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Taiba Investments for Crowne Plaza Taiba Riyadh. The hotel’s 192 rooms and 110 serviced apartments will provide a holistic experience for transient and extended-stay guests alike. The hotel will also have a lobby lounge and an all-day dining and a café. Crowne Plaza Taiba Riyadh will also feature 200 square meters of meeting space, as well as fitness and recreational facilities. Opening: June 2025 ihg.com IHG TO OPEN INTERCONTINENTAL RESORT RED SEA IHG® Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a management agreement with The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), an affiliate of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), to open the InterContinental Resort Red Sea in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Situated within the premium Red Sea Development destination, the new InterContinental Resort is scheduled to open during phase one of The Red Sea Project’s development. Opening: End of 2023 ihg.com

QATAR

ROTANA CONTINUES ROBUST EXPANSION BY SIGNING PARTNERSHIP WITH BIN AL SHEIKH HOLDING IN QATAR Rotana announced the signing of a new project with Bin Al Sheikh Holding Group, a diversified Qatari business conglomerate. The project includes the management of the 400-key Arjaan Hotel Apartments by Rotana and 103 keys under The Residences by Rotana brand. The new project will add 503 rooms to Rotana’s existing 1,110 rooms in Qatar. Opening: 2022 rotana.com

GURNOOR BINDRA JOINS SHERATON MALL OF THE EMIRATES HOTEL AS GM Gurnoor Bindra has been appointed general manager of Sheraton Mall of the Emirates Hotel.

Prior to this, she held the post of hotel manager at Aloft Dubai Creek. Before Aloft, Bindra worked with Starwood — now part of Marriott — for five years.

While there, she was operations analyst for south Asia; specialist operations and regional operations manager in India. Bindra also worked for six months as a senior accountant for The Westin Gurgaon. TAMER FAROUK APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER AT HILTON BAHRAIN Tamer Farouk has been appointed general manager of Hilton Bahrain, which is expected to open in Q1 2022.

Farouk will lead the team in all aspects of hotel operations, from marketing and hotel administration to guest services and satisfaction.

He brings over 25 years of Hilton experience across Egypt and different GCC countries to the role. TWO NEW LEADERS JOIN GOLDEN TULIP HOTELS IN KSA Golden Tulip Riyadh Hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed Sherif Ezzat as its new general manager. Ezzat began his career with Intercontinental Hotels in Cairo before joining Millennium & Copthorne MEA in 2003, where he gained valuable experience in various roles with the group over a 14-year period.

Recently, Ezzat joined the Golden Tulip Riyadh for the preopening and opening period, participating in the design of a newly established Golden Tulip brand, with its upscale standards, and sourced the hotel furniture, fit-outs and operating equipment, to provide modern, fresh, yet simple services to maximize the hotel offering and profitability.

In another key appointment, Joseph El Ghazal has been handed the role of general manager of Golden Tulip Unaizah.

A hotelier with over 40 years’ experience in the hospitality sector, he is well versed in managing, renovating, rebranding and pre-opening hotel properties, and has been a hotel advisor for several private companies in KSA. He brings a solid record of accomplishments in generating profits and knowledge of overall hotel operations.

ENVI LODGES APPOINTS PAUL JORDAAN AS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS ENVI Lodges announced the appointment of South African hotelier Paul Jordaan as director of operations.

He brings with him an experience that very few in the industry can match: among his many achievements, Jordaan was the general manager of five Aman resorts in India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. He then went on to operate the Six Senses resorts in Vietnam and Oman. NIHAT YUCEL MADE GM OF FOUR SEASONS HOTEL ALEXANDRIA Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano has welcomed Nihat Yucel as its general manager. Yucel brings to the table 22 years of Four Seasons experience and a diverse career journey.

Yucel started working with Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul in 1999 in the food and beverage department. Then in 2007, he became the food and beverage. In 2010, he took one of his biggest career challenges when he switched to director. of rooms. After two years, he was promoted to hotel manager, Yucel took a position overseas at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles in 2014 in the capacity of resort manager. In 2016, he returned to Istanbul to be the hotel manager at both Four Seasons on the Bosphorus and at Sultanahmet. JAN KAISER APPOINTED GM OF INTERCONTINENTAL JORDAN InterContinental Jordan announced the appointment of Jan Kaiser as the hotel’s general manager, in a move that sees him take over from Carlos Malliaroudakis.

Kaiser's most recent appointment was with InterContinental Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he oversaw the pre-opening preparations of the hotel.

Kaiser boasts more than 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry spanning countries that include the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Thailand, India, China, France, Switzerland and Czech Republic with globally renowned and famous chains, including Movenpick and Shangri-La.