Step into the whimsical world of Mondrian Doha One of a kind Step into the whimsical world of Mondrian Doha In partnership with Mondrian Hotel Doha SEPTEMBER 2022 AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATIONFEEL T H E FL OW A bathroom like a day at the beach: The pure design and fine lines create a natural calming atmosphere. w w w .dur av i t .c o m SOLEIL BY S TARCK Design by Philippe Starck DME_Hotelier_Soleil_205x275.indd 108.08.22 12:36In this issue 3 September 2022 hoteliermiddleeast.com Features 18 We speak to Mondrian Doha about celebrating a successful ve years 22 Get to know 50 of the best hotel executive chefs in the region Mondrian Doha Six Senses Zighy Bay’s Sebastien Pinson THIS MONTHIn this issue hoteliermiddleeast.com September 2022 4 Regulars 06 Checking In 08 Trending News 10 Careers 16 In Conversation 40 Hospitality Suppliers 48 Checking Out 50 Secret Hotelier Checking in at The Palace Fujairah Cecilia Hage joins Hotel Indigo Checking out Aman New YorkThe word 5 September 2022 hoteliermiddleeast.com Yousra Zaki, Editor Hello, We at Hotelier Middle East love to celebrate the hospitality industry. Whether that’s by highlighting the people behind the scenes or delving into the inner workings of an often unheralded department, we understand there’s more to hotels, travel and tourism than the regular messaging put out by PR teams. This month, we sat down with Mondrian Doha’s general manager Mikel Ibrahim to find out more about the hotel’s boundary-pushing five years in business. It’s been quite a ride for Ibrahim and his team, with more thrills to come during the World Cup and beyond, I’m sure. You’ll also find the second annual Hotel Executive Chef Power List, in which we highlight 50 of the best chefs in the region in charge of operations accross hotel kitchens. Some familiar faces are there, as well as some new names to the Middle East. We’re also getting ready for the Hotelier Middle East Awards 2022, which take place on September 8. We’ll be celebrating even more talent on the night and hope to see many of you there to cheer everyone on. 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PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London & Mumbai ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Group Editor Paul Cliff ord Editorial Editor Yousra Zaki Tel: +971 4 444 3255 email: yousra.zaki@itp.com Deputy Editor Josh Corder Tel: +971 4 444 3358 email: josh.corder@itp.com Advertising Commercial Director Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 email: sally.whittam@itp.com Advertising Director Richard Mobbs Tel: +971 4 444 3592 email: richard.mobbs@itp.com Sales Manager Shrief Ali Tel: +971 4 444 3989 email: shrief.ali@itp.com International Sales Manager Amanda Stewart Tel: +44 7908 117 333 email: amanda.stewart@itp.com ITP Live General Manager Ahmad Bashour Art Senior Designer Analou Balbero Junior Designer Junemar Tulipas Designer Rita Ghantous Senior Photographer Adel Rashid Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Videographer Ajith Narendra Production & Distribution Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Balasubramanian Ponnan Circulation Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Marketing Director of Awards and Marketing Daniel Fewtrell Events & Marketing Manager Eleanor Ashton Events & Marketing Executive Kate Galaktionova ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davieshoteliermiddleeast.com September 2022 6 Palace Beach Resort Fujairah A celeb-favourite in Dubai’s Downtown, the Palace enters the Northern Emirates for the rst time by the beachfront. Rooms start at 344 sq ft for a deluxe city-view room, going all the way up to the two-bedroom, beach view royal suite at 1,173 sq ft. A modern rendition of Arabian heritage, the property has been designed with the golden hues of the desert and crisp blues of the Gulf of Oman. The resort itself sits along the coastline of the Gulf, where it naturally sweeps to a sprawling beach area by the Indian Ocean. There, guests will nd a private pool and beach. The Spa is due to open soon. It is described as a “relaxation retreat” that will follow Arabic traditions in its wellness offerings. The hotel also has its own kids club, kids pool, a tness centre and has acess to plenty local activities. DIVERSE DINING Not only does the Palace introduce a few form of hospitality to the emirate, it also aims to bring a new level to dining experiences in Fujairah. Food and CHECKING IN Emaar Hospitality Group’s Address Hotels and Resorts has launched the Palace Beach Resort Fujairah. Developed by Abu Dhabi-based private real estate development company Eagle Hills, the Palace Resort Fujairah is Emaar Hospitality Group’s second Palace property in the UAE. PALATIAL PROPORTIONS Located on the corniche of Fujairah, the resort features 167 rooms and suites set 7 September 2022 hoteliermiddleeast.com beverage-wise, there is Ewaan for Arabic and international dining, along with Al Bayt Lounge. REGIONAL EXPERTISE Born in the UAE, Emaar Hospitality Group is among the most experienced and knowledgeable hospitality companies when it comes to locally driven hotels. Having developed some of Dubai’s most iconic properties – including Palace Downtown, Address Downtown and others – the group has been spreading across the UAE. The new Palace complements the recently-opened Address property also in Fujairah. Each time Emaar opens a new hotel, it does so with the local community in mind, whether with its F&B activations, design, or how staff operate. hoteliermiddleeast.com September 2022 8 After coming under the management of Kerzner, the rm behind Atlantis and One&Only, Bab Al Shams Desert Resort will start taking bookings again from April 15, 2023. The luxe desert resort closed its doors on May 8 this year, undergoing an extensive renovation. When it reopens, Bab Al Shams will run under the new Rare Finds ag, Kerzner’s conversion brand for independent properties around the world. Refreshed dining experiences are planned to launch as well, including a modern Arabic restaurant, a rooftop lounge overlooking the desert and al fresco dining options across the property. There will also be a desert spa with couples’ rooms, Dubai’s Bab Al Shams to reopen in 2023 as the BBC Scotland HQ, The Museum of Modern Literature in Marbach, Germany and parts of the Lyon Con uence in France. Earlier this year, The Ned opened in New York City, the group’s second hotel in ve years. London’s The Ned to open in Doha this year a hammam, a plunge pool and its own central courtyard. Khansaheb Interiors will carry out the refurbishment at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, Dubai. The work takes in 105 guestrooms, 10 suites, reception, restaurants, bar/lounges, meeting rooms, various public areas and the courtyard. Khansaheb originally built the resort in 2004, extended it in 2006 and is continuing its association with the ve-star Arabian- style retreat with this project. TRENDING One of London’s most exclusive hotels – The Ned – will open in Doha this year. The Ned Doha will take over the city’s old Ministry of Interior building, bringing in the same design team as The Ned London, which transformed the former Midland Bank headquarters into the property. Scheduled to open before the end of 2022, The Ned Doha will be along the city’s Corniche. It is described as a hotel and member’s club, much like the lauded UK property and the New York iteration. It will house only 90 bedrooms, with numerous restaurants and bars, an events space, wellness facilities as well as a 30-metre outdoor pool. The Ministry of Interior building will be ‘re-interpreted’ by architects David Chipper eld, while the design will be carried out by the Soho House team. A master in brutalist architecture, Chipper eld has worked on projects such Trending 9 September 2022 hoteliermiddleeast.com Emaar Properties has reached an understanding with Dubai Holdings to fully acquire Dubai Creek Harbour, the development located along the historic Dubai Creek waterfront, for AED7.5 billion ($2.04 billion), to be paid equally in cash and shares of Emaar. Dubai Holding will become the second largest shareholder of Emaar after the transaction. The statement did not reveal any further financial details, including the number of shares Emaar is offering. Emaar’s biggest shareholder at the moment is the Investment Emaar acquires Dubai Creek Harbour for US$2bn Corporation of Dubai, which owns 24.07 percent, which is around 1.97 million shares, according to Reuters. Dubai Creek Harbour has views of Burj Khalifa and the Downtown area over the creek. It has 7.3 million sq m of residential space, 711,399 sq m of serviced apartments and 700,000 sqm of parks and open spaces. In the wider Emaar stable, Emaar Hospitality Group already operates Vida Creek Harbour in the area, opened in 2019. In addition, Emaar will open an Address property in the development as well. when the coffee completes the perfect stay. hwhwhenen ttthhehe cc fofo fefeee cocompmppllelettetesswhen the cofoffefeee cocommpletes thft t THE MOMENT At Franke, we’re not just in the business of selling coffee machines. We’re in the business of creating wonderful coffee experiences for our customers. It’s all about the moment. We can help you make t wonderful. 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