Horsten Ries

Dubai developer Nakheel is expanding its business portfolio with the creation of a new division called Nakheel Hospitality and Leisure, headed by seasoned hotelier Thorsten Ries.

The new division will oversee the development and operations of Nakheel’s hotels and clubs and focus on growing this portfolio.

Nakheel is building a 240-room hotel at Dragon Mart as part of its major expansion of the China-themed mall, a five-star, 40-storey hotel that will form part of the Nakheel Mall and Hotel complex on Palm Jumeirah, and an economy hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall. More hotels are believed to be in Nakheel’s project pipeline.

The developer also owns and operates a growing number of recreation and leisure clubs, including Jumeirah Islands Club, Jebel Ali Club and the Shoreline Beach Clubs on Palm Jumeirah.

Ries has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry and has worked in Europe, Asia and the Middle East with Kempinski before moving to Marriott, Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, among others.