Khalid Saeed has returned to Dubai’s Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection as hotel manager. It is Saaed’s second stint as hotel manager for the five-star resort and his third time at the hotel since 2005.
Reprising the role of hotel manager, he will help lead day-to-day operations at the hotel. “I’m excited to be part of this young and energetic team and look forward to further elevate the guest experience at our amazing resort,” he said.
Khalid Saeed’s journey with Habtoor Hospitality
Saeed has worked at Habtoor Hospitality since 2002, starting as the night manager of the Metropolitan Hotel Dubai. He moved up to assistant front office manager in 2003.
In 2005, he joined Habtoor Grand Resort during its pre-opening as senior assistant front office manager. After two years, he moved on to Metropolitan Palace Hotel as front office manager, later joining Metropolitan Hotel Dubai, again as front office manager and then rooms division manager, before finally being made resident manager.
In 2012, he was made GM of Metropolitan Deira Hotel before rejoining Habtoor Grand Hotel in 2014. A year later it fell under the Marriott stable. After five years as hotel manager at Habtoor Grand Resort, he joined Al Habtoor Polo Resort as GM.
Karolina Paliszewska, general manager said: “We are extremely delighted to have Khalid on board with us, his strong operational background along with experience over the years will be instrumental towards the day to day operations.”
Meet the team at Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection
In July 2021, the hotel announced six appointments as part of a management team shake up. The appointments were spread across the commercial team, housekeeping, sales and communications, HR and guest services, along with a new GM at the time.
Read on to see them all.
Zhanar Bakhytova, guest services manager
Starting out as a lecturer in international communications in her home country of Karzakhstan, Zhanar Bakhytova made the move to hospitality in 2013. Bakhytova was a front office intern at Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort at the time, later moving to JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai as a front desk agent.
From there, she held positions at Marriott Al Jaddaf, Wyndham Dubai Marina and The Ritz-Carlton Astana before her new role. She now leads guest relations, concierge and OTS teams.
Nikhil Nair, senior marketing and communications manager
Joining from Sheraton Dubai Creek, Nikhil Nair stepped in as senior marketing and communications manager.
During his career, he has spearheaded the launch of restaurants including Hikina Dubai in Lapita Dubai Parks & Resorts and Purani Dilli Sheikh Zayed Road in Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road. He was also responsible for the launch of the Delta brand into the Middle East.
Speaking about his post, he said: “I am extremely excited to join this beautiful Marriott Resort in Jumeirah Beach and look forward to position it extensively in the domestic and international market.”
Donnabel Simbulan, HR manager
A Marriott stalwart and former recruitment officer for this very resort, Donnabel Simbulan has worked in human resources for almost two decades.
During the years in the UAE, she moved across the Marriott group, eventually being named complex human resources manager at the Al Habtoor City complex managing the V Hotel, the Hilton and the Habtoor Palace Hotel.
One of Simbulan’s key roles is to build a multi-cultural environment at the property, along with managing day to day operations across talent management, retention and training and development.
Alice Brown, executive housekeeper
Joining from the famous Atlantis resort on The Palm, Alice Brown boasts more than 15 years of experience and a treasure trove of housekeeping and sanitisation knowledge.
She got her start in the industry at the Fairmont Dubai as a housekeeping supervisor, later moving to Holiday Inn for two hotels in the emirate. Following, she spent almost nine years at Atlantis, first as a housekeeping operations manager and then as executive housekeeper.
Speaking about her move to Habtoor, she said: “I am excited to join this beautiful beachfront resort and together with the team I will focus on training the associates on further enhancing the cleanliness standards and ensuring that our guests experience an enjoyable and safe stay.”
Albert Meow, commercial director
Heading up the commercial division is Albert Meow, who joined from The Chedi Al Bait in Sharjah. Meow started his career with the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts where he travelled across Penang, Malaysia and Dubai. He later became director of sales at Banyan Tree group in Ras Al Khaimah.
Meow said: “I am excited to join the dynamic team at Habtoor group and Marriott and look forward to contribute towards expanding the presence of this beautiful resort in the local and international market.”
Karolina Paliszewska, general manager
Karolina Paliszewska’s 20-year career in hospitality has culminated with her first GM role.
The Polish national stepped into Warsaw Marriott hotel as the director of event management before the turn of the century. What followed were senior roles at JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel, London Marriott Hotel West India Quay, Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah Beach and Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City.