This week there have been some massive hires with new general managers at Andaz Doha, Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha and Arabella Beach Hotel, a new hotel manager at Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa and two new directors at Towers Rotana, Dubai. Read on to meet them all.
Andaz Doha welcomes new general manager
Jafar Abu Baji has been appointed as general manager of Andaz Doha, which is set to open in 2024. This property in the city’s West Bay area will mark the debut of the luxury lifestyle brand in Qatar. Andaz Doha will feature 256 rooms, 32 suites, four Royal Suites and 56 residences, accompanied by three dining choices: The Salt Road, Mr. and Mrs. Hawker and Mumble Jungle. At the helm of Andaz Doha is Abu Baji, who comes in as GM on the back of an impressive career with Hyatt spanning almost two decades.
Towers Rotana, Dubai brings in two new directors
Towers Rotana, Dubai has brought in two new hires at director level. Chacko Varghese is director of materials, while Ahmed Amer is director of rooms. With a career spanning more than 25 years at Rotana, Chacko joined the group as a storekeeper in 1997. He has since honed his expertise through various roles, demonstrating unwavering dedication and proficiency in materials management. In his new role, Chacko will play a crucial part in overseeing essential facets of the hotel’s operations, including procurement, inventory management, and logistical functions.
Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa appoints new hotel manager
Vesselin Galov has been appointed as the new hotel manager at Al Wathba, A Luxury Collection Resort. With 18 years of experience and a distinguished track record in the hospitality industry, Galov has worked in luxury hotels across Europe and the Middle East and has been a member of Marriott International for seven years. In his most recent position, Galov served as the director of market strategy for both Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, and The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. In this role, he brought a robust vision and a proven ability to drive revenue growth and exceed sales targets.
Arabella Beach Hotel, Kuwait, Vignette Collection appoints new general manager
Rabih Al Atrash has been appointed as the general manager of Arabella Beach Hotel, Kuwait. The hotel is a Vignette Collection property, which is IHG Hotels & Resorts’ conversation brand. Al Atrash is leading the pre-opening preparations and managing the team to ensure a successful launch of the first Vignette Collection property in Kuwait during the first quarter of 2024. Al Atrash is a seasoned hotelier known for his expertise in team development, cost management, revenue enhancement, IHG says, as well as achieving exceptional guest satisfaction scores.
Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha appoints new general manager
Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha has appointed Malte Budde as general manager. He will be responsible for overseeing all crucial aspects of the hotel and spearheading the ongoing renovation, slated for completion by the end of Q4 2024.Bringing 15 years of leadership experience from prestigious positions in both luxury and upper-upscale properties within Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Budde has previously held key executive roles in renowned hotels in Germany and Zurich, Switzerland. His most recent position was as the general manager of Hyatt Regency Mainz.