Boasting 22 years of industry experience and a wealth of knowledge, Ifcic has worked in various IHG properties spanning Europe and the Middle East. His previous assignments include managerial positions at InterContinental London, InterContinental Hotels Group Headquarters EMEA, InterContinental Abu Dhabi, Holiday Inn Downtown Kuwait, InterContinental Phoenicia Beirut and InterContinental Taba Heights Resort.
The Egyptian national started his hospitality career in 1996 when he joined Sheraton El Gezirah as GSA trainee.
Nicolas is a French national boasting 19 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, having worked across six different countries in three continents. He has a degree in hotel management from a hospitality school in Paris and a MBA from the University of Liverpool.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has appointed Klaus Niefer as the complex general manager for the Westin Bahrain City Centre and Le Meridien Bahrain City Centre, a property which the group took over operation of in July.
A 25-year veteran of Four Seasons, Pirkle is currently General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre. In April, Pirkle will make the transition from Riyadh to Bahrain to lead the pre-opening team as the Hotel prepares to open its doors in the last quarter of 2014. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay is part of the larger Bahrain Bay master planned development situated in Manama, the capital of Bahrain. The master plan project includes the creation of a new waterfront district known as "Bahrain Bay," designed to include mixed-use neighbourhoods of residential, commercial and retail.
Michael, a German national, has gained extensive experience in the hospitality industry since starting his career nearly 15 years ago. Michael began his career in 1999 with The Rezidor Hotel Group as a Sales Manager at Radisson SAS Hotels & Resort in Erfurt, Germany. He has since gone on to work in Switzerland, Amsterdam, Dubai and Oman. His most recent position was Director of Sales and Marketing at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa. Michael will remain in charge of Sales & Marketing in addition to his responsibilities as Executive Assistant Manager.
The Domain Hotels will launch its first hotel-club concept property in Bahrain, designed to offer a socially charged members club with the added benefit of hotel rooms. Located in Manamas Diplomatic District, the 36-storey, 129-key property promises to focus on sociability, entertainment and technology. Modernist and social, The Domains slogan Stay Work Play represents the blur between business and leisure in the guests lives. The emphasis on social spaces is highlighted by the quirky, reverse-mix of the hotel-clubs F&B facilities outweighing the room offer ing by 70/30. The concept is led by general manager Patrick de Groot, previously director of development for Dubais Jumeirah Group from 2004-2007, who was appointed by Bahraini entrepreneur and businessman Faisal Al Matrook to set up the groups hotel division. De Groot explained the project: Developing a club and hotel concept and hotel brand from scratch is quite an extraordinary opportunity. It was truly borne out of passion, of an amazing group of innovative hoteliers and a good dose of boredom with the products on the market. The boutique property houses 61 luxury suites and 68 rooms with a 360 degree view of both the old Manama city centre and the stunning coastal views of Bahrain Bay. The Domain interestingly sidesteps a traditional hotel lobby for a more innovative approach. The guest is greeted by a Domain Manager at the entrance lobby, and is then ushered directly to their room for check-in and introduction to their very own Domain Butler. People are at the heart of our concept, so the social element is so ingrained in everything we have created. We cannot wait for the doors to open. says Patrick de Groot. He goes on to describe The Domain Bahrain as a building just waiting for stories.The teams Domain Mangers and Butlers ensure every aspect of the quests stay is handled with grace and efficiency. Guests can even customize many aspects of their stay through a propriety app linked to the properties website called Master of your Domain, before and during their stay. This is a part of The Conversation; a social media platform that intends to foster a community by allowing Domain residents and members to speak to each other, share information and even customize their own Domain experience. The Domain Bahrain includes 375m of flexible meeting space and a total of nine restaurants and lounges, all aimed to be innovative destinations for food culture. Ranging from Txoko, a Basque sky lounge to Imari, the Japanese Restaurant showcasing a contemporary setting with visual synergies between Japan and Bahrain. The 34th Floor is a distinctive French restaurant that covers an entire floor, as does The Living Room where guests can treat the social space as their very own living room; enjoy food, relax, read or gaze over the City from the stunning views of the 16th floor. Within the Living room is Figs & Olives (a casual eatery), and The Cigar Lounge, which is decked out in warm woods, cozy leather chairs and a walk-in humidor where guests can enjoy a quality selection of cigar and vintage beverages. Yet another pioneering concept is Anthology; the worlds first dedicated social video lounge with live media presented by a DJ/JV, which brings online content into a playful, interactive setting that can also be used for corporate events or exclusive product launches or film premieres. The Domain is also home to Vie Spa and Vie Fitness. Spread over two floors, they offer cutting edge therapies and technologies designed to relax, rejuvenate or revitalize, including total body detox programs and pre (or post) cosmetic surgery therapies. With a team of international hoteliers behind the project, The Domain looks to expand on the traditional hospitality model by taking the groundbreaking hotel-club concept into vibrant cities around the world. The Domain Bahrain is a part of the Chic & Unique Hotels Group - a new business division of the Al Matrook Group of Companies headed by Bahraini entrepreneur and businessman Faisal Al Matrook. The companys strategic objective is to develop a portfolio of innovative and inspiring hospitality products in the Middle East, including hotels, beach clubs, spa and food & beverage outlets. Set to open at the beginning of Summer 2013, the hotel is currently conducting an online teaser campaign called #whythearch on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook as it gears up to opening.
Gulf Hotels Group has announced changes to the top management in two of its hotels. Ian McKie has been appointed general manager and area general manager of the Gulf Hotel, while the K Hotel will now be headed by Volker Mandlowsky.
headed by Volker Mandlowsky.
Australian national, Ned Capeleris, is the new hotel manager at the beachfront, 245-room Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa announced General Manager, Mark Neukomm. In his new capacity, Mr. Capeleris is responsible for all matters pertaining to hotel operations and will act in conjunction with the guidance team as a key support member for the luxury resort. Before his move to Bahrain, Ned Capeleris was holding the position as executive assistant manager rooms at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha where he played an instrumental role in ensuring the implementation of the rooms division basics and its standard operating procedures to further improve service standards and to enhance the guest experience.
Michael began his career in 1999 with The Rezidor Hotel Group as a Sales Manager at Radisson SAS Hotels & Resort in Erfurt, Germany. He has since gone on to work in Switzerland, Amsterdam, and Dubai.
The 50-story hotel tower is part of Bahrain Bay, a $2.5 billion development master planned by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The project is designed by renowned architect Yousif Daoud Al Sayegh and Associates who designed the Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman (Winner of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council's first Estidama Sustainability Award 2008.)
Panos, who is half Swiss half Greek, has an extensive background in the hospitality industry, having held various management positions at different international hotel chains around the world, over the last 20 years. He began his career in the hospitality industry in early 1990, with various internships, before quickly progressing through the ranks.