Four Seasons Hotel Amman announces the success of the first female Jordanian food and beverage manager in the Hotel since the opening almost ten years ago: Roa'a Khreis, who is now the Manager of Asia restaurant.
South African Lourens, a well rounded and greatly experienced hotelier, joined the team at the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel and Towers bringing with him an extensive pool of experiences from implementing new food and beverage concepts to building strategic alliances with various key figures and corporations in the hospitality industry around the world. Throughout his career, Lourens attended many international courses with strong focus on hotel management, leadership skills and marketing. His most recent posts include; Group Operations Manager at the Port Elizabeth Hotel Group and Resident Manager at the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel.
This luxurious hotel will be situated next to the Fifth Circle in the heart of Amman, less than 30 minutes from the airport, adjacent to the Embassy District, the new Royal Jordanian headquarters, the Abdali Development and its growing commercial enterprises as well as the desirable residential community of Abdoun.
The variety of food and wine offered will satisfy both local and international guests and will consist of Italian specialties, a wine bar which opens onto a terrace leading directly to the pool. An all day restaurant and a Shisha bar are also available. A health & sports center will complement the additional services that will be offered by the hotel.
Four Seasons Hotel Amman is proud to announce Mohammad Barakat as the new Director of Sales and Marketing. Barakat first joined the family of Four Seasons in 2002 as Sales Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre, and was promoted to Director of Sales in 2006. His passion for working in the Arabian gulf region moved Barakat to Dubai, where he became Director of Sales for The Address in 2009 and Armani Hotel in 2010.
Hilton Worldwide today announced the debut of its first hotel in Jordan with the opening of the first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in the Middle East. Overlooking the Red Sea, the DoubleTree by Hilton Aqaba is located in the central business district of Jordan’s southernmost and only coastal city, within walking distance of popular seashore attractions and all major shopping areas. The newly built, 173-room hotel has been designed to welcome guests with contemporary style, an array of upscale amenities and warm Arabian hospitality.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announces plans to debut the first St Regis hotel in Jordan, furthering St. Regis' robust global expansion and mission to introduce properties in the world's most dynamic and exciting markets. Owned by Al Maabar Abdoun Real Estate Development Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Al Maabar International Investments Abu Dhabi, The St. Regis Amman and The Residences at St. Regis Amman will become a landmark in the city's affluent Abdoun district. Scheduled to open in 2014, the new St. Regis Amman will provide guests flawless service delivered by the brand's legendary butler service, elegant modern decor and an array of luxurious amenities which will set the standard for luxury in the region.
Beaury began his journey with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in 2003, joining the pre-opening and opening team at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica in the role of Food and Beverage Director. In 2005, he occupied a similar position at the company’s hometown property in Toronto, Canada followed by Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, prior to moving to Four Seasons Hotel Amman. Born in France, Beaury completed his secondary education at the Institution des Chartreux in Lyon, before continuing to obtain several management and hospitality certifications including INCAE, H.C.S, B.T.H and C.A.P. His international career path has allowed him the opportunity to be perfectly multilingual, being fluent in his native French, as well as English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Hilton Worldwide has commenced management of Jordan's Dead Sea King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, one of the largest convention centre's in the Middle East region. The reflagged convention centre will now operate under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand. With almost 5,000 square meters of meeting space and 23,000 square meters of build-up area spread over 25 conference and meeting rooms and three floors, King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre is one of the largest in the region.
Hilton Worldwide has signed a Management Agreement with Dead Sea Resorts PSC for the new-build Hilton Dead Sea Resort & Spa in Jordan, scheduled to open in Q4 2013, as well as the existing King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre.
In his previous role as Area Vice President, Nihad played a major role in strengthening relationships with current and prospective owners in the Middle East and Africa which has been critical to support Marriott’s growth in the region. Nihad joined Marriott in San Antonio, Texas in the early eighties and has worked for Marriott for over 26 years. Nihad progressed with the company in various roles increasing responsibility in operations. He held operational roles in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and at a number of Marriott Hotels in the United States including Austin, Tulsa, and La Jolla before assuming the role of opening Front Office Manager in San Antonia River Center’s 1000 room hotel. Nihad then assumed the same position in the opening of the Puerto Vallarta Marriott in Mexico. Nihad was then promoted to Resident Manager of the Cancun Marriott in Mexico before assuming the role of General Manager in 1993 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington DC. Nihad became opening General Manager of the San Salvador Marriott in 1999 and was promoted to the opening General Manager of the JW Marriott Caracas, Venezuela in 2001. In 2004 he became General Manager of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott & Resort, Hawaii, a position he held before assuming his role of Area Vice President – Middle East and Africa. During his distinguished career, Nihad has been recognized as General Manager of the Year. He has additionally received numerous General Manager Leadership awards for his results in opening new hotels, sales leadership and Owner relations.
This market snapshot is the seventh in a series of articles that HVS produces on a series of key markets combining the market expertise of HVS with STR Global data. Our analysis for this market is based on a sample of more than 3,500 rooms.
In Mr. van der Heijden’s position of Executive Assistant Manager at Le Meridien Amman, he will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the hotel with its 430 rooms and suites, supporting the F&B division with its seven international outlets, and guaranteeing adhering to Starwood’s international regulations and policies. “I am looking forward to assisting the General Manager, Mr. Tarek Derbas, in managing this hotel in the most efficient and effective manner. Realizing a cultured and memorable experience stemming from the pleasure of staying at le Meridien Amman is our primary objective”, said Mr. van der Heijden. Mr. van der Heijden has completed his hotel business degree from the Hotel Business School (SVH) - Netherlands, and held many positions, lastly the Food and Beverage Director at Sheraton Hotel, Jeddah.
Marriott International, Inc. will open its first luxury JW Marriott hotel and fourth branded hotel in Jordan in 2013 in Aqaba under a recently-concluded agreement with Beaches for Hotels & Spas P.S.C., an affiliate of long-time Jordanian partner, Arab International Hotels Co., led by Chairman of the Board Nadim Muasher.
An American citizen, Meg joined Marriott in 1997 as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing in Nazareth, Israel, where she was responsible for the Marriott & Renaissance Hotels in the city. From there Meg went onto Prague in the Czech Republic in 2000 as Cluster Director of Sales & Marketing for the Marriott, Renaissance & Marriott Executive Apartment Hotels where she was successful in establishing the hotels as the market leaders in their respective competitive sets. From Prague Meg went on to become Area Director Sales & Marketing Europe in the Continental Europe Region, where she was responsible for 44 hotels in 26 counties. In 2004, Meg left Europe and travelled eastwards where she took over as Director of Marketing in Thailand with a team of 65 overseeing and selling the four Marriott branded hotels in the country. In 2007 Meg left Thailand and became Regional Area Director Sales & Marketing for the Caribbean & South America, a position she has held until recently. Meg’s hotel career began with Hilton in 1982 and throughout her career has been recognized and received numerous accolades and awards; including Sales & Catering Team of the Year in 2000, Best Marketing campaign in 2005 while in Thailand and also the International Global Cluster Sales & Marketing Leader award in 2006.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announced the opening of its second Holiday Inn property in Jordan and its first on the world famous Dead Sea. The Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea offers visitors to what is widely described as a natural wonder of the world the reliability, friendly service and modern facilities for which the Holiday Inn brand is known globally, not to mention its commitment to excellent value.
Six Senses' Hub, Bangkok: Renowned for developing and operating resorts in inspirational settings, Six Senses is once more preparing to launch just such a property. Evason Ma'In Hot Springs & Six Senses Spa brings the eco-sensitivity of the group to an extraordinary and rugged location in Jordan, just minutes from the Dead Sea and a one-hour drive west of the capital of Amman. Sitting in a rocky ravine 264 metres below sea level, the resort features hot mineral spring waterfalls, which legend has that Herod the Great bathed in the waters. The therapudic benefits of the hot springs has continued to lure visitors over the centuries.