Breaking Travel News Interview: Raja Zeidan, general manager, the St. Regis Downtown, Dubai | Focus

The Center East hospitality industry has welcomed the opening of the St. Regis Downtown, Dubai, the hottest in a extensive line of glittering homes to join the sector in current months.

As Dubai by itself bounces back from the Covid-19 pandemic, Breaking Travel News below speaks to Raja Zeidan, basic supervisor of the lodge, about the newest giving and what it provides to a aggressive sector.

Breaking Vacation News: Thank you for having the time to communicate to us Raja, how has the new house been received by your very first company as you open the doorways right here in Dubai?

Raja Zeidan: We are delighted to ultimately open up our doorways as the St. Regis and welcome attendees to the House of Astor.

Our attendees have already started out to arrive and love the changes, and we are, of class, taking pleasure in presenting the manufacturer-new interiors and signature St. Regis support philosophy.

The assets is wonderfully renovated, with extra to arrive in the following weeks with the addition of the to start with St. Regis Spa, showcasing six suites and bespoke treatment options together with Flotation Remedy, and in March, we will debut the exquisite Astor Ballroom with 564 sq. metres of place that opens up to views of the Dubai H2o Canal.

It is going to be a very exclusive place indeed.

BTN: The lodge was previously underneath the Renaissance flag, also from Marriott – what has adjusted now the asset has joined the St. Regis portfolio?

RZ: As the latest jewel in an beautiful world-wide portfolio, the St. Regis Downtown, Dubai showcases the celebrated traditions, rituals, and personalised support a distinguished guest has appear to hope from the original St. Regis in New York.

The resort brilliantly blends the brand’s storied heritage with the contemporary vibrancy of the Downtown place. 

At the St. Regis Downtown, Dubai friends can glance ahead to the signature St. Regis Butler Support supplying round-the-clock anticipatory provider, as perfectly as all the cherished St. Regis rituals such as Champagne sabering, afternoon tea, the Bloody Mary and Midnight Supper.

We have created some bespoke layout improvements to the lodge as perfectly the enhanced décor and present-day interiors have been accentuated with bespoke aspects including two placing glass chandeliers twisted as a grand staircase, stylish gold chains in the lobby that are motivated by the jewelry observed in Dubai’s Gold Souk and an elevated port cochere, entrance and lobby.

New eating additions consist of the St. Regis Bar, where guests can socialise and appreciate a fashionable consider on the Bloody Mary cocktail which was initially developed at the St. Regis New York’s King Cole Bar in 1934.

The bar also characteristics a mirrored mural on the ceiling, embellished by starry lights and is unquestionably stunning, especially at night when lit up.

The Library on the lobby stage has also been renovated and provides an exquisite area to appreciate our consider on the acclaimed St. Regis Afternoon Tea.

BTN: Exactly where does the house hope to attract friends from – which source markets will be vital? Do staycations, from regional company engage in a major part in your functions?

RZ: We hope to welcome a numerous selection of nationalities to the hotel, but we foresee that our vital feeder markets will be from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and then further afield Russia, British isles, Germany, United states of america, China and India.

Staycations will generally enjoy an essential position to our professional achievements.

As the earth commences to open up, a big emphasis will still keep on being on domestic tourism, with staycations forecasted to be a crucial stream of profits for the lodge.

The St. Regis Downtown, Dubai pairs the bustling metropolis with the timeless glamour of St. Regis, indicating people seeking to check out-in for a refined luxury break with the added benefit of not having to go away the nation, will be in substantial need.

BTN: How would you explain the mood in the hospitality sector here in the Middle East as we enter the ultimate quarter of 2021 – how significantly along are we with the restoration from Covid-19?

RZ: Getting arrive out on the other side of a complicated time for the hospitality sector, we stand united in optimism with our lodge partners as we enter the remaining quarter of the year.

We continue to be resilient and constructive, and are opening the St. Regis Downtown, Dubai at a time when the sector is embracing a total restoration. 

Travel corridors are opening all-around the planet, which will lead to the return of worldwide journey for the duration of a very expected peak time, and with the world-wide showcase event of Expo 2020, we are hoping to see a rebound in the UAE’s tourism.

The UAE can choose acclaim in how it is tackled the Covid-19 pandemic, possessing one of the maximum vaccine rollouts in the environment, that means people today can experience protected visiting and exploring all of what the UAE has to provide.

We just can’t wait around for individuals to pay a visit to and enjoy the vibrancy of the St. Regis Downtown, Dubai, and now far more than at any time we sense motivated to provide an improved encounter synonymous with the St. Regis brand to our guests, and continue on to be modern in an evolving planet.

BTN: Dubai has lately welcomed the opening of Expo 2020 – what positive aspects will that provide to the emirate?

RZ: Expo 2020 is a welcome option for us in the hospitality industry and will be a main progress driver for us more than the up coming couple of months, and ideally over and above. 

The international function will no doubt catalyse the sector’s growth even though supplying a special possibility for hoteliers inside the emirate to showcase and fortify its place as a entire world-course spot for travellers.

With a forecast of about 25 million visits more than the six-thirty day period function, we feel this is our moment to glow and we appear ahead to lover extra intently with the Expo crew during this remarkable time for the region.

Extra Facts

Combining timeless glamour with a vanguard spirit, St. Regis Accommodations & Resorts, section of Marriott Intercontinental, is dedicated to delivering beautiful ordeals at nearly 50 luxurious accommodations and resorts in the ideal addresses around the planet.

Starting with the debut of the St. Regis hotel in New York by John Jacob Astor IV at the dawn of the twentieth century, the manufacturer has remained committed to an uncompromising degree of bespoke and anticipatory provider for all of its company.

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