Atlantis scores a hat trick at Hotelier Awards
Atlantis, The Palm Dubai won three trophies at last night’s Hotelier Middle East Awards, including GM of the Year, Outlet Manager of the Year and Procurement Person of the Year.
The Palm Jumeirah Hotel, which entered the Hotelier Middle East Awards — held in partnership with du — for the first time this year, also had three Highly Commended accolades in the Executive Chef of the Year, IT Person of the Year and Team of the Year categories.
Serge Zaalof, president and managing director of Atlantis, The Palm was named General Manager of the Year, sponsored by Nexa Hospitality.
The independent judging panel comprising eight industry experts said they were in awe of Zaalof’s leadership skills and attention to detail.
They recognised his role in leading Atlantis to win a multitude of industry accolades, helping to raise Dubai and Palm Jumeirah’s status as a must-visit destination and driving millions of dirhams of growth in revenue at the hotel in the last 18 months.
His team describes him as the man with the Midas touch, and an abundance of testimonials attributed their own success to Zaalof’s influence.
Upon receiving his award at the ceremony held at Ritz-Carlton DIFC in Dubai, Zaalof said: “It’s a great honour to win this award, I’m very happy to share this with my 3500 colleagues, 65,000 fishes and 28 dolphins; they’re all part of the payroll. It’s very pleasing”.
Director of Procurement Bhanu Pratap Singh was named Procurement Person of the Year, sponsored by Sealy, celebrated for implementing a number of projects to integrate the purchasing department in the hotel decision-making process.
Over the past 12 months, Singh has saved the hotel millions thanks to e-sourcing auctions and he has also completed an intensive general management programme at his own cost and time.
To complete the hat trick, Jonathan Vercoutere, outlet manager — Rostang, won the Outlet Manager of the Year Award, supported by Ronai.
When Vercoutere took over Rostang at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai, the French brasserie had been operating without a manager for four months. He quickly turned things around, increasing the average cheque and the overall bottom line, so the restaurant is now performing at its best to date both operationally and financially.
Vice president culinary Mark Patten was Highly Commended in the Executive Chef of the Year category, as was senior vice president – information technology, Joe Tesfai, in the IT Person of the Year category.
The entire Atlantis team was first runner-up for the coveted Team of the Year Award, narrowly piped to the post by Media One Hotel, Dubai.
Commenting on the phenomenal success of Atlantis at the Hotelier Middle East Awards 2012, ITP Business group editor hospitality Louise Oakley said: “Atlantis, The Palm entered some fantastic nominations this year, which resulted in nine of the hotel’s team being shortlisted for awards. The hotel was also a finalist for the prestigious Team of the Year Award.
“The judging panel was overwhelmed by the success stories of all the candidates and as a result, it was the only hotel to be rewarded with three wins, as well as three Highly Commended accolades at the Hotelier Middle East Awards 2012. I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to all of them.”