Fairmont Dubai general manager and FRHI regional vice president UAE Robert-Jan Woltering has revealed to Hotelier Middle East that the property is earmarked for a renovation.
Woltering joined FRHI in late 2015, and his remit is to oversee the overall operation, performance and strategic direction of all FRHI properties in the United Arab Emirates, in addition to holding the role of general manager of Fairmont Dubai, the company’s flagship hotel located in the heart of the city.
In an interview with Hotelier Middle East, Woltering revealed: “My plan for the property [is] to really reposition it in the market.”
He said that in addition to his passion for F&B, he is looking at repositioning a hotel in terms of pricing as well as product, “preparing a possible uplift and renovation of the hotel”.
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Woltering added: “I am working in close collaboration with the corporate office as well as the owning company to prepare a full-fledged renovation of the hotel.
“It will go in phases — you need to create a masterplan of the hotel, create a sample room or pilot room which corresponds to the brand’s essentials [and cater] to the needs of our ever developing discerning guest, that are only getting used to more luxury here in Dubai.”
Some areas of the property had already undergone refurbishment a while ago, so elements which will not be part of this renovation include the lobby, Pronto and Café Sushi. The Dubai property will have its suites, rooms, corridors and certain F&B outlets go through a retouch. The 33rd floor, which houses Fairmont Gold, will also be included in the list of areas to renovate.
The F&B area which houses Pronto and Café Sushi will have a third concept added in due course, although further details were not revealed.
Read the full interview with Robert-Jan Woltering in the February issue of Hotelier Middle East on pgs 38-41.
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