W Dubai Al Habtoor City's executive team revealed

W Dubai Al Habtoor City has named it new GM and opening team. The new W Dubai hotel, and The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City, are both expected to open in May 2016.

Peter Katusak-Huzsvar has been named as GM for the W Dubai Al Habtoor City, and brings over eight years of experience with the brand to its first launch in Dubai.

Katusak-Huzsvar previously worked as Middle East director of operations for the opening of W Doha Hotel and Residences in Qatar, and also as the GM for W St. Petersburg, Russia and W Guangzhou, China.

He will report to Ignace Bauwens who is the cluster GM for the three hotel brands in Al Habtoor City: The St. Regis Dubai, The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City, and W Dubai Al Habtoor City.

Commenting on his appointment, Katusak-Huzsvar said: “My team and I can’t wait to open our doors so residents and visitors to the UAE can experience the unexpected.”

The opening team for the W Dubai Al Habtoor City has now been confirmed, including the property’s hotel manager and executive chef. Among the less than traditional job titles assigned at the new hotel, W Dubai has appointed directors of welcome, style, and a “whatever/whenever manager”.

Click below to find out who has been appointed to the executive team at the new Dubai hotel.

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Hotel Manager
Justin Kim

Kim joins the new hotel from his previous role as director of operations for the W Retreat & Spa in The Maldives.

Executive Chef
David Contreras

Contreras brings over 15 years of international experience in five star hotel properties to his new role. This includes positions in Argentina, Mexico, Algeria and the UAE. Contreras was previously executive chef of The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa, and executive sous chef at The Address Downtown and The Palace, The Old Town.

Director of Welcome
Marco Neukom

Neukom previously worked across the rooms division and guest services for the W Doha, and the Westin Abu Dhabi. He also joined the pre-opening team for the W Verbier, Switzerland as welcome office manager.

Director of Style
Kenny Yen

Yen joins the Dubai hotel as director of style, directly from the same position with the W Taipei. The role involved overseeing housekeeping operations, including public areas and laundry. Yen has also worked with the St. Regis New York.

Chief Engineer
Muhammed Basheer

Basheer was previously resident engineer for The Meydan Hotel in Dubai.

Beverage & Food Manager
Vijay Chandran

Chandran has 12 years of hospitality industry experience under his belt, including roles with Sheraton, Jumeirah and Zaya Nurai Holding. Chandran also worked with the W Doha for five years.

Whatever/Whenever Manager
Nancy Huang

Huang comes to Dubai from the W Guangzhou, China where she joined the pre-opening team as Whatever/Whenever Manager and later took on the position as welcome office manager. Huang has also worked with Starwood at The St. Regis Aspen Resort in Colorado and St. Regis Lhasa Resort in Tibet.

For more information on who has been appointed as complex executives across the three hotel properties, click here.