The first Hotelier Express Middle East Awards took place last night on February 22, 2017, at the Grosvenor House Dubai, with some properties sweeping multiple awards away.
On the night, XVA Art Hotel was heralded in two major categories: GM of the Year (Independent Hotel) and Unsung Hero of the Year. The former went to the GM Moses Barnabas, while in an unconventional move, a duo from the housekeeping team, Rahim and Jitendra, received the Unsung Hero of the Year trophy, much to their delight.
Similarly, Gloria Hotels & Resorts picked up two awards, with the Finance/Procurement Manger of the Year title going to its procurement manager Mohammed Shaheem Chanayilakath, and the Sales/Marketing Manager of the Year awarded to sales manager Abigail Rabaja Isidro.
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Citymax Hotels Bur Dubai was another property that took away a pair of trophies, with the Ahmad Taher winning F&B Manager of the Year, and the hotel team walking away with the title of Three-Star Hotel Team of the Year.
As a brand, IHG did well, with its Holiday Inn Express Dubai Airport property winning the One- and Two-Star Hotel Team of the Year title, and Jotham Mutinda from Holiday Inn Express Dubai Internet City crowned Hotelier Express' Housekeeper of the Year, while Sameh Youssef from Holiday Inn Dubai - Al Barsha scooped away the Chef of the Year title.
GM of the Year (chain/branded hotel) went to Michael Kasch from Centro Sharjah, while Rove City Center's team walked away with the Mid-Market Launch of the Year accolade.
Meanwhile, Serviced Apartment Team of the Year was awarded to Dunes Hotel Apartments Oud Metha, and Mais Al Tamimi, guest relations officer at First Central Hotel Suites, was heralded as the Hotelier Express Young Hotelier of the Year 2017.
The shortlisted candidates in the 13 categories were sent to our 7-strong judging panel to choose the winners. The judges included: Tarek Daouk, founder and managing partner, Smartotels Hospitality International; Nigel Eckersall, RIBA qualified architect; Henk Bruggeman, executive director, HJA Hospitality; Sarah Duignan, director of client relationships, STR; Mariam Shaikh, vice president, student recruitment & admissions, Amity University Dubai; Robert Willock, editorial director of the Hospitality Group, ITP Business; and, Devina Divecha, group editor of the Hospitality Group, ITP Business
This year’s Hotelier Express Awards was supported by: Platinum Sponsor, Caffe di artisan; Gold Sponsor, Oldenburger; Silver Sponsor, A. Ronai; Category Sponsors, Sial Middle East, Sealed Air Diversey Care, Aramtec, Viking Gulf, Prologic, Dallmayr, Hoist Group; and Beverage Sponsor MMI.
Read the full coverage of the Hotelier Express Awards in the April 2017 issue of the magazine, and the website.
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