Rocco Forte's Assila Hotel in Saudi appoints new GM

Rocco Forte's Assila hotel which opened just last month, has appointed Harry Fernandes as its new general manager.

Commenting on his new appointment, Fernandes said in a recent release: “I am delighted to take the helm as general manager of the new Assila Hotel in the beautiful city of Jeddah. Assila is the first Rocco Forte hotel to open in the Middle East and I am very pleased to contribute my 14 years’ experience with Rocco Forte Hotels and Resorts to uphold the highest standards of excellence that have established Rocco Forte as one of the premier hotels brands in the world.’

Fernandes takes over from Frank Heller who was the interim general manager of Assila Hotel in the pre-opening period from June 2016 while simultaneously retaining his position as general manager of The Charles Hotel in Munich, Germany, a position he has held since August 2007 and to which he now returns.

Assila Hotel, Jeddah has reached the level of 40% Saudisation with its team, revealed its new general manager Harry Fernandes to Hotelier Middle East at Arabian Travel Market 2017, and said: "We are at 40% Saudisation which is amazing, and we are working to increase it even further."

Fernandes started his career with the international hotel group in 2004 when he was appointed rooms division manager at The Balmoral in Edinburgh, followed by promotion to resident manager of The Balmoral in 2005. He transferred to Brown’s Hotel in London in 2012, then in 2014 was seconded as resort manager of the Verdura in Sicily, after which he rejoined The Balmoral until November 2016 when he came to Jeddah as hotel manager of Assila.

Prior to his career with Rocco Forte Hotels, Fernandes held various roles at London properties including the Hilton Park Lane and the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park.