“We’re really trying to make sure that we recruit the right people with the right personality because we can train the rest. We want to make sure that we interact with you and make your stay more fun,” she says, adding that a significant portion of staff training is actually focusing on getting to know the Barsha Heights local neighborhood as well as all the local ‘insider’s secrets’ about Dubai, such as being able to recommend the city’s best shawarma, should a hungry guest have a craving.
Though truth be told, hungry guests don’t need to venture too far, seeing as Tryp by Wyndham Dubai is introducing new and exciting food and beverage concepts along with the hotel opening. At the time of our visit, Local, a bright, airy space with an outdoor patio perfect for socialising and sharing fresh, authentic international favourites, was already bursting at the seams. Set to open in Q4 2017 are two more outlets, L!QD, adjacent to the hotel’s swimming pool, and BarBary, a 1920s Parisian-styled speakeasy. In addition, the hotel is about to debut ‘Nest’, what it claims is the first “integrated co-working space concept within a hotel” in Dubai.
Elaborating further on the concept, Moore says: “In simple terms, there’s a lot of people in Dubai who are entrepreneurs and trying to set up their own business but a lot of businesses don’t require an office or a showroom but need a professional working environment. And they need a place where they can maybe make new contacts and they can help each other. Co-working spaces are all about trying to help people succeed in their business.”
She continues: “It’s a whole working environment but it’s multi-outlet. It can be closed off for meetings. It’s got little pod stations, meeting areas, serves tea and coffee all day, and of course, it’s equipped with the latest technology.”
Moore says the Nest booking policy is “very flexible” with guests provided the freedom to come on a day-to-day basis or opt for full-time membership, the latter coming with a host of benefits. According to Moore, more networking opportunities will be offered to members with events organised by the hotel.
Such innovations in mid-scale hotel operations are coming to fruition in the Middle East with the emergence of lifestyle brands, and Moore is of the opinion that such changes are not only welcome, they’re sorely needed in order for markets like Dubai to mature.
“I take my hat off to brands such as Rove, Aloft, and Tryp, of course, for coming up and interpreting this lifestyle concept in their own various ways, with stylish but still affordable accommodation, casual and fun concepts, and yet with service that doesn’t make you think you are missing anything from not staying in a five-star hotel,” Moore says.
According to Moore, the buzz swirling around the region’s mid-scale brands is indicative of a shift happening in the overall hospitality industry.“There is so much opportunity in this sector because for so long, Dubai has been based on five-star properties and luxury hotels. Dubai needs to capture another market; it’s not about the luxury traveller anymore.”
And this shift is driven by a powerful, tectonic change in travellers’ behaviour. “Travellers these days, they want tthe flexibility of doing what they want to do. Coming back to the hotel, they want a safe and comfortable haven. It has to look good, so they can post about it on Instagram and Facebook. They want staff who know what to do, WiFi and good food.”
“With brands like ours, they’ve got the best of both worlds. And that’s why these brands are doing so well,” Moore concludes, with a smile.
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