The winners of the Leaders in Hospitality Awards 2017, presented by Rikan, were announced on Wednesday 17 May at a gala ceremony at The St. Regis Dubai.
Sixteen winners took home awards including Leading New Hotel, Leading General Manager and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Praising the high standards set by this year’s winners, as well as the shortlisted entries, BNC Publishing CEO Wissam Younane said: “For an event centered on recognising the MENA region’s Leaders in Hospitality, it was an honour for us at Hotel News Middle East to be able to host some of the finest names in this industry at The St. Regis Dubai last night.
“With more than 300 people in attendance, this year’s Leaders in Hospitality Awards were a celebration of the excellent work being done in this sector, and we consider it a privilege to be able to laud the people and companies that are driving this dynamic industry forward.”
Media One Hotel took home two awards on the night: Leading Hotel Team and Rising Star for Sarah Noury.
Sally Meech, director of marketing & communications at Media One Hotel said: “This is the icing on the cake – it’s just wonderful to have been part of the team for the past seven years. I’ve been working with our GM Mark Lee for five years and it’s been brilliant, it’s been great doing all the awards, but this is really special.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Andy Cuthbert, Mina A Salam Hotel & C & I, Jumeirah Hospitality at Madinat Jumeirah.
Another big winner on the night was Stephen Meredith, Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay Dubai, who lifted the award for Leading General Manager.
The event was presented by Rikan, with Platinum Sponsor Du; Hotel of Choice, The St.Regis Dubai; Luxury Fleet Partner Cadillac and category sponsors, 1765 Gemini and Pulsar Foodstuff Trading and The Gourmet Olive Market.
The winners in full:
LEADING NEW HOTEL
Presented by Du
Winner: Fairmont Fujairah Beach Resort
Runners-up: Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Dubai and Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi
LEADING SERVICED APARTMENT
Presented by Du
Winner: Kempinski Residences & Suites
Runners-up: Capital Centre Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi and Dunes Hotel Apartments Oud Metha
LEADING LUXURY HOTEL
Presented by Rikan
Winner: The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
Runners-up: Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha and Sealine Beach, a Murwab Resort
LEADING MID-MARKET HOTEL
Winner: Dusit D2 Kenz Hotel, Dubai
Runners-up: Holiday Inn Express Dubai, Jumeirah and Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana
LEADING HOTEL F&B OUTLET
Winner: Aseelah, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek
Runners-up: Noire, Fairmont Dubai and Fish Beach Taverna, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina
LEADING HOTEL SPA
Presented by Rikan
Winner: Palazzo Versace Dubai
Runners-up: The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal and ShuiQi Spa and Fitness, Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
SUSTAINABLE HOTEL AWARD
Winner: Park Inn by Radisson Muscat
Runners-up: Jannah Burj Al Sarab, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
LEADING EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER
Winner: Helga Fischer, W Doha Hotel & Residences
Runners-up: Manju Thayil, Park Arjaan by Rotana, Abu Dhabi and Prabhat Shukla, InterContinental Doha The City
LEADING PROCUREMENT MANAGER
Winner: Arun Kumar, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort Fujairah & Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa
Runner-up: Jean Zafra Manuel, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
LEADING IT MANAGER
Presented by Rikan
Winner: Rushdy Mubarak, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Waterfront
Runners-up: Rahul Mistry, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl – Doha and Kempinski Residences & Suites – Doha and Savio Dlima, Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai
LEADING F&B MANAGER
Presented by Pulsar Foodstuff and The Gourmet Olive
Winner: Sarin Monish, Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai
Runners-up: Lorenzo Maraviglia, Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and Can Ali Selik, Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort & Spa
LEADING HOTEL CHEF
Presented by Pulsar Foodstuff and The Gourmet Olive
Winner: Sudqi Naddaf, Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates
Runners-up: Mohamed Didi, W Doha Hotel & Residences and Steve Deconinck, The Palace Downtown Dubai
RISING STAR AWARD
Presented by Cadillac
Winner: Sarah Noury, Media One Hotel
Runners-up: Nigel Lobo, Taj Dubai and Lucas Mbugua, Kempinski Hotel and Residences Palm Jumeirah
LEADING HOTEL TEAM
Presented by Du
Winner: Media One Hotel
Runners-up: Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection and Millennium Hotel & Convention Centre Kuwait
LEADING GENERAL MANAGER
Presented by Rikan
Winner: Stephen Meredith, Steigenberger Hotel Business Bay Dubai
Runners-up: Nael El-Waary, Sofitel Abu Dhabi and Maria Tullberg, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Presented by 1765 Gemini
Winner: Andy Cuthbert, Mina A Salam Hotel & C & I, Jumeirah Hospitality at Madinat Jumeirah
Runners-up: Emma Banks, Jumeirah Restaurant Group and Stanley F. Marquez, Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre