Sofitel Dubai The Palm has bolstered its leadership team with new appointments in the Housekeeping, Concierge, and Spa divisions recently. Laura Grosbois and Stephen Simiyu have joined as the new Director of Spa and Chief Concierge respectively. Besides the two, Nelly R. Castaneda has been appointed as the Director of Housekeeping at the resort.
Laura Grosbois previously served as the Wellness and Nailology Manager at Atlantis The Palm Hotel where she managed a total of 70 employees, and was responsible for the Hair Salons, 20 massage rooms, fitness centre, and the Nailology Nail Bar. Grosbois was also responsible for the Nailology Project where she managed recruitment, creation of treatment, SOPs, and the team’s training plan. She has also been involved in P&L strategies, forecasting expenses, and revenues, and increasing net benefit, besides developing the loyalty program and enhancing guest satisfaction, and looking for innovation and new trends. Grosbois is a trained Podiatrist and has a Bachelor’s degree in the profession from France. She has worked in the luxury spa industry for more than seven years in the UAE. Her experience and strong business acumen with a keen eye for guest experience will ensure that Sofitel Spa with L’Occitane will continue to position itself among the top Spas in Dubai.
Stephen Simiyu previously served as the Assistant Manager of Concierge and Guest Services at Fairmont the Palm Resort in Dubai, where he was responsible for maintaining the quality of standards through the proper formulation of Local Standards of Operation, training and leading his team to efficiently manage guest requests and to achieve the hotel’s targets. Simiyu has more than 15 years of professional undertaking in hospitality and customer service. Simiyu has been an active member of the Dubai Concierge Group affiliated to Les Clefs D’or UAE since 2015, and the winner of First-Class Customer Care Concierge in 2014 by The Department of Economy and Tourism formerly Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Simiyu’s focus and strong desire to create unique customer experiences through his vast local knowledge will continue to position the hotel as a leader in guest satisfaction.
Nelly R. Castaneda has been appointed as the Director of Housekeeping at the resort. Prior to joining Sofitel Dubai The Palm, Castaneda served as the Director of Housekeeping at Paramount Hotel Dubai (Pre-Opening), where she was responsible for Housekeeping and Laundry operations, preparation of OS&E requirements, assisting with the design of the uniforms for all the departments, managing decoration, and the flower shop. Castaneda has been working in the hospitality sector in the UAE since August 2004. Prior to that, she worked in Jordan and her native country – Guatemala.
Christophe Schnyder, Managing Director at Sofitel Dubai The Palm said, “I am pleased to welcome all our new joiners, they come with some great experience in their individual fields and we are looking forward for them to share their expertise to further elevate the guest experience at the resort.”
