Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites has announced the appointment of Guy Claerhout as the new Restaurant General Manager for the hotel’s signature dining destinations, Prime52 and Observatory Bar & Lounge. With over 20 years of experience and multiple roles as Restaurant General Manager in Belgium, Spain, and more recently, Dubai, Claerhout is a seasoned hospitality professional with a proven track record of excellence in leadership.
Claerhout’s experience spans multiple lounges, restaurants and F&B outlets, equipping him with a wealth of knowledge and skills, with expertise in managing day-to-day operations, staff training and development, revenue generation, and maintaining the highest level of customer satisfaction.
In his new role as Restaurant General Manager, Claerhout will be responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of two signature dining destinations at Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites: the new and enhanced Observatory Bar & Lounge and the hotel’s latest dining destination, Prime52. The restaurants in the newly renovated space on the 52nd floor offer two distinct dining options, both with equally stunning panoramic views of the city. Observatory Bar & Lounge will be serving Asian-fusion cuisine, featuring extraordinary dishes and beverages with contemporary styling, seating, and live entertainment, while Prime52 – a sister restaurant to the award-winning Prime68 at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel – will be an upscale steakhouse offering a classic menu, bespoke beverage options, and an open kitchen. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellence, Claerhout will lead the transformation of these two signature dining destinations at the hotel. His leadership will be instrumental in the venues’ re-opening in November 2024, following extensive refurbishments designed to elevate the dining experience.
Before joining Marriott, Claerhout held the position of General Manager at Mondoux UAE, the popular café & restaurant brand from Europe, which debuted in the UAE with its first outpost in Dubai Creek Harbour in January 2020. In his role as General Manager from 2021 to 2024, Claerhout spearheaded Mondoux’s expansion in the UAE market, driving growth and market penetration for the brand. Following the success of the first Mondoux outlet, Claerhout played a crucial role in launching a second branch at The Beach, JBR, in 2022, later followed by openings in Downtown Dubai and Bluewaters Island. With Claerhout at the helm, Mondoux UAE achieved an impressive annual revenue growth of over 100%, with the Downtown branch achieving a remarkable 400% revenue increase in 2023.
Prior to relocating to Dubai, Claerhout was the General Manager of D’Lounge Restaurants in Murcia, Spain, where he oversaw daily operations across three venues, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and high customer satisfaction. His key responsibilities included managing daily operations, leading staff recruitment & training, driving profitability and brand engagement, as well as ensuring health and safety compliance.
A results-oriented Restaurant General Manager, Claerhout’s focus on staff development, driving revenue growth, enhancing customer experience and streamlining operational performance will ensure that both Observatory Bar & Lounge and Prime52 set new standards in culinary excellence and guest satisfaction.
For more information, please visit marriottharbourdubaidining.com