Matthew Mullan, hailing from Ireland, will be overseeing all operations across three Hilton properties on Yas Island in his role as cluster general manager. The cluster comprises of Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton, and DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences.
Mullan says: “I’m delighted to be bringing over 30 years of managerial knowledge and experience at Hilton hotels around the world to this vital and exciting market. Yas Island is rapidly developing into the focal point of Abu Dhabi’s diverse appeal as a global tourism destination. By delivering world-class hospitality, dining, meeting facilities and leisure amenities, myself and everyone in the team is honored to be playing such a significant role in the island’s development.”
He adds: “I would like to commend Miral, the curator of experiences in Abu Dhabi, for their comprehensive strategic vision – one that caters to a wide demographic and reinforces Yas Island’s position as a top global destination for entertainment, leisure and business. Hilton and Miral have worked closely in partnership to bring ambitious plans for the island to life in order to provide a new benchmark in visitor experiences and standards of hospitality.”
Ideally placed to manage a diverse cluster, Mullan brings with him a wealth of experience in launching and leading key Hilton resort properties across the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. A Hilton career spanning more than three decades began in 1990 when he graduated from the Hilton Hotels Trainee Management Program and took on various managerial roles at Hilton Hotels in Scotland. His first hotel opening project came in 1998 at the Hilton Templepatrick Hotel & Country Club, a championship golf resort development.
His tenure as Cluster General Manager Northern Ireland saw him oversee two US Presidential visits and receive the HCIMA General Manager of the Year award. A subsequent appointment to General Manager of the Hilton Glasgow in Scotland saw him host both Prime Ministerial and British Royal Family visits.
He then took on the role of Cluster General Manager for Hilton in Sharm El Sheikh, shouldering the responsibility of resort hotels totaling 1,800 rooms. This was followed by a geographic change to Barbados, further establishing Matthew’s expertise for leading resort style properties. A six-year tenure at the iconic Hilton Malta preceded his arrival in Abu Dhabi this year.
Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island features 545 hotel rooms, including 59 suites, overlooking Yas Bay. It boasts more than 4,000sqm of meeting space, a grand ballroom, 12 hi-tech meeting rooms, and four dining establishments. Amenities include a Beach Club, Hilton Fitness and an eforea spa.
The hotel is situated next to Yas Island’s numerous theme parks and attractions and includes complimentary park access for all residential guests staying at the hotel. With a broad range of meeting and event facilities, the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is set to host Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious gatherings, while numerous key international events are planned for neighboring Etihad Arena.
Adjacent to the award-winning Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld theme parks, is The WB™ Abu Dhabi, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, the world’s very first Warner Bros. property. The hotel has more than 250 rooms over eight levels and has been designed to celebrate Warner Bros.’ rich heritage in film, television, comic and so much more.
DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences will offer an exclusive range of service accommodation on Yas Island. Created to meet the growing demand for flexible hospitality options, the property will comprise of 156 units in a mixture of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. The accommodation will provide kitchens, a gym, and various recreational facilities.