Hotel & Catering News ME interviews Richard Bleakley, Multi-Property General Manager at Marriott International.
When has your hospitality journey began?
From a young age, I never planned to work in the hospitality industry. However, during my university placement year in 2000, I began working for Marriott in Germany. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience; however, my dream was to work in a more sales-oriented setting. As a result, a career in hotel sales seemed like a natural fit, and here I am 22 years later.
Tell us more about the properties you’re currently handling.
Currently, I manage Marriott Al Jaddaf, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf, Marriott Al Jaddaf Creek, and the newly opened Element Al Jaddaf.
Located in the heart of the city, Marriott Al Jaddaf provides a five-star hotel experience. The stylish property is perfectly fit for both business and leisure travellers, as situated near iconic attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, and numerous business hubs. The hotel offers many dining options, which boast an array of international cuisines, suited to every taste.
Furthermore, the stunning Element Al Jaddaf is also positioned near to many of Dubai’s key locations and attractions, including Downtown, DIFC, and Al Seef, to name a few. Inspired by Westin® Hotels & Resorts, our studios and one and two-bedroom apartments are contemporary and beautifully appointed. The hotel also houses a breath-taking rooftop pool featuring panoramic views over the Dubai skyline and a cutting-edge gym.
As for Marriott Executive Apartments, Creek, business travellers will deem the property as the perfect choice for long-term stays, if they ever choose to relocate to Dubai. The hotel is just five minutes from Dubai International Airport and displays spectacular views of the city, overlooking the tranquillity of Dubai Creek.
What are some of your top F&B offerings?
We have various F&B venues in all three properties which present excellent menus.
Marriot Al Jaddaf has three venues to choose from, serving delicious meals including The Market Place, the hotel’s all-day dining scene which offers dishes from across the world. Guests can choose their favourites from our menu, or sample international delights from the expansive lunch and dinner buffets. Patrons can join our specialty evenings, such as Seafood and Grills, Kabobs and more.
Another great spot is BnB (Bar Nights Bites) where diners can unwind and watch their favourite sports whilst sipping on signature drinks and indulging in some mouth-watering bites.
For a more casual setting, guests can head down to the Lobby Lounge to fuel up for the day with a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee and a light snack. The hotel lounge boats complimentary Wi-Fi and is the perfect spot to meet with colleagues for a meal after a long day of meetings.
Marriott Executive Apartment, Creek’s Skye & Walker, located in the heart of old Dubai, is an urban ecological neighborhood eatery for globetrotters and savvy foodies. The restaurant’s key characteristic is the use of reused, recycled, and environmentally sustainable materials.
At Element Al Jaddaf we have the all-day dining restaurant, Café 26. For a healthy start to the day, guests can enjoy a complimentary Rise® breakfast offering nutritious morning staples and the a la carte menu featuring delectable dishes for both lunch and dinner. To offer more choice, and with our guests’ health and wellbeing being front of mind, we made sure that Element Al Jaddaf is a dry hotel, that offers an ample selection of juices, smoothies, coffees, and teas.