Hospitality

Every moment spent is nothing short of extraordinary

Published

2 years ago

July 5, 2024

Integrator Media had an exclusive interview with Hany Ahmed, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton – Business Bay

Quote: “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” -Jack Welch.

How do Hilton’s global initiatives and values reflect in the day-to-day operations and culture at DoubleTree Dubai – Business Bay?

At DoubleTree by Hilton, we epitomize the essence of warm hospitality and exceptional service, seamlessly integrating Hilton’s global initiatives and values into our day-to-day operations and culture at DoubleTree Dubai – Business Bay.

From the instant guests arrive, they are welcomed with our signature warm DoubleTree chocolate chip cookie, a delightful gesture that symbolizes our dedication to providing a heartfelt welcome and creating memorable experiences. This simple yet heartfelt gesture brings a smile to guests’ faces, offering comfort and nostalgia akin to cherished childhood memories of homemade treats.

Hilton’s global initiatives, including Travel with Purpose, the Hilton Honors loyalty program, and our Commitment to Sustainability through Hilton’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) program, are seamlessly integrated into our operations at DoubleTree Dubai – Business Bay. For instance, pioneering initiatives such as installing solar panels and eliminating plastic and bottled water demonstrate our commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible hospitality, in line with our pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2025.

In essence, at DoubleTree by Hilton, we endeavor to create an atmosphere of genuine care and connection, where every guest is welcomed with open arms, and every interaction leaves a lasting impression.

In light of the global shifts in travel and hospitality, what adaptations have you found most crucial in maintaining high standards of service?

In response to the evolving landscape of travel and hospitality, DoubleTree by Hilton Business Bay in Dubai has implemented several crucial adaptations to uphold our commitment to exceptional service while prioritizing guest safety and satisfaction.

We’ve invested in upgrading our hotel facilities with the renovation of our gym with state-of-the-art equipment, and to provide diverse and memorable experiences for our guests. With the diverse guests we receive, we have introduced new F&B offerings including a modern Indian resto-bar launched in 2022 and thematic nights like Malaysian Nights, Fresh Catch Night in My Square, and Sunday Brunch, Sip n Paint in Republic.

We’ve also introduced contactless check-in and checkout options, as well as digital key technology, to enhance convenience and efficiency while prioritizing guest well-being. For business travelers, and official meetings, we offer advanced audio/visual setup with our hybrid meeting setups.

In essence, at DoubleTree by Hilton Business Bay, we remain dedicated to providing unparalleled service and memorable experiences for our guests, adapting to global shifts in travel and hospitality while upholding the values that define our brand.

How does DoubleTree blend Dubai’s rich culture with modern hospitality?

At DoubleTree by Hilton Business Bay in Dubai, we ingeniously blend the city’s rich cultural tapestry with modern hospitality, creating an unforgettable experience for our guests. Dubai’s vibrant culture is a fusion of tradition and innovation, a concept we wholeheartedly embrace. As the sole hotel within Bay Square, our exterior architecture seamlessly integrates with the area’s distinctive design, reflecting Dubai’s dynamic essence.

Our design concept draws inspiration from the Oud, a traditional Arabic musical instrument. This motif echoes throughout the hotel, from the lobby to the rooms and meeting spaces, with elements such as colors and architectural details evoking the essence of this cherished instrument. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with authentic Arabic hospitality, symbolized by our traditional offering of dates and Arabic coffee. This gesture serves as a heartfelt welcome, immersing guests in the cultural fabric of Dubai from the moment they step foot in our hotel. The aroma of Arabic perfume further enhances the sensory experience, evoking the ambiance of traditional Arabian homes.

How does DoubleTree make a big hotel feel personal for each guest?

At DoubleTree by Hilton Business Bay, we cater to a diverse array of guests, including business travelers, meeting planners, leisure travelers, and families seeking to explore Dubai’s attractions. Situated at a prime location in the heart of Dubai’s bustling hub, we anticipate and meet the unique needs of each guest, offering seamless experiences such as paperless check-in and engaging interactions to ensure their stay is exactly what they desire. Despite being a medium-sized hotel with 238 rooms, our commitment to personalized service is unwavering. We prioritize making every guest feel personally cared for, valued, and respected through various tailored strategies.

Feedback is crucial to us; we actively seek input during their stay to continually enhance our services. Whether guests seek control over their schedule, assistance with event planning, or simply want to enjoy family moments, we tailor our offerings accordingly. Our dedicated team collaborates closely to curate personalized experiences, including excursions and family-friendly amenities, ensuring every stay is unforgettable.

Above all, we embrace empathy and understanding in hospitality. Our team members are trained to attentively listen to guests’ needs and concerns, responding with genuine care and compassion. By fostering a culture of empathy, we ensure that every guest feels seen, heard, and valued throughout their stay, leaving them with meaningful and memorable experiences that resonate long after they depart.

What’s the one word you hope guests use to describe their stay at DoubleTree, and why?

Best. Why? Because it encapsulates everything we aim to achieve during their stay. From the moment they step through our doors, our team, driven by Hilton values and professionalism, works tirelessly to ensure each guest’s experience surpasses expectations.

Our dedication to providing the best experience means that every interaction is infused with warmth and genuine care, making our guests feel like part of the Hilton family. This sense of belonging extends to every aspect of their stay, from the comfort of their rooms to the delightful culinary offerings at our restaurants.

At DoubleTree Business Bay, we believe that the true measure of a successful stay lies in the memories it leaves behind. We want our guests to depart with a sense of fulfillment, eager to return and share their unforgettable experiences with others. “Best Stay. Best Team. Best Food. Best Service. Best Trip. Best People. Best Experience. Best Hotel. ” This captures the essence of our commitment to excellence, ensuring that every stay with us is truly exceptional.

Hospitality

A Flavour-Packed International Burger Week at List Bar

Published

1 day ago

May 25, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

From 25th to 30th May, List Bar presents a special International Burger Week experience, featuring a curated selection of expertly crafted burgers made with premium ingredients, all served in a lively and relaxed setting perfect for social gatherings or unwinding after a long day.

Each burger order is paired with a complimentary pint, adding extra value to this exclusive offering and making it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy great food in a vibrant atmosphere.

Offer Details
Date: 25th to 30th May | Offer: Buy any burger and enjoy a complimentary pint | Location: List Bar, Al Jaddaf Rotana Suite Hotel

Hospitality

FROM FARM TO SHELF: THE CASE FOR SOURCING CLOSER TO HOME

Published

1 day ago

May 25, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Words by Firas Nasir, CEO of Organic Foods & Café and Co-CIO of the Gulf Japan Food Fund

The most consequential changes in business rarely announce themselves. They accumulate quietly in procurement decisions, in vendor reviews, and in sourcing conversations held far from the shop floor. What is happening inside UAE retail supply chains at the moment is exactly that kind of change. In the past, retailers across all formats built their vendor lists around established global suppliers who could deliver volume, compliance maturity, and operational consistency at scale. Local producers, by contrast, sometimes struggled to meet the benchmarks that major buyers required: reliable cold chain infrastructure, internationally recognised food safety certification, and the capacity to scale supply without compromising on delivery windows.

That gap has narrowed considerably, and the timing matters. Investment in UAE logistics infrastructure, including temperature-controlled warehousing, last-mile refrigerated delivery, and the development of alternative trade corridors, such as the Oman-UAE Green Corridor and the east coast ports of Khorfakkan and Fujairah, has given domestic suppliers a credible and sustainable path to retail shelves that simply did not exist half a decade ago.

The impact is most visible at retailers who made early commitments to domestic sourcing. For instance, Organic Foods and Cafe, which works with over 400 vendor partners across local and global supply chains, has tracked the evolution closely. Over the past four years, the composition of its vendor list has shifted meaningfully, with a clear move toward sourcing from closer geographies. This has improved product availability, reduced transit times, and meaningfully lowered the carbon footprint across key categories. The transitions have been most pronounced in beverages, fresh produce, and dairy, categories where domestic producers have invested seriously in quality and consistency. The products now earning space on shelves reflect genuine operational maturity, not simply a preference for local origin. Organic eggs from Risha Farms in Fujairah and fresh organic milk from Organiliciouz in Sharjah, both now stocked consistently, represent a generation of domestic suppliers that would not have met major retailer requirements a few years ago. Alongside them, homegrown brands, including ME Kombucha, Pure Harvest, Humantra, Nothing Silly, and Shake Your Plants, are finding sustained footing in channels that once defaulted to international names as a matter of course.

The broader retail sector is also responding. The Make it in the Emirates initiative, a government-led effort to boost domestic manufacturing and industrial investment initiative, has added meaningful policy weight to what was already becoming commercial common sense, with approved vendor lists across the industry being reviewed through a lens of supply chain resilience rather than simple cost optimisation. That recalibration has been sharpened further by recent events. Retailers who have already embedded local sourcing into their models have proved markedly better positioned to absorb the shock. Alternative freight channels were activated where necessary, but the businesses least exposed were those that had built domestic supplier relationships before disruption made it urgent.

Of course, challenges still remain. The shortage of organically certified local producers is a persistent gap, and the expectation from retailers has not softened, with domestic suppliers held to the same delivery, safety, and scalability standards as their international counterparts. But the pipeline of producers meeting that bar is growing, and the commercial argument has become difficult to dismiss. Faster turnaround, extended shelf life on domestic fresh goods, and meaningful resilience against freight volatility now outweigh the scale advantages that international suppliers once held unchallenged.

The restructuring of UAE retail around homegrown brands was already underway but the current geopolitical situation has expedited it to a new level. It is now being driven by hard commercial experience, enabled by maturing infrastructure, and supported by national policy. And the businesses that recognise it for what it is – a fundamental supply chain shift, not a sourcing trend – will be the ones who shape what UAE retail looks like in the decade ahead.

Hospitality

AT.MOSPHERE AT BURJ KHALIFA: FOUR MOMENTS, ABOVE THE ORDINARY

Published

4 days ago

May 22, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

At At.mosphere, guests are welcomed to one of the city’s most coveted tables. High within the Burj Khalifa, dining takes on a rare stillness, with Dubai unfolding far below and the horizon dissolving into sky, creating a sense of scale that feels almost otherworldly.

At AED 155, the day moves through four distinct moments from morning to evening. No matter the hour, there’s a moment that fits.

Sunrise in the Sky – Breakfast
A slow start above the city with two organic eggs your style or fluffy pancakes with raspberry jam and vanilla Chantilly, alongside coffee as Dubai wakes beneath you.
Time: 8:00 am to 11:30 am

Business Lunch
A midday selection featuring roasted sea bream with black Venere rice or slow-cooked beef cheek with potato purée, finishing on something light.
Time: 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Afternoon Tea
Delicate sandwiches, warm English scones with jam and artisanal cream, and classic pastries served as the light shifts across the skyline.
Time: 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm

Golden Hour – Cocktails and Bites
Golden hour takes over with signature cocktails, curated bites, and a skyline that naturally draws you in.
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm