Exclusive interview with Houssam Mansour, General Manager, FORM Hotel

What is the concept behind Design Hotels? Who is FORM Hotel?

Design Hotels is a hand-picked collection of boutique and design-driven luxury hotels across the globe.  FORM Hotel, a member of Marriott Bonvoy under the premium brand, boasts a remarkable portfolio of over 350 exquisitely designed hotels spanning the globe. More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an “Original,” someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design, and architecture.

What are the policies that you have put in place that have made a big difference? What are the achievements you are most proud of?

Within a short period of time, FORM Hotel has succeeded in positioning and increasing visibility as a leading 4-star boutique hotel within Marriott in the Al Jaddaf area. FORM hotel has been carefully crafted as a design hotel and conceptualized as a boutique hotel, we have been able to increase the number of guests and retain customer retention through direct bookings at a high percentage.

Who is the General Manager of FORM Hotel, and can you share some insights you’re your background and contributions to the hotel’s success?

I am a seasoned 48-year-old Lebanese hotelier with over 25 years of experience in the Middle East and Africa. I began my career at 21 as a management trainee at Forte Grand in Abu Dhabi, now known as Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi.

Over the past two and a half decades, I have worked in diverse regions, including Bahrain, Tunisia, the Maldives, Egypt, Turkey, and the UAE, with major international chains like Le Royal Meridien, Hilton Hotels, and Marriott.

Last month, I marked the third anniversary of my journey with FORM Hotel, which has been a pinnacle of my career. I am deeply grateful for the support of the owners, whose commitment and care have been crucial to our success. Together with an exceptional, handpicked team, we have positioned FORM Hotel as the premier choice for chic, cozy, and classy boutique accommodations in the area. It has become a preferred destination for both Marriott members and VIP visitors. Here’s to many more years of continued successand excellence.

Why will guests choose to stay at FORM Hotel?

FORM Hotel Dubai offers a sublimely designed, boutique experience with seamless check-in and personalized touches to your stay. Guests enjoy personal parking spaces with direct, private access to rooms while all guest rooms feature acoustically sensitive windows offering stunning views over the Culture Village and the Creek.

This seamlessness extends through the boutique property with a carefully curated design experience by Paris-based Architecture Studio that is paired with a sense of continuousness and openness.  

A hop away from Dubai’s sights and sounds yet far enough to escape the bustle of urban life, guests can expect the best of two worlds at the property’s strategic location in Al Jaddaf.

How does Marriott Bonvoy’s affiliation and its focus on providing a premium brand experience within the luxury segment benefit its guests?

FORM Hotel, being part of Marriott Bonvoy under the premium brand, attracts many members throughout the year, particularly Elite Ambassadors and Elite Titanium members. These members earn 10 points for every $1 spent and enjoy numerous benefits, including late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and room upgrades. Additionally, we’ve observed that many Marriott Bonvoy members return to FORM Hotel for the personalized service, coziness, comfort, and enhanced privacy measures.

Can you tell us about the Al Jaddaf area? 

Al Jaddaf is still in its development phase, with numerous upcoming projects and ambitious plans aimed at further enhancing the area. It boasts an impressive array of hotels and residential buildings, making it a vibrant and bustling hub for accommodation and housing. This cultural village is well-connected to tourist attractions and entertainment venues such as Festival City and Old Dubai. Architectural practice URB has unveiled its plans to develop the world’s largest Urban Tech District along the Al Jaddaf Creekside in Dubai. Al Jaddaf’s vision of sustainable practices with the project’s plans to use a host of ‘green’ programs and practices to achieve net-zero carbon goals. 

The biggest development in the future of Al Jaddaf is the construction of UAE’s very first sustainable building and a fully solar-powered Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) headquarters. Located in Al Jaddaf, you’ll find the renowned Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, the vibrant hub of visual arts at Al Jaddaf, and the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, the largest library in Dubai. Al Jaddaf, a vibrant location in Dubai, offers a rich blend of cultural attractions such as Dubai Culture Village, Zabeel Stadium, Dubai Creek, the Floating Bridge, Dhow Wharfage, and Al Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park, along with a range of luxurious hotels and resorts.