Hospitality

CRAFTING EXPERIENCES THAT CELEBRATE PLACE, PEOPLE, AND PURPOSE

Published

8 months ago

November 4, 2025

Exclusive interview with Sébastien Carre, Group Head of Hospitality at Red Sea Global Hospitality

With more than three decades in luxury hospitality, what continues to fuel your passion for creating world-class guest experiences?

What continues to drive me is the sense of discovery that comes with every new project. Saudi Arabia is incredibly disruptive at the moment, surprising the world and emerging as a completely new destination. For people like us who have spent our lives crafting experiences across the world, this is an extraordinary new playground.

The quality of the resorts, the pristine coastline and the heartfelt nature of Saudi hospitality make it an enormous canvas for professionals to create on. What excites me most is being part of something that feels authentically Saudi yet resonates with guests from everywhere. Red Sea Global Hospitality is the country’s first homegrown luxury operator. We are built on Hafawah, the Saudi spirit of generosity and intuitive care. Our focus is on creating places that connect people to nature, to culture and to one another.

You can see this philosophy come to life in our first resorts. Desert Rock is carved into the Hijaz mountains, while Shebara rises above a turquoise lagoon surrounded by coral, its mirrored villas appearing to float on water. Each property is entirely different, yet both share the same purpose to celebrate nature rather than compete with it. Together, they set a new benchmark for how luxury can look and feel when it grows out of its environment.

Every day brings new learning and new challenges, and that sense of constant evolution is what keeps me passionate. There is something special about seeing guests react with wonder, because it reminds us that we are part of something that is fundamentally redefining what luxury hospitality can be.

Aerial view of luxury overwater villas with curved white roofs extending into turquoise lagoon waters at sunset, with palm tree-lined beach and jetty in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea destination

With such an expansive career behind you, what personal philosophies have kept you grounded through the shifts in global hospitality?

I believe hoteliers are humble by nature, because at the end of the day, our purpose is to serve and to create meaningful memories for others. The humanity of this profession is what gives it its purpose and keeps us grounded.

Of course, hospitality is also a business with commercial outcomes, but that is not what drives most of us. The difference between good and great hospitality always comes down to people. Genuine care for guests and for colleagues creates an environment where excellence happens naturally. When you lead with empathy and listen, everything else tends to follow.

Throughout my career, whether in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific or now here in Saudi Arabia, what has remained constant is the respect for people and the recognition that genuine hospitality stems from cultural values, family upbringing and the social codes that define a community. When people share values and feel proud of what they are building together, excellence comes naturally. Whether it’s connecting guests to new cultures or building teams with shared values, it always comes back to people who genuinely want to care for others.

What inspired your transition from Four Seasons’ legacy of luxury to Red Sea Global’s vision of regenerative luxury? Was there a defining moment that made you say, “This is where the future lies”?

After many years with an exceptional organisation that shaped much of my professional outlook, I wanted to be part of something different and The Red Sea offered that possibility. It combines extraordinary natural beauty with a commitment to rethinking how destinations are built and sustained.

When I first visited the region two years ago, the scale of its untouched landscapes left a lasting impression on me. I had travelled to Saudi Arabia many times for business in Riyadh and Jeddah, but I had never imagined that the coastline was so pristine. Flying over the region in seaplanes reminded me of the South Pacific. The lagoons, coral reefs and desert terrain were pristine, protected by a master plan that ensures ninety-nine percent of the area remains preserved, with only one percent designated for development. That level of stewardship is rare in our industry.

As hoteliers, we have spent the past decade focusing more on sustainability, but here it is part of the project’s DNA from the beginning. Seeing regeneration move from intention to measurable reality gives our work meaning. It also resonates with guests and with the new generation of employees who want to be part of something that matters.

This is what convinced me that the future of our industry lies here. We have the chance to redefine what luxury means for the next generation, where comfort and conservation coexist, and where travel truly becomes a force for good.

Having managed world-class resorts across Seychelles, Bora Bora, and Provence, how do you translate those refined operational standards into the DNA of The Red Sea and AMAALA?

Throughout my career, I have learned that local culture shapes how guests connect with a destination. Today’s travellers seek authenticity and moments that reveal a place’s true character. This comes from diversity, meeting people, understanding different ways of life, and connecting with their stories. This philosophy underpins everything we do at Red Sea Global Hospitality. Every property is rooted in its surroundings, whether it is Desert Rock, which sits in the mountains or Shebara that rises from the water, or Thuwal Private Retreat, which offers Saudi Arabia’s first private island for exclusive hire. Each expresses luxury differently, yet all share the same foundation of precision, genuine care, and deep respect for the environment and community.

In Saudi Arabia, guests are discovering a culture still largely unknown to them and are often surprised by the warmth and generosity of the people. Translating that authenticity into our operations is just as crucial as maintaining international standards. For us, service excellence and local pride go hand in hand.

In every property, we combine operational precision with emotional intelligence, ensuring that international service standards are met while honouring the warmth and authenticity of Saudi hospitality. Our expectations for service, sustainability and design are exacting, but we balance them with Hafawah, the Saudi spirit of warmth, sincerity and intuitive care. That is how we transform global excellence into a Saudi-born expression of luxury.

As hospitality becomes more purpose-driven, how do you inspire teams to align with RSG’s regenerative tourism vision, beyond the traditional guest-service mindset?

The key is aligning with the purpose of a generation rather than trying to convince them. We integrate regeneration and sustainability into our master planning and priorities, so people can see for themselves, without being pitched, that this is who we are.

Many of our team members join because they already share that sense of purpose. There is strong pride and belonging, especially among young Saudis who are deeply connected to their homeland and its progress. They understand that by joining the tourism sector they are contributing not only to an industry but also to a national vision.

That pride, combined with strong family and community bonds, is what makes Saudi hospitality so genuine. It comes from upbringing, from values that have been passed down through generations.. The kindness and generosity you experience here are not scripted, they are simply part of who people are. That authenticity is what makes this new era of hospitality so meaningful.

When team members believe so deeply in what they are doing, that authenticity becomes contagious. It shows in every guest interaction, and it travels organically through word-of-mouth and social channels. Many of our guests come from countries where we have done zero marketing, simply because the experience is disruptive and worth sharing.

Hospitality

MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS AL JADDAF REWARDS LONG SUMMER STAYS WITH 15,000 BONUS MARRIOTT BONVOY POINTS

Published

15 seconds ago

July 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

This summer, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf is rewarding its longest-staying guests with something worth settling in for. Guests who stay 30 nights or more, completed before 7 September 2026, will earn a bonus of 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

The offer lands as Dubai’s hospitality market leans further into longer-stay demand and within that expansion, hotel apartments have carved out a distinct niche: business travellers on extended assignments, relocating executives and families settling in for months at a time are increasingly choosing the flexibility of a private residence over a traditional hotel room, a shift that is prompting operators across the city to compete harder for the long-staying guest.

The timing is no accident as Al Jaddaf has recently completed a refurbishment across its residences, refreshing interiors while preserving the warm, residential character the property is known for. Every apartment now also features an in-unit water filtration system for premium drinking water, removing the need for single-use plastic bottles across the building, part of a broader push to make longer stays not just more rewarding, but more comfortable and more sustainable. Beyond the apartment door, residents find a fully equipped gym, two outdoor swimming pools, a Balinese spa, a beauty salon, an ATM and an on-site convenience store, along with five restaurants and lounges that carry them from a business dinner to a relaxed family meal to a quiet evening drink.

The bonus builds on rewards that already come with every stay. Across the Marriott Executive Apartments brand, guests now earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy points for every US dollar spent, while every night counts as one Elite Night Credit towards Marriott Bonvoy status. For those settling in for a month or a full season, a long stay in Dubai becomes a fast track to elite recognition across Marriott International’s portfolio of more than 10,000 hotels worldwide.

“Many of our guests choose to stay with us for months rather than nights, and this summer’s offer is a way of recognising that,” said Saad Al-Ghamdi, General Manager. “The longer a guest makes Al Jaddaf their home in Dubai, the more rewarding the stay becomes, both during their time here and across the wider Marriott Bonvoy programme.”

With monthly and yearly residency arrangements available, guests enjoy the flexibility of a private lease without the setup costs, the paperwork or the compromise on service that usually accompany it.

Set in the heart of Dubai with views over Dubai Creek and the city skyline, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf sits less than 10 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Airport. Its fully serviced one, two and three-bedroom apartments come with full kitchens, generous living and dining areas and dedicated workspaces, alongside twice-weekly housekeeping, 24-hour concierge and security, and in-room dining around the clock.

Reservations

To book the offer, guests can apply promotional code S2449 at marriott.com/DXBHC or through the Marriott Bonvoy app. To explore longer stays at Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf more broadly, please visit marriott.com/DXBHC or contact the hotel at reservations.jaddaf@marriott.com.

Hospitality

MAUSAM CONTINUES ITS REGIONAL CULINARY JOURNEY WITH THE COASTAL FLAVOURS OF PONDICHERRY

Published

40 minutes ago

July 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Following the success of its previous culinary showcases, Flavours of Royal India and Taste of Kerala, Mausam continues its regional cuisine series with the introduction of Coastal Flavours of Pondicherry, a limited-time dining experience inspired by the rich culinary heritage of India’s picturesque southern coastline. Set against stunning views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, Mausam offers an immersive setting that complements its authentic regional dining experiences.

Each edition in the series celebrates a different region of India through thoughtfully curated menus that highlight local traditions, distinctive ingredients and time-honoured recipes. This latest chapter pays tribute to Pondicherry’s unique blend of South Indian influences and coastal flavours, bringing together comforting dishes, aromatic spices and fresh produce that define the region’s culinary identity.

Guests can begin their culinary adventure with the fragrant Murungai Lemon Rasam, followed by a choice of the crispy Vazhaipoo Vadai or the flavour-packed Prawns Milagu Varuval. The main course showcases regional favourites including Mutton Takkali Kuzhambu, Chicken Fricassee and the traditional Avial, complemented by Madras Chicken Biryani or Lemon Rice, seasonal vegetables and freshly prepared breads. The experience concludes with a delicate Tender Coconut Custard, offering the perfect sweet finish inspired by the tropical flavours of the region.

Whether discovering Pondicherry’s cuisine for the first time or revisiting familiar favourites, guests can savour an authentic taste of India’s southern coast while enjoying one of Downtown Dubai’s most scenic dining destinations.

Offer: Coastal Flavours of Pondicherry Set Menu
When: 20th July – 31st July 2026
Price: AED 180 per person
Location: Mausam, Dubai Mall

For reservation, please call +971 4 438 4001 or email at emaarhospitalitypr@meansdesign.ae and follow-on Instagram @mausamdubai.

Hospitality

THE SHIFT TOWARD PERFORMANCE-DRIVEN UPHOLSTERY IN LUXURY HOSPITALITY

Published

47 minutes ago

July 9, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Abrar Fayaz Khazi, Country Director Qatar, Euro Systems

Qatar’s hospitality sector is entering a new phase of maturity. Across Doha, Lusail, West Bay, and The Pearl, luxury hospitality developments are no longer competing purely through architecture or visual grandeur, but through experience, comfort, operational performance, and long-term spatial quality.

As hospitality expectations continue evolving, upholstery and soft furnishing systems have become far more than decorative finishes. They are now playing a critical role in defining how guests physically experience luxury environments daily.

In many projects, upholstery is still approached primarily from an aesthetic perspective. However, within Qatar’s hospitality environment, material performance is equally as important as appearance. Hotels across the region operate under demanding conditions involving continuous air conditioning cycles, high occupancy turnover, UV exposure, and constant operational wear. Materials that appear visually impressive during handover can deteriorate quickly if they are not engineered specifically for the realities of the GCC climate.

This is where the industry is beginning to shift.

Architects, consultants, and hospitality operators are increasingly looking beyond colour palettes and texture selections toward performance-led specification strategies that support operational longevity, maintenance efficiency, guest comfort, and brand consistency over time.

For public areas, lounges, and high-traffic hospitality zones, upholstery must withstand continuous use without compromising appearance or comfort. Guest suites and premium rooms require softer tactile environments combined with shading systems that contribute to privacy, glare reduction, thermal comfort, and acoustic softness. Outdoor hospitality spaces introduce even greater complexity, demanding UV-stabilized, weather-resistant, and breathable materials capable of maintaining performance under aggressive environmental conditions.

At the same time, Qatar’s hospitality market is witnessing a noticeable shift toward warmer and more human-centric interior environments. Designers are moving away from colder minimalist aesthetics and introducing layered textures, softer finishes, and more tactile materiality that creates emotional connection and sensory comfort for guests.

This evolution is also changing how hospitality projects are approached operationally.

The most successful projects today are not driven by product selection alone, but by early technical collaboration between architects, consultants, interior designers, and specialized fit-out and upholstery experts who understand both design intent and long-term material behaviour within the region.

Early involvement allows projects to properly address critical considerations such as durability, flame retardancy, acoustic performance, foam retention, stitching detailing, UV stability, and maintenance planning before procurement stages begin. This significantly reduces long-term operational issues while protecting the integrity of the design vision.

There is also growing recognition within Qatar’s hospitality sector that localized manufacturing and technical execution provide major advantages for large-scale developments. Greater control over fabrication quality, lead times, detailing, mock-ups, and installation coordination is becoming increasingly important as hospitality projects accelerate in complexity and delivery expectations.

Luxury hospitality is ultimately measured by how a space performs long after opening day.

The projects that will continue defining Qatar’s hospitality future are those that successfully combine design ambition with technical performance, operational resilience, and guest-centred comfort, creating environments that not only look exceptional, but continue performing at the highest level for years to come.