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BLENDING HERITAGE WITH HIGH-TOUCH HOSPITALITY

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Khalid Saeed, General Manager of Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, posing for a professional portrait.

Exclusive interview with Khalid Saeed, General Manager, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection

With your extensive experience in the UAE’s hospitality industry, how has your local expertise shaped your leadership approach at Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection?

    Working in the UAE for more than 26 years has taught me that hospitality here is about much more than service—it’s about culture and connection. At Al Habtoor Grand Resort, we live by our concept ‘Beach Meets Culture, blending our prime location on Jumeirah Beach with authentic touches of Emirati heritage. My leadership style reflects that same balance: operational discipline, financial responsibility, and genuine warmth that makes guests feel part of something special.

    Al Habtoor Grand Resort has emerged as a sought-after destination for regional travelers, especially from the GCC. What do you believe is attracting this audience to the property today?

      For GCC travellers, our resort offers the perfect mix of space, privacy, and connection. Families appreciate our suites, authentic Arabic design touches from elegant mashrabiya details to a warm contemporary Arabian style along with a wide choice of dining options and of course beachfront location. Business and leisure guests value our proximity to Dubai’s key districts. What sets us apart is consistency—guests know they can return to the same warm service and thoughtful details that make the stay truly memorable.

      How is the hotel integrating today’s evolving travel trends, such as wellness, workcation, and experience-driven stays, into the guest journey?

        Today’s travelers are seeking balance—wellness, productivity, and inspiring experiences. We meet these needs through our spa, fitness facilities, and a variety of outdoor activities, including four outdoor tennis courts, beach volleyball, a range of watersports for Adults, Kids water slides and  splash pad for children. For workcations, we offer high-speed connectivity and dedicated one of its kind  Club Lounge in the 25th Floor designed for both comfort and productivity.

        We further enhance the guest journey with curated dining experiences and cultural activations. This is where our ‘Beach Meets Culture’ identity truly shines—offering a stay that blends Dubai’s vibrant beach lifestyle with rich heritage, delivering an experience “exactly like nothing else”.

        What role does digital innovation play in your operations and guest engagement strategy?

          Digital innovation is a vital part of how we enhance the guest journey. Mobile check-in, digital concierge services, and tailored communications give guests convenience and personalisation, while analytics guide us in anticipating their needs. Yet hospitality is still about people—technology helps us deliver efficiency, but the human connection is what makes the experience unforgettable.

          In such a competitive hospitality landscape, what marketing or sales strategies have proven most effective for you in driving both occupancy and loyalty?

            Our strategy is built on clear positioning and disciplined execution. Personalized service, a strong focus on guest satisfaction, competitive promotions, and our ability to cater to a diverse mix of source markets have been key drivers of loyalty. Marriott Bonvoy also plays an important role, connecting us to a global community of travelers who value consistency and recognition. At the same time, we place strong emphasis on regional campaigns, strategic partnerships, and tailored promotions that resonate particularly well with the GCC market. What differentiates us is our ‘Beach Meets Culture’ identity, which allows us to highlight experiences that feel “exactly like nothing else” —whether it’s family-friendly recreation, cultural activations, or diverse dining.

            What does success look like for you at Al Habtoor Grand Resort over the next year?

              For me, success is about balance—achieving financial goals, creating unforgettable guest experiences, and keeping our team inspired. Over the next year, I want to strengthen our position as the resort where the spirit of place shines through—offering a stay that’s truly one of a kind. When our guests leave with lasting memories, our owners see measurable results, and our associates feel proud of where they work—that’s what true success looks like. True leadership is about empowering people to deliver results together, not alone.

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              Hospitality

              Meet Form Room: JVC’s All-Day Café Bringing Playful Dishes, Specialty Coffee and Good Vibes 

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              Form Room is an Aussie café in Jumeirah Village Circle, bringing together creative all-day dining, specialty coffee and a relaxed indoor-outdoor setting at Binghatti Jasmine. Casual, playful and a little nostalgic, the café takes inspiration from the feeling of gathering around a school lunch table, where good food, good company and plenty of conversation come together.

              Located in Al Barsha South 4, Form Room has been created with the JVC community in mind, offering an easy neighbourhood spot for everything from an early morning coffee and breakfast to a post-workout bite, casual lunch or afternoon catch-up. The café is also pet-friendly, welcoming four-legged companions into its relaxed indoor and outdoor space and making it a natural meeting point for the local community.

              The menu follows the same uncomplicated, playful approach, with familiar comfort food given a creative Form Room twist. The sandwich selection offers hearty, grab-and-go options with fillings ranging from loaded egg and crumbed chicken to slow-cooked beef, all made with quality ingredients.

              The menu also includes choices such as the Açaí Business Bowl, topped with granola, coconut yoghurt, fresh fruit and chia, alongside fresh juices and other options for those craving something lighter without compromising on flavour.

              Adding to the café’s offerings are The Heavy Hitters, two new protein shakes created with the active crowd in mind. Antioxidant Muscle Fuel and Strawberry Surge bring a more functional element to the drinks menu, providing convenient options for those looking to refuel before or after their daily routine.

              Coffee remains at the heart of the Form Room experience, with a specialty coffee menu spanning classic espresso-based favourites and signature drinks such as the Spanish Latte, Spanish Cortado, Affogato and Mocha. For those looking beyond coffee, the menu includes matcha, fresh juices, iced teas, lemonades, giving guests plenty of reasons to drop by throughout the day.

              The café’s personality extends to its sweet selection, with playful takes on familiar favourites including the Lotus Lamington, Crème Brûlée Cheesecake, Coconut Basbousa and Açaí Business Bowl. The result is a menu that balances indulgence with everyday options, reflecting the easy-going spirit of the space itself.

              Form Room also caters to families, with a selection of junior drinks including Babyccino and Kid’s Chocolate, making the café an accessible option for casual neighbourhood visits.

              For added convenience, Form Room is available for delivery through Deliveroo, Noon and Talabat, bringing its breakfast, sandwiches, mains, coffee and drinks to customers across the area.

              With ample parking available directly outside, Form Room is designed to be both convenient and inviting. 

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              Hospitality

              IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring its midscale brand, Garner Hotels to the Middle East with a dual signing in the UAE

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              IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, is bringing its conversion brand, Garner Hotels, to the Middle East through the signing of two hotels in the UAE with Nooa Holdings. Expected to open in 2026, Garner Hotel Dubai Al Jaddaf and Garner Hotel Ras Al Khaimah Downtown will add a combined 285 keys to IHG’s portfolio in the country. The milestone marks the regional debut of IHG’s fastest-scaling global brand and supports IHG’s continued growth in the UAE.

              The 204-key Garner Hotel Ras Al Khaimah Downtown will bring the brand to the growing northern emirate. The converted hotel will be located by the creek in Al Nakheel, close to Al Naeem Mall and approximately 15 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, positioning it to serve both business and leisure travellers.

              The 81-key Garner Hotel Dubai Al Jaddaf will occupy a well-connected location near Al Jaddaf Waterfront, between Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport. Featuring a rooftop pool overlooking Dubai Creek, the hotel will be within easy reach of the city’s business, leisure and cultural hotspots.

              Garner Hotels brings a distinctive proposition to the region’s growing mainstream segment – quality stays at an affordable price point, designed for guests who are in love with life, not luxury. With a highly adaptable, conversion-friendly model, the brand enables owners to unlock value with efficient and practical solutions, while delivering the relaxed, flexible and purposefully different experience travellers value most: a convenient location, a sound night’s sleep and a great breakfast. The brand offers easy-going stays that get guests on their way — and it gives owners access to IHG’s quality standards, enterprise systems and global loyalty platform, IHG One Rewards.

              Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “Bringing Garner Hotels to the Middle East is an important step in strengthening IHG’s midscale offer in the region. The UAE is a natural launch market for the brand, with strong demand from travellers seeking high-quality stays at an accessible price point and from owners looking for a compelling model backed by IHG’s systems, scale and global platforms. We are pleased to mark this milestone with Nooa Holdings as we continue to bring the right brands to the right locations across the UAE.”

              Amit Basnet, Founder & CEO, Nooa Holdings, added: “We are pleased to partner with IHG through Garner Hotel Dubai Al Jaddaf and Garner Hotel Ras Al Khaimah Downtown. Garner Hotels’ flexible model and focus on high-quality, affordable stays make it a strong fit for these two destinations. We look forward to opening both hotels and exploring further opportunities to grow our portfolio with IHG.”

              The signings respond to growing demand for high-quality, branded midscale accommodation in the UAE. Serving transient, business and leisure travellers, the two hotels will broaden guest choice in Al Jaddaf and Ras Al Khaimah while advancing IHG’s strategy to grow in high-potential destinations across the Emirates.

              IHG® currently has 39 hotels operating across eight brands in UAE, including InterContinental Hotels and Resorts®, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza®, voco™ Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort® , Holiday Inn Express® and Staybridge Suites, and a strong pipeline of 110 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years.

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              Hospitality

              Kcal launches world-first 360 longevity programme The new 12-week programme

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              Kcal has launched the world’s first 360 longevity programme, bringing together nutrition, hydration, supplementation and before-and-after biomarker testing within one structured 12-week programme. While each of these elements exists independently, Kcal is the first to bring all four together within a single programme. The launch marks the latest step in Kcal’s evolution. Sixteen years after launching in Dubai, the business is continuing to look firmly ahead, continuing to explore how nutrition and everyday health can become more personalised, connected and measurable Each client begins with a 26-marker blood panel, taken at home or in the office and processed by European diagnostics group Unilabs.

              This establishes their baseline before beginning the programme. At Week 12, the panel is repeated, allowing clients to compare their results with where they started. The first intake is limited to 50 clients, allowing the Kcal team to work closely with each client throughout the 12 week. Andreas Borgmann, Founder & CEO of Kcal, said: “Food has always been where Kcal starts, but it isn’t where health ends.

              What we eat, how we hydrate and the nutrients we give our bodies all work together. Too often, these things are looked at separately. “For me, the important part is being able to measure it. We can all say something is good for you, but I would rather look at the data. That’s why the programme starts with blood work and finishes with blood work. You have a baseline, you follow the programme for 12 weeks, and then you can see what actually changed.”

              How the 360 longevity programme works

              The programme runs Monday to Friday across 12 weeks, giving clients 60 delivery days within a structured 5-on/2-off cycle. It is built around four connected areas: biology, nutrition, hydration and supplementation.

              1. Biology

              The programme begins with a 26-marker blood panel powered by Unilabs, covering metabolism and blood sugar, cholesterol and cardiovascular health, liver function, vitamins and hormones. Results are reviewed with a dedicated Kcal nutritionist and help inform the client’s programme. At Week 12, the blood panel is repeated under the same conditions, giving clients a direct comparison with their starting results.

              2. Nutrition

              Clients receive three meals and two snacks daily, built around the Kcal plate: half greens, a quarter protein, with the remaining quarter split between healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. Meals are prepared with olive oil only and contain no additives, preservatives, seed oils or processed ingredients. The men’s programme averages 1,900 kcal and 150g of protein per day. The women’s programme averages 1,500 kcal and 120g of protein per day.

              3. Hydration

              Kcal Hydra+ provides two sugar-free electrolyte sachets daily, each containing 2g of creatine monohydrate, as part of the programme’s approach to daily hydration.

              4. Supplementation

              Each 23g sachet contains 38 active ingredients, including NMN, Calcium AKG, spermidine, creatine, Lion’s Mane and collagen, among others. The formula is third-party lab verified and contains no proprietary blends, with every ingredient and every dose listed on the label.

              Made for real life

              The 360 longevity programme follows a 5-on/2-off structure. Meals, Core and Hydra+ are delivered Monday through Friday, while weekends sit outside the structured programme. During weekends, clients are encouraged to continue the habits that sit behind the programme, including balanced meals, hydration, quality sleep and daily movement.

              What clients can expect

              A nurse draws the baseline panel at the client’s home or office. Meals begin three days later, informed by the client’s baseline metabolic markers. The full results are reviewed with a dedicated Kcal nutritionist. At Week 12, the process repeats under the same conditions: same panel, same lab, same protocol. Clients then receive a direct comparison against where they started.

              Pricing and availability

              The women’s programme is AED 233 per day and the men’s programme is AED 250 per day, across 60 days of food over 12 weeks. Payment splits are available through Tabby. Applications for the first 50 places are now open at kcallife.com/longevity.

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