The management team for The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City has been announced as the hotel ramps up to open doors this summer.
The Westin Dubai will be the largest Westin hotel in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, standing 41 storeys tall on Sheikh Zayed Road with 1,004 rooms.
The team was announced by general manager Khaled Ghaleb. With a more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry working in award-winning luxury hotels across the UAE, Egypt and France, Ghaleb’s career started following a Bachelor’s Degree in hotel management. He joins the hotel from Starwood’s Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel in Dubai where he was the hotel manager for four years.
Ghaleb said: “We are now weeks away from opening, and are extremely excited to launch The Westin Dubai, Al Habtoor City. While the hotel stays true to the Westin brand, our promise is our guests is an urban retreat of endless choices in the heart of Dubai.”
Ghaleb is supported by a stellar team of experienced hospitality professionals. They include:
Daniel Kingston, hotel manager: He started with the first Westin hotel in India as front office manager in 2006. He returns to the Starwood family from Emaar Hospitality as hotel manager at Vida Downtown and Al Manzil Downtown in Dubai. Prior to that he was the pre-opening director of rooms at W Doha and part of the pre-opening task force at W Retreat & Spa Maldives.
Ruby Pande, director of housekeeping: With 15 years of experience, Pande has an excellent track record in handling large operations in flagship luxury properties. She joins from the 547 rooms and residences Grand Hyatt Mumbai where she was the executive housekeeper.
Waleed Abdellatif, director of rooms: With 20 years’ experience in Egypt and the US, Abdellatif has held various senior front office roles across several brands and key properties, including The St. Regis Washington and The St. Regis Monarch Beach.
Reda Sebbar, director of F&B: Sebbar has worked in hospitality in various F&B positions, with his most recent being as executive assistant manager at Adnec, Abu Dhabi.
Carl Stockenstrom, executive chef: He has worked in five-star luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants for 22 years across Europe and the Middle East. He joins from Zaya Nurai Island as EAM of culinary and F&B.
Lester D’Souza, chief engineer: With 22 years of experience in hotel services and facility management, he has a strong background in electrical engineering and has been involved with several hotel pre-openings in the past.
Dara Pinke, director of human resources -complex: She has previously managed six pre-openings including the Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah, which saw her win a coveted Hotelier Middle East Award in 2014.
Candice D’Cruz, director of marketing and PR -complex: D’Cruz joined Starwood in 2011 to open the region’s first St Regis, The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi. Previously she worked with Emaar and led the marketing for Burj Khalifa, home to the Armani Hotel Dubai.
Nathalie Massabki, director of revenue - complex: She joined Starwood in 1998 and has worked across markets as diverse as Paris and Cairo. Most recently, she was area director of revenue for Starwood’s seven hotels in Abu Dhabi.
Bernard Obaro, director of finance - complex: Obaro first came to Dubai in 1996 to open the Sheraton Deira. Most recently he was director of finance for Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates.
Amanda Schmiege, director of spa and recreation - complex: She will overlook the Heavenly Spa by Westin, The Westin WORKOUT Fitness Studio, The Westin Family Kids Club and the hotel’s swimming pools. She was the general manager of The Red Door Union Square in New York before moving to Dubai last summer.
Andrew King, director of security - complex: He has spent 15 years in the British Royal Marine Commandos. He has previously held positions including head of security for Nokia MEA region, corporate director of HSE at Jumeirah Group, and director of risk at IHG Festival City.
Vises Kith, director of information technology -complex: Kith has been involved with eight pre-openings in his 11 years with Starwood, including the conversion and opening of Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the Emirates.
