Aside from these establishments, Al Maryah Island
will also feature The Galleria, a high-end retail destina- tion that offers a mix of luxury to mid-market interna- tional and speciality retailers alongside a collection of signature licensed chef-driven restaurants and cafés, all on the waterfront. Gordon believes that, as the island matures to
become a multifaceted destination with an impressive retail and leisure offering, it will attract a wider clientele. Romaniello agrees, adding that despite the island’s busi- ness focus, it has natural attractions, such as the beach, to appeal to leisure travellers. Eventually, this business-retail-leisure mix will
see Sowwah Square holding a variety of events and meetings, including the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry. “We’re looking forward to having FMCG events here,
as well as small exhibitions. We’re open-minded and we’re ready to work on a range of options,” Gordon says. Romaniello adds that Rosewood’s popularity in
Saudi Arabia, home to Al Faisaliah Hotel, Rosewood Corniche and Hotel Al Khozama, has helped create a loyal following among the Kingdom’s corporate execu- tives, who often travel to the UAE for business and a bit of rest and relaxation.
THE PITCH TO CLIENTS For meeting and event planners, Rosewood Abu Dhabi has some interesting propositions. Its location is easily accessible at just 30 minutes' drive from Abu Dhabi Inter- national Airport and approximately an hour from Dubai. Sowwah Square, which is being developed in
phases, will eventually be at the centre of Al Maryah Island’s comprehensive transport system, integrating the UAE capital’s road and future rail infrastructure. The network includes a multi-billion-dollar mass tran- sit system with light rail transit (LRT) lines that will link urban areas across the city.
1,000 number of delegates the main ballroom can hold for a
reception cocktail
Rosewood’s ballrooms, boardrooms and meeting
rooms offer conference and meeting solutions to cater for groups of various sizes. Its main ballroom, for example, can hold a cocktail reception for more than 1,000 delegates. The hotel’s pre-conference area, ideal for coffee
breaks and informal socialising, features a 12-metre glass wall that will give delegates a view of the waterfront. For added convenience, Rosewood’s meeting and conference facilities are situated on the same floor. Gordon says initial market feedback has been very
positive, although meetings clients are understandably reserving judgment until they get the opportunity to see the facilities first hand. Asking about the price position- ing strategy, Gordon explains that Rosewood’s customer- centred approach means that even pricing solutions will be tailored to individual client needs.
BIO SNAPSHOTS
Luigi Romaniello is a Rosewood veteran, having spent the last 12 years of his two-decade hospitality career with the company. He joined Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in August 1999 as Resident Manager of Caneel Bay in the US Virgin Islands. In December 2002, he moved to Rosewood Crescent Hotel in Dallas, Texas as Hotel Manager, a post he occupied until he was promoted in May 2007 as Managing Director of The Mansion on Peachtree in Atlanta, Georgia. Asking about his thoughts on moving to the UAE in 2011 to oversee the launch of Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Romaniello says he saw it as an exciting opportunity to assemble a team of talented individuals, who share Rosewood’s passion for service. “Our main philosophy at Rosewood is, ‘have fun’. We like to enjoy what we do, so there’s a lot of passion in our team,” he says.
Roddy Gordon is a seasoned hotelier with 20 years’ industry experi- ence. He joined Rosewood Abu Dhabi in July 2011 from Tamani Hotels & Resorts in Dubai, where he was Vice President of Sales and Market- ing. He spent the majority of his career with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, serving in various sales, marketing and operational roles within the company’s properties in US, Europe, Asia, New Zealand and the Middle East. Gordon says when he was presented with the opportunity to join Rosewood Abu Dhabi, he spent some time on TripAdvisor researching the brand from the guests’ point of view. “What struck me was the incredible levels of customer care, attention and courtesy that Rose- wood offers its customers. I thought to myself, this is what I believe in and I want to be associated with this company,” he says.
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