1001 Hotel Nights

Times are changing, the days when a full-time employment after graduation was the only option for hotel management graduates are over. Security as an immediate career objective is not so present anymore. More and more graduates in the early years of their career are looking for personal growth and experience.

Of course, there is always the possibility to continue studying, but not for all professions will this make a difference, nor for everybody will this seem appealing. Especially in hospitality management the need for practical qualifications and skills in contrary to firm theoretical backgrounds is evident.

It might seem hard segregating trainee ships from internships.  The trainee ship this post emphasizes on is the on-job trainings, after graduation and for at least 1 year. You can look at it as a super-sized internship with the bonus for the graduates of being more advanced in their careers and therefore able to absorb and gain knowledge far more efficiently than during the internships.

Depending on the company providing the trainee ship contracts, the trainees enjoy guaranteed full-time contracts on completion of the trainee ship, housing and other benefits. Now isn’t that nice?

Eelco Böhtlingk, from The Netherlands, in July 2008, made it into the trainee ship offered by Starwood Hotels & Resorts worldwide, Vita Futura, a 1,5 to 2 year Graduate Management Program divided into 3 stages, eventually allowing him to specialize in one department.

Vita Futura also offers Eelco the opportunity to experience almost all departments and in so doing finding his preferred future career path. He is currently placed at the Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort, the benchmark luxury Hotel in Abu Dhabi since 1979!

It gets him going around to every corner of the hotel…along the way he is gaining understanding of the aspects and challenges of different departments in the hotel. By developing such an overview his knowledge is becoming more and more effective each day. This experience will prove to be invaluable for his future career at Starwood.

As with any regular employment he had to apply for the trainee ship, but the process after applying and before hiring is dissimilar. Most trainee ships will require you to enter an assessment process in which you will be tested on various skills and qualifications. For a hospitality related trainee ship you can expect to get tested on language skills, basic IQ, EQ and group interaction/ presentation skills. Basic requirements for the job of a hospitality manager anyway right?

Vita Futura values each person by building on their existing skills and experience, and by opening the door to an exciting and challenging international career.

Interested in learning more about Starwood’s Vita Futura Graduate Management Program? Visit www.starwoodvitafutura.com, an opportunity to design your own destiny.

As the winter season draws in, the Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Dubai and Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road is offering great Winter Specials for the holiday season. Stay a minimum of 7 nights in any of these two great hotels and save 20% on your stay.
With lots of fantastic benefits from free WiFi spots in the hotel, to free shuttle service to the beach and lots of extra goodies, it promises to be a great stay at the Four Points.

Four Points Dubai Special Winter Offers

For more information about this Offer,visit:

• Four Points by Sheraton Sheikh Zayed Road.
• Four Points by Sheraton Downtown Dubai.

Pam Wilby, General Manager, receives the award.

Dubai, UAE, 29th October: Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa Dubai triumphed at the annual World Travel Awards, winning the highly sought award for ‘Middle East’s Leading Beach Resort’.

Over the last fourteen years the hotel’s name has become synonymous globally as a haven for unsurpassed luxury and leisure, whilst Caracalla Spa & Health Club is one of the most well established spas in Dubai, providing guests and members with the ultimate in pampering and revitalization. 

Continue reading “Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa Dubai takes centre stage at 2008 World Travel”

- World Travel Awards 2008 honour hotel with prestigious accolade-

Pam Wilby, General Manager, receives the award.

Dubai, UAE 29 October 2008: Grosvenor House Dubai was honoured at the World Travel Awards 2008 yesterday, receiving an excellence award for the ‘UAE’s Leading Hotel’.

The prestigious World Travel Awards are well respected within the travel and tourism industry honouring hotel leaders across 88 categories. Dubbed the Travel Industry ‘Oscars’, the awards have become influential and much sought after, conveying world-class service and hospitality. Votes are cast by fellow professionals on a global level from over 198 countries and more than 167,000 travel agencies and professionals.

Continue reading “Grosvenor House Named ‘UAE Leading Hotel’”

- The Westin Mina Seyahi to Host World’s Richest Marathon -

Dubai (UAE): The 2009 Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon will have a brand new race route starting and finishing at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, the new headquarters for the world’s richest athletics event.

To be staged on January 16, the US$2 million race over the classic 42km, 195m marathon distance will see the field – led by world record holder Haile Gebrselassie – tackle an “out and back” course from the new HQ with the turn to be made at the towering UAE flag at Union House.

Continue reading “New Route, New Race Hq For Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon”

‘Al Aqah Fun Day’ hosted by Le Meridien with proceeds going to local charity

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates: On December 02 Le Méridien Al Aqah will transform into a playground of fun and excitement with its fantastic fun day out for all the family offering a variety of action packed games for children and adults alike.

Expected to attract families from the local area and further a field, a wide range of fun events are planned for the day, starting at 12 noon and continuing until 8pm. The aim of the day is to not only bring families closer together but also to raise money for charity where this year all proceeds will go to the Angel appeal for Seafarers Support boat and a Fujairah charity association. Continue reading “This national Day is a Fun Day at Al Aqah for a good cause”

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates -To cater to the increasing number of leisure tourists and water sports enthusiasts, Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort will hold its fourth fly-fishing academy from December 14 to 21, 2008.

Fly fishing as a sport is believed to have originated as early as the second century, but the past 30 years have seen an increase in the popularity of salt-water fly fishing and the favorable weather conditions in Fujairah during autumn and winter make it an ideal venue for fly fishing.

Continue reading “Le Méridien Al Aqah’s popular fly-fishing academy returns in December”

Opening in 2012, The St. Regis Dubai and The Residences at The St. Regis Dubai Will Offer Guests Superior Design and Unparalleled Service in One of the Middle East’s Most Exciting Metropolises

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 10 July 2008 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced the introduction of its renowned St. Regis brand to the rapidly growing city of Dubai. Scheduled to open in 2012, The St. Regis Dubai and The Residences at The St. Regis Dubai will feature 220 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, including 44 Suites, and 80 branded residences as well as three world-class restaurants, two bars, a fitness center, swimming pool, shops and more than 4,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space. Reaching new heights of modern luxury, The St. Regis Dubai will introduce an unrivaled dimension of luxury and bespoke service at one of the world’s best addresses.

Continue reading “St. Regis makes the next stop on its global expedition with the debut of the St. Regis Dubai”