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.

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”

World famous purveyors of Beluga join Starwood repertoire

W Doha Hotel & Residences

Doha, Qatar - November, 2008: Following its reputation for pushing the boundaries in offering world class service and providing the most exquisite of amenities and cuisines to discerning guests and diners, W Doha Hotel and Residences will be home to one of the world’s most famous purveyors of caviar, “La Maison du Caviar”. 

The world famous French bistro and caviar outlet was first opened in Paris by Mr. Robert De Lalagade at the demand of the Shah of Iran in 1956. Mr. De Lalagade’s wife, Odette, is now in charge and continues to introduce the wonders of roe delicacies to Europe. “Bringing “La Maison du Caviar” as part of the W brand is in keeping with our dedication to offering world class products for guests who expect distinction and refinement in their dining experiences,” says Mr. Safak Guvenc, General Manager of W Doha Hotel & Residences. “We have always striven to let our guests enjoy something a little extraordinary by balancing it with elegance and luxury and we are very happy to bring “La Maison du Caviar” into our fold of world class restaurants.” 

Chairman and Managing Director of The Caviar Company, Hala Achkar, says of the company’s partnership with W Hotels, “The Caviar Company has a license to open restaurants in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, UAE, Bahrain and Syria, and we could not be more excited about this new and exciting venture in Qatar with W Doha. This innovative and refreshing destination with its modern ambiance and young-at-heart spirit really enticed us to open the very first “La Maison du Caviar” in the GCC in Doha. Our partnership with W Doha is an important part of our company’s strategic expansion plan and we look forward to a very exciting and fruitful collaboration with W Hotel. “La Maison du Caviar” is delighted to have an opportunity to offer this extraordinary and unique experience to Doha.”

“La Maison du Caviar” will offer visitors the chance to enjoy a range of caviars such as Iranian Beluga, Oscietra and Sevruga, as well as gastronomical delights from Norwegian, Danish and Scottish smoked salmons to Alaskan Spider Salad. “We’ve spared no expense in flying in only the best roe from around the world,” asserts Ms. Achkar. Designed to seat 90 people, the outlet will feature a stylish bar as well as a boutique store from which customers can purchase the restaurant’s delicacies for takeaway or gifts.

In addition to its reputed Whatever/Whenever® service of offering guests a chance to indulge their most desired wishes for treating themselves, W Doha Hotel and Residences will also feature two concept restaurants by world-famous chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten - Market by Jean-Georges and Spice Market, in their repertoire of truly world class dining experiences. Spice Market will give guests the chance to enjoy famous foods and dishes from around the world, while Market will offer a blend of fusion foods using famous international dishes and haute Arabian gourmet. W also caters for nightly entertainment with its chic Crystal and Wahm Shisha Lounges.

W hotel boats the latest amenities in luxury, dining and technology offering guests the chance to stay completely connected with state of the art IT infrastructure, or to enjoy complete relaxation with the finest details of comfort and recreation catered for at their SWEAT gym and BLISS® Spa. “At W, all you have to do is ask and we will take care of the rest,” avers Mr. Guvenc. “What we can promise you is that your experience with us will be completely unique and 100% unforgettable.”

Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel

Known to be the Pyramid of the Gulf, the Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel mystifies all guests with new creations of Seven Special Theme Nights all throughout the week. A sought-after dining experience at the Al Hubara Restaurant, a phalanx of culinary experts refresh all offers and revamped our collection of theme nights adding new enticing and mouth-watering daily evening buffets.

Meticulously designed menu has been put into place giving diners in the city a choice of seven theme dinner buffets spread out each day of the week.

Mediterranean cuisine takes over Monday nights offering bright and colorful array of sumptuous dishes from Napoli to Tripoli. Herb-flavored dishes with celestial aromas are just hints of a remarkable culinary experience.

Vida Buena, alimento bueno! It’s a Mexican Tuesday with Mexican Fiesta. Chef Roger Perez presents cuisine from his home country, Mexico. Famous mulli, chilis, guacamole and a long list of hot and spicy produce have been concocted to give all diners a taste of  Mexico.

On Wednesdays, guests can choose on mid-week break with our ever popular “catch of the day seafood treat”. Fresh and tasty seafood preparations are extravagantly displayed on a sumptuous buffet enriched with celestial flavours.

Characterized by its sophisticated and subtle use of various spices and herbs grown across Indian subcotinent, Thursday nights bring you one of the world’s diverse cuisines, Taste of India. Atta, masoor, chana, toor, and other staples will fill your table with rai, jeera, haldi, and more.

International Flair on Friday’s. Meticulous palate will have a taste of deliciously prepared international dishes from East to West. On a weekend out, family and friends of diverse culture unite on a lavish buffet with a special treat for each seat.

Experience the feast of 1001 Arabian Nights every Saturday. Essential traditional dishes will be served as you revisit the tales of Arabian nights. A peek will have plates of kebbeh, koftah, malfouf, and others with a combination of spices, comprising black and white pepper, cinnamon, cumin, cloves, coriander and turmeric.

In its never ending quest to cater to the most diversified tastes, Sheraton Kuwait is holding a “Prawns Promotion” at Shahrayar restaurant located on Sheraton’s rooftop where you can enjoy a dazzling view of the bustling life of the capital.

Marinated Grilled Prawns

Shahrayar restaurant welcomes you to sample the delicious “Prawns Promotion” ranging from fresh salads such as “Prawn Avocado Salad” and “Prawn & Celery Salad” to scrumptious main courses that include “Garlic Marinated Grilled Prawns”, “Coriander Marinated grilled Prawns” and much more.

All these special dishes are served with Shahrayar’s signature Iranian rice.

Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel is proud to announce the addition of Mexican-Latino cuisine authority, Chef Roger Perez Gonzalez, to its creative team of professional culinary experts.

A young polyglot, Chef Roger who speaks fluent French, Italian, Spanish, and other languages, possesses a Culinary Arts degree and diploma from Mexico and Switzerland. His trainings from other parts of the world as well as different hotels and resorts made him a kitchen authority with Mexican cuisine specialty.  He has been in the field for more than a decade and ceaselessly tries to enhance and develop his professional and personal skills. When asked how it is to be a chef, Roger explains, “Being a chef is like a leading-artist. Your produce is a reflection of your creation and imagination and should result in a powerful image. You should be very well versed in leading a team especially the one that composes different cultures and diverse personalities.”

As his first Sheraton hotel, Chef Roger promises himself to grow and progress with the Sheraton family. He claims that Sheraton has opened the door of opportunity for him to exhibit his skills and share his talents. Someday, he dreams of being an Executive Chef in any of Starwood hotels.

As he brought with him his expertise, Chef Roger is equipped to create unique and exotic Mexican-Latino preparations for the meticulous taste of all valued guests and loyal customers of Sheraton Doha. He dreams of serving the patrons with new trends of Mexican-Latino concoctions.

Chef Roger shared his secret in culinary magic of having an open-mind, being passionate to his work and his guidepost, “respect begets respect”.

Sheraton Doha’s General Manager, Mr. Gerhard Foltin adds, “A real Mexican with a heart of diverse cultures, Chef Roger will really be an asset to our property embracing Sheraton Doha as his second family because he will not just stay here…this is the place where he belongs.”

Gerhard Foltin, the General Manager said, “Our high-quality associates again has posed good example for the care of our environment with activities and programs geared to adopting green, safety, security, and awareness. Through their own extraordinary little ways, the Sheraton Doha family continuously creates extraordinary huge impact for the good of our community.”

The Sheraton Doha family during the activities.

The Sheraton Doha Resort & Convention Hotel recently observed the 11^th Annual Starwood Safety, Security and Environmental Health Week with awareness program and activities for associates and hotel guests. The hotel has called on all associates to successfully make an impact on safety, security and environment in support of the said Starwood’s annual program.

One of the highlights of the program is the evacuation drill participated by all associates as well as hotel guests. The guests were overwhelmed by the team spirit of the hotel associates and management. They were all glad having the feeling of a safe and secure stay in Sheraton Doha.

The Annual Starwood Safety, Security and Environmental Health Week is observed by all Starwood Hotels & Resorts worldwide with the aim of being the leader in the hospitality industry that demonstrates a responsible hotel as a positive force for the environment.