Two new general managers have joined Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts’ growing Dubai team as the hospitality firm prepares to open another two properties in the city in 2018.

Maria Lamarche, former hotel manager at Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba, Jordan, has been promoted to general manager of Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai and Alfio Bernardino comes on board as general manager of Mövenpick’s upcoming hotel in Dubai Media City, moving from his previous role as general manager of Radisson Blu Dubai Media City.

The new general managers will be responsible for leading the pre-opening teams of their respective properties, both of which are due to open this year, growing the hospitality firm’s Dubai portfolio to seven properties strong.

“I would like to congratulate Maria on her well-deserved promotion and welcome Alfio, an experienced hotelier, to the Mövenpick team,” said Marc Descrozaille, president - Middle East & Africa, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

“Both colleagues have extensive management and regional experience and I am confident they will successfully orchestrate the launch of two of our most exciting portfolio additions this year.”

Lamarche’s hospitality career spans more than three decades and several continents having worked for international hospitality names including Starwood, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Millennium & Copthorne, Hilton and Rotana.

In her previous role at Mövenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba, Lamarche, who is a national of the Dominican Republic, was recognised for her operational and management expertise, implementing several successful initiatives to improve guest satisfaction, reduce costs and increase profits.

Following her promotion, Lamarche will take the helm at Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Downtown Dubai, a property housed in a modern skyscraper featuring 246 apartments; a speciality restaurant and lobby café; a pool, gym, spa and beauty salon; several shops; and two meeting rooms. It is walking distance from the popular leisure and retail destination, Dubai Mall.

Bernardino is an Italian national with more than 20 years of industry experience in Europe, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean, many of which have been spent working for Carlson Rezidor. A graduate of Cornell University, his move to Mövenpick marks his fourth GM position.

He will oversee the successful opening of a property located in one of Dubai’s most vibrant precincts, Dubai Media City, designed to suit the needs of today’s on-the-go travellers.

The hotel will offer 235 contemporary rooms and suites; four dining venues including a brasserie serving French-inspired Nouvelle Bistro Cuisine and the Deli – an interactive “neighbourhood café” that’s ideal for quick business lunches; a spa, gym and swimming pool; plus four meeting venues with natural daylight and a large ballroom that can be converted into smaller rooms. In addition, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant will boast 360-degree views of the city skyline.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will launch at least two more properties in the UAE over the next few years, growing its portfolio in the country to nine by 2020. The Mövenpick Hotel Apartments Al Burj Business Bay in Dubai is scheduled for completion in 2019, while the company will make its debut in Ras Al Khaimah in 2020 with the opening of Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island. - TradeArabia News Service