After receiving an overwhelming number of nominations for the Leaders in Hospitality Awards 2025, we are excited to reveal this year’s official shortlist.
Now in its 8th edition, the awards continue to recognise the individuals and teams redefining excellence across the region’s hospitality sector. The shortlist reflects both the quality of the nominations received and, where necessary, the editorial insight of our team.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination—we look forward to celebrating the industry’s achievements with you on Tuesday, 30 April 2025 at Sofitel Dubai The Palm
HOTEL CATEGORIES
BEST DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN HOSPITALITY
Accor shared services
ExploreTECH
Hudini, Mankara Technologies
NH Collection Dubai The Palm
Radisson Hotel Group
The First Group Hospitality
BEST HOTEL HYGIENE PRACTICES
Avani+ Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites
Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park
Jannah Hotels & Resorts
Hyatt Regency Riyadh
BEST HOTEL INTERIOR DESIGN
Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat
Erth Abu Dhabi
Mondrian Doha
Raffles the Palm Dubai
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai
The Chedi Muscat
The Ned Doha
CSR INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
Accor Shared Services Cluster of Hotels
Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection – ‘Your Iftar is on Us’
Avani+ Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites – Mangrove tree planting initiative in partnership with Al Zorah Mangroves
Destination Mina Seyahi – Hydroponic Farming with Crysp Farms
Erth Abu Dhabi – Bee conservation initiative in partnership with Rolls-Royce
Hilton Dubai The Walk – Tower Race
NH COLLECTION DUBAI THE PALM – Employee Engagement & Well-being initiatives
Radisson Hotel Group – “Iftar for All”
The First Group – TFG 7 Emirates Cycle Challenge
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach
Erth Abu Dhabi
Fairmont Fujairah
Rixos Bab Al Bahr
Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
Jannah Hotels Apartments & Villa Ras Al Khaima
Madareem
Marriott Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi
Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha
The WB
Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton
Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah
Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island
HOSPITALITY REAL ESTATE PIONEERS
DAMAC Hotels & Resorts
Rove Home
The First Group
HOTEL GYM OF THE YEAR
Etizan Fitness
Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek
W The Palm
Movenpick Resort Al Marjan Island
HOTEL SPA OF THE YEAR
Address Beach Resort
Anantara The Palm Dubai
Banyan Tree Dubai
Cinq Mondes Spa at Raffles The Palm Dubai
eforea Spa at Hiilton Dubai The Palm Jumeirah
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Wellbeings Holistic Healing, Marriott Marquis Jewel of the Creek
PAUSE Spa Château Berger, Paramount Hotel Midtown
The Ritz-Carlton Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi
The Spa at The Chedi Muscat
HOTEL WITH THE BEST VIEW
Address Beach Resort
Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat
Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai
Pullman Dubai Downtown
Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah
The Heritage Hotel, Autograph Collection
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
Accor shared services – BI Delivery & Data Science Ecosystem
ExploreTECH – White Label Solution
NH Collection Dubai The Palm – AI-generated content
LEADING BEACH CLUB
African Queen
Kaimana Beach
Koko Bay
Soluna Restaurants & Beach Club
LEADING BEACH HOTEL
Erth Abu Dhabi
Fairmont The Palm
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach
Rixos Al Mairid Ras Al Khaimah
Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
Rixos Premium Saadiyaat Island
LEADING BUSINESS HOTEL
Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel
Fairmont Dubai
Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai
Madareem Hotel
Media One Hotel
Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
Mondrian Doha
Pullman Dubai Downtown
Rove Downtown
Shangri-La Dubai
Sofitel Downtown Dubai
Taj Dubai
LEADING HOTEL F&B OUTLET
Amelia Dubai
CÉ LA VI Dubai
Farmhouse by Syrco at The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert
Fogueira Restaurant & Lounge
Luigia
Mott 32 Dubai
Smoki Moto Dubai
SUSHISAMBA Dubai
The Director’s Club
Toshi
Zing Beach and Pool Bar
LEADING HOTEL GROUP
Radisson Hotel Group
Rove Hotels
Accor
Hilton
Marriott
IHG
LEADING HOTEL MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Aleph Hospitality
Ishraq Hospitality
Valor Hospitality
Kerten Hospitality
LEADING HOTEL NIGHTLIFE VENUE
Ba-Boldly Asian
CÉ LA VI Dubai
Lucky Voice
Nonya Taj JLT
LEADING LUXURY HOTEL
Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat
Banyan Tree Dubai
Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi
Erth Abu Dhabi
Fairmont The Palm
Kempinski Palm Jumeirah
Raffles Dubai
The Chedi Muscat
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Rixos Premium Saadiyaat Island
LEADING NEW HOTEL
Delano Dubai
Five Luxe JBR
Mandarin Oriental Oman
Mama Shelter Dubai
LOBBY OF THE YEAR
Address Beach Resort
Blüthner Hall at Raffles The Palm Dubai
Raffles Dubai
Address Hotel Jabal Omar Makkah
The Chedi Muscat
MID-MARKET HOTEL OF THE YEAR
FORM Hotel, a member of Design Hotels and Marriott Bonvoy
Radisson Blu Jeddah Al Salam
The First Collection Marina
voco Dubai The Palm
Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills
RESORT OF THE YEAR
Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi
Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort
Movenpick Al Marjan Island
Erth Abu Dhabi
Fairmont Ajman
Melia Desert Palm Dubai
Raffles the Palm Dubai
Sofitel Dubai The Palm
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai
The Chedi Muscat
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Rixos Bab Al Bahr
SERVICED APARTMENTS OF THE YEAR
DAMAC Maison Aykon City
Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai
Jannah Executive Hotel Apartments
Nassima Tower Hotel Apartments
Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Apartments Kuwait
Radisson Hotel & Residence Riyadh Olaya
Staybridge Suites Dubai Internet City
SUSTAINABLE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Address Hotel Jabal Omar Makkah
Avani+ Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites
Conrad Dubai
DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach
Erth Abu Dhabi
Movenpick Al Marjan Island
Fairmont Dubai
Sheraton Grand Dubai
InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Marriott Marquis at Jewel of the Creek
Paramount Hotel Midtown
Rove Expo City
PEOPLE CATEGORIES
COMMERCIAL TEAM THE YEAR
Sofitel Dubai The Palm
Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Jabal Omar Hyatt Regency Makkah
Accor
CONCIERGE OF THE YEAR
Arnulfo “Arnie” Guinto, Dusit Thani Dubai
Frankbell Nkengafac, Marriott Marquis Dubai at Jewel of the Creek
Ansar Basheer, Destination Mina Seyahi
Moeen Khan , Shangri-La Dubai
James Pougamei, Paramount Hotel Dubai
Alina Martynenko, Radisson Blu Resort, Fujairah
Andrew Mukiiza, Pullman Dubai Downtown
Suhail Nalupurakkal, Grand Millenium Hotel Dubai
EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Sawsen Ouriemmi , Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
Sangeeta Suryawamshi, Ritz-Carlton Jeddah
Nabel Awlad Thani, The Chedi Muscat
Ateev Shah, NH COLLECTION DUBAI THE PALM
Asif Khatri, Hilton Dubai Jumeriah & Hilton Dubai The Walk
Wael Alkhadraa, Raffles the Palm Dubai
Chan Nyein Kyaing, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Ashok Poojari, JA Ocean View Hotel
Devendra Rane, The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Paula Guedes , Shangri-La Dubai
Rupan Mohana, W Dubai – The Palm
Sevgi Ozden, Rixos Premium Dubai
F&B MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Justin Thekkuden , Taj Dubai
Mahmoud Adel, Radisson Hotel & Residence Riyadh Olaya
Ajay Singh, Fairmont Dubai
Nausheen Koul, Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat
Navneet Sharma , Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort
Jagbir Jasrotia, NH COLLECTION DUBAI THE PALM
Molly Assadi, voco Dubai The Palm
Kyle Dyason, garden on 8, Media One Hotel
Adrien Patrick Lang CÉ LA VI Dubai
Yilmaz Atez, Rixos Premium Dubai
FRONT DESK EXCELLENCE AWARD
Ali Hachem , Taj Dubai
Samaher Alsayed, Ritz Carlton Jeddah
Lyan Tubella, Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
Najla Alhajry, Radisson Hotel Group
Nadia Bouaissa, Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat
Betty Nantale , Raffles Dubai
Swam Htet, voco Dubai The Palm
Peter Abdelshaheed, DAMAC Maison Aykon City
Ziad Sfeir, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som
Jacqueline Esic, JA Hatta For Hotel
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Karim Bizid, The Chedi Muscat
Rachid Bakas, Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat
Mehmet Tulunay, Rixos Marina Abu Dhabi
Ramsey Saarany, Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort
Sid Sattanathan, Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills
Manish Jha, NH COLLECTION DUBAI THE PALM
Mueen Lababidi, Address Hotel Jabal Omar Makkah
Jean-Sebastien Kling, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah and Hilton Dubai The Walk
Remus Palimaru, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
Nader Halim, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, The WB Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton, and DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences.
Ammar Samad, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som
Christophe Schnyder, Sofitel Dubai The Palm
Dominic Arel, Fairmont The Palm
Michael Schmitt, Conrad Dubai
Burcak Orak, Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
HOSPITALITY CEO OF THE YEAR
Saurabh Bakshi, Azizi Hospitality
Panchali Mahendra, Atelier House Hospitality
Emile Razzouk, OAK Hospitality
Julien Bergue, Valor Hospitality Partners
HOSPITALITY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Christian Pertl, Shangri-La Group
Tariq Dowidar, Aleph Hospitality
Nada Sheshtawy, Rotana
Aaron Kaupp, Raffles the Palm Dubai
Kerry Healy, Accor
Dany Mahgiub, Fairmont The Palm
HOSPITALITY MARKETEER OF THE YEAR
Jhonna Cabatuan, Taj Dubai
Rosette Fares Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha
Milana KULKEYEVA, Hyde Dubai
Shannon Somaza, Radisson Hotel Dubai DAMAC Hills
Earle Enriquez, Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat
Zineb El Fakir, NH Collection Dubai The Palm
Nawfal Mbamba, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara
Yasmina Laloun, Sofitel Dubai Downtown
Wahab Sayed, Fairmont The Palm
HOTEL CHEF OF THE YEAR
Vikas Milhoutra , Taj Dubai
Juan Ancheita, DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach
Maitha Warshaw, Erth Abu Dhabi
Stuart Sage, Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah
Erkan Maden, JA Ocean View Hotel
Nikolaos Tsimidakis, Shangri-La Dubai
Alaa Alnachar, Grand Millenium Dubai
Darren Andow, Fairmont The Palm
Giovanni Ledon, W Dubai – The Palm
Ozer Ozden, Rixos Premium Dubai
HOTEL MANAGER
Antonio Ostuni, Sofitel Dubai The Palm
Marc Schroer, Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter
Gisele Clark, Hilton Dubai The Walk
John Halliday, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach
Shadi Refai , Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
HOTEL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Taj Dubai
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
Fairmont Dubai
Intercontinental Abu Dhabi
NH Collection Dubai The Palm
Erth Abu Dhabi
Sofitel Dubai Downtown
Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi
Paramount Hotel MIDTOWN
Rove JBR
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island
IT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Mahmood Ahmed, Media One Hotel
Yinka Dosunmu, Radisson Hotel Group
Sukitha Liyanage, NH COLLECTION DUBAI THE PALM
Abdul Munaf, Address Hotel Jabal Omar Makkah
Saeed Rehman, Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai
Joseph Adama , W Dubai – The Palm
LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD
Elizaveta Miroshnichenko, Al Habtoor Polo Resort
Talha Bin Masood, Address Hotel Jabal Omar Makkah
Zeynep Prakatur, Raffles the Palm Dubai
Wazzan Mohomed, voco Dubai The Palm
Bianca Bara, Marriott Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi
Adil Khan, Banyan Tree AlUla
Ammar Samad, Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som
Miguel Melo, Rixos Bab Al Bahr
LEADING HOSPITALITY ENTREPRENEUR
Christian Kiefer, Spa Wellness Project Management
Mona Faraj, ExploreTECH
Simon Wright, TGP International
LEADING HOSPITALITY HEAVYWEIGHT
Saurabh Tiwari , Taj Hotels
Bani Haddad, Aleph Hospitality
Sebastien Scheeg, Centara Hotel & Resorts
Ryan Hattingh, Agon Hospitality
Khaled AlOthaim, OAK Hospitality
Simon Wright, TGP International
Paul Bridger, Rove Hotels
MARKETING TEAM OF THE YEAR
Erth Abu Dhabi
NH Collection Dubai The Palm
Destination Mina Seyahi
HIilton Dubai The Palm Jumeirah
Mondrian Doha
Rove Hotels
Sofitel Dubai The Palm
Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai
Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai
Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai
Fairmont The Palm
OPERATION MANAGER
Wael Haddad , Pullman Dubai Downtown
Mohammed Ali Abdel Fattah, Ritz Carlton Jeddah
Ahmed Nabil Mahdy, Riyadh Airport Marriott
PR PERSON OF THE YEAR
Farah Bootwala, Taj Dubai
Yasmine Gammal, Marriott International
Alina Abramovich, Erth Abu Dhabi
Giuliana Giardina, Raffles the Palm Dubai
Anne-Lise Berthon, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Cybelle Daou, Accor
Marie Bernadette Ortiguerra, Radisson Blu Resort Fujairah
PROCUREMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Sageer Salam Patel, Marriott Marquis Dubai at Jewel of the Creek
Prabath Imaduwa, The First Group Hospitality
Aravind Raveendran, Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort
Selwyn Dias, CÉ LA VI Dubai
Sammy Laggoune, Sofitel Dubai Downtown
Ashley Succor Francis Lobo, Rove Hotels
Alawi Al-Maghrabi, Ritz Carlton Jeddah
Melwyn Coutinho, Shangri-La Dubai
REVENUE MANAGER
Sofia Chatziioannou, JW Marriott Marquis
Ishan Maken, Pullman Dubai Downtown
Aman Arora, Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai
RISING STAR OF THE INDUSTRY
Queenie Liewpin, Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat
Anirudh Sharma – Raffles Dubai
Khalid Rashid, Aleph Hospitality
Reginald Odiegwu, voco Dubai The Palm
Rajendra Bhandari, Banyan Tree AlUla
Owen Mbabvu, Paramount Hotel Dubai
Rochana Ndlovu, Melia Desert Palm
Princess Dizon, Pullman Dubai Downtown
Abdulwahab Mohammed Alqahtani, Radisson Hotel Group
Sahil Mulani, Ritz-Carlton Jeddah
GREEN LEADERSHIP AWARD
Harshal Valiyakath, Ritz-Carlton Jeddah
Sarah Chhatriwala, Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai
Ola Al Douri, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai
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