Hospitality
DUKES Dubai hotel rounds out leadership line-up with appointment of EAM Rooms
Mike Vroom appointed as Executive Assistant Manager in charge of Rooms; luxury hotel and hotel apartments on Palm Jumeirah to bring best of British to Dubai
Dubai-based luxury property developer and holding company Seven Tides International has named the newest member of its opening executive team with the appointment of Mike Vroom as Executive Assistant Manager – Rooms for its latest five-star hospitality venture, DUKES Dubai on Palm Jumeirah.
A graduate of the International Hotel School of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, he will lead the rooms division operation for both the 273-room hotel and 227 hotel apartments, and brings with him extensive experience garnered from key roles in leading luxury properties in his native South Africa.
“Mike is a young dynamic hotelier with a proven track record in the key areas of revenue growth and business optimisation, as well as having an excellent operational eye for detail, which is something that will define the DUKES Dubai experience,” said Abdulla Bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides International.
Vroom joins the DUKES team directly from a senior role with a duo of leading South African properties, the luxury boutique Queen Victoria Hotel and Dock House Hotel in Cape Town, where he was resident manager for both locations.
Prior to that, he was in charge of the entire rooms operation at the all-suite Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, which entailed hands-on responsibility across an extended remit including reservations, concierge, housekeeping, and the 24/7 butler service.
A highlight of his career progression to date, Vroom was previously manager of the hotel’s exclusive villas product, which he managed from pre-opening, as well as heading up the butler services team.
He also has estate management experience, which will prove extremely useful in the DUKES Dubai pre-opening phase, having worked for Sol Kerzner, owner of Kerzner International, as Assistant Estate Manager at the iconic Leeukoppie Estate in the prestigious Hout Bay area of Cape Town.
“We are also excited by Mike’s food and beverage background, as he has worked in some of South Africa’s best known fine dining establishments such as the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town. As a great team player, I am confident that this will add even more value when it comes to creating a seamless relationship between rooms and F&B, and will wow our guests from day one,” said Mete Atakuman, General Manager, DUKES Dubai.
“I’m delighted to be in the Emirates and, more importantly, to be joining Seven Tides International. The property has a unique positioning and a strong standalone identity, and I look forward to working with my team and the senior management to put DUKES Dubai on the map as a luxury hotel with a difference,” said Vroom.
Centrally located on the trunk of Palm Jumeirah, just 10 minutes’ drive from Dubai Marina and Sheikh Zayed Road, and only 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport, DUKES Dubai hotel and hotel apartments is set to add a distinctly British flavour to the city’s luxury hospitality offering.
The 273-room hotel and 227 hotel apartments will offer world-class leisure, conference and entertainment facilities including a stunning private beach, indoor pool, outdoor infinity pool and state-of-the-art gym, along with a number of food and beverage outlets.
For more information, please visit www.dukesdubai.com or www.seventides.com