What can guests look forward to in the newly opened Staybridge Suites Dubai Financial Centre?
Firstly, guests will enjoy staying at a prime city location a few steps from the metro station, yet they will still feel like they never left home in our generously sized suites, which come with fully fitted kitchens and living rooms. Being an IHG property, guests can also look forward to feeling recognized and genuinely welcome, which is what our True Hospitality philosophy is all about. They will love the complimentary breakfast, 24-hour coffee station and pantry, an awesome pool, the gym and our cozy communal areas and lounges. There is also Charlie Lane, our own in-house café and eatery.
How does Staybridge Suites offer guests more than the standard hotel experience?
Staybridge Suites was designed with the extended-stay guest in mind. Our spacious suites create a sense of all-day freedom that you’ll simply never get in a typical hotel room. Because many of our guests stay with us for weeks and even months, we get to know them better, which also helps us serve them better. We also believe that the design of our public areas and the social evenings, which we host on a weekly basis, help us create a real sense of community that you also won’t find at your standard hotel.
Which architecture firm is behind the hotel’s design and how does it architecturally meet the needs of extended-stay travelers?
The interior design concept was developed by Dexter Moren Associates, an award-winning architecture and interior design studio based in London.
Staybridge Suites was designed as a place to be lived in, not just stayed in overnight. Our suites also come in different sizes, from studios to one-, two- or even three-bedroom apartments. Each comes equipped with a fully fitted kitchen and a homely living space.
Our public areas were also designed to feel like a natural extension of one’s living room, which further helps us enable that sense of community throughout the building.
What can you tell us about your own professional experience and how you will use it in your new position?
After 20 years of hotel experience across Europe and the Middle East, I believe that people today are seeking unique and authentic experiences. Experiences are primarily delivered by people who are coached and trained but who also enjoy and take pride in service and in their craft. This is why our mission is focused on creating a fulfilling community and positive experiences for our colleagues and our guests.
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
