On the occasion of Mercure Deira’s celebration to mark the brand’s 1,000th property in the world, we met with Julia Schamne, cluster general manager of Mercure Dubai Deira, to learn about the hotel and what the future holds.
How did you celebrate the opening of the 1,000th Mercure property?
We were thrilled to gather at Mercure Deira to celebrate the exciting milestone of opening the 1,000th Mercure hotel worldwide. With 1,000 hotel locations, Mercure’s mid-scale brand offers guests authentic connections to local cultures around the globe. For this special evening, the theme was “Discover Local Elements,” featuring dishes inspired by locally sourced ingredients and unique flavors. Specifically, guests enjoyed a cinnamon-infused UAE rack of lamb, clay-cooked for ultimate tenderness and flavor. In addition, our guests enjoyed pistachio honey cake, a unique twist on the popular pistachio chocolate trend.
Moreover, we previewed our “1,000 Local Flavors” menu, which will officially launch on November 1 and be available for 42 days. Highlights included the desert salad, featuring the UAE’s symbolic ghaf leaves, which honor local culture and heritage. Overall, this gathering celebrated Mercure’s dedication to highlighting local flavors while strengthening connections within the community.
What makes Mercure unique and what are the major changes you’ve implemented within the hotel?
Mercure prioritized sustainability from the beginning, opening in January with a strong commitment to eco-friendly practices and initiatives. The hotel uses only compostable materials, eliminating plastic, while providing guests with unlimited, filtered water through in-room filtration. Additionally, a garden-to-table concept in the main restaurant supports local suppliers, including Hatta’s Honeybee Farm, focusing on sustainability. Moreover, nearly half of the menu is dedicated to plant-based options, reflecting our commitment to health and the environment. Furthermore, Mercure’s diverse team, representing 31 nationalities, embodies the “heartist” spirit, with strong female leadership in roles such as HR and rooms management.
What are your plans for the hotel?
We will continue to focus on our members, ensuring their needs are always prioritized. We have received amazing feedback and a warm welcome from our loyal Accor members, a testament to our strong loyalty program. In fact, we have one of the highest contributions in terms of member stays and direct bookings. This success is driven by several factors, including Mercure’s highly recognized and widely distributed brand. With a thousand addresses, it’s one of the largest and fastest-growing mid-scale brands, backed by strong storytelling and unwavering standards.
Moreover, we prioritize our members by providing them with a personalized approach, individual space, and dedicated attention. Looking ahead, we expect even more success and increased contributions to the local community. This is incredibly important for us as a group. Additionally, we are exploring ways to expand our involvement in charity work, aiming to give back to the community in meaningful ways.
We have always focused on becoming the go-to spot for the community, whether it’s for coffee or laundry services. Furthermore, we want to be a place where neighbors feel comfortable connecting to Wi-Fi or having a quick meeting. Essentially, we aim to be the neighborhood hub where people feel at home, embodying the spirit of “Discover Local” for the community.
