As the new General Manager, what is your vision for JW Marriott Hotel Muscat?
My vision is for JW Marriott Hotel Muscat to be recognised as the Leading Luxury Urban Resort in the city.
We are known for being an ideal venue for conferences, meetings, weddings and other social events, for being seamlessly linked to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), and for being a leading MICE Hotel in Muscat.
But our property offers much more than that. JW Marriott Hotel Muscat provides a wide range of enriching activities that guests can enjoy during their stay. We have a spacious fitness centre with stunning views, three swimming pools, outdoor gardens, a Spa by JW, and five dining venues offering a variety of cuisine. We have Butter Buns Sports Bar, which offers the perfect ambience for friends to gather, watch sports, enjoy good food and drinks with live DJ music. We also have Pink Salt restaurant, where you can experience sophisticated dining with dry-aged steaks, elegant desserts, signature drinks and more.
The Family by JW offers exciting activities for the little ones. We have kids camp across different seasons: Summer Camp, After-School Camp and Winter Camp, which can be booked on a monthly, weekly or even daily basis.
All these can be enjoyed within the hotel, within our luxury urban resort, which is not too far away, but offers a peaceful sanctuary to get away from the busyness of the city.
So, whether you’re coming for business, coming as a couple, or bringing your family with you, there is something in store for guests of all ages.
What innovations can we expect at the property?
We are elevating our dining offers across our restaurants. We have a new menu coming this September at Pink Salt Restaurant, featuring an elegant selection of dishes, desserts and signature drinks. We are also elevating Butter Buns Sports Bar and Catch Restaurant. Kitchen 7 will have new and exciting theme nights. Our chefs are crafting new interactive dishes, and we are bringing different DJs to the property. You can expect there to be a lot more events similar to the Secret Garden Party we held last month, featuring great music, great bites and drinks.
The Festive Season will also be a wonderful time at JW Marriott Hotel Muscat as we are preparing a line-up of activities and experiences for the whole family to enjoy, so stay tuned for more updates.
Can you share with us some highlights about the JW Marriott Hotel Muscat that many people may not be aware of?
Perhaps some people may not be aware that we have a modern and spacious fitness centre with stunning views, featuring 40 types of equipment by Technogym. We also have the largest Executive Lounge in the city which can be enjoyed by guests who book our suites and executive rooms.
Apart from that, we have several outdoor gardens which have mesmerising natural views and are perfect for social gatherings and garden weddings.
We also have a truly elegant and stunning Presidential Suite, which features a spacious living room, dining area, study area, and a terrace with beautiful views.
Looking from the outside, the hotel may look like a simple and ordinary property, but the surprise begins when you come inside and see the inspiring spaces that it offers.
How do you plan to elevate the guest experience?
“Luxury Service is Personalized Service”—This is what we always say at JW Marriott.
I am very hands-on when it comes to guest experience. I personally meet our guests and take the time to get to know them. This helps me better understand how we can serve the guests better.
And this is the same mindset that our team carries. We take the time to truly get to know our guests. We pay careful attention to their preferences and do our best to make them feel genuinely at home whenever they stay with us. I empower my team to take the extra mile to make our guests’ experience not just comfortable but also memorable.
One example is our Recreation Associate, Nadeeka. Apart from working in the pool area, he is also a talented artist who creates beautiful paintings and gives them as a complimentary gift to our guests as a remembrance of their stay in the hotel. We also have our talented F&B and Culinary team, who provide special amenities to guests upon arrival and departure. Our Housekeeping Team also makes hand-painted bookmarks, which they leave in the rooms for the guests to take away as a gift.
This level of personalised service and thoughtful gestures is what makes a lasting impression on the guests’ memories. This is what makes JW Marriott Hotel Muscat their second home—a familiarity that is warm, heartfelt, and genuine.
Marriott’s portfolio is diverse. What is your strategy to make JW Marriott Hotel Muscat stand out while maintaining Marriott’s standards?
Every brand has a personality of its own, has a story of its own.
Ours is derived from Marriott’s founder, Mr John Willard Marriott, from whom we got the name JW Marriott. Our brand values are based on his philosophy in life. As busy as he was, he made sure to make time for his family; he had time to care for himself, for his whole well-being: mind, body, and soul.
And at JW Marriott Hotel Muscat, we have also curated our offers to help nourish the mind, body and soul of our guests. From culinary to recreation, our experiences are designed to take care of the well-being of our guests.
For the body, we grow our own vegetables in the JW Garden and ensure the ingredients in our dishes are fresh. Fitness classes are also available to guests.
For the soul, we have the JW Serene Spaces where guests can have their quiet time, journal, and meditate.
For the mind, we anticipate guests’ needs, note their preferences before their arrival and take care of the little details so the guests can be themselves, free of worry about the little things.
The way we take care of the whole well-being of our guests is what makes us stand out as a property.
Marriott Bonvoy is a very popular loyalty program. How do you plan to promote and enhance the Bonvoy experience for guests at the JW Marriott Hotel Muscat?
First, we make sure that we educate our guests about the benefits of being a Marriott Bonvoy member. Upon arrival, our team takes the time to explain Marriott Bonvoy both to members and non-members. Members are also acknowledged and well-appreciated for their loyalty, and this appreciation is extended through the special amenities we prepare for them.
We also provide special discounts to members, applicable in rooms, spa & recreation, and in the restaurants to make their experience even more rewarding.
Apart from the discounts, guests also earn points whenever they stay and dine at our property. And these points can be used for a complimentary stay, meal and more.
We communicate this through various channels, and most especially through our associates who know the program by heart.
What is your leadership mantra?
Lead by example.
To be truly effective as a leader, your team should see it first in you. I believe in setting an example, which inspires the team to work hard and be dedicated to every task at hand. I teach passion by being passionate about what I do. I teach personalised service by setting an example on how to take personal attention to the guests. If they see it in me, it will be easier for the team to follow.
If you could describe your approach to hospitality in three words, what would they be? And why?
Genuine. Personalised. Guest-focused.
In this business-driven and transactional world, hospitality should remain a space for genuine, personalised and warm interactions. We are not simply a hotel that offers comfortable rooms and great food. We are a property that welcomes guests with genuine warmth. We are a team of genuine people welcoming people with genuine needs. The sincerity in every interaction we have is what transforms our hotel into a home away from home