Alessandro Redaelli spoke to Breaking Travel News

Having already been recognised as the United Arab Emirates’ Leading Hotel Residence by the World Travel Awards, Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah is expanding with the addition of Kempinski Emerald Palace in a move ensured to keep the property ahead of the chasing pack.

Here Breaking Travel News editor Chris O’Toole sits down with general manager Alessandro Redaelli to discuss the future of this eye opening hotel.

Breaking Travel News: You have been in position as General Manager of Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah for a year now. Can you tell us how the property has developed under your leadership during this time?

Alessandro Redaelli: From the beginning I highlighted the importance of the service delivery and consistency.

This property is a unique combination of the Hotel & Residences.

We took a further step to market it featuring this particular concept.

The appeal of spacious suites with private pools, extended garden and a variety of outdoors activities definitely makes us a family hotel.

In addition the new stylish beach restaurant will be opening this year.

We have repositioned the perception of our main restaurant theme, re-established on line communication with our guests as well as massively invested in training which I believe to be the core of success.

Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah is an icon of the United Arab Emirates

BTN: Construction is now underway on the second phase of the Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah. Can you tell us a little about the plans for this development and how far along the route to completion the property is?

AR: Kempinski Emerald Palace is a splendid project comprising of 319 hotel rooms and 20 villas.

There will also be banquet areas, six restaurants, including one representing a famous Michelin star chef, three bars, a night entertainment venue and 3,500 sq meters of spa area with an indoors pool.

The hotel is planned to open by the end of 2015.

We look forward to this step with a lot of enthusiasm to complement the existing property.

The refine building architecture is meant to recall the essence of the European flair which is deeply rooted in the Kempinski tradition.

Kempinski Emerald Palace will join the property in 2015

BTN: How will the property compare to competitors once this expansion has been completed? How does the Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah differentiate itself from other luxury hotels in Dubai?

AR: Once Kempinski Emerald Palace officially presents itself to the competition, it is the size of the room units, its prime location, food and beverage savoir faire and the Kempinski values reflected in service that will differentiate both hotels from other brands on the Palm.

BTN: How important do you feel the success of Expo 2020 will be to the continued development of Dubai as a tourism destination?

AR: It is definitely very important.

Certainly, Expo 2020 from now will attract investors, developers and visitors to Dubai.

However, we shall definitely face a major rates increase and a tougher competition once the attention on Dubai gets more focused.

Expo 2020 is a great opportunity and it is up to us to keep the trend up afterwards.

Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah has been recognised by the World Travel Awards

BTN: Do you feel the hosting of this event marks a return of the confidence that has been lacking in Dubai tourism over the past few years?

AR: Of course, Dubai is a destination that has indeed a lot to offer.

The reinforced confidence is inevitable, I would say, mainly due to the high emphasis being put on selected luxury, quality and memorable travel experience here in Dubai.

With the continuous support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai will certainly remain the place of new ventures, successful projects and growing opportunities.

BTN: World Travel Awards recognised Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah as United Arab Emirates’ Leading Hotel Residences earlier this year. How useful do you feel titles such as this are to the brand when attracting new customers?

AR: First of all I would like to thank my team members and the guests who contributed to our success with their efforts and recognition.

We are proud to receive this prestigious reward for the second year.

It is a very encouraging fact which I am sure will make us strive for excellence even more as well as will increase the awareness about our hotel together with the Kempinski brand.

More Information

For more information on Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah head over to the official website.

Interview: Chris O’Toole