Emaar Hospitality Group has appointed Ahmed Elnawawy as general manager for Manzil Downtown, the upscale lifestyle hotel with a contemporary Arabesque design in Downtown Dubai, under the Vida Hotels & Resorts flag.

With 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ahmed is responsible for strengthening the distinctive positioning of the hotel while striving to further enhance service quality and brand value.

He will focus on delivering creative strategies to drive higher levels of operational performance, customer satisfaction and exceptional service standards.

Prior to his current appointment, Elnawawy has demonstrated commendable leadership and effective management in his role as director of rooms and residences at Address Dubai Mall, another hotel under Emaar Hospitality Group’s premium lifestyle hotel and serviced residences brand, Address Hotels + Resorts.

Olivier Harnisch, chief executive of Emaar Hospitality Group, said: “Manzil Downtown has established a distinctive niche in the hospitality sector, especially among the global urban travellers who seek culturally inspired settings.

“The property’s prime location, exceptional experiences and unrivalled service along with Ahmed Elnawawy’s wealth of experience will help reinforce its appeal and continue to set benchmarks in hotel performance.”

Elnawawy holds a bachelors degree in tourism and hotel management from the Egyptian Higher Institute of Management.

He has extensive experience across the industry having worked in several senior managerial positions overseeing the daily operations of the hotel with international hotels and hotel chains across the GCC.

Elnawawy said: “Manzil Downtown is a refreshingly different upscale lifestyle hotel, designed to appeal to a new generation of business executives, entrepreneurs and leisure travellers who want to experience Arabian hospitality in a sophisticated, contemporary yet comfortable ambience.

“Our focus will be to provide inspiring guest experiences and exceptional services, as well as to continue building on the hotel’s success.”

Overlooking the Burj Khalifa and located within a short walking distance from all major tourist attractions such as The Dubai Mall and Dubai Opera, the hotel has 197 intricately designed rooms and suites, a distinctive collection of restaurants and lounges, as well as state-of-the-art meeting and lifestyle events facilities and a business hub.