Andre Saade, general manager at Radisson Blu Minhal, shares how strategic rebranding, culinary precision and renewed event focus reshaped the hotel’s market position.
What key business milestones have shaped your recent performance?
Overall, several important milestones have reshaped our positioning, performance and confidence across the market. On January 7, we achieved a major turning point with the successful international rebranding of the hotel to Radisson Blu. Following the rebranding, our focus shifted toward fully embracing the brand and strategically repositioning the property to strengthen its competitiveness within the market. Building on this momentum, we relaunched our outside catering services under the Minhal Gourmet name, which generated immediate attention and strong market buzz. As a result, we are now receiving a consistently high volume of requests.
What do you believe has driven this positive response to your culinary offering?
We pay close attention to every detail, balancing menu variety carefully with uncompromising quality and flavor consistency in daily operations. Additionally, I always remind my team that untouched buffet items signal misalignment and therefore should never be repeated for guests. Furthermore, we constantly monitor guest preferences while challenging ourselves creatively to refine offerings and exceed expectations across all dining touchpoints. I am proud of our exceptional culinary team, which consistently delivers results at a remarkably high level every day.
How is the hotel evolving as a wedding and events destination?
The property holds a strong legacy, having been among the first hotels to open in Riyadh in 1981. Over the years, many individuals from earlier generations celebrated their weddings here, creating deep emotional connections with the hotel. Today, with the addition of two large ballrooms, we are seeing renewed interest and growing demand from couples, families and corporate clients. Increasingly, couples are looking for fresh destinations where they can pioneer new experiences rather than choose venues already familiar within their social circles. As a result, we are receiving a significant and steadily increasing number of wedding inquiries from diverse segments across the country.
