Can you tell us about your new role?
I have been appointed as Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts regional VP and GM at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. In my new capacity, I will be overseeing several Four Seasons hotels and resorts in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. I will manage the day-to-day operations of Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, including guest rooms and suites, spa, restaurants and lounges, and I will focus on strengthening the extraordinary services of the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay while creating lifetime memories for our guests.
Furthermore, the move excites me greatly; Bahrain, renowned for its incredible hospitality and friendly people, houses the iconic Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. Located on its own private island, the hotel has become a popular choice for local vacationers and international travelers alike. The venue is a bold statement by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merill. It combines the best of a beach holiday and an urban getaway. I look forward to returning to Bahrain with my wife Mary and daughter Lara, where we have fond memories from a previous assignment and which was the birthplace of our second son Mazen, who is currently pursuing his higher education with his older brother Maher in Europe.
How do you rate your experience in Lebanon?
I leave Beirut after five years, which have been very unusual to say the least. During Lebanon’s stable years (2016-2019) and thanks to my outstanding team, we managed to achieve record results from the day we inaugurated Four Seasons Beirut. Regrettably, a challenging year ensued after the peak period, marked by civil unrest, revolution, Covid-19, currency devaluation. It furthermore culminated in the August 4 blast, prompting the hotel’s closure for restoration.
I have been privileged to work with top-notch professionals and lucky to have an extremely supportive owner. Their valued partnership and particularly their continued support have made this a thoroughly enjoyable and successful experience. So I can confidently say that my time in Beirut has been rewarding both personally & professionally.
What can you tell us about your successor?
I am thrilled about the appointment of Georges Ojeil. Given his 20 years of hospitality experience, local knowledge, and alignment with the Four Seasons culture, I believe he is the obvious choice.
Georges Ojeil joined Campbell Gray Hotels in 2015 as GM for Le Gray, Beirut. He has taken the management team from strength to strength. Furthermore, he coordinated the complex renovation and opening of additional facilities at Le Gray in 2017. Georges was also recently appointed the area GM for Campbell Gray Amman in addition to his responsibilities at Le Gray, Beirut.
As of January 2021, he will be the GM of Four Seasons Hotel Beirut and will report to me in my capacity as regional VP. Furthermore, Georges’ primary focus will be to oversee the ongoing restoration works in order to reopen the hotel and bring it back to its former glory.
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
