Tristan de la Porte du Theil has been appointed General Manager of DUKES Dubai hotel and residences on the Palm Jumeirah.
Tristan, who joins from Tonino Lamborghini Hotels & Resorts, in China, boasts an extensive CV, with a considerable knowledge of the luxury market in China and South East Asia – two key feeder markets for the new DUKES Dubai hotel.
He is no stranger to opening hotels, having previously been involved in the launch of two hotels in China while, over the last seven years, he has opened and overseen renovations at numerous restaurants, bars and other stand alone, independent and branded food and beverage operations in Thailand and throughout Cambodia and China.
Debrah Dhugga, Managing Director, DUKES Dubai, said: “Tristan is a really solid operator, with true international five-star hotel experience and brings exciting leadership to DUKES Dubai.
“First of all, he has a great deal of experience opening new hotels and independent food and beverage outlets, which is particularly important as DUKES Dubai is home to six restaurants and bars.
“In addition to that, after spending nine years working in South East Asia for a five-star brand, he not only understands the Asian markets, which we have identified as key source markets, he also understands luxury, especially when delivering five-star service as well as maintaining first class quality, consistently.
“Completing the ideal candidate profile, Tristan has had four years’ experience in the local and regional markets after managing five-star F&B operations in both Dubai and Jeddah.”
A graduate of Swiss hospitality school Glion Institute of Higher Education, Tristan holds Bachelor degrees in Hospitality and Tourism Management and International Hospitality Management.
He said: “The five-star luxury market in Dubai is extremely competitive but we aim to carve out a niche with our warm, welcoming contemporary product, combined with classical British service standards, that the award-winning DUKES London has excelled at for many years,”
“I am also impressed with DUKES’ food and beverage offering. Quite apart from the exceptional F&B teams, we not only have the long-established West 14th – a Dubai institution when it comes to steak – but we are also home to the first multi-award winning Khyber (Indian restaurant) outside of Mumbai.
“Elsewhere we have our signature Great British Restaurant (GBR), for which we have capitalised on one of the most significant trends to hit F&B over recent years – the re-emergence of British culinary classics. We have also exported the signature DUKES bar to Dubai, along with a traditional menu.”
Owned by luxury hospitality developer Seven Tides, DUKES Dubai is located on the west trunk of the stunning Palm Jumeirah, and marries Arabian luxury and British charm to reimagine one of the most successful heritage brands to come out of the UK.
DUKES Dubai comprises 279 guestrooms and 287 fully furnished apartments – including 64 suites and the women’s only Duchess Floor – along with a private beach club, and spa.