The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, a luxurious hotel in the Saudi Arabian capital, has appointed Gerrit Graef as the property’s new general manager.

Graef, who brings 30 years of hospitality experience, joins the hotel from his most recent position as hotel manager for The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah

Graef began his career in 1997 at Marriott International as director of food and beverage (F&B) at Renaissance Cologne Hotel. After moving to Dubai as director of F&B at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, Graef was later promoted to director of operations at the same hotel. After five years in Dubai, he relocated to Doha where he took on the role of hotel manager at the Renaissance Hotel, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartment Complex.

In 2014, Graef relocated to Bangkok as multi property general manager to launch the Bangkok Marriott Sukhumvit & Marriott Executive Apartment, Sukhumvit-Thoglor.

Commenting on his new role at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh, Graef said: “I am excited to take on the role of general manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh and join The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company family. I am confident that, with the outstanding group of Ladies and Gentlemen at the hotel, we will be able to build on its current success and transform the property to be a benchmark for luxury service in the Kingdom,” said Gerrit Graef. “This is exciting time to be at the helm of The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh and I look forward to all the opportunities and rewards this new role is bound to bring my way,” he concluded. - TradeArabia News Service