Four Seasons Resort Dubai has announced the appointment of Simon Casson as regional vice president and general manager of its Jumeirah Beach property, when it opens late next year.

Casson will make the transition from his current position as regional vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Doha, where he is currently based, to Dubai leading the pre-opening team in November, a statement from the resort said.

He will continue to fulfill his role as regional vice president – overseeing Four Seasons Hotels in Damascus, Syria, Beirut, Lebanon, Riyadh, Baku and Tanzania, in addition to the Dubai property.

Christopher W Norton, president of hotel operations Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “The Dubai resort is one of the most highly anticipated within our Middle East portfolio. We expect it to be a top player in its competitor set and Simon Casson is the right man to be in charge.”

“Casson’s knowledge of the industry, his years spent in the region and his astute sense for both the hard and soft skills needed to run a highly successful resort means that the team in Dubai will have a highly accomplished hotelier at the helm, in a booming market.”

A 24-year veteran of Four Seasons, Casson fulfilled a career-long goal to be a general manager with Four Seasons when he moved to Doha in 2004, following time spent with the company at properties in North America and Europe.

As the general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Doha for the past nine years and a regional vice president Middle East for the past two years, Casson possesses a deep knowledge of the market and what works in this region, and has been instrumental in guiding the Middle Eastern property teams in a period of rapid growth and change, the statement said.

“Dubai is the epicentre of high-end hospitality within the Middle East and so I am excited and honoured to have the opportunity to lead the opening of our new resort on Jumeirah Beach,” said Simon Casson. “This iconic site will provide the backdrop for a resort where we will deliver the renowned Four Seasons differentiator… intuitive, natural service excellence. We aim to be a game changer in the Dubai luxury hotel market.”

A highly respected hotelier, Casson was named among the ‘Most Powerful Hoteliers in the Middle East’ in 2012 by Hotelier Middle East. He was also recently named chair of Four Seasons Global Spa Task Force, leading a 20-member committee that oversees award winning Four Seasons Spas around the world.

Construction on Four Seasons Resort Dubai Jumeirah Beach is on schedule and making strong headway with main structural works completed on the five-storey property and interior installations due to commence, the statement said.

With 237 rooms, including 49 suites, and a prime beach-front location with convenient access to the main commercial district on Sheikh Zayed Road, the resort will target an almost equal mix of leisure and business guests.

It will be home to multiple restaurants, and poolside dining. The function spaces which have beachfront access will include a 600 sq m ballroom and five meeting rooms. The resort will also be home to a world class spa, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts and private beach club. – TradeArabia News Service