After an illustrious 4.5-year tenure, Alexander Blair has stepped down as the General Manager of Shangri-La Jeddah. In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Blair shared his reflections on his journey, his accomplishments, and his gratitude towards his colleagues and supporters.
Named General Manager of the Year, Saudi Arabia award at the inaugural Hotelier Middle East GM Awards 2024, Blair’s tenure at Shangri-La Jeddah began amidst the challenges of navigating a pre-opening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on this period, he noted, “What a journey it has been over the last 4.5 years, from joining a dusty building site, navigating a pre-opening in covid, being able to personally hand pick and onboard the very best talent, leading the way in localisation, developing F&B concepts that resonated with the Jeddawi market and compete with the best stand-alone outlets.” His leadership was instrumental in positioning Burj Assila and Shangri-La Jeddah as landmark luxury lifestyle destinations in the city and beyond.
Under Blair’s guidance, Shangri-La Jeddah achieved numerous accolades, including the Hotelier Middle East – Hotel Team of the Year 2023 and recognition as a “Great Place to Work Middle East” in February 2024. Blair attributes these achievements to the dedication and hard work of his colleagues, stating, “There is no doubt that we have a world-class asset; however, it is our colleagues that truly set us apart as they pioneer new horizons and set new benchmarks on a daily basis.”
Gratitude and farewell
In his farewell message on 7 July, his last day in office at the Jeddah resort, Blair expressed his gratitude to the Al Issa family and everyone at Assila Investments, particularly Mahmoud Zuaiter, for their unwavering support. “There are truly too many people to single out on this wonderful journey, however, I would like to thank the Al Issa family, everyone at Assila Investments including Mahmoud Zuaiter for giving me this opportunity and for their unwavering support, partnership and trust during my tenure, it has been an honour and privilege,” he shared.
Blair’s innovative leadership and commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences significantly elevated Shangri-La Jeddah’s hospitality standards. His strategic initiatives drove substantial growth, establishing the hotel as a leading destination for travellers worldwide. Under his guidance, the hotel received numerous prestigious awards, including:
- World’s Leading New Hotel 2022 at the World Travel Awards Grand Final Ceremony in Muscat, Oman, recognising the hotel’s exceptional performance and unprecedented hospitality services for both leisure and business segments.
- Saudi Arabia’s Leading New Hotel 2022 at a regional level, and Middle East’s Leading New Hotel 2022, highlighting the hotel’s status as a premier destination.
- Favourite City Hotel 2022 at the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, celebrating the best-in-class hospitality as chosen by discerning readers.
- Hotelier Middle East – Hotel Team of the Year 2023, acknowledging the outstanding efforts and achievements of the hotel staff.
- Great Place to Work Middle East in February 2024, recognising the hotel as an exemplary workplace in the region.
As Blair steps down, he leaves behind a legacy of excellence and innovation. “Remember Shangri-La Jeddah – ‘Don’t just compete – DOMINATE’,” he advised his colleagues. Blair will be taking a well-earned break before embarking on an exciting new journey in August.
Career highlights
Before his tenure at Shangri-La Jeddah, Blair held significant roles in renowned hospitality establishments, including:
- General Manager at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
- Complex General Manager at Rosewood Hotels & Resorts in Riyadh
- General Manager at Oriental Residence Bangkok
- Resort Manager at Gili Lankanfushi Maldives
His extensive experience and leadership in the hospitality industry have consistently driven success and innovation across various prestigious properties.
Shangri-La Jeddah: a beacon of luxury
Opened in February 2022, Shangri-La Jeddah is a new luxury landmark on the Jeddah waterfront and the Red Sea. Marking the brand’s debut in the Kingdom, the hotel has been welcoming guests with Shangri-La’s signature Asian hospitality and offers access to the city’s premier shopping destinations and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, home to the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix and one of the fastest street circuits in Formula 1.
Situated in the exclusive Burj Assila, a 64-storey architectural icon and Jeddah’s tallest building at a soaring 260 metres, Shangri-La Jeddah celebrates the brand’s Asian heritage while reflecting the local culture and environment. The hotel’s aesthetics pay homage to Shangri-La’s timeless style while elevating it to meet the evolving needs of modern travellers. Interiors draw on the three main elements of the brand’s new design ethos: Asian Sensibilities, Nature Inspired, and Spirit of Place.
Inspired by the natural elements around the Corniche, the hotel’s interiors are rendered in shades of blue, white and grey, while carefully considered features allow natural light to infuse public areas and guest rooms. Further creating a spirit of place and reflecting the surrounding nature, the 220 stylish guest rooms and suites and 17 serviced apartments feature floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping views over the Red Sea and the Jeddah skyline, along with nautical accents of light wood panelling and blue patterned carpets, and spacious balconies that fully immerse guests in the serenity of the waterfront.
Shangri-La Jeddah hosts a new outpost of Shang Palace, the brand’s award-winning restaurant concept, bringing soulful, modern Chinese cuisine to Saudi Arabia and offering a touch of Asian Sensibilities in its menus and interiors. Featuring a layout inspired by traditional courtyard siheyuan houses, Shang Palace pairs Arabian aesthetics with the Chinoiserie style and serves classic dishes such as Roasted Peking Duck alongside modern interpretations of Chinese favourites. The Waterfront Kitchen, the hotel’s all-day-dining restaurant, is inspired by yacht life and features live-cooking stations offering global delicacies, while COPA, the boutique patisserie, serves fine coffee and chocolate pairings.
Enhancing the guest experience, Shangri-La Jeddah has a Wellness Club with facilities for both men and women. Guests will find a menu of bespoke treatments at The Spa at Shangri-La, a state-of-the-art gym, and a tranquil 25-metre outdoor swimming pool with spectacular sea views. As part of its family experiences, the hotel also incorporates a Kids’ Club that hosts a roster of interactive activities and entertainment, allowing families to spend quality time together.
With some of the city’s most extensive and versatile event spaces, including the 960-square-metre Shangri-La Grand Ballroom which features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Red Sea, the hotel is set to become the city’s most popular venue for weddings and events.
Shangri-La Jeddah forms part of the two-billion Saudi Riyal, 60,015-square-metre mixed-use development project which is also home to 116 state-of-the-art Burj Assila Residences available for sale. The hotel is fully committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and Saudis make up approximately half of the hotel colleagues who are ready to welcome guests to a place steeped in centuries of Arabian culture and Shangri-La’s heartfelt hospitality.
As Blair moves on to new endeavours, Shangri-La Jeddah continues to shine as a premier hospitality destination, thanks to the foundation of excellence and innovation laid during his tenure.
What next @ Shangri-La?
Replacing Blair at the helm of the Shangri-La Jeddah for the interim (and who knows – after?) is Tobias Ernst, who arrived in April this year at the hotel as its new director of operations.
With extensive experience in international hotel management spanning the Far East to the Middle East, Ernst already has a wealth of familiarity with the Shangri-La brand.
His career in hospitality includes leadership roles at various Shangri-La properties in China, including Island Shangri-La Hong Kong, Shangri-La Dalian, Shangri-La Changchun, Shangri-La Haikou in Hainan, as well as the flagship Shangri-La Singapore.
Ernst is already leading Shangri-La Jeddah’s operational initiatives, implementing strategic plans to enhance efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and further solidify the hotel’s dynamic reputation in the luxury hospitality industry.
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Read also: Exploring Jeddah: “Bride of the Red Sea”
