Nestled among the captivating landscapes of AlUla, a city where history whispers from ancient stone, the Cloud 7 Residence is one of the newest property openings, under the stewardship of General Manager Mohamed Zakaria. With an illustrious career shaped by the golden sands of Egypt, Zakaria carries the torch of his heritage into the heart of the Saudi Arabian hospitality industry.
Zakaria’s journey in luxury hospitality spans over two decades. “I’m from Egypt,” he shares, “where we are brought up with respectability and tourism. This is part of our culture, especially in places like Luxor, where they meet you, they give away whatever they have.”
This ethos of hospitality has been the compass throughout his voyage, guiding him from the historical grandeur of Egypt to the prestigious corridors of the Four Seasons, where he honed his expertise over 20 years. His narrative is dotted with significant milestones, including openings in Hong Kong and several properties in Egypt, and pivotal roles in Budapest and Kuwait. “My last property was the Four Seasons in Kuwait for five years, where I did the opening and before that, the Four Seasons in Budapest. I was the hotel manager there for another five years,” Zakaria recounts with a reflective tone.
His path eventually led him to Kerten Hospitality in Saudi Arabia, a group that resonated with his vision of crafting unique experiences and expanding services in just the right locales. “Their vision really matched what I’m looking for in terms of expansions and focusing on the right services, in the right locations,” he asserts.
At Cloud 7, AlUla, Zakaria is channelling this extensive experience to elevate the resort to unprecedented heights, fulfilling the aspirations of both the Saudi Arabian government and the Royal Commission. The task is a formidable one, especially during high season when the demand for AlUla as a destination skyrockets. Nonetheless, Zakaria and his team have risen to the challenge, doubling the resort’s capacity from 150 to 301 rooms.
For those experiencing Cloud 7 for the first time, Zakaria ensures an offering rich in diversity and steeped in the cultural narrative of AlUla. From deluxe suites to the soon-to-be-launched caravans, guests are immersed in luxury, privacy, and the beauty of their surroundings. “You will have your own private parking in front of the mountains, your own barbecue grilling experience. In one hotel, four different room types with four different unique experiences,” he explains.
Beyond the intricacies of resort management, Zakaria’s role extends to nurturing Kerten Hospitality’s expansion globally, where he leverages his expertise to ensure new openings encapsulate the group’s ethos. Emphasising teamwork, he says, “We work as one team and one family.”
At the core of Cloud 7’s—and by extension, AlUla’s—success is a dedication to training and integrating the local community into the burgeoning tourism tapestry. Zakaria is passionate about empowering local talent through customized training, adapting international standards to AlUla’s unique charm and the resort’s ethos.
Reflecting on the culture of hospitality that he’s now a part of in AlUla, Zakaria speaks with affection about the local generosity that echoes his own Egyptian upbringing. “The local people are very generous; this is something in their DNA. They even open their houses for us to come for dinner.”
Even the airport experience in AlUla carries a hint of this hospitable spirit, something that pleasantly surprised Zakaria himself. “It’s like home arriving home,” he muses, a sentiment that perfectly captures the essence of Cloud 7, where every guest’s arrival is a return to the warmth of an ever-welcoming family.
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Read also: ALULA GUIDE: A GENUINE LOCAL APPROACH
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Photo – top of page – Mohamed Zakaria – by R Barnes / SAFE
