Soaring over the Red Sea’s shores, The Rosewood Jeddah is a structure that is as much a part of Jeddah’s cultural fabric as the Corniche it adorns. Established over 16 years ago, this hotel has borne witness to the city’s incredible metamorphosis from a gateway to the holy city of Makkah to a burgeoning resort town in its own right. While the Rosewood may not owe its inception to Hussein Dayekh, it is under his guidance today that the hotel continues to bloom, enriching the narrative of luxury hospitality in the Kingdom.
The “Soleil” lounge, where we meet with Hussein, captures the essence of the Rosewood’s spirit: understated elegance, opulence and style. It is within this setting that Hussein, with the warmth and openness characteristic of his Lebanese heritage, delves into his personal journey and the hotel’s trajectory.
The jovial GM has a rich narrative that dovetails with the Rosewood’s ethos of exceptional service and luxury. In a candid conversation, Dayekh, a Lebanese national, reflects on his illustrious journey in the hospitality sector. “I’ve been in the kingdom for the last 14 years,” he says, tracing his path from Lebanon to Kuwait and finally to Saudi Arabia, where he has become a pivotal figure in the hotel’s ongoing story of success.
“We were the first ultra-luxury property in Jeddah and the kingdom. We introduced full butler service for each guest from the very start. And to this day, that’s our signature and our differentiator in service,” Hussein says, reflecting on the enduring legacy of the Rosewood Jeddah, a legacy that he has inherited and continues to hone.
As a vanguard in the luxury hospitality sector, Rosewood Jeddah’s narrative is intertwined with the kingdom’s vision for the future. Dayekh speaks of this vision with an infectious optimism: “Everybody is moving happily with passion to complete and accomplish the Vision 2030. It’s about a way of life now. Everything has changed — mindsets, behaviours, people are more open.”
The Rosewood brand is set to expand within the Kingdom, with Hussein offering a glimpse into the future: “In the coming years, we have around three other properties that will operate in the kingdom. There’s one in the Red Sea, another in AlUla, also Amaala, and then Diriyah Gate.”
On the cusp of Vision 2030, Hussein acknowledges the challenges and the strides already taken: “I think time is the main challenge… but the determination is there. Just look at the F1 track, built in six months. Nobody believed it would happen, but it did. It’s all about the ambitious decisions to shift everything, to speak to the young generation that the country is coming to a facelift in the next 5 to 10 years.”
Jeddah itself is on the threshold of a new era, with developments in Al Balad and changes along the Corniche. Hussein, with the pride of a local, notes, “Jeddah is the pearl of the Red Sea… many people visit each year for the weather, especially now, and in summertime, where they can enjoy the beach.”
His vision for Jeddah and the Rosewood is one of inclusivity and learning: “Even non-Muslims can visit Medina… it’s good to know more about the religious side because from Jeddah, you can also go to AlUla, and on the way to Medina, there’s Mada’in Saleh, a heritage site dating back 5,000 years.”
The Rosewood Jeddah, with its modern silhouette inspired by the city’s heritage and tradition, offers a symphony of services. From the 24-hour personal butler service to a health and fitness centre that marries state-of-the-art facilities with stunning vistas, the hotel remains a beacon of hospitality.
Hussein’s narrative is not just about leading a hotel; it’s about fostering a vision that aligns with the nation’s goals. “I may not be Saudi, but I feel proud to be here,” he asserts, “I’m part of the change that’s happening, part of the development because we live and spend our time over in the country. It’s an amazing time to be here.”
In the end, the story of the Rosewood Jeddah under Hussein Dayekh is one of continued legacy, of a luxury that understands its roots while reaching for the stars. It is a microcosm of Saudi Arabia’s vision, an embodiment of the country’s pursuit of excellence and its embrace of a global identity. For guests who step through its doors, the Rosewood offers a sanctuary of luxury and a front-row seat to the dawning of a new era in the “Pearl of the Red Sea”.
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