Maunawar Ali from The Address hotel in Dubai Mall has been crowned Concierge of the Year 2013 by the Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing. Last month, at the InterContinental in Dubai’s Festival City, an awards ceremony held in tandem with Les Clef d’Or anniversary saw service industry professionals from 50 hotels compete for top accolades.
Here’s what 38 year-old Ali had to say about catering to the UAEs most demanding visitors:
Congratulations Ali, what are some of the most unusual requests you’ve had as concierge, and how have you facilitated them?
I once received a request from a guest from the US, who wanted to be picked up from Dubai Airport on a camel! I told him it was certainly possible, and reached out to a desert safari company to hire the camel, as well as coordinating with Dubai Airports and the local authorities. As thrilled as the guest was, he later said that he would ride the camel during his safari experience instead.
Who have been some of your favourite VVIPs or celebrity guests?
While we are privy of our guests’ privacy, some of my favourite celebrities include Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan; Hollywood actor Steven Seagal; and Arab singer Maya Diab.
[ rduane@thenational.ae ]