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RITIKA SHARMA / Emirates Business
When a Dublin-born gentleman runs his business in Dubai, with a typical Irish-hospitality stance, you get an exotic property that is a perfect blend of style, class and comfort. This is the perfect way to define Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) that has carved its unique niche by outshining other city hotels in the heart of Dubai.
The hotel is located in Dubai’s fastest growing freezone JLT, right next to the Almas Tower, which houses the offices of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the freezone authority. The Bonnington occupies an enviable location just opposite Dubai Marina and only a stone’s throw from luxury shopping malls, restaurants, beaches, and golf courses. A frequent TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence recipient, the Bonnington features 188 rooms and 20 suites, 272 deluxe serviced hotel apartments, five outstanding restaurants and six state-of-the-art conference suites.
Emirates Business talks to Dennis McGettigan, CEO, Bonnington Hotels JLT, to know what makes the centrally-located property a popular choice among both business and leisure
travellers and how Irish hospitality is ingrained in the brand philosophy.
Excerpts from the interview:
Can you tell us more about hospitality industry and its global growth and the scenario in UAE?
The hospitality industry in the UAE has always been very robust. We feel optimistic about the market and are looking at a strong year ahead. In recent years, our hotel has become a preferred venue for many corporate businesses, thanks to its prime location. As a stand-alone, family-owned and operated property, the hotel also managed to build a good reputation among leisure travellers from many markets.
The property’s flagship Cavendish Restaurant and Terrace; led by Irish Executive Chef Aidan Gallagher; and Healey’s Terrace; a modern, stylish place serving masterly mixed cuisine and light snacks; have also been fundamental in attracting business from the communities surrounding the hotel.
The imminent opening of the various theme parks that make up Dubai Parks & Resorts industry also fills us with excitement, because the hotel is only a short taxi-ride away from the attractions. Adding to that is the expansion of Dubai’s second airport and the creation of Dubai South, an entirely new residential and commercial district again in close proximity to the Bonnington, and we’re confidently looking at the months and years ahead.
What is your future expansion plans in the UAE and globally?
Before we start expanding around the globe, we want to excel in what we do best. We believe that there is no limit for improvement and expansion. We learn everyday in life and with this improvement we will grow and expand to offer even more quality services. Thanks to rising leisure and corporate business, we recently expanded our conference and business center area as well as our flagship restaurant — The Cavendish — to meet the growing needs of our clients and diners.
What is the newest project you are working on and what do you expect out of it?
Our latest project at the Bonnington Hotel was the addition of several new meeting rooms and the expansion of our flagship restaurant — The Cavendish — to meet the growing need of customers. Following the expansion, we launched various theme nights and dining experience like ladies night, live gig and quiz nights, Italian food festivals, social dining evenings and brunches.
How important is technology in your industry? What are you doing to keep yourself up-to-date with it?
Technology is the key, in front and behind the scenes. All our customers, whatever their age, now have smartphones and are connected to the internet virtually 24/7. We have recently invested heavily in technology to give our guests and employees a smoother and more powerful experience on property. We upgraded our internet and wi-fi infrastructure to make both, our free as well as our paid internet access, faster, more secure, and reliable. We’re also using technology to attract, review, and manage guest comments and
opinions across a variety of channels.
UAE is looking at hosting the biggest exhibition of the world in 2020. How are you preparing to make UAE meet that vision?
We’re very excited about Expo 2020 in Dubai and have supported the initiative from the very beginning. The Bonnington is located in close proximity to the Expo 2020 site and we’re working on our strategy for the lead-up to the event, but also for the event and post-event periods.
Creativity is one of major aspects of one’s business that decides the success or the failure. What do you think about it? How has that made a difference in your business?
No business will flourish without strategic and creative thinking. In our line of work, creativity adds an edge and positively affects the bottom-line. We have a close-knit team that ideates on a regular basis based on quantifiable indices like ‘most ordered’, ‘fastest moving dish’ and so on and so forth. Improvements in the line of service could mean adding an extra towel to improving the business center facilities to ensure continued patronage. In fact, based on some this research of guest opinions, we have just introduced an Italian menu at the Cavendish Restaurant & Terrace, which seems to have taken off well with our guests and visitors.
We also use social media as an outlet for our creativity and the Bonnington is one of the few hotels in the region with an active footprint on all current social networks.
Where do you see your company ten years down the line?
We are feeling optimistic and are looking at strong years ahead. We are looking forward to bringing new ideas and initiatives to the market, which will help us increase revenues and our client base. Ten years from now, we want to make an impact in the hospitality industry in a significant, sustainable, and positive way.
Are there any new developments you are working on that you would like to share with us?
Our newest projects at the Bonnington Hotel were the additions of our new meeting rooms and expansions of our flagship restaurant — The Cavendish as mentioned above. On a group level, we are continuing with our expansion plans for McGettigan’s and 2016 looks set to be our busiest year yet. McGettigan’s is now in operation at various locations across the UAE and Ireland in addition to outlets in Singapore, New York and the UK (London — spring 2016). Plans are currently underway for expansion into Bahrain, Qatar and Jakarta and a franchise partnership with Hilton at their JBR property.
How many other Bonnington properties are there across the world? Where did
Bonnington start?
The Bonnington is a European family-owned stand-alone property, which happens to be my family. Though relatively new to Dubai, the history of the brand dates back more than 100 years to the Bonnington in London, UK, which was a well-known hospitality landmark in the city’s Bloomsbury neighbourhood.
Please tell us a little about yourself, your background and education.
I am the CEO of Bonnington JLT. I hail from Dublin in Ireland and have over 20 years of
experience in the food, beverage and hospitality industry.
After university I trained with Marriott Hotels in the US before returning to the family hotel business in Ireland. My father founded the business in Dublin back in 1964 and we now own and operate a number of hotels at home in Ireland, in addition to the Bonnington here in Dubai. I have been a resident of the UAE since 2008 when we were in the pre-opening phase of the hotel.
