Acquisitions & Hotel Openings

Nikki Beach “Talent Casting” Event Held in Dubai

Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts held its first ever “talent casting” event in Dubai in December, 2011, as part of its recruitment drive for the upcoming Nikki Beach Resort and Spa at The Pearl (Qatar),a Riviera-style island in the Persian Gulf.

DUBAI, UAE - January 24, 2012 - Nikki Beach Hotels and Resorts held its first ever “talent casting” event in Dubai in December, 2011, as part of its recruitment drive for the upcoming Nikki Beach Resort and Spa at The Pearl (Qatar),a Riviera-style island in the Persian Gulf. Hoteliers working at Dubai hotels, including those operated by Jumeirah Group and The Address, attended the event held at Dubai Marina Yacht Club for the first round of “auditions” for positions at the new resort.

Nikki Beach Resort and Spa at The Pearl, scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2012, will be the first luxury resort of 10 new projects totaling $400 million now in the planning stages in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Nikki Beach Resort and Spa at The Pearl will be a boutique low-density resort with 47-luxury villas and spa suites only 10 minutes from Doha´s business district. Spanning more than 160-linear meters of ocean and beach frontage, the low-rise property offers the ideal balance between sophisticated living and vibrant entertainment. Designed by the award-winning Singapore-based ECO ID Architects with interior design by Gatserelia Design, the development is the first of its kind to offer state-of-the-art entertainment within a five-star luxury resort.

“Recruiting talented staff is of paramount importance for the Nikki Beach team,” said Daniele Vastolo, group director of operations, Nikki Beach EAME Hotels & Resorts Limited, at the event, “and this novel new approach of ‘talent casting’ really worked. We learned about their personality as well as their skills.”

“I like to stress to them that we hire for attitude and we train for skills,” he continued. “Everyone has a dream in life to be somebody and with the right attitude you can achieve it. With proper training and guidance, we can help them reach their dream of becoming restaurant managers, housekeeping managers and more.”

“They’ve been told by the recruitment agency they’ve got to come out here and do a maximum of three minutes to tell a story, sing a song, or perform what they know best” said Nanthini Sathasivam, Regional Director of Talent Resources, Nikki Beach EAME Hotels & Resorts Limited. “It really comes down to personality and what they want to impress us with – sort of an out-of-the-box or unconventional way of doing interviews.”

The pre-opening team is looking to recruit about 150 people for the first phase of the opening this spring, which will involve the launch of 24 Nikki Suites and most of the food & beverage offering. The second phase, expected to launch in 2013, will increase staff to 250.

About Nikki Beach Recognized internationally for its lavish parties, jet setting clientele, and exotic venues, Nikki Beach has become a haven for celebrities, globetrotters, and fashion forward patrons. Dubbed as “the sexiest place on earth” by the London Observer, the ultimate beach club brand continues to live up to its reputation, hosting events from the renowned Cannes Film Festival to Fashion Week in St. Barth.

Today, Nikki Beach is a luxury lifestyle hospitality operator that manages properties in 12 countries around the world. In the next three years, the company's Hotel and Resort Division expects to complete nearly 1,000 rooms in new jet-set destinations suitable for the five-star Nikki Beach brand.

Nikki Beach has also transcended its roots in the luxury hospitality sector to become a true global lifestyle brand, complete with marketing and public relations divisions, special events coordination, a VIP card and concierge service, and a bi-annual publication, Nikki Style.

“Nikki Beach is all about the celebration of life,” said owner Jack Penrod, who founded the Miami Beach Company in 1998. “Through the years, our guests have enjoyed sharing our unique beach club experience with family and friends. Now, we are responding to their requests by opening beautiful new boutique hotels and resorts around the world.”

For more information, visit www.nikkibeachhotels.com. ###

For further information, please contact: PROBY & ASSOCIATES Miami, Florida Bay Proby, President bp@probypr.com +1.305.251.3671

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