Inside the Kempinski Muscat: An Exclusive Interview with the director of sales
Head behind the scenes of our host hotel at inVOYAGE Oman and find out just what goes into the making of Kempinski’s exquisite Omani Hotel as we catch up with Adil Aitlahri, Director of Sales at the Kempinski Hotel Muscat.
Kempinski Hotel Muscat is our host hotel for inVOYAGE Oman – find out more about the event here
Alternatively, if you have a brief and would like to be connected now, email us here
Adil Aitlahri
Director of Sales, Kempinski Hotel Muscat
inVOYAGE: Firstly, Adil thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. It’s just over 1 week to go until our delegates arrive at your incredible Muscat property for our final event of the year. So, what is it that sets Kempinski Muscat apart when it comes to incentives and high-end corporate groups?
Adil Aitlahri: Kempinski Hotel Muscat sets itself apart when it comes to incentives and high-end corporate groups through the following factors:
Exclusive Location: The hotel is a beachfront property located in Al Mouj area, an exclusive lifestyle community with Its striking oceanside views, beautiful beach, and landscaped parks. The adjacent marina is among the strongest luxury yachting lifestyles in the region with a range of watersports activities.
Luxurious Accommodations: Kempinski Muscat offers spacious rooms and suites adorned with an elegant blend of Arabic and contemporary finishes. All our rooms offer high speed internet access.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: The hotel boasts state-of-the-art facilities all with daylight, including well-equipped meeting rooms, conference halls, and event spaces. These venues are designed to accommodate large corporate groups and provide the latest audiovisual technology and high-speed internet connectivity. The Muscat ballroom can be divided into 3 different sections and ca be accessible via a separate entrance. Lastly, our basement car park can take up to 300 cars which is suitable for bigger events.
Customized Event Planning: The hotel has a dedicated team of event planners who work closely with corporate clients to understand their specific requirements and create tailored experiences. They assist in designing unique itineraries, organizing team-building activities, and arranging exclusive experiences to make the event truly special.
Culinary Excellence: Kempinski Muscat offers a diverse range of dining options, including multiple restaurants and bars, catering to different tastes and preferences. The hotel's culinary team is known for their expertise in creating exquisite menus and providing exceptional dining experiences for corporate groups.
Wellness and Recreation Facilities: The hotel features a range of wellness and recreational facilities, including a spa, fitness center, and swimming pools. These amenities allow corporate guests to relax and rejuvenate during their stay, adding an extra element of luxury to their experience.
Exceptional Service: The hotel prides itself on delivering personalized and attentive service to its guests. The staff is trained to anticipate and cater to the needs of high-end corporate groups, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience throughout their stay.
These factors collectively set Kempinski Hotel Muscat apart and make it an ideal choice for incentives and high-end corporate groups, providing a combination of luxury, exclusivity, and exceptional service.
inVOYAGE: What are some of the enhancements or investments that have been made to ensure Kempinski hotel Muscat remains at the forefront of delivering unforgettable luxury events?
Adil Aitlahri: Some of the enhancements and investments made to ensure Kempinski Hotel Muscat remains at the forefront of delivering unforgettable luxury events include:
Renovation and Expansion: The hotel has undergone renovations and expansions to enhance its facilities and accommodate larger events.
State-of-the-Art Technology: Kempinski Hotel Muscat has invested in the latest audiovisual and technological equipment to provide seamless event experiences. This includes high-quality sound systems, video conferencing capabilities, and advanced lighting setups.
Dedicated Event Planning Team: The hotel has a dedicated team of event planners who work closely with clients to understand their specific requirements and ensure every detail is taken care of. They assist in event conceptualization, logistics, and execution.
Customization and Personalisation: Kempinski Hotel Muscat offers personalized event planning services, allowing clients to customize their events according to their preferences. This includes tailored menus, themed decorations, and unique entertainment options.
Culinary Excellence: The hotel has invested in its culinary offerings to provide exceptional dining experiences during events. They have hired renowned chefs and expanded their menu options to cater to diverse tastes and dietary requirements.
Partnerships and Collaborations: Kempinski Hotel Muscat has established partnerships and collaborations with local vendors, suppliers, and event professionals to ensure access to the best resources and services. This allows them to offer a wide range of event enhancements, such as floral arrangements, entertainment acts, and transportation services.
Continuous Training and Development: The staff at Kempinski Hotel Muscat undergo regular training and development programs to stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in event management. This ensures that they can deliver exceptional service and meet the evolving needs of clients.
Overall, these enhancements and investments aim to provide a luxurious and unforgettable experience for guests attending events at Kempinski Hotel Muscat.
inVOYAGE: Destination plays a vital role in creating incentive trips. How does the hotel leverage its location to enhance the overall appeal of incentive travel for corporate clients?
Adil Aitlahri: At Kempinski Muscat, we recognise the importance of the destination in creating memorable incentive trips for corporate clients. Our hotel leverages its exceptional location to enhance the overall appeal of incentive travel in several ways.
Firstly, Muscat, the capital city of Oman, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern amenities. Our hotel takes advantage of this by showcasing the unique attractions and experiences available in the city. From stunning beaches and mountains to historic landmarks and vibrant souks, we provide recommendations and curated itineraries to ensure that corporate clients make the most of their time in Muscat.Furthermore, our hotel is strategically situated in close proximity to key business districts, international airport, and popular tourist spots. This convenient location allows corporate clients to easily access important meetings and events while also having the opportunity to explore and enjoy the city during their incentive trip.
We also collaborate with local partners and tour operators to offer exclusive excursions, cultural activities, and team-building experiences that showcase the best of Oman's natural wonders and traditional hospitality. This further enhances the appeal of our incentive travel offerings, providing a truly immersive and enriching experience for corporate clients.
Overall, leveraging our hotel's location in Muscat allows us to create a compelling incentive travel package that combines the unique charm of the destination with our exceptional hospitality services, ensuring an unforgettable experience for corporate clients.
InVOYAGE: F&B plays a big role in the success of a corporate event. Can you tell us a bit more about gastronomy here at Kempinski Muscat and how it contributes to your overall luxury event offering?
Adil Aitlahri: At Kempinski Muscat, we understand F&B is an essential aspect of any corporate event and plays a significant role in its overall success. Our gastronomy offerings are designed to elevate and enhance the luxury event experience for our guests. We take great pride in providing a diverse range of culinary options that cater to the preferences and dietary needs of our guests. Our team of highly skilled chefs are dedicated to creating exquisite dishes using the finest ingredients, ensuring that every bite is a delightful experience.
In terms of our overall luxury event offering, our gastronomy services are meticulously curated to align with the theme and purpose of each event. Whether it's a formal gala dinner, a business conference, or a networking event, our F&B team works closely with event planners to create tailored menus that reflect the desired ambiance and elevate the overall guest experience. From creative and visually appealing food presentations to innovative culinary techniques, our gastronomy offerings aim to leave a lasting impression on our guests. We strive to go beyond traditional menus and offer unique and personalized dining experiences that exceed expectations. At Kempinski Muscat, we believe that gastronomy is not just about food but also about creating unforgettable memories. By combining exceptional cuisine with our luxurious event venues and impeccable service, we ensure that our guests have an extraordinary experience that they will cherish long after the event is over.
So, whether it's a corporate event or any other special occasion, our gastronomy offerings at Kempinski Muscat are designed to contribute to the overall success and luxury experience of the event.
InVOYAGE: Looking ahead, how does Kempinski hotel Muscat envision evolving its offerings to remain a preferred choice for hosting luxury events and incentive trips?
Adil Aitlahri: Looking ahead, Kempinski Hotel Muscat envisions evolving its offerings to remain a preferred choice for hosting luxury events and incentive trips by continuously enhancing its service quality, expanding its facilities, and embracing innovative technologies.
To maintain its position as a preferred choice for luxury events, the hotel plans to focus on providing personalized and tailored experiences for event organizers and guests. This includes offering bespoke event planning services, designing unique event themes, and curating exceptional culinary experiences that cater to diverse preferences and dietary requirements.
Kempinski Hotel Muscat also intends to invest in upgrading and expanding its event venues. This could involve creating more versatile and adaptable spaces to accommodate different types of events and group sizes. The hotel aims to integrate cutting-edge technology into its event spaces and provide state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment to enhance the overall experience for attendees.
In order to attract more incentive trips, the hotel will develop exclusive packages and incentives that capture the essence of Omani culture, history, and natural beauty.
inVOYAGE: Creating a seamless event experience requires coordination and collaboration. How to do you team partner with event planners to ensure their vision is realized flawlessly?
Adil Aitlahri: First of all, you need to do some research about the company and the event planner on how they are and how they want the event to be executed. Show them how you can help them achieve their goals and expectations. Involve them in the event planning process and promote teamwork together, you also need to demonstrate your credibility and professionalism.
InVOYAGE: Well, thank you for your insight Adil, it’s been great talking with you today and I’m sure I can speak for our delegates when I say we’re very much looking forward to meeting the team in Oman in the next few weeks.