
Kimpton KAFD Riyadh Unveils Leadership Team Ahead of Landmark Opening
Rashad Iskandrni
First
hotel in KAFD, Kimpton KAFD Riyadh appoints leadership team to champion
human-first hospitality
[Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - July 8 2025] Kimpton KAFD Riyadh,
the city’s highly anticipated new lifestyle luxury hotel, has announced the
appointment of its senior leadership team ahead of opening. The diverse new
team, comprising of an exceptional group of hospitality
professionals, will shape a refreshingly personal guest experience at the
property when it rolls out the welcome mat to guests from all over the world.
Set to be the first hotel in the landmark King Abdullah Financial District
(KAFD), Kimpton KAFD Riyadh will bring a new dimension of
style and warmth to the heart of this dynamic new district.
A trailblazer in the boutique lifestyle
luxury
space, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is known for bold,
design-led approach and an ethos of genuine connection and inclusivity. With
the “Come as you are” spirit at its core, the Riyadh property will offer a
distinctly personal stay that celebrates individuality, community, and local
culture.
Notably, Kimpton KAFD Riyadh will be the first hotel
to open in KAFD and the very first Kimpton property in the Middle East - a dual
milestone that underscores its role in shaping the district’s emerging
business, lifestyle, and cultural landscape.
Rabih Beaino has been appointed General Manager,
bringing more than two decades of hospitality leadership across the region.
With a strong focus on people-first culture and guest experience, Rabih has
consistently led teams to deliver meaningful impact across all facets of hotel
operations.
Joining him are several key appointments, including three
accomplished Saudi nationals in leadership roles, reflecting the hotel’s
commitment to supporting Saudi talent and contributing to the Kingdom’s ongoing
localisation and Saudisation goals.
“Our mission at Kimpton KAFD Riyadh is simple. We’re
creating a space where guests and colleagues feel genuinely welcome, seen, and
inspired. We are proud to have such a talented, diverse leadership team who
bring this spirit so vibrantly to life, while helping to nurture and elevate
Saudi talent within our growing industry,” says Rabih Beaino, General
Manager.
New leadership appointments include:
- Abdullah Al Othman, Hotel Manager, a seasoned Saudi hospitality leader
with more than two decades of operational experience across the Kingdom’s
flagship properties. Abdullah plays a pivotal role in championing Saudi
talent development and guest experience excellence.
- Mohammed Taqi, Director of Rooms, brings an extensive background in
launching and transforming leading properties, including the first JW
Marriott Hotel in Saudi Arabia. A strong advocate for mentorship and
innovation, he will shape the hotel’s guest journey from arrival to
departure.
- Abdullah Etwadi, Director of Human Resources, is an expert in workforce
engagement and Saudisation strategy, with a passion for building
inclusive, supportive environments where both people and careers can
thrive.
- Dalia Saad Zeait, Director of Sales & Marketing, is a dynamic
commercial leader with a strong track record of driving strategic growth
across the Saudi and Bahraini markets. Dalia brings both deep market
knowledge and a creative lens to the hotel’s brand and business
development.
- Michele Di Bonito, Director of Culinary, an award-winning Italian chef
whose global experience, from Michelin-starred restaurants to iconic dining destinations, will shape the hotel’s distinct
F&B offerings, curated with both heart and craft.
A nurturing space where personality leads
Reflecting Kimpton’s global ethos of
human-first, design-led hospitality, Kimpton KAFD Riyadh is
set to offer a refreshingly unscripted hotel experience in the Kingdom -
one that
celebrates individuality, local culture, and genuine connections. The
leadership team’s diverse perspectives and shared commitment to this vision
will guide every aspect of the guest and colleague journey.
“We look forward to welcoming guests and creating an
experience that feels both thoughtfully curated and joyfully personal, the very essence of what
makes a Kimpton stay unique” adds Rabih Beaino.
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