Creating team is biggest challenge for hoteliers

Wilby, who is also at the helm of Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, said: "We have bypassed many of the biggest challenges - creating a team that gels. In contrast, this is probably one of the most well-oiled pre-opening teams that the region has seen - and the operative word here is 'team', as they have worked together for years."

Her pre-opening team is made of 22 key senior managers of Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort & Spa, including Wilby as general manager of both properties.

The team has had decades of experience and was extensively involved in doubling the inventory of rooms at Le Royal Meridien from 242 to the current 500 as well increasing the number of restaurants and bars to 13.

Wilby explained: "We have been lucky in that the groundwork of team-building has already been in place, which has meant other processes have run far smoother. Contacts with suppliers in the market are long-standing, as are sales, marketing and recruitment channels.

"Now, our most pressing task will be trying to map out the future of a location - Dubai Marina - and our service offering. We see it as anticipating a lifestyle, and creating lifestyle support. It is this out-of-the-box - yet realistic - thinking that will see the team's vision come to fruition.

"Creating new benchmarks will also be challenging: levels of hospitality in Dubai are already extremely high already, so the team has to scale considerable heights to justify the grand-deluxe positioning we believe will fit the property."

Grosvenor House will have 217 sea-facing rooms, while the 205 apartments will offer stunning marina views, and three of the signature touches will be plasma televisions in all rooms, personalised butler service and 24-hour room service, in addition to the use of beach and pool facilities at the adjacent resort.

The top 11 floors will be dedicated to the Grosvenor Club, premium executive accommodation whose guests will also have access to the 44th floor dedicated lounge that will provide an unrivalled observation deck over Dubai.