Anantara strengthens Abu Dhabi team

Moritz Klein's appointment comes at a crucial period of growth for the Anantara hospitality chain in the region and represents Anantara's continued strategic focus on the Middle East.

In his role as General Manager, Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa and Area General Manager for Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas in Abu Dhabi, Moritz Klein will oversee the running of all of Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas in Abu Dhabi including Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort, Desert Islands Resort & Spa and Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa.

Moritz Klein will also oversee Anantara's Abu Dhabi portfolio expansion in 2013 which includes the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Al Yamm Villas, 30 luxury beach front villas along the east coast of Sir Bani Yas Island and the Anantara Sir Bani Yas Al Sahel Villas, another 30 luxury villas located within the Arabian Wildlife Park on the island.

Moritz Klein comments, "2013 is shaping up to be a momentous year for Anantara and I am excited to be at the helm of these developments in Abu Dhabi. Already Anantara's portfolio is unique in the UAE, as the only hospitality operator that can offer a luxury destination experience across city, desert and island, all well rooted and adapted to the local Arabian culture. This is a unique opportunity and I look forward to building on the great work of the team and further strengthening our position as an exceptional hospitality brand in the region."

Moritz Klein, has an international career in hospitality that spans 28 years and two continents, from Europe to Asia. Most recently, Moritz spent the last nine years in the Middle East and has been a major player in the ongoing development of the region's hospitality landscape, in particular the UAE capital.

Moritz Klein joined Anantara from Rotana Hotels, where he spent a highly successful nine years, most recently as Area Vice President Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Appointed to this role in 2011, Moritz oversaw the operation of 11 open hotels and the pre-opening for a further four hotels, across the group's hotel brands. As such, Moritz has a wealth of knowledge and experience in overseeing multiple properties within a portfolio.

Prior to joining Rotana, Moritz Klein began his career in hospitality in his native Germany with several internships with Kempinski Hotels before moving to the UK to spend 12 months working back-of-house at the internationally acclaimed Claridge's in London. Following his experience in the UK, Moritz then returned to Kempinski to further his experience at the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski in Moscow, Russia before moving to Asia to work at some of Vietnam and Brunei's top hotels.

In addition to in-depth market understanding of the region's hospitality landscape and a proven track record of overseeing several properties under a cluster portfolio, Moritz has also been recognised by industry peers in 2009 when he was awarded the accolade of 'General Manager of the Year' at the MEHEC Excellence in Hospitality Awards.