By Maria Cometti
Meet the man who visited Riyadh on a temporary assignment and stayed. Mr. Farhan Lone, General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott Diplomatic Quarter, is on his fourth year in the Kingdom and still enjoying the challenge. Step into the Courtyard by Marriott’s relaxing lobby lounge and you’ll see that business is bustling! The Courtyard by Marriott brand’s first hotel in Saudi Arabia opened in Riyadh in 2012, and is strategically located near the heart of the Diplomatic Quarter (DQ) to service both business travelers, diplomats as well as families. The Courtyard offers guest rooms designed to suit each guest’s stay, spaces that work for meetings, meals, or me-time, amenities that are perfect for relaxing and winding down, and dining options that present various cuisines and flavors.
The Marriott group has recently become the largest hotel company in the world, after the acquisition of the Starwood portfolio of hotels last year, with over a million rooms worldwide represented by 30 brands.
The success of any establishment depends largely on an effective leader and Mr. Farhan Lone, the General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott DQ, is the man of the hour. Born in Bahrain, Mr. Lone says involvement with his family’s restaurant sparked his interest in the hospitality industry. Mr. Lone joined Marriott in 1989, after earning a BSc in Hospitality Management from the University of Surrey in England and MSc from Florida International in Miami. He trained in London and has worked in Florida, Cancun, Toronto, and most recently Doha. Mr. Lone has been the Courtyard by Marriott DQ General Manager since 2012. After coming to Riyadh on a temporary assignment in October 2012, he was then invited to stay and manage the 286 room hotel and landmark.
“When managing a multicultural staff, management must be flexible in its approach and provide for individual needs where possible.”
The famous quote by J. Willard Marriott, “Take good care of your employees and they’ll take good care of your customers, and the customers will come back,” is at the core ethos of the Marriott brand. Mr. Lone believes that when managing a multicultural staff, management must be flexible in its approach and provide for individual needs. For example, the employee cafeteria at the DQ Courtyard Marriott serves three types of ethnic cuisines native to and preferred by the staff.
Not only does Marriott have a strong brand, the Courtyard by Marriott DQ is also owned by DUR Hospitality. Mr. Lone describes DUR as a phenomenal owning company whose history with Marriott dates back to 1983 and the opening of the Riyadh Marriott. Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Badr Al Badr, DUR is opening two new Marriott properties inside the DQ: the Marriott Hotel and the Marriott Executive Apartments. Mr. Lone recounts the ribbon cutting ceremony of the new DQ properties as one of his most memorable experiences in Riyadh.
The hospitality industry is known to be both challenging and rewarding. With Vision 2030 aiming to develop Saudi Arabia’s tourism and hospitalities industries, many are considering a career in the field. Mr. Lone’s advice for them is to love what you do. The work requires one to be flexible and adaptable. One of the best parts about his work, according to Mr. Lone, is the number of requests that come from taking care of a diverse client base. Despite almost 30 years in the industry, Mr. Lone says that every day springs surprises that makes him think, “I would never have thought of that!” He is a firm believer that any and all success is dependent on a strong team of people and believes he is supported by some of the best people he has ever worked with from the managers to the front line team members.
The Courtyard by Marriott DQ has all the services that go hand in hand with a world class service provider: hotel accommodations with large sized rooms and all the amenities expected. Their Olea restaurant has international themed buffets and a full a la carte offering. It’s worth noting that DQ residents receive a 20% discount on food and beverages. The Diplomat Lounge also opens early and closes late; it has a great ambience for coffee/tea and a phenomenal choice of pastries and sandwiches. If you work in or near the DQ, you have likely attended a meeting or conference on the Courtyard premises. The hotel can accommodate groups ranging from four up to 200+ guests. They also provide outside catering services for groups and events as large as 1500 to 2000 guests. “Outstanding service and amenities, key location, and exemplary leadership provide the guests of Courtyard by Marriott DQ a taste of contemporary Arab hospitality.”
