The evolution of luxury in Jeddah with Rami Alhanadyah, hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah
What defines luxury in KSA’s hotel market today, and how has that definition evolved in recent years?
Luxury in Saudi Arabia has evolved beyond beautiful surroundings and premium amenities, becoming increasingly defined by personalized service and authenticity. Today, guests want to feel recognized, understood and genuinely cared for, while experiencing service that anticipates their needs effortlessly. At the same time, Saudi hospitality brings incredible warmth and generosity, creating a distinctive foundation for contemporary luxury experiences. For me, modern luxury means bringing these elements together through exceptional international standards and an authentic sense of Saudi hospitality.
With so many luxury properties in the city, how do you create a distinct identity and ensure repeat business?
In a competitive market, you can’t rely on the physical product alone, because guests remember most how you made them feel. Thus, at The Ritz-Carlton Jeddah, we are fortunate to have a distinctive property with grandeur and heritage, while experience remains paramount. Moreover, we focus heavily on knowing guests, remembering preferences and creating personal moments throughout every stage of their stay. When returning guests feel recognized and genuinely welcomed back, that emotional connection becomes one of the strongest drivers of loyalty.
What role does sustainability play in the luxury segment, and are guests genuinely prioritizing it?
Sustainability is becoming an important part of luxury hospitality, particularly as guests become increasingly conscious about how and where they travel. Therefore, I believe the key is making responsible choices without taking anything away from the guest experience or the inherent sense it creates. Many initiatives can happen naturally behind the scenes through better management of energy, water, waste and resources throughout daily operations. Thus, our Green Key certification is an important recognition of this commitment, reinforcing responsible practices across the hotel and its operations. For us, sustainability is not simply something we communicate to guests. Beyond this, it means operating the hotel more responsibly every day.
What are your plans for the property?
Having been part of this hotel’s journey and now taking on the hotel manager role, I’m focused on building on what we have. This includes an exceptional team and a property with tremendous potential, and I want us to continue raising the bar. Furthermore, we will continue to strengthen service consistency, personalization and operational excellence, while empowering our team to create memorable experiences. We also see significant opportunities to establish the hotel as one of Jeddah’s leading destinations for luxury stays and dining. This includes weddings, major celebrations, high-profile meetings and events, while remaining true to the heritage and character defining the property. Our priority remains creating more reasons for international visitors and the local community to experience everything this remarkable property offers.
