Francesco Borrello to head management team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Hotel

Le Meridien has announced the appointment of Francesco Borrello to head the management team at the Abu Dhabi Grand Hotel. Borrello will lead the hotel through major extension and refurbishment works in preparation for its reflagging as Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi next year.

He was most recently general manager at Le Royal Meridien Bahrain, responsible for a major overhaul of the hotel’s systems, procedures and processes that resulted in a significant increase in market share and revenues.

On his third posting in the capital, he said he is thrilled to be back in Abu Dhabi, and particularly appreciative of the green environment that makes the city one of the most appealing places to live and work.

“Even on Lulu island in front of my hotel, the municipality has planted more than 150,000 palm trees to create an amazing spectacle viewed from the Corniche here – and this is just a small indication of the care taken of the environment in the emirate,” he said.

Borrello originally came to the UAE capital in 1983 with Sheraton, and had another spell at the hotel in 1994, leaving in 1999 for Lebanon where he headed up that group’s Levant development.

Italian-born and fluent in English, Italian and French, Borrello graduated from university in England before gaining an MBA from Washington International University. He has since worked in the hotel industry in the Far East, Europe and the Middle East.

At the Abu Dhabi Grand, he will see the property through turnkey extension works that encompass a new restaurant and entertainment centre, a new guest building with additional rooms, ballroom and lobby and new pool and health club, to be followed by renovation and upgrade of existing rooms and facilities.

First phase of the project is due for completion during the second quarter of next year, when the hotel will be renamed as Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi.