Seasoned hotelier Michael Koth has been appointed as general manager of Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi and area vice president of operations, overseeing Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, and the upcoming Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai which is scheduled to open in 2021.
A German/Swiss national, Koth brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in the hospitality industry spanning more than 35 years. Prior to this, he held a number of senior leadership positions at the InterContinental Hotel Group, including general manager of the InterContinental, Doha and Cairo. He then moved to IHG’s corporate office in Dubai as general manager, operations support and subsequently took on the role of director of operations, Levant overseeing 13 hotels by three brands.
Koth’s hospitality journey then brought him to Asia where he spent two years as director of IHG’s Luxury and Lifestyle Resorts for Southeast Asia, responsible for overseeing pre-opening hotels, repositioning of luxury resorts and leading the full refurbishment of InterContinental Bali Resort.
He has now returned to the Middle East with Mandarin Oriental, where he will lead the rebranding of Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, part of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.
“My goal at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, is to continue to build upon the legacy of this iconic property. It is a great honor to lead the vision of the owners and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in achieving a successful rebranding and delivering exemplary service standards and an unparalleled sense of place,” Koth said.
Koth is fluent in English, French and German and was awarded General Manager of the Year — Middle East in 2016 by World Luxury Hotel Awards. He is a fan of contemporary art, culture and opera and in his leisure time, he enjoys playing cricket, badminton and traveling with his family.