Elias Chakhtoura, General Manager of Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, is reconceiving what modern luxury hospitality looks like. Recently named one of  Luxury Lifestyle Awards TOP 100 Hotel General Managers of 2025, Chakhtoura has quickly established himself as a visionary leader dedicated to elevating guest experiences, enhancing culinary excellence, and expanding the hotel’s role as a premier destination for world-class events.

Since taking up the position in 2025, Chakhtoura has been driving an ambitious transformation at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. From introducing innovative dining concepts and expanding grand event spaces to strengthening sustainability initiatives and strategic partnerships, his leadership blends operational precision with a forward-thinking approach to hospitality. In this exclusive interview, he shares insights into his leadership philosophy, his vision for modern luxury, and how Fairmont Bab Al Bahr continues to set new benchmarks in the industry.

Alexander Chetchikov, President of the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce, leads this exclusive conversation. Backed by more than 17 years of experience recognizing the world’s most exceptional luxury brands through the Luxury Lifestyle Awards, he brings valuable expertise and a sharp perspective on the shifting dynamics of the global luxury sector.

Alexander Chetchikov: Congratulations on being recognized among Luxury Lifestyle Awards TOP 100 Hotel General Managers of 2025. What does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

Elias Chakhtoura: Recognition such as this is always meaningful, but in hospitality, it reflects the efforts of an entire team rather than any single individual.

Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working alongside talented colleagues who share a strong commitment to service, operational excellence, and guest experience. Achievements like this are the result of collective dedication and the shared ambition to continuously elevate the standards of hospitality. Personally, it is also a reminder that leadership in this industry requires constant evolution. Guest expectations continue to change, and maintaining excellence requires both attention to operational detail and a clear vision for the future of the guest experience.

AC: Since becoming General Manager of Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in 2025, what key priorities have guided your vision for the property?

EC: My focus has been on strengthening three key pillars: guest experience, culinary positioning, and the hotel’s role as a destination for major events in Abu Dhabi.

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr occupies a truly unique location overlooking the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which allows us to create experiences that connect guests directly with the cultural identity of the destination. By refining our food and beverage concepts, expanding our event infrastructure, and reinforcing service excellence across all departments, our goal is to ensure that every guest interaction reflects the standards expected from the Fairmont brand.

AC: Your leadership focuses on enhancing luxury, elevating culinary offerings, and expanding event capabilities. How do these pillars shape the overall guest experience at the hotel?

EC: These pillars are closely interconnected and ultimately shape how guests experience the hotel.

Culinary experiences play a particularly important role, as restaurants are often the spaces where both international travelers and local residents engage most closely with the property. Concepts such as Café Sushi and our broader dining portfolio are designed to create experiences that feel both refined and welcoming. At the same time, strong event capabilities allow the hotel to host celebrations, corporate gatherings, and cultural events that become meaningful moments for our guests. When service, cuisine, and environment align, the hotel evolves from simply a place to stay into a destination in itself.

AC: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is currently expanding its event infrastructure with new ballrooms and upgraded facilities. How will these developments strengthen the hotel’s position as a destination for major celebrations, weddings, and corporate gatherings?

EC: Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global destination for international conferences, weddings, and large-scale celebrations.

By expanding our ballroom capacity and enhancing our event facilities, we are ensuring that Fairmont Bab Al Bahr can play an even stronger role in supporting this growth. The objective is not only to provide larger spaces, but to offer venues that combine scale with elegance and operational flexibility. These enhancements allow us to accommodate a wider range of events while maintaining the service standards and attention to detail that guests expect from a luxury property.

AC: The hotel is also undergoing a repositioning of its food and beverage offerings. What exciting culinary concepts or experiences can guests and Abu Dhabi residents look forward to?

EC: The culinary landscape in Abu Dhabi is evolving rapidly, and our goal is to ensure that Fairmont Bab Al Bahr remains part of that conversation.

We are focusing on experiences that feel authentic, contemporary, and relevant to both international visitors and the local community. This includes strengthening concepts that resonate with Abu Dhabi’s residents while continuing to introduce international culinary influences. Ultimately, we want our restaurants to be destinations that guests actively seek out, rather than simply discovering them during their stay at the hotel.

AC: Sustainability plays a key role in your leadership strategy, with initiatives such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, and eliminating single-use plastics. How do you balance environmental responsibility with delivering a luxury guest experience?

EC: Sustainability has become an essential responsibility within the hospitality industry.

We approach this through practical initiatives that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the comfort and quality expected by our guests. These include waste reduction programs, improvements in energy efficiency, and continued efforts to eliminate single-use plastics throughout the hotel. When implemented thoughtfully, sustainability enhances rather than compromises the guest experience. Responsible practices allow us to protect the destination we operate in while ensuring that guests continue to enjoy the level of service and comfort associated with luxury hospitality.

AC: Fairmont Bab Al Bahr has hosted prestigious collaborations such as the APX Golf event connecting the worlds of motorsport, golf, and luxury hospitality. How important are partnerships and global events in shaping the hotel’s identity?

EC: Partnerships and global events play an important role in shaping the identity of a modern luxury hotel. Collaborations such as the APX Golf event demonstrate how hospitality can intersect with other worlds such as sport, technology, and lifestyle. These initiatives bring new audiences to the property and create memorable experiences that extend beyond traditional hotel stays.

For us, partnerships are not only about visibility. They help position the hotel as a place where culture, lifestyle, and hospitality naturally come together.

AC: Looking to the future, what is your long-term vision for Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, and how do you see the property contributing to Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a global luxury destination?

EC: Our long-term vision is for Fairmont Bab Al Bahr to remain one of Abu Dhabi’s most distinctive hospitality destinations.

This means continuing to elevate service standards, investing in meaningful guest experiences, and strengthening the hotel’s role as a place where both travelers and residents gather. Abu Dhabi is gaining increasing recognition as a cultural and tourism destination on the global stage. Our responsibility is to ensure that the experiences we create reflect the authenticity, quality, and hospitality that visitors expect when they come to the capital.

Thank you, Elias, for sharing your insights and leadership vision with us.

To discover more about the exceptional experiences awaiting guests, visit the official website of Fairmont Bab Al Bahr:
https://www.fairmont.com/en/hotels/abu-dhabi/fairmont-bab-al-bahr.html