The President of Wynn’s US$5.1 billion integrated resort development in the United Arab Emirates says the company’s “high-performance” and unique approach to design will set the property apart in a market already renowned for hosting some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
Max Tappeiner, who was named to oversee the Wynn Al Marjan Island project in Ras Al Khaimah in October, offered his insight into the ground-breaking venture during a fireside chat at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai last week, specifically why he believes the UAE’s first casino resort will set a new benchmark for guest experience when it opens – currently planned for 2027.
“It takes somebody very special with a lot of courage and vision to build a building that is 300 meters tall with 20 plus restaurants, 1,500 rooms and so on, but also somebody very special to operate a building such as this,” Tappeiner said.
“We have a strong sense of culture that is the bedrock of everything that we do … and our culture is one of high performance.
“Everything that we do is really guided by four values. One value is being service driven, and for us service isn’t just a thing – it is the main thing that drives everything we do. Another value is artistry: we approach everything that we do as an artist would in the pursuit of perfection.
“We still arrive at excellence which is another value of ours that we strive for every single day – we want to be recognized as one of the best operators in the world – and the last value that we have is progressive. That means that there are certain things that will never change about us but there’s certain things that will evolve.
“Ultimately, it is the people that work with us that make these buildings tick.”
According to Tappeiner, it is this quest for perfection and honoring the Wynn brand that has seen 50% of the current Wynn Al Marjan Island executive team brought in from other Wynn Resorts properties in Las Vegas, Macau and Boston Harbor. Likewise the use of Wynn’s in-house design and development team, spearheaded by Todd-Avery Lenahan.
“We’re one of the very few hospitality companies that still has an in-house design and development team where they curate every part of the guest journey,” Tappeiner said.
“Something very unique about us is that we built two perfect replicas of the [Wynn Al Marjan Island] rooms in Las Vegas to make sure that every detail is thought out and that we consider every part of the guest journey.
“Our design and development team touches every touch point along that guest journey, from the guest room itself to the elevators, the public spaces, the restaurants, the entertainment, the beachfront, the poolscape, the theaters. Everything is touched by the team and so you will arrive with a very cohesive, high-level guest experience from A-Z that is then complemented with the sense of guest service and the sense of passion and the dedication that we enjoy seeing in our team members.”
Once complete, Wynn Al Marjan Island will stand more than 300 meters high – topping off is slated to take place in December – making it the tallest building Wynn has ever developed as well as its first beachside resort. It is also envisioned as a game changer for Ras Al Khaimah with Wynn looking to play a key role in transforming the emirate into an enticing global destination.
“If we can if we can make good on our vision, by 2030 inbound tourism into Ras Al Khaimah will have tripled and the destination will have transformed. It will be an international must-see destination,” Tappeiner explained.
“I think it will compete with some of the best-in-class destinations in the region and I hope I will stand alongside my team that I open this property with and look towards the future knowing we have fulfilled the vision, made the company proud and built the kind of culture that we have built in Las Vegas and Macau.”
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