- Certificate of Excellence - TripAdvisor 2013
- Certificate of Excellence 2014 - TripAdvisor 2014
ABOUT US
Our journey, which led to us becoming an international hospitality company known for its unique collection of properties, started in 1981 with the formation of Dutco Hotels. Named after
our parent company which was established in 1947, the new company owned and operated the Arabian Gulf’s first two resort properties in Dubai: Jebel Ali Hotel and Hatta Fort Hotel.
Anthony Ross
Chief Executive Office
Anthony Ross has over 30 years of industry leadership experience in the hospitality sector, with spanning roles on multiple continents. Before joining JA Resorts & Hotels, he was CEO at the Indonesia-based Aryaduta Hotel Group and held the Executive Vice President position at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, where he oversaw 120 hotels in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region. His vision is to enhance how our guests experience both brand values, expand and deepen our reach and eventually bring heartfelt hospitality to new destinations in the region and beyond.
Alaister Murray
Chief Financial Officer
Alaister Murray is an Irish Chartered Accountant and has been Chief Financial and Commercial Officer of JA Resorts and Hotels since February 2017. Previously Alaister was CFO of the Jumeirah Hotel Group for 10 years and was Finance Director of a Dubai based, AIM London listed hotel group. Alaister started his career and spent ten years in professional services and corporate finance with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in the UK and Dubai and has also worked in senior finance positions in the oil sector, investment banking and logistics. Alaister graduated from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland with a BA (Hons) degree in accounting.
Robert Mikaelian
VP - Human Resources
Originally a Dutch national, born and brought up in Istanbul, with extensive experience in the industry, Robert Mikaelian joined JA Resorts & Hotels in April 2014 as Group Director of Human Resources. At JA Resorts & Hotels, Robert is responsible for overseeing, guiding and managing the full scope of Human Resources and Administration for the group and the development of group policies, procedures and streamlining operations of the department.
Thomas Grundner
VP - Sales & Marketing
Thomas’ career in sales and marketing is spanned over 20 years in the hospitality and leisure industry. He has worked across many international markets including Germany, Egypt, and Spain in senior commercial roles within established and globally. His experience in the development of international leisure and regional corporate markets will be invaluable in ensuring our portfolio of properties is the first choice for both international leisure and business travelers. Overseeing all sales, marketing and revenue efforts as the company continues to build on its key growth and development strategies and further cultivate its unique blend of ‘Heartfelt Hospitality’ and ‘Casual Luxury’ to guests across the globe.
Dany Karam
Head of Brand & Marketing
When I was a young teenager, I started watching TV ads more than TV shows and this is when I knew that the wonderful world of advertising & communication fascinates me. I moved to Montreal, Canada in the late 80s and studied advertising & communications to then land a job at BBDO. I spent 14 years of my professional career with BBDO moving up the ladder to then assume a position of General Manager for a period of 5 years. Creativity can be achieved in everything we do.
Rob Cumnningham
VP - Food & Beverage
Rob officially began his culinary career at the age of 16, and during the past 33 years, he has been blessed to have been able to work all around the world. In Australia, he worked in some of the most well-regarded restaurants in both Sydney and Melbourne which opened doors for him to work in Michelin starred restaurants in both London and Europe. He is responsible for restaurant and bar repositioning across the portfolio as well as the development of all new concepts and revamping existing ideas; developing design briefs, liaising with designers, creating indicative menus, developing the pricing and business model and advising on team selection and training before handing over to the operations team.
Awards
JA Bateaux Dubai
Awards
JA Resorts & Hotels
- Best Hotel/Resort Middle East 2014 - Travel Agents Choice Awards - Selling Travel
- Best Hotel/Resort Middle East 2015 - Travel Agents Choice Awards - Selling Travel
Awards
JA Enchanted Island Resort
- Seychelles' Leading Villa: Owners Signature Villa - World Travel Awards 2014
- Best Resort Hotel in Africa Region - International Hotel Awards 2014
- Best Hotels & Resorts in Seychelles - Seven Star Global Luxury Award 2014
- Seychelles' Leading Luxury Hotel Villa: Owners Signature Villa - World Travel Awards 2015
- Certificate of Excellence - TripAdvisor 2015
- Seychelles Leading Luxury hotel Villa – Owner’s signature Villa - World Travel Awards 2015
- Certificate of Excellence 2016 - Trip Advisor
- Hotel & Resorts Winner 2016 - Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Awards
- 9.2 out of 10 rate on the 2016 Guest Review award - Booking.com
- Seychelles’ Leading Luxury Hotel Villa – Owner’s signature Villa 2016 - World Travel Awards WinNe
- 2017 - Trip Advisor
- Seychelles Leading Resort - World Travel Awards
Awards
JA Manafaru
- Wine Spectator Certificate - The Cellar, White Orchid and Ocean Grill
- Certificate of Excellence - Tripadvisor 2014
- Maldives Leading Hotel Suite - Royal Island Two Bedroom Suite with infinity pool - World Travel Awards 2015
- The Seal of Excellence - Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality & Lifestyle Awards
- Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel Suite – Royal Island Two Bedroom Suite with infinity pool - World Travel Awards 2015
- Luxury Honeymoon Hotel - Regional - World Luxury Hotel 10th Anniversary
- Indian Ocean's Leading Hotel Suite - World Travel Awards
- Maldives Leading Hotel Suite - World Travel Awards
- Indian Ocean's Leading Hotel Suite 2017 - World Travel Awards
- Top 10 Best Hotels in the World - TripAdvisor
- Maldives Leading Hotel Suite 2017 - World Travel Awards
- Best Luxury Honeymoon Resort in the Indian Ocean - World Luxury Hotel Awards
- Luxury Island Resort in the Indian Ocean - World Luxury Hotel Awards
- No. 7 Best Luxury Honeymoon Island Resort Worldwide - Hotel of the Year Awards
- Best Luxury Island Spa - Regional Winner - World Luxury Spa Awards
- Best Luxury Destination Spa - Country Winner - World Luxury Spa Awards
- Indian Ocean's Leading Hotel Suite 2018 - World Travel Awards
- Top 10 Romantic Hotels in the Maldives - TripAdvisor
- Top 20 Luxury Hotels in Asia - TripAdvisor
- Top 10 Luxury Hotels in the Maldives - TripAdvisor
- Maldives' Leading Hotel Suite - World Travel Awards
- Indian Ocean's Leading Honeymoon Resort - World Travel Awards
- Top 10 Hotels for Service in the Maldives - TripAdvisor
Awards
JA Beach Hotel
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort - World Travel Awards 2001
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2002 - World Travel Awards 2002
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2003 - World Travel Awards 2003
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2004 - World Travel Awards 2004
- Dubai's Leading Golf Resort - World Travel Awards 2004
- Dubai's Leading Golf Resort 2005 - World Travel Awards 2005
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2005 - World Travel Awards 2005
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2006 - World Travel Awards 2006
- Dubai's Leading Golf Resort 2006 - World Travel Awards 2006
- Dubai's Leading Golf Resort 2007 - World Travel Awards 2007
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2007 - World Travel Awards 2007
- Dubai's Leading Golf Resort 2008 - World Travel Awards 2008
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort - World Travel Awards 20018
- Dubai's Leading Golf Resort 2009 - World Travel Awards 2009
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort - World Travel Awards 2009
- Dubai's Leading Golf Resort 2010 - World Travel Awards 2010
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2010 - World Travel Awards 2010
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2011 - World Travel Awards 2011
- Dubai's Leading Golf Resort 2011 - World Travel Awards 2011
- World's Best Family Resort 2011 - Travel Agents Choice Awards 2011 - Selling Travel
- World’s Leading Family Resort 2011 - World Travel Awards 2011
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2012 - World Travel Awards 2012
- Dubai's Leading Golf Resort 2012 - World Travel Awards 2012
- World's Best Family Resort 2012 - Travel Agents Choice Awards 2012 - Selling Travel
- World’s Leading Family Resort 2012 - World Travel Awards 2012
- Accreditation 2012 - Blue Flag
- Nominated for ‘Highly Commended Resort for Families' - Travel Agents Choice Awards 2013 - Selling Travel
- Certification 2013 - Green Globe
- Accreditation 2013 - Blue Flag
- World’s Leading Family Resort 2013 - World Travel Awards 2013
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2013 - World Travel Awards 2013
- World’s Leading Family Resort 2014 - World Travel Awards 2014
- Best Golfing Destination in Dubai - Seven Star Global Luxury Award 2014
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2014 - World Travel Awards 2014
- Accreditation 2014 - Blue Flag
- Club Jumana - Best Family Beach Club (Shortlisted) - Timeout Dubai Kids Awards 2014
- Certification 2015 - Green Globe
- Accreditation 2015 - Blue Flag
- Middle East's Leading Golf Resort 2015 - World Travel Awards 2015
Awards
JA Palm Tree Court
- Silver award for Best Hotel in the Middle East. - Virgin Holidays - World Travel Market
- Highly Commended Best South East Asian - White Orchid - TimeOut Dubai Restaurant Awards 2013
- One Hat Rated Dining - White Orchid - The Black Hat Guide 2013
- Seal of Excellence - Seven Star Global Luxury Award 2013
- Certificate of Excellence - TripAdvisor 2014
- #45 Best Ranked Hotels Worldwide (Top 100) - Expedia Insider Select Award
- Best Hotels & Resorts in Dubai - Seven Star Global Luxury Award 2014
- #6 in the Top 10 Hotels for Families — the United Arab Emirates - Travelers Choice Awards 2014
- #12 in the Top 25 Hotels in United Arab Emirates - TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards
- #14 Top 25 Hotels for Service — United Arab Emirates - TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards
- #11 Top 25 Luxury Hotels — United Arab Emirates - TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards
- #2 in the Top 25 Hotels for Families — United Arab Emirates - TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards
Awards
JA Ocean View Hotel
- Fogo Vivo - Fuad Barahim Award for Excellence - Chain des Rotisseurs
- Gold Circle Award - Agoda
- Dubai's Leading New Hotel - World Travel Awards 2013
- Certificate of Excellence - Tripadvisor 2014
- #14 in the Top 25 Hotels for Romance - the United Arab Emirates - Travellers Choice Awards 2014
- #21 in the Top 25 Hotels with Exceptional Service — United Arab Emirates - Travellers Choice Awards 2014
- Most Popular Hotel Worldwide - Holidaycheck.com
- Rookie of the year - Expedia
- #20 Top 25 Hotels for Romance — United Arab Emirates - TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards
- Green Globe Certification - Green Globe
Awards
JA Oasis Beach Tower
- Best Family Hotel (Shortlisted) - Timeout Dubai Kids Awards 2014
- #13 in the Top 25 Hotels for Romance - the United Arab Emirates - Travellers Choice Awards 2014
- Certificate of Excellence - TripAdvisor 2014
- #58 Best Ranked Hotels Worldwide (Top 100) - Expedia Insider Select Award
