Saudi Gazette Editor-in-Chief Khaled Almaeena, left, and from third left, Al Dar Al Arabia Vice President Sultan Al-Nasser, Hatem Chatter, Ahmad Tabet, Mohammed Bin Himd, all businessmen, Majestic Cannes Manager Emmanuel Caux, businessman Waleed Al-Bassam and Al Dar Al Arabia President Idress Al-Nasser, pose for a group photo during the reception hosted recently by Lucien Barriere Hotels in Jeddah.


JEDDAH — Lucien Barriere, a French chain for exclusive and luxury hotels, held a reception at Jeddah’s Park Hyatt Hotel recently in observance of the chain’s 100th anniversary.

About 150 officials, VIPs, and leading members of the hospitality and other sectors of business and industry were present.

In his speech, French Consul General Christian Nakhle noted the 100-year proud track record of the hotel chain.

"Our passion for providing hospitality remains as strong as on the first day," said Emmanuel Caux, manager of Majestic Cannes who led a five-member delegation from the hotel chain from France.

"Over the last century we have turned our family group into the French leader in the luxury hotel sector. Excellence, quality of service, thoughtfulness and the French ’art de vivre’ are values firmly rooted in our 100-year history: 17 hotels and 135 restaurants interpret them in a wide variety of ways," he said. "Our future springs from our past," he added.

Established in 1912, Lucien Barriere Hotels, with unprecedented luxury and elegance as its hallmarks, have properties in Europe and Morocco. They include Fouquet’s Paris, Majestic Cannes, Royal Deauville and Naoura Marrakech. Sultan Al Nasser, Vice President of Al Dar Al Arabia for Public Relations & Services, which locally represents the French hotel chain, received the guests.

Asked whether the hotel chain had any interest in having properties in this part of the world, Sultan said: "The prospects are being studied." — SG