The STA Podcast ft Mark DeCocinis

“The Saudi experience of hospitality will be the new benchmark for global tourism,” says Boutique Group CEO

As Saudi Arabia’s first ultra-luxury hospitality company, Boutique Group is transforming the country's historic palaces into ultra-luxury hotels.

In the latest episode of The Saudi Tourism Authority Podcast, produced by Connecting Travel, veteran luxury hospitality specialist Mark DeCocinis, CEO, Boutique Group, tells Sarah Hedley Hymers how he is leading a team of experts in “setting new benchmarks in luxury hospitality, not just in Saudi, but globally”.

Initiated in 2022 by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the vision is to preserve Saudi Arabia’s culture and heritage while offering unique, experiential hospitality.

“Each palace is unique, and each has a story to tell,” says DeCocinis, who has more than four decades' experience in the luxury hospitality industry. “We have these beautiful palaces, and we’re restoring them with the original materials and working with artisans to develop them. It really is a work of love.”

The first three palaces are in Riyadh and Jeddah, and include The Red Palace, once the residence of King Saud bin Abdulaziz, which is expected to open to visitors by the end of 2025.

Catering to the top 1 to 2% of business and leisure travellers, the palaces will range from 70 to 80 keys and include suites and villas, event spaces, restaurants and wellness facilities.

According to DeCocinis, the most important element of Boutique Group's offering is the service, which will be regal and personalised, mirroring the kingdom’s hospitality.

“The people are so engaging and generous and this is what we will reflect in our service,” he says. “The Saudi experience of hospitality will be the new benchmark for global tourism, and this is our direction, to set a new standard.”

Find out more about Boutique Group’s hospitality vision in Saudi, and the palaces being transformed into ultra-luxury hotels, by tuning into the STA Podcast today.

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