A Dutch national, van der Veen speaks four languages and holds a degree in marketing, human resources and business organisation from the renowned Hotel School The Hague, Institute for Hospitality Management, in his native country.

Van der Veen�s work experience began at his own hotel school, where he assumed the role of instructor of hospitality operation. Since then he has worked for South Korea�s Seoul Hilton Hotel and, most recently, for the Hyatt Regency Dubai as an assistant director of food and beverage.

Given the responsibility of managing two very distinctly different outlets at Al Sondos, van der Veen explains that the �dry� property�s status means that News Café, the upscale restaurant and coffee lounge, and the Arabic restaurant Al Mabsam will be attracting a very different clientele from the rest of the hotels in the market.

Van der Veen said: �Both outlets have an excellent track record in the market with in-house guests and outsiders, and I am looking forward to developing them further.�

Al Sondos Suites by Le Meridien has 106 studio, one- and two-bedrooms suites, all equipped with kitchen facilities as well as large-screen televisions, Internet access, inter-active games and 24-hour concierge and room service. It is located in the heart of the city�s shopping and business district and is within minutes from Dubai International Airport.

Its sister property, the 144-suite Dar Al Sondos Hotel Apartments by Le Meridien is located in the busy Bur Dubai area of the city, providing a value-for-money alternative for executives and leisure travellers who seek accommodation in the heart of the action. The property was reflagged under the Le Meridien brand last year, following extensive refurbishment.

Le Méridien is a global hotel group with a portfolio of over 135 luxury and upscale hotels (36,000 rooms) in 56 countries worldwide.