LEVA Hotel: providing a bespoke travel experience

Given the boom in Dubai’s hospitality sector, what gives LEVA Hotel and Suites its distinct positioning?

LEVA Hotel offers that quintessential blend of leisure and business, so travellers in search of a unique, one-of-a-kind stay will enjoy the bespoke travel experience we offer. Our personalised service enhances our 184 contemporary rooms equipped with an array of facilities and modern comforts. Infusing an at-home vibe, each room/suite is fitted with a kitchenette while the sleek hand-painted art juxtaposes with the latest technology; and includes a flat-screen TV and satellite channels in every room.

The facilities also feature free private parking, marketplace, state of the art fitness centre and a rooftop swimming pool. We have also launched Bakers Kitchen; a renowned food and beverage concept which focuses on healthy food for a healthy lifestyle.

What is the importance of TripAdvisor in your industry?

Each and every guest has to leave satisfied to the fullest extent’ is our brand philosophy which reflects in our ranking on TripAdvisor at number 2 out of 877 hotels in Dubai. The importance of TripAdvisor cannot be underestimated and according to some studies, many times when guests explore a page on TripAdvisor, they only consider the top 5 rankings as paramount; so basically, reviews stay up and are out there for everyone to read.

How does your location enhance the traveller experience?

Conveniently located on Sheikh Zayed Road facing Downtown Dubai, we converted part of the renowned Mazaya Centre into a hotel. Built in 1999, at that time, it comprised of an entire mall and apartments and remains the perfect address to navigate the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and City Walk.

What is the LEVA brand philosophy and benefits to investors and owners?

With a strong focus on superlative service and retention, revenue-wise, home-grown LEVA stands out with their competitive pricing and realistic expectations provided to investors. With our current staff of 52 to service 184 rooms, our effective lean staffing strategy delivers results to move forward with a focused approach.

Our marketing, distribution, revenue management, reputation management and branding have set the tone for our strategy. Our seasoned senior leaders have extensive experience in international brands and have been with LEVA since its inception.

How important is social media for your brand?

The power of social media platforms for our industry are extremely important; from the TripAdvisor ranking to the quality of reviews, presence online, and engagement; all of these can foster brand visibility. Research from TrustYou revealed that young travellers, particularly the Gen-Z and Millennials not only depend on online reviews, but are confident in their decision-making when it comes to booking their hotel experience.

What regions do you plan for expansion?

Currently, our main markets are predominantly Europe and the Middle East. In terms of expansion, all of our current projects are in the planning stage and will include Saudi Arabia, East Africa, Egypt, Qatar, UAE, and Europe.

What are LEVA’s sub-brands?

We have a unique portfolio of three complementary and well differentiated hotel brands; these include LEVA Hotels, catering to 4-star and above properties, EKONO by LEVA, properties with 3-star midscale positioning, and for extended stays and serviced residences, LEVA Hotel Residences.

Have you witnessed a recovery to your hotel post the pandemic?

We have proudly survived the period by realigning the business segments and retaining our hotel associates. The recovery path post-pandemic has been very positive, and we have been witnessing the increasing confidence of the travellers from various source markets like Europe, UK, Russia, and Middle East. No doubt, Expo 2020 has been a catalyst for the rise in tourists to Dubai, and we are happy to be part of this growth.

During this unprecedented Covid-19 situation, we are proud to have controlled our expenses and managed our operations without having to resort in borrowing funds. No retrenchment at Leva and all staff gets full salaries during Covid. Post-September last year 2021, the business has started gaining momentum in terms of market reputation and generating revenue. Therefore, we have rewarded our employees for exemplary efforts towards getting us to where we are today. Our core strength lies in our employees.