The former Hotel Local Dubai general manager will oversee commercial performance, operations and the development of the hotel’s dining, wellness and cultural offering

ME by Meliá Dubai has appointed Arlette Richter-Picardo as general manager, handing her responsibility for the Zaha Hadid-designed property’s commercial performance, operations and guest experience.

Richter-Picardo joins from Hotel Local Dubai, where she led the property’s rebranding and transition into Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Her appointment brings more than 15 years of experience across the UAE’s luxury and lifestyle hotel sectors to the role.

At Hotel Local, she oversaw the alignment of the property’s existing identity with its new brand affiliation. Her work included developing the guest journey and the hotel’s signature Autograph moment, designed to reflect its individual character within the collection.

Her previous senior leadership roles span Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, The Dubai Edition, Marriott Hotel & Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi, and The St. Regis Abu Dhabi.

Across her career, she has led teams of more than 700 employees, with experience covering commercial strategy, F&B, brand development and hotel operations in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

At ME by Meliá Dubai, her remit will include profitability, service standards, people and culture, alongside the day-to-day running of the hotel. She will work with the leadership team and key stakeholders to identify commercial opportunities and strengthen the property’s position in Dubai’s luxury market.

The role also includes developing its dining, wellness and cultural experiences, with a focus on keeping the hotel’s offering relevant as competition across the city continues to grow.

Commenting on her appointment, Richter-Picardo said: “ME by Meliá Dubai already has something many hotels spend years trying to build: a clear identity. My role is not to change what makes it distinctive, but to build on that strength, translating it into meaningful guest experiences and strong business performance.”

She added: “Dubai’s hospitality landscape moves incredibly quickly, and standing still simply isn’t an option. As we enter a new season, I’m looking forward to working with the team to evolve the hotel across its guest experience, dining, culture and service, while unlocking new opportunities for growth