September 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: As Dubai’s hospitality industry moves into one of its most important seasons of the year, ME by Meliá Dubai has appointed Arlette Richter-Picardo as General Manager, bringing an accomplished UAE hospitality leader to the helm of the iconic Zaha Hadid-designed property.
With more than 15 years of experience across some of the UAE’s most recognised luxury and lifestyle hotels, Richter-Picardo brings a formidable combination of commercial acumen, operational leadership and brand-building expertise to ME by Meliá Dubai. Her career has seen her drive multimillion-dirham revenues, lead teams of more than 700 employees, shape hotels and guest experiences from the ground up, and steer complex operations through periods of growth and transformation. Spanning commercial strategy, F&B, brand development, guest experience and people leadership, her appointment brings a distinctly multidimensional leadership perspective to the hotel.
Richter-Picardo joins ME by Meliá Dubai following her role as General Manager of Hotel Local Dubai, where she led the property’s rebranding and transition into Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Building on Hotel Local’s existing identity, she oversaw its alignment with the Autograph Collection brand, shaping the guest journey and developing its signature Autograph moment to create a cohesive experience that reflected both the property’s character and its new brand affiliation. Her wider career has seen her take on senior leadership roles across some of the UAE’s most recognised luxury hotels, including Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, The Dubai EDITION, Marriott Hotel & Executive Apartments Downtown Abu Dhabi and The St. Regis Abu Dhabi, giving her extensive experience across both Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s luxury hospitality markets.
In her new role, Richter-Picardo will take the helm of ME by Meliá Dubai’s strategic and operational direction, with responsibility spanning commercial performance and profitability, guest experience, F&B, people and culture, and the hotel’s day-to-day operations. Working alongside the leadership team and key stakeholders, she will focus on driving sustainable growth, strengthening the hotel’s market position and identifying new commercial opportunities, while continuing to elevate service standards across the property. Her remit will also extend to the continued evolution of the hotel’s wider lifestyle proposition, ensuring its dining, wellness and cultural experiences remain relevant within Dubai’s increasingly competitive luxury landscape.
Commenting on her appointment, Arlette Richter-Picardo, General Manager of ME by Meliá Dubai, 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. 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. The ambition is clear: to ensure ME by Meliá Dubai continues to have a distinctive voice in a city that never stops evolving.”
With Richter-Picardo’s appointment, ME by Meliá Dubai reinforces its commitment to forward-thinking leadership as it looks to build on its position within Dubai’s luxury hospitality landscape. Her arrival brings fresh momentum to the hotel’s long-term ambitions, with a focus on driving performance, unlocking new opportunities and ensuring the property continues to evolve in step with one of the world’s most dynamic hospitality markets.
About ME by Meliá Dubai:
ME by Meliá Dubai is a 5-star hotel located in the Burj Khalifa district within the iconic Opus building, designed by the late Zaha Hadid. As the only hotel to be designed both externally and internally by Hadid, the property is a testament to her visionary approach to architecture. Known for her bold, futuristic designs, Hadid’s signature fluid curves and nature-inspired forms are integrated throughout the hotel, creating a seamless fusion of organic shapes and modern refinement. The result is an architectural masterpiece that reflects her pioneering spirit and continues to inspire all who visit.
The hotel offers 93 luxurious rooms and 13 residences and is recognised by Michelin Hotels. It also offers a diverse selection of world-class dining options. Central Restaurant, managed by the hotel, sits alongside renowned outsourced venues such as The Maine, ROKA, Sfumato, Soirée, Salmon Guru, and Le Relais de L’Entrecôte. In 2025, the culinary portfolio will expand further with the launch of Revolver and Maison Dali, bringing even more exceptional dining experiences to guests.
In addition to its exceptional dining, ME by Meliá Dubai features Maria German Flowers & Home an in-house flower and home decor shop and Memoir a salon, providing added convenience and elegance. Other amenities include an outdoor swimming pool, wellness centre and spa, a 7000 sq. ft. fitness centre, and a kids’ club. The hotel also emphasizes sustainability, striving to reduce its environmental impact while delivering personalized service in a creative, inspiring environment for guests.
Located in the heart of Dubai, ME by Meliá Dubai combines striking design, world-class service, and a vibrant atmosphere, making it a top destination for those seeking a unique and memorable experience.
The hotel is also now recognised by the MICHELIN Guide 2025 with a prestigious One Key distinction.
About ME by Meliá:
Located in global cultural epicenters, ME by Meliá is a collection of design hotels and is part of the larger lifestyle hotel group of Meliá Hotels International. Each of these properties aim to discover contemporary culture through the lens of their bold, charismatic personality. ME by Meliá brings destination, design and service together to deliver personal, enriching experiences for the stylish modern traveller. A stay at one of our hotels is more than just a vacation or a visit, it’s an immersion in architecture, design, gastronomy and art that few can match.
Contemporary culture is part of who we are. We express its creativity and energy in every aspect of our hotel experience. ME by Meliá hotels thrive on the sensorial connection to their settings – the visual stimuli, the taste of exquisite local food, the uplifting culture of its citizens and cultural leaders. Embedded within each hotel´s ecosystem is a community of artists, influencers, creatives and technologies that raise the hotel to a must-see, and must-stay, destination for those who yearn for inspiration and energy. There are currently eight hotels in the portfolio across Europe, Middle East, The Americas and Mexico, including ME Dubai, ME Milan Il Duca, ME London, ME Ibiza, ME Barcelona, ME Malta, ME Sitges and ME Cabo. Upcoming openings include ME Lisbon and ME Marbella, set to launch in the coming months. Follow ME by Meliá on Instagram @me_by_melia and Facebook mebymelia. http://www.mebymelia.com.
