We were delighted to welcome Zaynib Khan last month as our new EMEA Hospitality lead, based in London. Zaynib brings over 11 years of professional experience as an Architect, Designer and Project Manager across Hospitality and Workplace sectors. Over the course of her career, she has delivered complex projects with major branded hotel companies such as Hilton and Marriott International. Her expertise includes site viability studies, audit work and client monitoring services for hotel developers and operators such as Derwent, Ennismore and Staycity Group.
I’ve joined Benoy to spearhead their Hospitality work. My role involves strengthening the hospitality offer by providing expertise on current projects and future opportunities. My background includes extensive experience in both chain-affiliated and independent hotels across a range of market classes. I’ll be sharing knowledge and advising on topics such as how the guest experience could be considered, current and future trends, operational requirements, and innovative construction method for hotels.
After working on a few initial hospitality projects, I really enjoyed putting myself in the mindset of the guest – really focusing on the journey and conveying a story through each curated experience. Also, public spaces in hotels these days are fabulous places where you can relax, work, or socialise. They bring in elements of the local context and the level of personal service is (usually) excellent!
I really enjoy visiting the newly developed spaces around Kings Cross and Coal Drops Yard. There’s a fantastic range of retail, F&B, art, exhibitions, and just great public spaces where the activities are constantly changing. It’s done on a human-centric scale, and the vertical and horizontal articulation of the spaces is fluid and dynamic. There’s a fantastic buzz and the area draws a great crowd throughout the day and evening.
Definitely a deeper focus on the importance of self-care within wellness offerings. Using principles of biophilic design, and scientific data driven research methods to improve health, well-being, and recovery. Post-pandemic there has been an increase in solo travelling for those seeking new, unique travel experiences and yearn for further introspective time. This may spur another re-think of guestrooms designed for solo travellers in the future age and what public spaces may feel like for those wanting limited social engagement.
Work hard and be nice to people.