Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Four Seasons Tenure

• First from 2002 to 2021, now since 2024
• First Four Seasons Assignment: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

Employment History

• Raffles The Palm Dubai Four Seasons Hotel Moscow (formerly a Four Seasons hotel); Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza; Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence

Education

• Helwan University, Cairo – Hotel Management BSc

Birthplace

• Cairo, Egypt

Languages Spoken

• Arabic (native), English (native), Russian (intermediate)

Ahmed Ayoub was first captivated by luxury hospitality while sharing his love of history, Egyptology and archaeology as a tour guide at Four Seasons Cairo at The First Residence. “Each visit to the hotel felt like stepping into a world of elegance and unmatched care,” he recalls. To the young Ayoub, the Four Seasons brand, newly introduced to the region at the time, embodied excellence and connection in a way that sparked a passion within him. "It opened my eyes to the art of hospitality and set me on the path to a life-changing career."

To date, that career has spanned more than twenty years across some of the world’s most celebrated hospitality destinations: from the two Four Seasons properties in historic Cairo to the former Four Seasons Hotel Moscow and Raffles The Palm Dubai. Ayoub’s experience encompasses not just global five-star hotels, but an evolution of positions within them. From Front Office, Concierge and Guest Experience to Reservations and Communications, Housekeeping, and even full-time Spa manager, Ayoub has garnered a 360-degree understanding of hotel operations. Alongside his natural emotional intelligence and problem-solving, this unique skillset perfectly plays into his position as Resort Manager when it comes to understanding the challenges, needs and potential of each department.

Ayoub’s dynamic, people-first leadership style is inspired by his father, whose role as a military officer was grounded in resilience, empathy and precision. Whether crafting a unique romantic encounter on the Pyramids Plateau to designing an engaging entertainment program for Four Seasons Private Jet travellers, Ayoub’s focus has always been on developing meaningful, personalised guest experiences. And underpinning every experience is his belief that it all starts with engaged and motivated teams. “True luxury is when both guests and staff feel valued, inspired and connected, not only to a place but to its culture and the people around them," he says. "Hospitality is not just a profession; it’s a passion and a way of life. To truly excel, you must embrace it fully and live in sync with its rhythm.”

This heartfelt ethos aligns with his latest role. Having spent the first years of his career with Four Seasons, Ayoub’s return to the brand marked a homecoming – now as Resort Manager overseeing two pioneering destinations: Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah. “From the outset, I was struck by the harmony with which these properties operate, with the entire team working toward a shared purpose," says Ayoub. “Arriving from the dynamic, fast-paced and hyper-connected world of Dubai to the serene, nature-bound setting of the Maldives was transformative. I was immediately immersed in a world where true hospitality thrives not on convenience but on talent, creativity, and an unwavering passion for excellence.”

Based on the island of Landaa Giraavaru in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Ayoub is further inspired by the resort as a benchmark of environmental stewardship. “From solar power and sustainable water systems to protecting the island’s rich biodiversity, there’s a real dedication to planetary well-being,” he muses, adding that “these values strongly resonate with me, as they embody the importance of environmental responsibility within luxury hospitality.”

The extraordinary beauty of the Maldives also infuses Ayoub’s downtime, and he’s excited to take a diving course. “I can’t wait to explore the Maldives’ amazing marine ecosystem,” he says, “and to create some memorable experiences of my own.”