Four Seasons Resort and Residences Red Sea at Shura Island

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2024
• First Four Seasons Position: Current

Employment History

• Regent Porto Montenegro; Sandy Lane, Barbados; Six Senses Yao Noi, Thailand; Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Thailand; Grant Hotel Park, Gstaad, Switzerland; Hotel IQ International Ltd., Bangkok; St. James’s Hotel and Club, London; Althoff Hotel am Schlossgarten, Stuttgart; Hotel Villa Belrose, St. Tropez; Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany

Education

• Diplom-Betriebswirt (BA) and Bachelor (Arts) Business Administration for Hospitality and Tourism Management at Duale Hochsschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) in Ravensburg, Germany, and Certificate of Executive Leadership at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Birthplace

• Bielefeld, Germany

Languages Spoken

• Germany, French, English

It’s one thing for a hotel pro to open a new beachfront resort; another for one to shape the experience of an ultra-luxury address in a setting that, until very recently, wasn’t even on the map. That’s where Kai Dieckmann finds himself now as General Manager of Four Seasons Red Sea Resort and Residences amid The Red Sea, a new masterplanned development on the western waterfront of Saudi Arabia. “The great thing for me is being part of something brand new,” he says of his assignment. “We’re not just welcoming guests; we’re actually creating the destination they’re traveling to discover. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The property under Dieckmann’s leadership was conceived for a new generation of active and adventurous travellers to experience natural and cultural wonders within an unexplored region of Saudi Arabia. Perched on Shura Island, one of several idyllic islands set along 200 kilometres (124 miles) of coastline, the Resort offers exquisite garden views or views of shimmering beaches and crystal-clear waters, a half-dozen dining outlets for international and Saudi specialties, and a sweep of ultra-luxury amenities for every service and comfort. There’s an 18-hole golf course on Shura, an unspoiled underwater world for snorkelers and divers just offshore, and desert wilds for Quad biking, or the ruins of Mada’in Saleh to plan a visit around and more.  A yacht marina is also planned.

Key for Resort guests and Residence owners, as well as for Dieckmann, is The Red Sea’s commitment to sustainability, the better to protect coral reefs and mangroves and to ensure positive economic and environmental impact on the region. “Sustainability is a driving force here, and that resonates well with me,” he says, adding, “we have only one world, after all.”

Arriving for his first turn with Four Seasons following more than two decades at properties across the globe, Dieckmann heads a team peopled primarily with Four Seasons veterans and local talent in keeping with a government-sponsored nationalization program to bolster the Kingdom’s new focus on tourism. Many Saudis are eager to develop careers in the travel industry, where opportunities were previously limited. “The excitement in the country is really tangible, especially among young people,” he says, pointing to the Vision 2030 initiative that is diversifying Saudi Arabia economically, socially, and culturally – not least by opening the country to more foreign visitors.

Central to Dieckmann’s role is ensuring that the Resort stands out among 11 properties from as many international luxury brands that are inviting travellers to Shura Island at the same time. He believes success comes down to the anticipatory service for which Four Seasons is renowned. “From sea to beach to desert, this part of Saudi Arabia is still being explored, so we have a completely pristine realm to work with. It’s important for us to be creative and employ our resources to build experiences that will create memorable moments for our guests.”

Born in a historic city in a bustling region in the northwest of Germany, Dieckmann grew up in Haltern am See, a picturesque setting of forests, hills and meadows along a lake near the border with the Netherlands. On Sunday walks or bike rides, his family would often end up at one of the cozy hotels in town, where he would peruse copies of a local hotel trade magazine that opened his eyes to the rewards of hospitality and travel. “That sparked the fire for me to see the world.”

His wanderlust grew in his teens with a stay in the US as an exchange student followed by hotel work in his home country. After studying at Duale Hochsschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) in Ravensburg, Germany, and obtaining a Certificate of Executive Leadership at Cornell University, he applied to 10 premier hotels in Germany and was fortunate to start at the best address in Baden-Baden. His career soon took off, and so did he, rising in management at hotel brands of all sizes from the French Riviera to London, Switzerland to Thailand, and the Caribbean to Montenegro, where his last stop as a general manager before arriving in Saudi Arabia saw him catering to the superyacht crowd at luxury retreat on the Adriatic Sea.

Now right at home along the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia, Dieckmann enjoys spending downtime with his family, including traveling for ski trips as time allows, and following football with his young son. Indeed, he brings an intriguing perspective to the sport, having once made a go of becoming a referee. “Just like in leadership in hotels, all eyes are on you on the pitch, and you have to make decisions in split seconds,” he recalls with a smile.

Meantime, Dieckmann’s new role satisfies two of his long-held career objectives: working for Four Seasons and in the Middle East. “The Red Sea development is the epicentre of hospitality progress in the region right now, and it provides a wonderful playing field for me to contribute to the tourism industry here.”