Marc Matar, Multi-Property General Manager at St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, has built a distinguished career in luxury hospitality, driven by a deep passion for crafting unforgettable experiences. With a rich background spanning some of the world’s most prestigious properties—including The Bodrum EDITION, The St. Regis Bali Resort, and Le Méridien Beach Plaza in Monte Carlo—he has honed his expertise in curating refined and personalized luxury. His leadership at The St. Regis Doha and St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island reflects a commitment to upholding the brand’s legacy while pushing the boundaries of excellence.
Marc’s approach to hospitality transcends traditional management; it is about storytelling, cultural immersion, and elevating the guest experience. Under his leadership, St. Regis properties have set new benchmarks in luxury, seamlessly blending heritage with innovation. His vision for the brand is not just about operational excellence but about shaping destinations that leave lasting impressions on discerning travelers.
Career Journey
Marc’s journey in hospitality has been shaped by a relentless pursuit of excellence. “From the early stages of my career, I was captivated by the transformative power of luxury hospitality—how it creates emotions, tells stories, and crafts experiences that linger in guests’ memories.” His tenure across globally renowned properties has refined his understanding of what defines true luxury—beyond opulence, it is about craftsmanship, precision, and personalization.
When presented with the opportunity to lead The St. Regis Doha and St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, Marc saw it as a chance to elevate two already exceptional properties into premier destinations. Today, these hotels stand as the epitome of luxury in the region, continuously setting new standards for excellence. For Marc, St. Regis is more than a hotel brand—it is a heritage, a legacy, and a lifestyle. His role is to uphold this legacy while ensuring that the properties evolve with the expectations of the modern luminary traveler.
Key Responsibilities and Challenges
As the General Manager of two iconic St. Regis properties, Marc’s role extends far beyond operations. He is responsible for crafting a vision, curating unique experiences, and ensuring that every guest interaction is seamless and memorable. One of the biggest challenges in luxury hospitality today is striking a balance between heritage and innovation. St. Regis is rooted in timeless traditions, yet today’s guests expect experiences that feel fresh, immersive, and highly personalized. Marc’s focus is on finding new ways to delight our guests while maintaining the level of grace and elegance that defines the St. Regis brand.
A core priority for Marc is talent development. “I believe that while a hotel can have stunning architecture and world-class facilities, it is the people who bring it to life. My focus is on nurturing and empowering my team to consistently deliver exceptional service. I see challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for learning and growth, approaching each new destination with agility and adaptability.”
Leadership Style Evolution
Marc’s leadership philosophy is rooted in vision, precision, and passion. Early in his career, he was highly operationally focused, ensuring that every detail was flawlessly executed. Over time, he evolved into a leader who empowers his team, fostering a culture of excellence where every member takes ownership of their craft. His commitment to refinement mirrors the St. Regis ethos—constantly evolving, learning, and setting new benchmarks for excellence.
Cultivating a Positive Work Environment
For Marc, a luxury hotel is only as strong as its team. “I see hospitality as an art form where each team member, from concierge to butlers, plays a vital role in orchestrating seamless experiences.” Drawing inspiration from events like the Midnight Supper, he emphasizes teamwork and shared vision, ensuring that each individual feels valued and motivated. Open communication and a strong sense of purpose are key elements in fostering a high-performing team.
It is recent recognition such as Hakkasan being named the Best Fine-Dining Experience in Qatar in the Qatar Tourism Awards, 2 of the hotel’s restaurants being selected for the inaugural Michelin Guide Qatar, a Forbes 4* Rating and St. Regis Doha reaching #1 ranking in the whole of Doha on TripAdvisor that are a demonstration that the collective purpose and drive is delivering on the team’s vision in every phase of the guests journey.
Staying Motivated and Inspired
Marc finds motivation in the guest experience itself. Witnessing the joy of a guest stepping into a beautifully curated space, enjoying an unforgettable meal, or receiving impeccable service fuels his passion. He believes luxury is defined differently across cultures, and exposure to diverse destinations, culinary innovations, and design trends keeps his vision fresh and dynamic. His guiding principle is lifelong learning—constantly evolving to enhance both his personal and professional growth.
Maintaining Work-Life Balance
In the demanding world of luxury hospitality, Marc sees balance as finding joy in what he does while staying energized and focused. Efficiency, strategic delegation, and structured planning allows him to manage multiple properties, with over 30 brands and multiple large scale activations at any one time, while maintaining attention to detail. Outside of work, he prioritizes family, travel and discovering how other brands are redefining luxury and bringing new experiences to their guests—elements that recharge his creativity and leadership.
Staying Ahead of Industry Trends
St. Regis has always been a pioneer in luxury hospitality, and Marc ensures that the brand remains ahead of the curve by focusing on:
- Experience-Driven Hospitality: Creating curated, immersive moments that resonate with guests. This means delivering beyond the expected and outside of the ‘norms’.
- Integrated Partnerships: Collaborating with world-renowned brands, whether it’s a city’s hottest restaurant or leading fashion names that can work in perfect synergy with your brand.
- Defining a Clear Identity: Bringing your brand to life is important, but in a hyper-competitive hospitality landscape each property should have its own clearly defined identity and differentiators.
For Marc, the goal is not just to meet guest expectations but to exceed them, ensuring that St. Regis continues to be synonymous with timeless elegance and modern indulgence.
Advice for Aspiring Hospitality Leaders
Marc believes that luxury hospitality is about mastering the art of refinement. For those aspiring to leadership positions in this industry, he emphasizes the importance of an unwavering focus on details, as true luxury lies in precision and personalization. He encourages future leaders to cultivate curiosity by traveling, exploring, and immersing themselves in different cultures, as these experiences enrich their perspectives and enhance their ability to cater to diverse guests.
“Leadership in hospitality is about having a clear vision—redefining the industry rather than merely adhering to established norms. Furthermore, resilience is essential; passion and perseverance are the driving forces behind long-term success. True leaders in hospitality do more than manage properties—they create exceptional experiences and inspire their teams to push boundaries and exceed expectations.”
Future Goals for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Marc envisions The St. Regis Doha and St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island as the region’s premier luxury destinations. His strategic approach focuses on expanding high-profile partnerships to introduce exclusive activations and experiences that elevate the brand’s prestige. This was brought to life with the recent launch of Vilebrequin La Plage, a 360 brand immersion like never before for the world’s leading luxury swimwear brand. Additionally, he is committed to enhancing the culinary offerings to uphold their reputation for award-winning dining, ensuring that guests enjoy exceptional gastronomic experiences. Brands introduced to the properties include names such as Novikov, Fauchon, Roberto’s and Chotto Matte.
Marc looks to further develop strategic partnerships both inside and outside of the properties that set the tone for success over the past year, continuing the momentum of the hotel’s recent success stories. These include being named the official caterer of the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center with the addition of the St. Regis and FAUCHON Café into the city’s most well-known conference space, and international recognition through the nomination as the hotel partner of Michelin for the Qatar International Food Festival where the hotel hosted and supported visiting Michelin starred chefs. The hotel was proudly nominated the catering contracts for large events such as WEC’s 2025 Qatar 1812km race and MotoGP Qatar 2025, and looks to continue to establish itself as the brand of choice when catering for high-profile VIP city-wide events.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
Marc Matar aspires to leave behind a legacy of refinement, innovation, and excellence. He envisions The St. Regis Doha and St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island as legendary destinations that are a symphony of exciting experience-driven luxury and impeccable service. “My goal is to ensure that the experiences crafted today will be remembered for generations, cementing the properties’ status as icons of hospitality.”
Reflecting on his journey, Matar values the milestones, the transformative activations, and the dedicated team that has accompanied him on this path to excellence. His legacy will be one of refinement, innovation, and a commitment to timeless hospitality. As he reflects on his journey, the milestones, the activations, and the people who contributed to this excellence will remain at the heart of his achievements.
