Ricardo Vale, GM of the new Vida Hotel, talks inspiration, green initiatives and what makes the property special.

What first inspired you to join the hospitality industry?
The hospitality industry is an exciting one to say the least. There are no two days that are the same, and that’s what makes it so interesting. I started out gaining experience through different departments and that attracted me to learn more about the industry. If anyone is looking for a job where they would never be doing something repetitive, I’d say the hospitality industry is definitely for them!

What made you decide to come to Bahrain, a much smaller market than some of your previous properties?
To say Bahrain is a much smaller market is an understatement as it serves as an important tourist destination in the region. Being a stable and secure country draws many visitors from all around, and that gives us a unique opportunity to serve them well with a new luxury property, the first Vida property by Emaar Hospitality Group. We are very excited to be here and to be the hottest destination in the Kingdom!

Bahrain’s Crown Prince recently announced the intention for the Kingdom to become carbon neutral by 2060. I understand Vida has significant green credentials already. Please tell us about them and is this something specific to Vida or something the whole Emaar Hospitality Group is developing going forward?
Yes, indeed we do. Vida is the first Hotel in the Kingdom to have our very own water sanitisation and bottling facility to provide clean drinking water and significantly reduce usage of singleuse plastic bottles. Our restaurants are also partnering with local farms and suppliers to source fresh produce locally and within the region. This reduces our carbon footprint as we seek to source the best and freshest ingredients without the need for long-distance freight.
Our parent company, Emaar, is committed to upholding the highest standards in environmental sustainability across all aspects of our operations. We operate in line with the ‘green vision’ of the UAE, working towards strengthening awareness on a greener lifestyle through energy and water efficiency. And that is something that Vida is also aligned with and that we are implementing for our hotel in Bahrain.

If you had to pick just one outstanding feature about the hotel, what would it be and why?
There’re just too many to choose from! But if I had to pick one, it would be the fact that we are the only hotel on the island with both direct beach and mall access. Our sandy beachfront is almost 2km long, making it the longest promenade in Bahrain and featuring crystal clear waters. Once the upcoming Marassi Galleria opens, it will be the largest mall in the Kingdom with a wide array of shops from ultra-luxury to family favourites.

You are quite new to Bahrain, what has been your favourite discovery on the island, so far?
Bahrain has been a really nice surprise so far. There is a vibrant youth scene and charming residents that have been very hospitable. Fittingly, Vida is a haven for those who celebrate the best things in life – art, design, fashion and entrepreneurship. We hope our property will add excitement and inspire those who want to live the Vida life! The hotel will open officially on December 15 and there will be lots of exciting activities for everyone to enjoy. Do follow us on our Instagram @vidabahrain, so you can hear all about the news firsthand.✤