LEADER - MAX TAPPEINER, PRESIDENT, WYNN AL MARJAN ISLAND: "THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING PROJECTS IN OUR COMPANY'S HISTORY" (Émirats arabes unis)
From Las Vegas to the Arabian Gulf, the hospitality virtuoso charts a groundbreaking course for luxury, with more than 17,000 professionals set to bring to life the highly anticipated new resort, set to open in 2027.Catégorie : Moyen Orient - Émirats arabes unis - Projets hôteliers - Interviews
Interview de Sonia Taourghi le 13-10-2025
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 Max Tappeiner has been appointed President of Wynn Al Marjan Island in 2024 - Ras Al Khaimah With over two decades of international experience in luxury hospitality, Max Tappeiner has carved a path through some of the world's most prestigious establishments before taking the helm as President of Wynn Al Marjan Island in September 2024.
His career journey reads like a traveller's dream itinerary – from formative years with Mandarin Oriental in gateway cities like Munich, London and Washington DC, to opening flagship properties in New York and Las Vegas, before ascending through leadership positions at The Venetian, Resorts World Las Vegas, and most recently as Executive Vice President of Operations at Wynn Las Vegas. An executive MBA graduate from the Royal University of Melbourne, Tappeiner's expertise spans both operational excellence and strategic vision.
Now, as he oversees the development of Wynn's first-ever beachfront resort – a $3.9 billion integrated property in Ras Al Khaimah that promises to revolutionise luxury hospitality in the Middle East – Tappeiner brings his exceptional operational expertise and vision of excellence to what Wynn CEO Craig Billings calls "the most exciting new market for our industry in decades." With the property set to transform the emirate's skyline by 2027, Tappeiner is crafting not just a resort, but a new standard for luxury in the region.
In this exclusive interview, he shares his insights on talent cultivation, architectural ambitions, and the delicate art of introducing a new hospitality concept to one of the world's most dynamic emerging markets.
Over 200 positions expected to be available by year-end. How is Wynn Al Marjan Island positioning itself to attract and retain top-tier talent in the competitive MENA hospitality market, and what unique value proposition are you offering to differentiate from other luxury resorts in the region?
At Wynn, excellence is not just one of our standards; it is our culture. You see it in the way our employees welcome guests, in the artistry of our public spaces, and in the loyalty of the people who build their careers with us. That is why our pre-opening team in Ras Al Khaimah is growing quickly, with more than 200 employees expected by year-end. The momentum reflects both the pace of development and the appeal of Wynn as a place to develop a career.
What makes us different is the continuity that runs through the company. Many of the employees who helped open Wynn Las Vegas 20 years ago are still with us today, and now some of their children are part of the Wynn family as well. That kind of belonging is rare in hospitality, and it is something we are determined to foster here.
To bring that same spirit to Ras Al Khaimah, we tap into a diverse array of expertise and talent to deliver the best guest experience. Long-serving Wynn veterans are here to mentor and pass on our standards. Local leaders who know the market and the expectations of its guests join us. And alongside them, we are developing a new generation of talent who can grow with us and carry Wynn into the future.
The goal is not just to attract talent, but to create an environment where people want to stay and thrive. That is what sustains excellence and allows us to deliver the service that defines Wynn.
As the centrepiece development on this over 60-hectare island with a 305-metre tower, how is Wynn Al Marjan Island fundamentally changing the physical and economic landscape of Al Marjan Island, and what infrastructure developments are being implemented to support this transformation?
When you walk the site today, the transformation is already clear. The resort tower has climbed above 60 floors, rising at the pace of one floor each week, on its way to 300 meters. Across more than 60 hectares, you can already see the outlines of restaurants, pools, entertainment venues, a marina, and a 420-metre stretch of beach. Even in its unfinished state, it already stands as a distinct addition to the Al Marjan Island skyline.
The real story is the energy on the ground. More than 17,000 specialists and professionals are on site every day, and as we move closer to opening, that will evolve into thousands of careers across hospitality, retail, and entertainment. Recruitment is being phased, starting with leadership roles, before expanding to the entire team that will welcome our first guests.
The impact will extend far beyond the resort itself. As visitor numbers grow, there will be new demand for dining, transport, culture, and experiences across Ras Al Khaimah. Wynn Al Marjan Island will stand as a landmark on the island, but it is also part of a broader vision for the emirate, one that combines the local culture with world-class hospitality and that will welcome the world on its own terms.
Wynn Al Marjan Island will be the first integrated gaming resort in the MENA region with projections to attract over 5 million visitors to Ras Al Khaimah by 2030. How are you building partnerships with local businesses, suppliers, and service providers to create a sustainable ecosystem that benefits the broader community?
From day one, the focus has been on creating something that feels true to the emirate while carrying the standards of excellence that define Wynn. That means more than building a resort. It is about weaving in the character of the region so that guests experience a unique sense of place.
You see that in the partnerships we are forming. Ceramic makers in Ras Al Khaimah, local designers, Arabian coffee suppliers, and master craftsmen are all part of the story. Their work will be felt throughout the resort in authentic ways, and at the same time, these collaborations create opportunities for the community to grow with us.
This approach aligns with the emirate’s vision for tourism growth. Ras Al Khaimah has set clear goals for attracting millions of visitors in the coming years by introducing new infrastructure, adventure, and cultural projects that are set to reshape the destination. That mission very much mirrors the ambition of Wynn Al Marjan Island to elevate Ras Al Khaimah’s offering as a destination through best-in-class hospitality and one-of-a-kind entertainment offerings.
As the resort opens and welcomes visitors from around the world, that impact will spread beyond the resort itself. There will be new demand for dining, transport, and experiences across the emirate. Growth like this creates opportunities not only for Wynn but also for the wider community, ensuring that the success of the resort is shared.
With Wynn Design and Development's 90+ architects and designers creating 22 restaurants and a 12,000-square-meter shopping promenade, what specific design innovations and guest experience elements will you showcase that represent the next evolution of Wynn's hospitality standards?
At Wynn, design has always been about emotion. It is not only what you see, but also how the physical environment makes you feel. Todd-Avery Lenahan, our Chief Creative Officer who leads Wynn Design and Development, often says the guest journey should unfold like a symphony, with each moment building toward the next. That sense of crescendo and decrescendo is what makes a stay with us so memorable.
In Ras Al Khaimah, that philosophy is being applied in a setting unlike any we have done before. The resort takes its inspiration from the contrasts of the emirate’s sky, sand, and sea, making the natural landscape an integral part of the guest experience. Earlier this year, we shared the first look at the Resort King room, with sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf and interiors that reflect both the heritage of the region and the elegance of Wynn.
Enclave takes that idea even further. It is the first of its kind for Wynn, designed as a destination within the destination. Guests will arrive through a private entrance and discover 313 suites, including two Royal Flats, with their own pools, beach, and restaurants. It is an experience that feels intimate and elevated yet remains very much a part of the wider resort. To make sure every detail is right, model rooms have already been built and refined in Las Vegas, a process that ensures nothing is left to chance.
Every element, whether it is a restaurant, a theatre, or a pool, has been created to feel part of a larger story. That is what gives Wynn Al Marjan Island its character. It carries the same artistry and attention to detail that have always defined Wynn, while offering something entirely new for this region.
Wynn Resorts’ CEO Craig Billings called the UAE "the most exciting new market for our industry in decades", and it’s targeting the region's 9.7 million high-net-worth individuals. How does this project align with Wynn's global expansion strategy, and what does success here mean for future MENA developments?
Our CEO, Craig Billings, has called Wynn Al Marjan Island one of our most ambitious developments outside the United States, and that captures exactly what this project means for us. The UAE is already a substantial hub, drawing visitors from Europe, Asia, and beyond, making this a significant customer acquisition opportunity and a true extension of the Wynn brand.
This project gives us the chance to do something new. Wynn Al Marjan Island will be our first beachside resort, created in partnership with an emirate that has set a clear vision for its future. That combination of a globally connected location, a distinctive setting, and the Wynn culture of design and service makes this one of the most compelling projects in our company’s history.
Success will mean more than opening the doors. It will mean delivering the artistry and service that guests expect from Wynn. It will mean building a team and culture on the ground that people want to be a part of. And it will mean contributing to the growth of Ras Al Khaimah in a way that benefits the community as much as it benefits us. If we achieve that, Wynn Al Marjan Island will stand not only as a landmark for Wynn but as a model for hospitality in this region.
With construction progressing past the 60th floor and targeting November 2025 for topping off, what critical milestones remain to ensure the early Spring 2027 opening, and how are you managing the scale-up from construction to pre-opening operations?
As of mid-September, the tower has reached the 67th floor, with walls extending to the 69th, and continues to rise at a pace of one floor each week. By December, we expect to top out at just over 300 meters, making Wynn Al Marjan Island the tallest resort Wynn has ever built.
Inside, the structure for nearly all the 1,530 guest rooms is complete, with fit-out already progressing across more than 1,300 of them. Mechanical, electrical, and finishing work are advancing floor by floor, turning what was once concrete into spaces that already feel like Wynn.
The focus now shifts to interiors and operations. The model rooms in Las Vegas have guided decisions on everything from the layout of a suite to the texture of fabrics, ensuring that by the time a guest checks in, every detail has been tested and refined. At the same time, pre-opening recruitment is underway, beginning with leadership and specialist roles. This will expand to thousands of team members as we approach 2027, with training starting well in advance so that when the resort opens, it is not just complete in design, but alive with the service and culture that define Wynn.
With Wynn's track record of more Forbes Five-Star Awards than any other independent hotel company, how are you adapting and elevating these excellence standards for the unique cultural and operational environment of the UAE market?
The Wynn way of operation is defined by the details, with every element contributing to the overall experience. From the way a room is lit to the curation of signature dishes to the uniforms worn by the Wynn Al Marjan Island team, each choice is intentional and designed to enrich the guest journey in subtle yet meaningful ways.
Consistency sits at the heart of this philosophy. To uphold such a standard, Wynn manages all aspects of its operations in-house, from design and development to staffing and training. This approach ensures that the essence of Wynn – defined by elegance, precision, and hospitality – is present in every interaction and every corner of the resort.
What excites me most is seeing that same level of care now expressed in Ras Al Khaimah. It allows us not only to carry forward a tradition that has defined Wynn around the world, but to refine and elevate it in a setting that feels entirely new.
Gaming represents approximately 4% of the hotel's total area and is physically separated from other resort areas. How are you balancing the integrated resort concept with local cultural considerations and regulatory requirements?
Among the elements that define a Wynn resort are the significant number of amenities located on the grounds and in the resort. Dozens of restaurants, lounges, a nightclub, a beach club, a shopping parterre, a salon and health facilities, multiple pools of all types, a theatre, and a gaming floor all combine to define the resort experience.
Gaming floors garner a lot of attention in resorts because they take up so much space. It’s a characteristic of the amenity, similar to pool experiences, using a disproportionate amount of space. But the gaming floor is not the most crucial amenity; it is one of many for guests to choose from.
In developing a resort, each amenity is created with incredible attention to detail. When completed, their importance is ultimately determined by each guest, based on what interests them.
[ Visiter le site de Wynn Al Marjan Island ]
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