From Empty Tables to Cultural Hubs: How Kuwaiti Hotels Can Win the Hearts of Locals

Introduction: A Personal Glimpse into Untapped Potential

Not long ago, I dined at Ricardo, the storied Italian restaurant inside the St Regis Kuwait. Though renowned for its culinary finesse, the dining room was conspicuously quiet, no local patrons savouring the atmosphere or forging new memories.

Another afternoon, I visited the Grand Hyatt near 360 Mall, hoping to enjoy its Chinese restaurant for lunch. Despite the five-star setting, the space felt desolate. Staffed entirely by expats, unlike Dubai, and nearly devoid of Kuwaiti guests, it echoed the same disconnection I’d witnessed at the St Regis. An incident worth mentioning occurred in the Grand Hyatt is that after spending over 80 KD on a meal for four, I was asked to pay an additional valet fee of 2.5KD, an awkward reminder that these grand venues sometimes overlook the little details that matter to locals.

These aren’t isolated incidents. In the post-COVID landscape, five-star hotels in Kuwait report less 50% occupancy, with international arrivals lagging. While these properties excel at global standards of luxury, they struggle to become meaningful parts of Kuwaitis’ daily lives. However, this is not a sign of defeat, but rather a call to action. Beyond weddings, Ramadan tents, and occasional conferences, locals rarely consider hotels for everyday dining, wellness, or cultural exploration. Bridging this gap can unlock enormous potential and lead to a thriving, locally embraced hospitality industry.

Missed Opportunities: Generic Luxury in a Rich Cultural Setting

Some hotels have attempted to localize their offerings. The House Hotel Al Khiran incorporated Kuwaiti architectural elements in its interiors, and the Marina Hotel showcased artisanal products in its boutique.

Yet precise data still needs to confirm these efforts had any effect in boosting local engagement. These gestures risk fading into the background without a cohesive, culturally driven strategy. The result? Silent restaurants, underused spas, and venues that feel disconnected from the communities they inhabit.

Many Kuwaiti hotels replicate an international template without leveraging the region’s vibrant heritage. Locals see these properties as event spaces rather than organic extensions of their cultural fabric. Each empty table and underutilized lounge chair underscores a more profound truth: Kuwaitis crave authenticity and relevance, but their needs remain largely unmet.

Reimagining Kuwaiti Hospitality: A Holistic Approach

As hospitality consultants with expertise in strategic positioning and guest engagement, we recommend a multifaceted plan that links Kuwaiti culture, talent, and traditions into the very DNA of these establishments.

1. Culinary Authenticity Over Tokenism:

Centre entire culinary concepts on local flavours rather than offering a lone Kuwaiti dish in a global buffet. Curate menus featuring seasonal ingredients, host weekend brunches spotlighting traditional specialities, and invite rotating Kuwaiti guest chefs to share their craft. Offer cooking classes that teach guests how to make beloved dishes like machboos. When hotels celebrate Kuwaiti cuisine as a defining element, they become culinary destinations locals return to often, not just on special occasions. When hotel integrate with local chefs, they would attract a local crowd that they havent attracted earlier. In addition, it will promote more cultural integration which international guests crave.

• Riad Fès (Morocco): Located in the heart of Fez, Riad Fès offers a menu that reimagines Moroccan classics with a touch of French elegance, inspired by the grand tradition of the Disciples of Escoffier. This approach combines haute French cuisine with Fassi traditions, that appeals to both international guests and local food enthusiasts.

• Ballymaloe House (Ireland): Situated in East Cork, Ballymaloe House has long been renowned for its farm-to-table dining philosophy. The restaurant sources nearly all ingredients from its own farm or local producers, offering seasonal menus that highlight the freshest local produce. This commitment to sustainability and local sourcing has made it a cherished dining destination for the surrounding community.

2. Kuwaiti Talent at the Forefront:

A critical step is hiring and training Kuwaiti professionals for guest-facing roles. A local concierge who knows hidden culinary gems, a pastry chef who reinvents traditional desserts, or a welcoming reception manager can help guests feel at home. Seeing familiar faces, hearing familiar dialects, and engaging with staff who share their cultural context reassures locals that these hotels value their presence and preferences.

• The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts (India): The Oberoi Group emphasizes hiring local talent through initiatives like the Oberoi Central Employment Register (OCER), which recruits graduates from various disciplines to join as Operations Assistants in departments such as Front Office, Food & Beverage Service, Housekeeping, or Kitchen. This approach ensures that staff are well-versed in regional languages and cultural nuances that enhance the guest experience through authentic storytelling and deep knowledge of local culture.

• QT Hotels & Resorts (Australia & New Zealand): QT properties, including the recently opened QT Singapore, collaborate with local designers and artists to embed cultural elements into the guest experience. For instance, QT Singapore’s ‘Directors of Chaos’ wear bespoke uniforms handcrafted by local designer Hu Ruixian of Studio HHFZ, inspired by Singapore’s multicultural heritage and featuring the national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, as the central motif.

3. Year-Round Cultural Programming:

Seasonal tents and sporadic cultural exhibitions won’t redefine a hotel’s image overnight. Instead, curate a steady calendar of events: monthly artisan pop-ups selling modernized traditional attire, family storytelling afternoons featuring Kuwaiti folklore, flower arrangement workshops using regional blooms, Art exhibitions featuring local artists or intimate music nights with local performers. Regular, evolving cultural activities keep guests interested and invested, building anticipation and trust. In Kuwait, it is seldom that hotels takes the first step in arranging events. Outside the hotels, Kuwaities are promoting a steady calendar of events in both seasons.

• Raffles Hotel Singapore (Singapore): Beyond its iconic Singapore Sling cocktail, Raffles Hotel hosts heritage tours, Peranakan craft workshops, and rotating exhibits highlighting Singapore’s multicultural roots. These activities attract locals who view the hotel as a living museum that preserves and updates local traditions.

• The Corinthia Hotel London (UK): Through collaborations with British artisans, theaters, and galleries, Corinthia schedules monthly high-tea events with local pastry chefs, literary readings featuring British authors, and art installations curated by London-based creatives. This programming positions the hotel as a cultural venue for Londoners.

4. Partnering with Community Organizations:

Aligning with NGOs, cultural institutes, or charitable organizations strengthens credibility and social relevance. Collaborations with groups like the Red Crescent or local universities can transform hotels into forums for skills training, cultural talks, and community fundraisers. Such partnerships demonstrate a genuine commitment to Kuwaiti society, reinforcing the hotel’s role as a supportive cultural anchor. All hotel brands are focusing more on ESG practices and this initiatives from local hotels will be welcomed by all stakeholders.

• Fairmont Chateau Whistler (Canada): Collaborations with Indigenous cultural centers, ski clubs, and regional non-profits allow Fairmont to integrate local narratives into its programming. Workshops led by First Nations storytellers and community-led environmental initiatives make the hotel a beloved community hub.

• Marriott’s CSR Initiatives in Costa Rica: In Guanacaste, Marriott resorts partner with local schools and environmental groups to host beach clean-ups, language exchange programs, and folkloric dance lessons for guests and locals alike. These engagements position the hotel as a steward of the environment and a supporter of community development.

Micro-Influencers: Authentic Voices to Drive Local Engagement

Global influencer campaigns may raise awareness but often need to resonate with Kuwaitis seeking authenticity. Micro-influencers who maintain intimate connections with their followers can help close this gap. Picture a respected Kuwaiti food blogger raving about a hotel’s new brunch concept rooted in regional flavours or a major lifestyle influencer praising a spa day infused with local healing traditions. Their endorsements feel like personal recommendations from a trusted friend.

Agencies like Grand Community connect hotels with micro-influencers who align with their cultural narratives. They track conversions, restaurant bookings, event attendance, and direct guest feedback, rather than just likes or comments. Iterating based on measurable outcomes ensures ongoing relevance and sustained success.

• The Hoxton, Amsterdam (Netherlands): The Hoxton collaborates with local lifestyle bloggers and DJs well-known among Amsterdam’s young professionals. These micro-influencers share personal experiences at the hotel’s events and attract locals and turning the hotel lobby into a popular after-work meeting spot.
• Ace Hotel New Orleans (USA): Ace Hotel partners with local music curators and cultural podcasters to host jazz nights, poetry slams, and film screenings. These events resonate with residents, allowing them to rediscover the hotel as an evolving cultural stage aligned with the city’s creative heartbeat.

Overcoming Challenges: A Phased, Data-Driven Strategy

Infusing a hotel with local character isn’t without hurdles. Sourcing artisanal products, training local staff, and reconfiguring event calendars require foresight, budget, and patience. Shifting entrenched perceptions will not happen overnight.

A phased approach can mitigate these challenges. Start with a few curated experiences, gauge guest responses, and expand on what works. Engage staff by clarifying roles and sharing the long-term vision. Over time, consistent incremental improvements coalesce into a distinctive cultural identity that differentiates the hotel from interchangeable luxury brands.

• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (Thailand): Initially renowned among international travelers, the Mandarin Oriental introduced initiatives appealing to Bangkokians, such as Thai dessert-making classes led by local culinary schools and Thai language conversational meet-ups. By tracking attendance and refining programming based on feedback, the hotel successfully reshaped local perceptions.

Toward a More Resonant Kuwaiti Hospitality Landscape

By placing Kuwaiti culture at the heart of the guest experience, hotels can transform from underutilized event venues into vibrant, beloved cultural hubs. With a focus on authentic cuisine, local talent, meaningful events, community partnerships, and strategic micro-influencer collaborations, these properties can cultivate a loyal local base. Instead of relying solely on international arrivals, they can become natural extensions of the daily lives of Kuwaitis.

The personal anecdotes, quiet dining rooms, deserted lunch spots, overlooked local nuances, highlight why change is a luxury and a necessity. With the right strategy, hotels in Kuwait can fill these empty spaces with familiar faces, cherished traditions, and memorable moments, ultimately reinforcing their role as integral players in the nation’s cultural tapestry and local daily lives. The time for this change is now, and we are ready to embark on this journey with you.