Kerzner International has appointed Nicolas Adrian Gonzalez as General Manager of Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort, in Dubai. He assumed the role in September 2026 and will lead the overall operations of the desert resort.
In his new position, Gonzalez will oversee the property’s rooms, suites, pool villas, dining venues and desert experiences. Bab Al Shams is part of Rare Finds, Kerzner International’s collection of distinctive hospitality destinations, alongside its Atlantis, One&Only and SIRO brands.
To Lead Bab Al Shams Operations
Gonzalez will be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of Bab Al Shams, covering its accommodation, food and beverage operations and desert experiences. His role will also involve coordinating the resort’s various guest-facing functions and maintaining operational standards across the property.
His appointment brings extensive rooms and hotel operations experience to the Dubai resort, including previous leadership positions across luxury hospitality markets in Mexico, the United States, the Middle East, Thailand and Latin America.
Brings Extensive Luxury Hospitality Experience
Gonzalez joins Bab Al Shams from One&Only Palmilla in San José del Cabo, Mexico, where he served as Hotel Manager from March 2024 to September 2026. During his tenure, the resort and its spa retained their Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star ratings. He worked with a team of more than 920 employees at the property.
Before One&Only Palmilla, Gonzalez was Hotel Manager at Conrad Punta de Mita from 2022 to 2024. He previously served as Hotel Manager with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts from 2019 to 2022, following his tenure with SLS Hotels in Nassau, Bahamas, from 2017 to 2019.
Career Across International Hotel Brands
Earlier in his career, Gonzalez served as Associate Director of Brand Standards and Quality for Latin America at Marriott International’s regional headquarters in the Miami area from 2015 to 2017.
He then held operational leadership roles with Sheraton Hotels & Resorts in Thailand, including Director of Rooms and Executive Assistant Manager. These positions added experience across rooms operations and broader hotel management to his career.
Gonzalez also brings previous experience in Dubai. During the early 2010s, he served as Director of Guest Services at Grosvenor House Dubai, where his responsibilities included front office, concierge, butler services and the Executive Club lounge. He also worked with Jumeirah Group in Dubai as Guest Service Manager and Director of Butlers.
Career Began in Argentina
Gonzalez began his hospitality career in 2004 in the rooms division at Hilton Worldwide in Buenos Aires, Argentina. From 2006 to 2010, he held several positions at Palacio Duhau – Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, building his experience across hotel operations before moving to the United States.
In the US, he worked at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel as Night Operations Manager and later as Front Office Manager. His early rooms division experience provided the foundation for subsequent leadership roles spanning guest services, rooms operations, quality and hotel management.
Strengthening Leadership at Bab Al Shams
Gonzalez’s appointment adds an experienced international hotel operator to the leadership of Bab Al Shams as the resort continues to operate within Kerzner International’s Rare Finds portfolio. His background across luxury and lifestyle hospitality, together with previous experience in Dubai, positions him to lead the resort’s operations and guest experience.
The role also brings Gonzalez back to a market where he has previously held senior guest services and butler operations responsibilities, now with overall responsibility for Bab Al Shams.
