Chedi Hospitality confirmed on 22 September 2026 the appointment of Tristan Delmas as General Manager of Chedi Wadi Safar. The ultra-luxury hotel project forms part of the Wadi Safar destination in Diriyah, a few minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif and around 15 minutes from central Riyadh.
With more than 15 years of international experience spanning ultra-luxury hospitality, strategic advisory and operations, Tristan Delmas will oversee the property’s entire pre-opening and operational strategy. He will be responsible for shaping the guest experience, service philosophy and positioning of an opening the group describes as one of the most eagerly awaited in the Kingdom’s ultra-luxury segment.
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From Dubai to Barnes, a career built on pre-openings
A graduate of Institut Vatel who also holds an MBA in Hospitality Management from ESSEC Business School, Tristan Delmas was until recently Head of Hospitality at Barnes International. Appointed head of Barnes Hospitality in 2024, he led the development of the group’s hotel division, built around the French art de vivre, including the opening of Maison Bauchart in Paris’s Golden Triangle.
Previously, he was Hotel Manager, Pre-Opening at One&Only One Za’abeel in Dubai, where he played a central role in launching one of the emirate’s most ambitious destination projects. There, he oversaw the operational readiness of the hotel, the residences and an extensive food and beverage offering. He also served as Hotel Manager of Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s iconic ultra-luxury address.
His international career further includes leadership roles at Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, as well as at Park Hyatt in Beijing and Washington. He also worked with consultancy HVS and has led strategic advisory assignments on hotel projects in Saudi Arabia, the Maldives, Europe and the wider MENA region.
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The first hotel under the new Chedi identity
The appointment comes as Chedi Hospitality launches a refreshed brand identity, accompanied by a new brand essence, A Voyage Unbound™. The philosophy is rooted in meaningful exploration and invites guests to move through several dimensions of experience: space, landscape, shared presence, creativity and sensory detail.
Chedi Wadi Safar will be the first property in the portfolio to fully implement this new identity. The group regards it as an important milestone in the evolution of the Chedi brand and its future direction worldwide.
Karim Bizid @ credit linkedIn
Tristan’s appointment marks an important milestone as Chedi continues to strengthen its presence in Saudi Arabia, said Karim Bizid, Chief Operating Officer of Chedi Hospitality. He noted that Tristan’s international experience with some of the world’s most respected luxury brands, combined with his expertise in complex pre-openings and ultra-luxury operations, placed him ideally to lead Chedi Wadi Safar.
As the group prepares to present the next chapter of the Chedi brand globally, he added, Chedi Wadi Safar is an important expression of it, deeply connected to place, culture and contemporary luxury in a way that is both timeless and forward-looking. He said the group was confident Tristan would play a decisive role in bringing that vision to life.
Around 85 suites and villas at the heart of Wadi Safar
Set within the Wadi Safar masterplan, on the Wadi Safar Signature Golf Course designed by Greg Norman, the property will comprise an intimate collection of around 85 suites and villas. It will be complemented by 20 private branded villas designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), together with signature dining and wellness offerings.
Tristan Delmas described Chedi Wadi Safar as a truly unique opportunity to create a hospitality experience deeply connected to the destination’s cultural and historical significance, while delivering the refined, understated luxury that defines the brand.Tristan Delmas said it was a privilege to contribute to the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and to the Kingdom’s remarkable transformation under the leadership and with the support of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. He added that he was honoured to join the project at this decisive stage and looked forward to working alongside the team to bring the vision to life ahead of the hotel’s opening.
Tristan Delmas named General Manager of Chedi Wadi Safar, Diriyah
Appointment announced by Chedi Hospitality on 22 September 2026
Former Head of Hospitality at Barnes International; previously Hotel Manager at Burj Al Arab and pre-opening Hotel Manager at One&Only One Za’abeel
First Chedi property to fully implement the brand’s refreshed identity, A Voyage Unbound™
Approx. 85 suites and villas plus 20 BIG-designed branded villas on the Greg Norman-designed Wadi Safar Signature Golf Course
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