Just send my resume to all the hotels, I have been doing it for a couple months. Then I was lucky, when the guy email me for an tele interview, I was happened to be in Dubai (visiting my friend) then I went to see him and I got the job on the same day.
So, I think it is better if you are here... you will get better chance.
Before I got this job, I have a few responses from other hotels... but I think the hotel may choose the candidates very carefully before they fly them over for interview. So, you always have better chance to see them first if you are there.