Ugur Talayhan joins Fairmont The Palm as General Manager from November 3, 2025
Accor is pleased to announce the appointment of Ugur Talayhan as the new General Manager of Fairmont The Palm, effective November 3, 2025.
A seasoned hospitality executive with over three decades of international experience, Ugur brings a wealth of leadership expertise across luxury hotel brands, including IHG, Hilton, Marriott, FRHI, Accor, and Rotana. His extensive global career spans key markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, where he has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to drive performance, profitability, and operational excellence.
Prior to joining Fairmont The Palm, Ugur served as Country Manager for Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, overseeing the operational performance of ten hotels across multiple markets and leading development initiatives for new projects. His previous roles include Vice President of Operations at Accor in Turkey and General Manager at Swissôtel The Bosphorus. Ugur’s earlier leadership journey includes General Manager roles at iconic properties such as The Astor Hotel in Tianjin, Raffles Hainan, and The Westin Xi’an, as well as a Hotel Manager role at The St. Regis Beijing, each contributing to his deep expertise in luxury operations and guest experience.
In recognition of his outstanding leadership and contribution to the luxury hospitality industry, Ugur was honoured with the 2024 Accor Bernache Award by Sébastien Bazin, CEO of Accor.
Rolf Lippuner, Vice President Operations, Raffles & Fairmont Middle East, commented:
“Ugur’s appointment reflects our continued commitment to placing exceptional leadership at the forefront of our flagship properties. His proven record of operational excellence, strong owner relationships, and deep understanding of luxury hospitality will be instrumental in strengthening Fairmont The Palm’s position as one of Dubai’s leading resorts.”
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Ugur Talayhan added:
“I am honored to return to the Fairmont family and lead such an iconic property. Fairmont The Palm represents the very essence of contemporary luxury in Dubai, and I look forward to working with the talented team to continue elevating the guest experience and delivering excellence in every aspect of our operations.”
