Accor is pleased to announce the appointment of Ugur Talayhan as the new General Manager of Fairmont The Palm, effective November 3, 2025.
A distinguished hospitality executive with over three decades of international experience, Ugur brings extensive leadership expertise across some of the world’s most renowned luxury hotel brands, including IHG, Hilton, Marriott, FRHI, Accor, and Rotana. His global career spans Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, where he has built a reputation for driving exceptional performance, profitability, and operational excellence.
Before joining Fairmont The Palm, Ugur served as Country Manager for Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, where he oversaw the operational performance of ten hotels across multiple markets and led development initiatives for new projects. His career also includes serving as Vice President of Operations at Accor in Turkey and General Manager at Swissôtel The Bosphorus. Earlier leadership roles include The Astor Hotel in Tianjin, Raffles Hainan, The Westin Xi’an, and The St. Regis Beijing, all of which contributed to his deep operational acumen and commitment to luxury guest experiences.
Recognized for his excellence in leadership, Ugur was honoured with the 2024 Accor Bernache Award, personally presented by Sébastien Bazin, CEO of Accor, for his outstanding contribution to the group’s success and to the broader luxury hospitality industry.
“Ugur’s appointment reflects our continued commitment to placing exceptional leadership at the forefront of our flagship properties,” said Rolf Lippuner, Vice President Operations, Raffles & Fairmont Middle East. “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 excitement about returning to Accor, Ugur Talayhan said:
“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.”
With this appointment, Accor reaffirms its commitment to nurturing world-class leadership and maintaining its position at the forefront of the luxury hospitality landscape in the Middle East.
