In the ever-shifting landscape of luxury hospitality, where experience is currency and perception is power, few leaders have mastered the balancing act between heritage and innovation quite like Omer Acar, the globally respected CEO of Raffles & Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
To lead not one, but two of the world’s most storied luxury hotel brands is no small undertaking. Each name carries a weighty legacy. Each has set the stage for some of history’s most iconic gatherings, groundbreaking events, and unforgettable personal milestones. Yet Acar brings a clarity of vision that transcends nostalgia.
He isn’t here to preserve a golden age of hospitality. He’s here to define its next era.
Two Icons
Raffles and Fairmont. Just the names evoke cinematic grandeur, storied lobbies, and impeccable service. However, while the brands share a position at the pinnacle of luxury, their DNA could not be more distinct.
“Raffles is a brand of inspiration and elegance, wrapped in enchanted glamour,” Acar tells me. “It offers an escape into a curated world where each stay is like stepping into a story. On the other hand, Fairmont is about energy and community. It’s where cities gather, where life’s most meaningful celebrations unfold.”
Under Acar’s leadership, both brands are being propelled into bold, ambitious chapters with expansion plans stretching across North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. But rather than treat growth as a numbers game, Acar’s approach is strategic and thoughtful. His goal? Not just market penetration, but cultural resonance.
“Our strategy is never about planting flags. It’s about creating experiences that feel tailor-made for the places and people we serve.”
Purposeful Growth, Global Footprint
With only 23 Raffles properties worldwide, the growth potential is immense. However, Acar is meticulous in how and where the brand expands. In the last 18 months alone, Raffles has opened in London’s historic OWO, Boston, and two Indian cities, Udaipur and Jaipur. In the pipeline: Saudi Arabia, North America, and perhaps most intriguingly, the possibility of a Raffles ski resort in the American West.
“The opportunities are endless, but with Raffles, everything must be intentional,” he says. “It’s not just about luxury. It’s about soul.”
Fairmont, by contrast, is already a global force, with 88 hotels across 30 countries. But Acar sees white space still to be filled.
“In India, we’re expanding from one to five hotels. In Saudi Arabia, we’re building momentum. In the U.S., the transformation of Fairmont Breakers Long Beach and the groundbreaking of Fairmont New Orleans are symbolic of where we’re headed: new icons for a new generation.”
Each new property isn’t just a place to stay, it’s a declaration of intent.
Heritage Meets Tomorrow
Perhaps one of Acar’s most admirable qualities is his deep reverence for heritage, without being shackled by it. He’s as comfortable referencing Raffles Singapore’s storied 1887 beginnings as he is discussing the fashion-forward “The Butler Did It” campaign that reintroduced Raffles’ legendary service with modern flair.
“Legacy is a gift, not a limitation,” he reflects. “It’s our responsibility to evolve that legacy into something meaningful for today’s traveller.”
For Raffles, that evolution means a bespoke, immersive guest experience: from marine butlers educating guests on responsible snorkelling to eliminating buffets in favour of a la carte menus with locally sourced produce. It’s a new kind of luxury- experiential, intentional, and surprising.
Fairmont, meanwhile, leverages its role as the epicentre of city life. From iconic lobby parties to high-stakes diplomatic meetings, Fairmont properties have long hosted the pulse of their communities. Now, through innovations like Fairmont Gold, a “hotel within a hotel”, Acar is ensuring that even large-scale properties feel intimate, personal, and memorable.
Sustainability as a Brand Standard
In a sector where opulence often clashes with environmental concern, Acar sees no contradiction.
“Luxury and sustainability are not at odds, they’re complementary,” he says.
Both brands fall under Accor’s ambitious ESG strategy, but each interprets sustainability through its own lens. At Raffles, circular economy practices, architectural sustainability from the outset, and hyper-local food sourcing are standard. At Fairmont, the focus is on renovation, innovation, and scale.
The jewel in this effort: the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, which, through a multi-million-dollar retrofit, is set to reduce 80% of its annual carbon emissions, the equivalent of removing 1,558 cars from the road.
“This isn’t just marketing. It’s impact. And that’s the kind of leadership we want to show.”
More importantly, Acar calls for industry-wide collaboration, noting that “in sustainability, cooperation must eclipse competition.”
Hospitality Powered by Humanity
For all his strategic precision, Acar’s philosophy rests on something deeply human.
“In an age of automation and AI, what makes luxury unforgettable is the people behind it.”
Whether it’s a Raffles butler texting a guest to confirm a dinner reservation or a Fairmont Gold concierge remembering your preferred tea, Acar believes in empowering his teams to deliver authentic, anticipatory service.
He speaks with admiration about his time visiting Fairmont The Palm in Dubai, where staff instinctively set his breakfast table just the way he likes it. “Those gestures create emotional connections. That’s loyalty. That’s love.”
He’s equally passionate about internal leadership. “Great hospitality begins behind the scenes. If we inspire our teams, they’ll inspire our guests.”
His leadership philosophy is clear: elevate the people, and the brand will follow.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 approaches, the brands’ future looks not just expansive, but transformational.
Raffles will return home to Singapore with the unveiling of Raffles Sentosa, a 62-villa sanctuary overlooking Tanjong Bay, dedicated to wellness and private seclusion. In Jeddah, a culturally rich hotel will celebrate Saudi art and craftsmanship.
Meanwhile, Fairmont’s debut in Japan, with a striking Tokyo property near Rainbow Bridge, and its first in the Czech Republic, Fairmont Golden Prague, will usher in a new era of East-meets-West grandeur. In Spain, Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol will reinterpret Mediterranean joy with Andalusian flair.
This is more than a pipeline. It’s a global repositioning anchored by vision and driven by purpose.
Omer Acar isn’t merely guiding Raffles and Fairmont through market expansions and brand refreshes. He is redefining what global luxury hospitality looks and feels like in this century.
He is doing so with courage, clarity, and most of all, conviction.
In a world where travellers seek more than just five-star service, Acar’s legacy will be defined not by the number of hotels he opens, but by the worlds he creates within them.
He’s not just leading a brand. He’s shaping the future of hospitality.
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