Omer Acar

Spear’s Review

‘Heritage is our foundation, but not our limitation,’ says Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles and Fairmont. ‘For Raffles, that means honouring hallmarks like the gracious artistry of our butlers, while continuing to evolve what those symbols represent for the modern traveller. With Fairmont, it’s about preserving its legacy as the world’s grand gathering place – creating spaces that bring people together for connection, celebration and shared discovery.’

Acar has spent his career shaping some of the world’s most prestigious hotels. After early roles at Four Seasons properties in the US and Egypt, he moved to senior positions at Harrods and the Ritz Paris, where he was general manager. He later oversaw Katara Hospitality’s European and American portfolio, including The Savoy, Grosvenor House, The Peninsula Paris and the Carlton Hotel in Cannes.

Based in New York, Acar now steers Raffles and Fairmont’s global expansion, with a host of resorts set to open by 2030 across India, Italy and Mexico. Recent openings include the all-villa Raffles Sentosa in Singapore, with Raffles Jeddah due in Q4 2025. ‘We seek destinations that offer emotional depth and a strong sense of place – locations where the Raffles and Fairmont identities can naturally take root and flourish,’ he tells Spear’s. ‘Across both brands, we’re not driven by trends or a desire to expand everywhere, but by resonance – selecting destinations that feel deeply aligned with each brand’s ethos.’

Branded residences remain a priority, exemplified by the award-winning OWO Residences by Raffles in London.

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Power List Profile

Omer Acar, CEO of Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, oversees two of the world’s most storied luxury brands, guiding their evolution for a new generation of global travelers. Under his leadership, both brands have unveiled new, inspirational platforms – ‘The Butler Did It’ for Raffles and ‘Make Special Happen’ for Fairmont – each celebrating their distinctive service philosophies and enduring legacy of gracious and genuine hospitality. His vision is centered on balance: preserving the emotional power of heritage while redefining luxury for the modern era through creativity, craftsmanship and care.

Raffles has grown to 24 hotels, with 11 more in the pipeline, reflecting its thoughtful expansion into destinations rich in culture and character. Recent openings include Raffles Sentosa Singapore, the brand’s second property in its birthplace and the country’s first all-villa resort, and Raffles Jaipur, an elegant palace retreat. Looking ahead, Raffles Lake Como – the brand’s first hotel in Italy – and Raffles Estera East Cape in Los Cabos, Mexico – its first North American resort – will continue this story of purposeful growth, artistry and authenticity.

Fairmont continues to strengthen its global presence, now boasting 96 hotels with 28 in development. Recent openings such as Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol, Fairmont Mumbai, Fairmont Golden Prague and Fairmont Tokyo showcase the brand’s dynamic spirit and its ability to create places of connection, celebration and belonging.

As a leader, Acar is deeply committed to empowering the next generation of hospitality talent, championing innovation in order to enrich the guest experience, and delivering exceptional results for Raffles and Fairmont owners worldwide.