Fairmont The Palm is delighted to announce the appointment of José Martins dos Santos as Hotel Manager, bringing over 15 years of international luxury hospitality experience to one of Dubai’s most iconic beachfront resorts. A passionate hotelier with a deeply people-centred leadership style, José is set to guide the resort’s next chapter through elevated guest experiences, purposeful transformation, and meaningful team engagement.
José joins Fairmont following a distinguished tenure with Marriott International. Most recently, he served as Executive Assistant Manager, Rooms, at Le Royal Méridien Dubai, where he oversaw the full P&L for the Rooms Division, driving USD 50 million in annual room revenue and consistently exceeding guest satisfaction and performance benchmarks. Under his leadership, the hotel ranked number one among all EMEA Premium hotels for guest satisfaction in both 2022 and 2023, and was recognised as the number one Le Méridien hotel worldwide in 2024.
His hospitality journey began with hands-on operational roles that shaped his philosophy of leading from the front. José has held senior leadership positions at Grosvenor House Dubai and Madinat Jumeirah Resort, managing large-scale teams and complex operations while championing service excellence, quality assurance, and innovation. His expertise spans front-office leadership, guest experience strategy, large-scale renovations, brand transitions, and the successful implementation of digital and service-led initiatives designed to enhance the overall guest journey.
At Fairmont The Palm, José looks forward to contributing to a brand defined by heritage and character while supporting its continued evolution. He is particularly passionate about strengthening human connection across the resort ensuring that guests and Heartists alike experience warmth, empathy, and a genuine sense of belonging at every touchpoint. His vision also includes the thoughtful enhancement of the resort’s spaces, aligning comfort, design, and modern luxury with Fairmont’s brand values and the expectations of today’s discerning traveller.
José defines exceptional hospitality as the ability to listen actively, anticipate needs, and create environments where people feel sincerely welcomed and understood. Grounded in empowerment and purpose, his leadership approach enables teams to perform at their best while remaining aligned with commercial objectives and long-term success. Known for cultivating highly engaged workplace cultures, he consistently achieves strong employee satisfaction scores reflecting his belief that outstanding guest experiences begin with inspired teams.
Reflecting on his new role, José notes that what sets Fairmont The Palm apart is the unwavering commitment of its people. From innovation to service delivery, he has been inspired by the collective drive to exceed expectations within a highly competitive market. With a calm, empathetic, and performance-driven approach, José Martins dos Santos is poised to lead Fairmont The Palm into its next era, one where thoughtful luxury, authentic human connection, and operational excellence come together seamlessly.
