Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel has announced the appointment of Erkan Karatas as General Manager. With 25 years of progressive experience in luxury hospitality, Erkan will spearhead the team at this iconic resort, nestled between the Al Hajar mountain range and the Sea of Oman.
Erkan joined The Ritz-Carlton in 2001 and has held different leadership positions in several luxury hotels across the portfolio of Marriott International such as The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul, The Ritz-Carlton Moscow, The Istanbul EDITION, The Ritz-Carlton Herzliya, The Ritz-Carlton Astana and JW Marriott Hotel Ankara. He has a solid track record in leading and mentoring numerous hotel openings including The Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou, The Ritz-Carlton Vienna, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Bulgari Hotel London, and Bulgari Hotel and Residences Dubai.
Erkan has returned to Turkey in 2018 and most recently served as General Manager of the The St. Regis Istanbul, where he spent four years, from 2019 to 2023. Being an advisory board member with Marriott International for EMEA General Managers and EMEA Food and Beverage he was listed as one of the 100 Power GMs in The Middle East.
He is an experienced leader with a high commitment to service and quality and strong passion for Food and Beverage. He’s a member of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs – Association Mondiale de la Gastronomie and he carries WSET International Advanced Diploma from London.
“I am truly delighted to join this esteemed property and embark on a remarkable journey with the exceptional team of our Ladies and Gentlemen. With great enthusiasm, I am committed to introducing a series of innovative initiatives that will elevate our guest experience to unprecedented heights,” says Erkan. “Our shared goal is to redefine luxury and set a new benchmark that will inspire and captivate our discerning guests. I eagerly look forward to the incredible opportunities that lie ahead as we transform The Palace into an unrivaled haven of opulence and excellence.”
During his leisure time, he enjoys spending time with his family, cooking and playing table tennis.
