Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, has appointed Mete Atakuman as General Manager of Jumeirah Bilgah Hotel, Baku in Azerbaijan.

An Australian-Turkish citizen who also speaks Azeri, Mete Atakuman has over 18 years of hospitality experience including a number of senior operational roles in high-profile hotel chains including Hyatt, Hillside, Starwood, Accor, Intercontinental and Hilton.

As General Manager he will lead the day-to-day operations of the hotel and implement Jumeirah’s Stay Different™ brand promise. 

Set to open in 2011, the Jumeirah Bilgah Hotel will consist of 176 sea-facing guestrooms and suites, several restaurants and bars, a 300m2 spa with traditional Turkish and Finnish bath areas, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a 1500m2 conference centre. The hotel complex will also include 14 villas and a waterpark.