The new Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm in Dubai has introduced its leadership team. The resort from the Indian operating giant has named its general manager, hotel manager, executive chef and department directors.

Ranjit Phillipose, area director Middle East and general manager of Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai said: “We are very pleased to have launched Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai. We look forward to establishing the Taj Exotica name in the region and showcasing Tajness to our esteemed guests. As a brand, we take pride in everything we do, and the team will embody this in the ethos of their work. I’m confident every guest will enjoy the resort’s unique offerings and world-class hospitality.”

The team at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm Dubai The Palm

Ranjit Phillipose – area director, Middle East and general manager

A Taj stalwart, Phillipose has been with the group for close to three decades. Starting as a duty manager for Taj Coromandel Hotel in 1993, he became room director for Taj Boston in 2005, later hotel manager of the same hotel until 2009.

He would go on to become general manager of Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, later general manager of Taj Exotica Resort and Spa in the Maldives. In 2015 he came area director for Taj Goa and GM of Taj Exotica in Goa. From 2016 onwards, he worked in the Middle East, first as GM of Taj Dubai and later as an area director.

Greg Kocsis – Hotel manager

Originally from Hungary, Greg Kocsis is an experienced hotel manager with international experience in the luxury market, having previously worked in Beverly Hills, Miami, Barbados, London, Oman and Maldives for leading hotel brands over the course of 18 years.

The well-being of staff is a value Kocsis holds close to his heart. He said: “Our colleagues are the essence of our business, as we take care of them, it reflects back on their sincere attitude and dedicated care to our guests, which makes us stand out among our competitors.”

Dorsai Khaghani – director of sales & marketing

With over 15 years of experience, Dorsai Khaghani has led a number of successful launches of some of Dubai’s biggest and most successful hotel brands. She has previously served as a VIP sales executive for Atlantis Dubai, later moving up to manager of international sales at the famous Dubai hotel.

Her move to Taj marks an end to an eight-year career with Sofitel Dubai The Palm where she was director of sales leisure and later DOSM.

Lionel Dousse – F&B director

Swiss-born Lionel Dousse, director of food and beverage at Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai, is bringing 14 years of experience to this role and has previously worked in Djibouti, Ghana, and Latvia, as well as the UAE. He specializes in creating dining concepts for pre-opening restaurants and bars. 

Dousse is responsible for developing unique dining experiences for the food and beverage operations across the seven outlets, including banqueting with two ballrooms and eight meeting rooms. 

Outlets at the new hotel include Indian spot Varq, Middle Eastern rooftop bar, and lounge Raia, the international Palm Kitchen, British pub Roaring Rabbit, seafood bistro The Coast, and Lime Pool Bar.

Sonu Koithara – Executive chef

Having been a part of the IHCL (Indian Hotels Company Limited) for over 15 years, Sonu Koithara has been an integral part of the culinary teams for several hotels in India and recently in Dubai with the opening of Taj Jumeirah Lakes Towers. He has big plans to put Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, The Palm, Dubai on the map.

Dr. Arun Aravind – director of spa

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, The Palm, Dubai will house its own resident Ayurvedic expert. Dr. Arun Aravind, a seasoned wellness professional, joins the team with over 22 years of experience and brings in-depth knowledge of the practice of Ayurveda to the hotel’s spa.  

He is a certified practitioner of Ayurvedic Management of Metabolic Syndrome and has worked in many resort spas throughout India. One of his specialties is curating destination retreat programs that combine holistic wellness practices with lifestyle management.