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Other Women's Jobs // A Day In The Life & Career Of Pavlina Tarabova

  • Writer: Raemona
    Raemona
  • Jun 19
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jun 20


Pavlina Tarabova

NAME: Pavlina Tarabova

AGE: 39

JOB TITLE: General manager of Meliá Desert Palm Dubai, boutique resort in Dubai

MOVED TO THE UAE IN: 2012


For Pavlina, hospitality is not just her profession - it’s her legacy. As a third-generation hotelier, she took her first steps into the industry at the age of 12, working as a housekeeper in her family’s properties. That early, hands-on experience shaped her fascination and respect for every layer of hotel operations and has grounded her leadership style ever since.

 

Pavlina holds a master’s degree in hospitality & spa business management, and she's currently pursuing an Executive Master’s in Luxury Management and Customer Experience at the Glion Institute in Switzerland. Over the years, she has had the privilege of holding both operational and strategic roles with global brands such as Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Emaar Hotels, and Meliá Hotels, across Europe and the UAE.

 

Today, Pavlina serves as the General Manager of Meliá Desert Palm Dubai, a boutique wellness resort uniquely set on a 160-acre polo estate. It’s a serene world of palm trees, horses, and green landscapes—tucked away just 20 minutes from the city, yet worlds apart in atmosphere. Her focus has been on rebranding and repositioning the resort to reflect its true essence: a sanctuary for guests seeking luxury rooted in authenticity, wellbeing, and emotional connection.

 

Pavlina's passion lies in building brand equity for luxury hospitality brands. She is especially drawn to the power of immersive design, storytelling, and the holistic customer journey - creating not just memorable stays, but meaningful transformations. She believes that today’s luxury isn’t defined by gold taps or thread counts - it’s measured in emotional resonance, intention, and care.

 

Empowering women is deeply important to Pavlina. Throughout her career, she has seen how supporting female leadership and diverse voices strengthens teams and organizations. She is committed to creating opportunities that help women grow and lead with confidence - because real progress happens when we lift each other up and make space for the next generation of authentic, strong leaders.

 

Pavlina is especially proud to work for Meliá Hotels International, a company that shares this belief. She is the resort’s third female General Manager, and the General Manager of Meliá’s other Dubai property, ME Dubai, is also female.


Today, let's discover a day in the life and career of Pavlina:

 

6:00 AM

I’ve usually been awake since 5:00, when our youngest, a four-month-old daughter, wakes up. Mornings are sacred in our home. With my husband, also hotelier, we make a point to share breakfast with our three older boys before school. No phones. No screens. Just food, coffee, nice music, and a real connection. These 40 minutes set the tone not just for the day, but for the values we carry into our work and life.

 

8:00 AM

I begin my workday with a walk through the property. It’s a moment to breathe in the calm—lush gardens, horses in the paddocks, peacocks wandering freely, and on clear days, the Burj Khalifa shimmering in the distance. I greet guests, speak with the team, and join our morning briefing to align daily goals. This is where we set our intentions for service and experience delivery—always with flexibility, because no two days are ever the same. The guest is always at the center of everything we do.

 

12:00 PM

Right now, we’re in the handover phase of our newly refurbished villas with private pools, a jewel in our resort’s crown. Every detail of the guest journey is curated to feel intuitive yet surprising, thoughtful design, emotional touches, and quiet luxury. We don’t obsess over what our competitors are doing. Instead, we constantly challenge ourselves with one question: How can we make this moment more meaningful for the guest? Guest journey is not static but ever evolving process of adjustment and innovation.

 

4:00 PM

Another walk across the estate, this time focused on listening. The best insights often come from our frontline teams, they are closest to the guests and the heartbeat of the resort. I might also spend this time on strategic calls with colleagues in our regional office or HQ in Palma, Spain. Being part of a global group like Meliá allows for constant exchange, innovation, and learning across cultures.

 

6:00 PM

If we have a large event—an Emirati wedding, a corporate gathering or restaurant activation—I’ll check on the setup and stay close to the operations team. Otherwise, I try to leave on time, so I can be home to bathe our daughter and put her to sleep. That ritual grounds me.

 

7:15 PM

Dinner is our second daily opportunity to reconnect as a family, and we are truly blessed with an amazing nanny whose beautiful cooking nourishes us, especially as two picky hoteliers and their children. Our family policy is simple yet powerful: no screens during dinner or on school nights. This time allows us to engage in meaningful conversations, resolve the usual sibling bickering, and share our experiences. By 8:00 PM, our home transforms into a peaceful space where all the kids and we wind down.

 

8:00 PM

If there are no classes or study sessions, we’ll relax with a glass of wine and a series or simply sit and talk. We live a fast-paced life, but a conscious one. It takes planning, compromise, and a shared commitment to show up for each other as partners and as parents.

 

I don’t believe women must choose between leadership and motherhood. In fact, my roles as a wife and mother of four are what give me the emotional intelligence and resilience I bring to work each day. But I also know that balance isn’t something we achieve alone, and not every day is perfect.

 

It is critical for women to have support around them—whether it’s from their partners, children, extended family, or childcare professionals. I am incredibly grateful for my husband’s partnership, the love and curiosity of my children, and the dedication of our nanny. Just as importantly, I’m fortunate to work with an employer who understands the needs of working mothers and supports my professional growth without compromising my personal values.

 

Empowerment isn’t a solo act—it’s a collective effort. And when we create space for women to lead and live their lives fully, everyone benefits.

 

Because the true heart of hospitality, like motherhood, is found in the details that no one else sees, but everyone feels.

 

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