ozgureylen.com

My Journey: From Ankara to Championing Hospitality

Born as the first baby of 1977 in Cologne, Germany, my journey has been shaped by diverse cultures and life-changing experiences. With a Bosnian mother and an Albanian father, I grew up in Ankara, Turkey, immersed in a vibrant blend of traditions, flavors, and entrepreneurial spirit. My 1980s childhood was marked by dusty streets, endless games, and a deep passion for basketball. However, a severe back injury at 21 and the loss of my father abruptly ended my sports dreams, pushing me toward a new path.

That path led me to Bodrum, a sun-soaked Aegean town where I discovered my true calling: hospitality. Over six transformative years, I immersed myself in the industry, mastering Swiss-style service, discipline, and customer-focused excellence. This period not only shaped my professional ethos but also ignited my passion for creating memorable guest experiences.

In 2005, love brought me to the Netherlands, where I married Laura and embarked on a new chapter of my life and career. I advanced through leadership roles with esteemed brands like Van der Valk and Accor Hotels, spearheading innovation, digitalization, and change management across cities such as Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Brussels, Munich, and London.

In 2018, I joined Hotel Arena to oversee its successful renovation and market repositioning. My next venture was Kanteen25 in Amsterdam—a no-waste, locally sourced restaurant, hotel, and event center. Within a year, it became Amsterdam’s best terrace, recognized not just for its quality but for its mission to train refugees in hospitality. This initiative addressed critical staffing challenges while empowering individuals to rebuild their lives.

My efforts have earned industry recognition, including being a finalist for "Best General Manager" at the 2016 World Hospitality Awards in Paris, leading the “Best Internship Hotel” in Rotterdam, and managing teams that achieved Europe’s happiest hotel staff.

Beyond hospitality, I am deeply committed to the arts and community. As chairman of Hip Hop In je Smoel—the largest street art and hip-hop platform in the Netherlands—and the PowWow Rotterdam Festival, I champion creativity and cultural expression.

Throughout my journey, from dusty streets in Ankara to leading transformative projects in hospitality and beyond, my mission has remained the same: to serve, uplift, and create meaningful connections. Let’s connect—I’m always happy to collaborate or provide support.