Nominations

🍴 Lionel Lévy, renowned French chef, joins LJ Hôtels & Co as Director of Catering and Events, tasked with growth and innovation. Lévy, trained by Gérard Garrigues and previously worked alongside Yves Camdeborde, Éric Fréchon, and within Alain Ducasse's teams. Opened Une Table au Sud in Marseille in 1999, awarded a Michelin star in 2004, later becoming the Director of Catering at the international group of the InterContinental in Marseille until early 2024, supervising the starred restaurant Alcyone. He will lead Cocci, the new Italian restaurant opening in November.

🏨 Patrice Landrein, with nearly 30 years in luxury hospitality, has worked at Parisian palaces like the Ritz and Hôtel de Crillon. Career highlights include positions at The Savoy in London, Plaza Athénée in New York, and prestigious Asian hotels. At 26, he joined the management team of the five-star Manapany in St Barth. Led Pimalai Resort & Spa in Koh Lanta to top luxury hotel ranks in Thailand and globally on TripAdvisor. Advocates for sustainability, achieving Green Globe certification for Pimalai. Now helms Royal Palm in Mauritius, a Leading Hotels of the World member.

🏨 Since October 1, 2024, Bernard Krabbenhöft leads the operational management of Moxy Rapperswil and Modern Times Hotel in Vevey, two major Swiss properties of the RIMC group. Previously gaining experience at Four Points Hotel in Zurich, Krabbenhöft's expertise and leadership have prepared him to advance the future of these hotels. RIMC's operations director, Ingo Sierich, acknowledges Krabbenhöft's embodiment of the group's values and passion, contributing to the growth and success of their Swiss hotels. Krabbenhöft prioritizes employee satisfaction, customer happiness, and sustainable operations for continual improvement.

🏨 Patrice Landrein appointed as General Manager of Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury, effective October 3, 2024, succeeding Isabelle Bouvier. Boasting nearly 30 years of international luxury hospitality experience, Landrein has worked at renowned hotels including Paris' Ritz and Hôtel de Crillon, London's The Savoy, New York's Plaza Athénée, and prestigious establishments in Asia. French national Landrein began his career as an intern receptionist, later managing at 26 years old the five-star Manapany in St Barth, Caribbean, and recently in Asia, notably Vietnam and Thailand.

🏠 Thomas Peruzzo, with a history of leadership roles in prestigious establishments across Europe and the Middle East, notably managed Armani Hotels & Resorts in Dubai and Milan. He contributed to the operational excellence of Armani Hotel Dubai and supported the development of the upcoming Armani Hotel Diriyah Gate in Saudi Arabia. Now at Kerzner International, Peruzzo leads One&Only One Za’abeel and SIRO One Za’abeel, pushing luxury hospitality boundaries by creating distinctive, customized experiences for discerning travelers.

🏨 Diego Stembert began his hospitality career after graduating from Le Roches Global Hospitality Education in Marbella, Spain. He honed his skills at prestigious Spanish properties including Westin La Quinta Golf Resort in Marbella, Westin Palace in Madrid, and Alfonso XIII Hotel in Seville. His journey led him to Mauritius as the director of rooms and then director of operations at the Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa. By 2010, Diego joined the Four Seasons Resort Nevis as director of rooms and within three and a half years, ascended to executive assistant director and resort director. His career growth continued with general manager positions at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora and Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, and hotel director at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, Diego enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Loubna.

🏨 Timur Ilgaz oversees operations for Rotana properties in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, focusing on commercial growth and operational excellence. He continues as General Manager for Arjaan Dubai Media City, Centro Barsha, and Edge by Rotana. His promotion aligns with Rotana's ambitious growth plans in key markets. With over 38 years in hospitality, including 26 in leadership across Turkey, Canada, Czech Republic, and Kazakhstan, Ilgaz joined Rotana in 2007. He played a pivotal role in pre-opening and operations of Amwaj Rotana in JBR, Dubai.

🍴 Jeffrey Pestana, originaire d'Eure et Loire, began his culinary education at 15 with a CAP cuisine, followed by a BP, alternating training in Tours and apprenticeship at Les Feuillantines in Chartres. He worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant du Grand Monarque, then moved to Eden Rock in Saint Barthelemy, and has now returned to France as the new chef at the restaurant l’Amphitryon at Château Louise de la Vallière at age 30. His cuisine is inspired by French gastronomy from Escoffier, emphasizing locally sourced products.

🏨 Younight Hospitality takes management of two iconic hotels in Belle-Île-en-Mer: Castel Clara Thalasso & Spa and the Grand Large. Both establishments are known for their unique characteristics, with Castel Clara being a 4-star hotel famous for its thalassotherapy and view of Port Goulphar, and the Grand Large, originally a manor built at the start of the last century. This move signifies Younight Hospitality's commitment to strengthen its local roots, especially in Brittany. These hotels provide perfect bases for exploring the island's beaches, hiking trails, water sports, and heritage.

🏖️ Beyond Places takes over from Four Seasons Hotels and Resort as the operator of the Chalets du Mont d’Arbois, owned by Edmond de Rothschild Heritage, reopening on December 20. The resort features a pop-up restaurant by Amélie Darvas, emphasizing plant-based dishes with Savoyard touches. The 7th address for Beyond Places, it offers 40 rooms, 8 suites, 3 chalets, wellness facilities including a heated indoor and outdoor pool, and exclusive services such as direct slope access.