Nominations

🏨 Pascal Billard appointed as General Manager of Le Meurice hotel, Paris by Dorchester Collection, effective August 4, 2025. Previously Deputy Director at Plaza Athénée (2009-2013) with over 35 years in hospitality, Billard rejoins after a 12-year tenure at Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona. Le Meurice is approaching its 200th anniversary, emphasizing its cultural and gastronomic identity. Billard's career includes roles at Hôtel de Crillon, Paris, and luxury hotels in America and Europe. Christopher Cowdray, President of Dorchester Collection, welcomes Billard's return.

🏕 Minor Hotels, with over 560 properties across 58 countries, appointed Nicholas Smith as Vice-President of Operations for Asia, leveraging his 25+ years of industry experience. Formerly overseeing operations of 17 properties as Vice-President of Food & Beverage for the MEIA region at Shangri-La, Smith brings expertise from Shangri-La, Kerry Hotels, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, and Savoy Group. His role coincides with Minor Hotels' plans to add over 100 new Asian properties by 2027.

📢 Bertrand Franchise names Vincent Berthet as General Manager of Au Bureau and Antoine Mortier as Director of Volfoni. Berthet, 40, ISEG Paris graduate, started as an intern at Au Bureau in 2009, became the Marketing Communication Product Manager, and then left the group in 2011. He rejoined in 2012 as a multi-brand franchisee (Au Bureau, Hippopotamus, Léon) for nearly a decade. In 2023, he was appointed General Manager at Volfoni before returning to lead Au Bureau. His role includes maintaining Au Bureau's market leadership in themed dining and driving growth.

🏦 Several prestigious hotels in Paris are currently without confirmed general management. Unexpected movements include a palace in the VIIIème arrondissement seeking a "General Manager H/F," and a flagship American brand near the Champs-Élysées facing a rejected management nomination by the property owner. Another palace in the 1st arrondissement is also searching for new leadership. Additionally, a family group has been looking for a director for two months, and another group abruptly parted ways with its director of operations last week. Extended transition periods may result from shareholder changes or strategic adjustments, potentially impacting long-term team management and service quality.

🏡 Renowned hotelier Jean-Marie Le Gall takes over as the head of Arev Hôtel Saint-Tropez, marking a new chapter in his 30+ year luxury hospitality career. Previously managing elite establishments like Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris and The Woodward Genève, Le Gall is praised for his leadership and expertise in premium hospitality. His significant roles include Hotel Manager at Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona in 2013 and General Manager at El Palace Hotel Barcelona in 2018.

🏦 Starhotels secured a €350 million financing deal for a 10-year period to refinance debt and support growth. Stefano Squecco became the Cluster General Manager of The Pelham, The Gore, and The Franklin in London in February 2025. Squecco, with luxury hospitality experience and trained at École Hôtelière de Glion (1984-1987), aims to enhance the culinary offerings, blending Italian tradition with London style, underlining Starhotels' commitment to innovation and strong leadership in the British capital.

🏠 Caroline de Balanda, with over two decades in lifestyle media and communication, joins Artravel Hôtels as Development Manager. Artravel Hôtels, a rising star in contemporary hospitality, aligns with Caroline's experience in prestigious media (Artravel, Vogue Living, Le Figaro Voyages) and international lifestyle brand communication. Caroline's career includes PR in Belgium, co-founding Delcambre & Mussons, and leading ContemporanPress.com. Artravel Hôtels, led by Grégory Ferrante, caters to travellers seeking meaningful, emotional, and narrative experiences.

📌 Minor Hotels appointed Nicholas Smith as Vice-President of Operations for Asia, overseeing the group's Asian portfolio operations and leading a regional executive team. Smith, with over 25 years in the hospitality sector, previously held leadership roles at Shangri-La Group, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, and NEOM's Sindalah island project in Saudi Arabia. Minor Hotels aims to add over 100 properties in Asia by 2027, with Smith's expertise expected to drive operational excellence and support expansion plans. He holds a degree in hotel and catering management from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.

🏡 Marriott International partners with VERKEHRSBUERO HOSPITALITY to rebrand five existing Austria Trend hotels, adding over 1,100 rooms to its Austrian presence. The signed agreement includes transitioning to Marriott Tribute Portfolio, AC Hotels by Marriott, and the introduction of Four Points Flex by Sheraton in Austria. Four properties will convert to Four Points Flex by Sheraton: Austria Trend Hotel beim Theresianum in Vienna, planned for Q3 2025; Austria Trend Hotel Salzburg Messe; Austria Trend Hotel Anatol in Vienna, expected in 2026; and Austria Trend Hotel Ananas in Vienna, which will become a dual-branded Four Points Flex by Sheraton Vienna Naschmarkt and AC Hotel by Marriott Vienna Naschmarkt. Additionally, the historic Parkhotel Schönbrunn will join Marriott's Tribute Portfolio. This partnership aligns with Marriott's strategy to expand in key European markets through conversions.

🍴 Born in 1991 in Como, Fabio Volontè, a passionate chef since childhood, has become the executive chef at Hôtel Villa Calvi. Previously, he was executive chef at Imperialino, a gastronomic restaurant in the Grand Hotel Imperiale Resort & SPA, Moltrasio. Volontè's global career includes working with renowned culinary figures, mastering traditional cuisine with a modern twist. Committed to sustainability, he emphasizes fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and minimal waste, while valuing teamwork, knowledge sharing, and collective creativity.