Nominations

🏨 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.

🏨 Dayuse, the global leader in daytime hotel experiences, welcomes MBO+ as its new majority shareholder. Historic investors Eurazeo and Partech, along with the first shareholders, exit the capital. This marks a strategic milestone for Dayuse, aiming to accelerate growth and enhance management's role in the company. Founder and CEO David Lebée acknowledges Eurazeo and Partech's key role in Dayuse's development, international expansion, and industry leadership.

🏢 Magnicity, a global leader in high-altitude urban leisure activities, appoints Caroline Biros as Marketing and Communications Director and Nelly Floriach as Customer Experience and Innovations Director. These nominations come as the company, headquartered in Paris, aims to support its growth and forthcoming opening of new sites. Magnicity operates attractions like the Montparnasse Tower Observatory in Paris, Berlin's TV Tower, Rotterdam's Euromast, and 360 Chicago. Biros, with 12 years at Philips and a dual background from ESTP and HEC, reinforces the executive committee's expertise.

📈 Jonathan Damani, with a 15+-year career in tourism and a marketing degree from UQAM, has been appointed as the Development Director at Aya Voyages. He co-founded Light Trip in 2019 and has held key roles at Valdys, Suntrade, and Croisière Jaune. Damani's digital expertise and innovative vision aim to position Aya Voyages as a leader in bespoke travel experiences worldwide.

🏦 Cordillera Capital, a strategic real estate advisory firm specializing in hospitality, has expanded its expertise by attracting renowned professionals. Xavier de Saqui de Sannes, with nearly 25 years of experience and having served as the Director of Asset Management France at AEW from 2020 to 2024, joins the Executive Committee. Arnaud Viotte, aged 65 with a background from EPFL, and Marc Vieilledent as Senior Advisor also reinforce the team.

🍰 Benoît Castel, renowned artisan baker-pâtissier, joins Groupe Delineo as an independent board member, bringing his expertise to foster culinary innovation and new product strategies. With a career spanning top establishments like Hélène Darroze's first restaurant and Le Bon Marché, Castel ventured into entrepreneurship in 2012, now owning four Parisian locations and his grocery store, l'Alimentation. Castel aims to enrich the group's growth, impacting both French daily life and international markets.

🏨 Isabelle Bouvier appointed Resort Director in La Baule and General Manager of Hôtel Barrière L'Hermitage, effective from September 30, 2024. With over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, Bouvier's career began at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, later joining Concorde Hotels & Resorts as Marketing Director (2007), and The Peninsula Paris as Sales and Marketing Director (2013). Led the reopening and elevation of Hôtel Lutetia to "Palace de France" status (2019).

🍴 Elodie Li, an American-born chef of Franco-Chinese origin, takes charge of Château Brachet's kitchens, a 5-star hotel in the Riviera des Alpes. Beginning her culinary journey after business finance school, Elodie became a self-taught chef, working her way up in the U.S. before pursuing her dream of joining starred restaurants in France. She worked with Ronan Kernen in Aix-en-Provence and then with Michelin-starred chef Mickaël Féval, becoming his sous chef. She also navigated a pandemic with the creation of a temporary pop-up and gained significant experience as a pastry chef.

🏨 BWH Hotels appointed Bill Ryan as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), under President and CEO Larry Cuculic's direction. Ryan will lead the tech management team and drive the overall digital strategy and brand's digital transformation. The move emphasizes BWH Hotels' commitment to hospitality excellence and advancing their digital approach to enhance customer experiences. Ryan's experience in establishing strong relationships and enhancing brand capabilities is set to redefine the future of travel.