Nominations

🍰 Starting this summer, Chef Cedric Grolet becomes the Executive Pastry Chef at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, introducing Cedric Grolet Monte-Carlo—a new tea salon and boutique located in the intimate patio of the iconic hotel. This marks Grolet's first venture in Monaco following successes in Paris, London, Saint-Tropez, Val d'Isère, and Singapore. Grolet, deemed "World's Best Pastry Chef" by the 50 Best in 2018, joins forces with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, enhancing the group's commitment to excellence and creativity.

🏨 The Hôtel Maison Saint-Louis in Marseille's Noailles district has been rebranded as Hôtel Amista. Managed by Ginto Hotels, the historic establishment preserves its 18th-century architectural heritage while embracing a Mediterranean style. Interior architect Dorothée Delaye led the renovation, incorporating Marseille's port history and locally influential Oriental cotton prints into the design. The 24-room hotel features custom Provençal fabrics by Arianne Dalle, Elitis' Artistic Director, immersing guests in Marseille's ambiance.

🏨 Michael Rohr is appointed as the General Area Manager for Dorint hotel group starting April 1, 2025, overseeing strategic development and management of seven resort hotels. He will also manage the Dorint Seehotel & Resort Klink/Müritz, currently under construction. Rohr has over 25 years of international hospitality experience, working with prestigious hotel brands and positions, including with Aldiana in Turkey, Tunisia, Senegal, and Spain, and as Vice-President at AIDA Cruises for nearly seven years.

🍰 Cédric Grolet, famed French pastry chef and "Meilleur Pâtissier du Monde" (50 Best, 2018), opens a new establishment in Monaco's Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. Cedric Grolet Monte-Carlo, a tea room and boutique, is part of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer's effort to enhance the principality's gastronomic reputation, joining prestigious venues like Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse. The venue offers breakfast, lunch, and a signature salad.

🌏 Giacomo Puntel has been appointed as the General Manager of Grand Millennium Hotel Dubai, located in Barsha Heights. With over three decades of luxury hospitality experience, Puntel has a history of enhancing hotel performance and customer satisfaction. Previously, he managed Voco Bonnington Dubai with over 200 staff members, improving its operations significantly. He has worked with IHG, Rixos, Anantara, and Grosvenor House Dubai, focusing on customer experience, service quality, and continuous innovation.

🏖️ MMV, with over 35 years of mountain club vacation expertise, appoints Fabienne Carrasco as General Manager during a pivotal transformation focused on economic, social, and environmental performance. An EDHEC graduate with 20+ years of leadership experience across tourism, real estate, finance, and postproduction, Carrasco has a track record of strategic vision and operational excellence. Her appointment is a move to accelerate MMV's transformation towards a more sustainable and equitable alpine tourism model.

🎂 One&Only One Za’abeel collaborates with Fabergé for a special tea time experience, available on weekends until April 27, at Aelia restaurant. This event celebrates the 140th anniversary of the first Fabergé Imperial Egg, The Hen Egg, crafted in 1885. The tea time features pastries and savory bites inspired by Fabergé's aesthetics, including a chocolate sculpture of The Hen Egg by pastry chef Rasika Weerasinghe.

📢 Schulte Hospitality Group, with over 230 establishments in six countries, appoints Anne Fischer as Chief Marketing Officer. Fischer brings over 20 years of experience, recently serving as Chief Growth Officer at Wingstop, overseeing marketing strategies for over 2,000 restaurants. Previously, she held positions at Papa John’s International Inc., The Walt Disney Company, and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, leading digital transformation and customer-centric brand evolution. Darryl Schulte, CEO of Schulte Hospitality, highlights her brand transformation skills and digital innovation proficiency.

🏖️ Frédéric Savoye joins Vietnam's 30-hectare Alma Resort Cam Ranh as Chief Commercial Officer, following the resort's December 2019 opening. With experience in luxury hospitality and hospitality asset management globally, Savoye previously served as Hospitality Director – Sales & Marketing at Modon Properties in Abu Dhabi and Corporate Vice President of Sales and Brand Performance at Rotana, overseeing 100+ establishments in the MENA region. His new role at Alma encompasses sales, marketing, and reservation strategies, with General Manager Herbert Laubichler-Pichler commending his cross-functional expertise and strategic creativity to enhance Alma's premium positioning in the Asian hotel industry.

🏨 Travelodge acquires 11 UK hotels, adding 951 rooms to its portfolio. Key locations include Birmingham, Bradford, Dartford, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Northampton, Milton Keynes, and Swindon. Five hotels are fully owned; four others secured by long-term leases. Additionally, contracts exchanged for two more UK properties in Bromsgrove (former Ibis) and Wakefield (former CitiLodge), with rebranding scheduled for May and August, respectively, each under a new 25-year lease.