Nominations

🍴 Lionel Levy, nearly a year after leaving the Intercontinental Marseille – Hôtel Dieu, joins LJ Hôtels & Co as the Director of Catering and Events. He will sign the menu for the new Italian restaurant Cocci, set to open in October. Levy will also manage private (weddings, birthdays, professional seminars) and public events, and develop partnerships, including with the association Gourméditerranée, of which he is a founding member. LJ Hôtels & Co speaks highly of Levy's comprehensive sector knowledge and expertise.

🏨 Cycas Hospitality announces the promotion of Craig Patterson to Chief Development Officer (CDO), joining the executive team, and Jeroen Steensma as Director of Feasibility and Development. These strategic advancements reflect Cycas's commitment to internal talent progression and mark the initiation of an ambitious expansion plan to support its ongoing growth in Europe. Patterson, with nine years at Cycas and a significant role in the company’s expansion strategy over the past six years, will lead development initiatives to secure new opportunities and strategic partnerships.

🏨 Transaxio Hôtel has facilitated the signing of a VEFA (sale in future state of completion) hotel project in Vanves, Hauts-de-Seine. The 3-star establishment spans 1845 m² with 61 rooms, 800m² of common areas, a private parking, and is located near the Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles. Guillaume Jalliffier and Yves Dessort led the acquisition, with Alderan's "club-deal", Île-de-France Tourisme & Territoires' Marc Rigaud co-investing, and SONDER signing a commercial lease.

🍴 Walter Butti, with a career spanning over 30 years, has been appointed as the new Executive Chef at Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman's Musandam Peninsula. Butti previously worked in various locations, including the Maldives, Ghana, Sydney, Switzerland, South Africa, Mauritius, and the USA. He started his career with an apprenticeship under Chef Jacky Donatz at a prestigious 5-star hotel in Zurich from 1986 to 1989. His first executive role was at Hunter’s Country House in South Africa, followed by Pontresina Sporthotel in Switzerland in 2002. Butti joined Celebrity Cruises in Miami in 2010 and was appointed as relief Executive Chef at Orion Expedition Cruises in Sydney in 2011.

🍴 Quentin André was appointed Executive Chef at Terre Blanche Hotel Spa Golf Resort ***** in early September, with Fabien Ghini as Sous-Chef Executive. They will continue to strive for culinary excellence at the resort's gastronomic restaurant Le Faventia, focusing on seasonal products. Alain Mourgues, the resort's director, emphasized the commitment to culinary excellence and local producers, marking a new chapter for Terre Blanche. André, with roots in Franche-Comté and Corsica, and Ghini aim to establish the resort as a top gastronomic destination.

🏨 Olivier Dufit stepped up as the Deputy General Director of The Originals Human, Hotels & Resorts in October 2023 and will become General Director on July 1, 2024, succeeding Philippe Marguet who led for 23 years. Dufit joined the Cooperative in 2020 with a background of 15 years in marketing agencies and 15 years as an entrepreneur. The brand, celebrating its 5th anniversary, focuses on pride, reinforcing identity, and tackling future economic and environmental challenges.

🏨 Flor Garcia Cambon is appointed as the new Commercial Director of Esprit de France, Hôtels & Demeures, succeeding Claire Goldman. With a Master's degree in English (LLCE), a Master's 2 in corporate communication from Barcelona, and a continuous education Master's in international and intercultural management from the University of Paris-Dauphine, Flor brings diversified expertise from key roles in the hotel sector, including her recent contribution at Canopy by Hilton Paris Trocadéro. She has also worked at Melia Hotels & Resorts, Hôtel du Collectionneur, and Sofitel La Défense, and her tenure in Barcelona included positions at the Sagrada Familia and the National Museum of History of Catalonia.

🌞 Pasan Wijewardana appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing for Sun Siyam Iru Fushi in the Maldives and Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka. With over a decade of luxury hospitality experience in Sri Lanka, Oman, and the Maldives, including a significant role in the growth of Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Wijewardana returns to Sun Siyam Resorts to enhance brand awareness and drive revenue and market presence.

🍷 Paul Robineau, former Chef Sommelier at Les 110 de Taillevent in London, is now leading the Sommellerie of Maisons Taillevent, which includes establishments in Paris, London, Beirut, Tokyo, and Yokohama. His appointment as Executive Head Sommelier is part of the group's development strategy, focusing on wine and gastronomy. Robineau's role will enhance the wine and sommelier expertise of Maisons Taillevent globally, involving exclusive wine events and the internal 'S de Taillevent' program, which offers monthly master classes, estate visits, and more.

🏨 Christie & Co France bolsters its Hotel Real Estate Advisory team with two new hires: Luc Espaillard as Associate Director - Conseil, previously with HVS Canada and educated at Institut Vatel and École Hôtelière de Lausanne, and Sophie Tran as Consultant - Hotels. This expansion signifies Christie & Co's commitment to maintaining its leadership by enhancing advisory services for French and international clients.