Nominations

🏨 Aleph Hospitality strengthens its presence in Ghana by managing a second hotel, The Address in Accra, owned by real estate leader DevtracoPlus. This marks their second collaboration following The Pelican Hotel in 2022. With over 60% retention rate among hotel owners, Aleph Hospitality showcases its expertise. The Address, opening in 2026, will feature 121 rooms and suites, a restaurant, bar, cigar lounge, fitness center, pool, and meeting rooms.

🏨 Mathieu Sauvestre joins Eklo as the new Development Director with 16 years of experience in hotel project development. A 2009 HEC graduate, he restructured Club Med's portfolio in Africa and the Middle East, led development in North America from 2015, and pioneered strategic projects in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. In 2019, he came back to Europe to oversee Club Med's development and upgrade in France and Switzerland. Sauvestre is now part of Eklo to promote an economic and responsible lifestyle hospitality concept.

🏨 George Terpilowski, with decades of luxury hotel sector experience, was appointed as Senior Vice President of Operations at Salamander Collection. Previously, he served as General Manager at Intercontinental Buckhead, Atlanta, and held regional vice-presidential roles at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, overseeing renowned properties like Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston and The Plaza Hotel in New York. His career spans leadership positions across iconic hotels in Bermuda, Mexico, and Barbados.

🏩 Benjamin Debout, previously managing Hotel Le Champlain in La Rochelle since June 2022, has been appointed as the new Director of the 4-star Maison Obono Hôtel & Spa, a serene hotel located in a historic manor. Benjamin Debout's educational background includes a BTS from Lycée hôtelier de Gerardmer in 2008 and a Licence from ICI ICARE in 2009. His mission is to fortify the hotel's unique identity and make Maison Obono a distinguished name in hospitality and wellness.

🏨 Julie Hammond, with over 25 years of hospitality experience, appointed to lead The Celtic Collection and ICC Wales, the largest independent hotel group and newest conference center in Wales, UK. The Celtic Collection boasts 10 hotels with 1,217 rooms. ICC Wales, a modern facility costing over €100 million, can host 5,000+ delegates and will welcome Worldchefs Congress and Expo in 2026. Hammond previously oversaw Cumberland Hotel London since January 2022 and held leadership roles at L+R Hotels and Ralph Trustees Ltd. Her new role involves driving revenue growth and profitability for one of Wales' largest employers.

🏨 Alexander Henskens appointed new Hotel Director of JW Marriott Grosvenor House London starting February 2025. Previously, he served as director at Royal Lancaster London from 2018, enhancing its success. Stuart Bowery, General Manager, oversees Henskens. The hotel, eyeing its centenary in 2030, anticipates operational excellence. Henskens, a 2007 Bachelor's in Hospitality Management graduate from The Hague, started at Four Seasons Hotel London at Canary Wharf in 2008 and has held key positions at Amba Hotel Marble Arch and Montcalm London Marble Arch.

🏨 Xavier Perret appointed as General Manager of Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco, bringing over 20 years of hospitality industry experience. He has held key positions within Marriott International, including Operations Manager at Renaissance Paris Nobel Tour Eiffel and multiple financial director roles in Paris and Brussels. The year marks the hotel's 30th anniversary, emphasizing its commitment to superior accommodations and service.

🏡 Hani Akkari leads The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort as General Manager in Doha, previously holding the position from May 2023 to February 2024. His career started post-2007 after graduating from La Rochelle hotel school, working at Relais & Châteaux in Vence, then Four Seasons, and at Hilton Paris Arc de Triomphe in 2008. Moving to the Middle East in 2011, Akkari progressed through Sofitel in the UAE and became General Manager of MGallery Doha in 2019. He joined Fairmont Doha in January 2022 before his recent return to The Chedi Katara.

🏡 Mathieu Sauvestre, with 16 years of hotel development experience, is appointed as the new Development Director at French ecological and lifestyle hotel group Eklo. Graduated from HEC in 2009, started at Club Med, restructuring its portfolio in Africa and the Middle East, then led North American development in 2015, focusing on mountain markets in the US and Canada, and beach resorts in the Caribbean. By 2019, he was driving Club Med's development in France and Switzerland and enhancing its upscale positioning. Sauvestre joins Eklo to drive its ambitious expansion, aligning with its concept of accessible lifestyle hospitality and strong environmental and societal integration.

👨 Stefan Reiter, with Hilton since 1993, returned in January as head of Hilton Sofia, which he previously led from 2012 to 2017. At 57, his notable career includes opening the Hilton Riyadh Olaya in May 2024 after a four-year preparation, making it a luxury symbol with 239 rooms and three restaurants. He also launched the Hilton Astana in 2017, achieving the country's best congress hotel in under two years, and opened the Hampton by Hilton Turkistan in 2020.