Nominations

🏨 After closing in 2018, Lomé's Palm Beach Hotel has been acquired by Burkina Faso's Ebomaf group, known for their work in infrastructure renovation in Africa. Ebomaf plans to refurbish the hotel, modernizing it while preserving its historical legacy, possibly leading to a name change. This project aims to rejuvenate Lomé's hospitality scene and enhance the city's tourist appeal.

🏦 Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna named Jurgen Ammerstorfer as General Manager effective January 7, 2025. Ammerstorfer, with over 30 years in the travel and hospitality industry, will oversee the hotel's extensive renovations, including new dining and bar offerings and the introduction of Anantara Spa. Previously, he managed the Ritz Carlton in Vienna from 2020 to 2024 and has worked with luxury hotel companies across Europe, the US, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

🏦 Jurgen Ammerstorfer appointed as General Manager of Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna, effective January 7, 2025. He oversees the hotel's extensive renovations, including enhanced dining and the introduction of Anantara Spa. Ammerstorfer, with 30+ years in the industry, previously managed Ritz Carlton Vienna (2020-2024) and has worked with luxury hotel companies globally, including Leading Hotels of the World, IHG, and Marriott Luxury Brands.

🏡 The prestigious 5-star hotel, Le Manoir de Bélioles, with 16 suites, often referred to as the "little Versailles" of the Ardennes, has been sold by the Lüssem family. The new owner is reported by the Belgian press to be Gilbert Lodomez, who also owns the Thermes de Chaudfontaine.

🏠 Onyria Group, owner of Onyria Quinta da Marinha and Onyria Marinha in Cascais, takes over management of Château des Vigiers—a luxury resort in Dordogne, 90 minutes from Bordeaux. The 150-hectare estate features 65 rooms, including a 16th-century château, the Relais des Vigiers hotel, a 27-hole golf course, a Sothys spa, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Les Fresques, led by Chef Didier Casaguana. Onyria has been a shareholder since the 1990s; the team, led by Niels Koetsier, remains, marking a significant step in Onyria's international expansion. CEO Antonio Pinto Coelho celebrates the acquisition.

🏨 Kempinski Hotels, led by CEO Barbara Muckermann, restructures its governance, welcoming Gordon Drake as CFO and Rasha Lababidi as CPO. The luxury hotelier, with a 127-year history, aims to accelerate development and consolidate its prestigious position. Drake brings over 30 years of global experience in corporate capital markets, asset management, risk management, and strategic financial planning to drive profitability and growth.

🏕 Céline and Philippe Bossanne's nature camping group acquires a 34% stake in Philippe Vaurs and Christophe Sauvage's Elégancia hotel group. Elégancia manages Hoscar café-hotels, with its flagship in Versailles since last year. Elégancia founders witnessed Hoscar de Versailles' opening in May. Huttopia, known for French glamping, expanded to Canada, the USA, the Netherlands, and China, and introduced café-hôtels post-lockdown for village revitalization.

🏦 Sébastien Mariette, an Essec Business School MBA graduate of 2001, has been appointed General Manager of Kempinski Harbour Heights Bahrain, scheduled to open in late 2025, and Vice President of Operations for Kempinski hotels in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the Levant, and Morocco. With an 18-year tenure at Kempinski, and leadership roles across Jordan, China, Dubai, Singapore, and Egypt, Mariette was awarded General Manager of the Year in Jordan in 2024. The Bahrain luxury hotel will feature elegant rooms, high-end residences, and wellness facilities with views of Manama's marina.

🍽 La Réserve Paris celebrates a decade of excellence, announcing Chef Jérôme Banctel as Ambassador of Château Cos d'Estournel. Michel Reybier and 3-star chef Banctel are pleased with this new role that extends Banctel's responsibilities since the inauguration of La Réserve Paris. The partnership honors the success and synergy between Reybier and Banctel, emphasizing values of excellence and refinement shared by La Réserve Paris and the emblematic Château of Saint-Estèphe. Banctel expresses gratitude for Reybier's trust since the hotel's opening.

🏨 Scott Ratcliffe, with over 20 years in luxury hospitality, appointed General Manager of Crystalbrook Byron, Byron Bay, assuming role by the end of 2024. Emma Alcorn, former GM of Crystalbrook Byron, now leads Crystalbrook Bailey in Cairns, known for team management and customer experience enhancement. Carl Taranto, a Crystalbrook member since 2018 with 20+ years in hospitality, becomes Area General Manager for Cairns, overseeing Crystalbrook Riley, Flynn, and Bailey. Lisa Brown, with 15 years in hospitality, moves from Crystalbrook Bailey to manage Crystalbrook Flynn in Cairns. These appointments reflect Crystalbrook's strong management strategy and focus on luxury hotel sector success.