Nominations

🏡 Renowned hotelier Jean-Marie Le Gall takes over as the head of Arev Hôtel Saint-Tropez, marking a new chapter in his 30+ year luxury hospitality career. Previously managing elite establishments like Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris and The Woodward Genève, Le Gall is praised for his leadership and expertise in premium hospitality. His significant roles include Hotel Manager at Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona in 2013 and General Manager at El Palace Hotel Barcelona in 2018.

🏦 Starhotels secured a €350 million financing deal for a 10-year period to refinance debt and support growth. Stefano Squecco became the Cluster General Manager of The Pelham, The Gore, and The Franklin in London in February 2025. Squecco, with luxury hospitality experience and trained at École Hôtelière de Glion (1984-1987), aims to enhance the culinary offerings, blending Italian tradition with London style, underlining Starhotels' commitment to innovation and strong leadership in the British capital.

🏠 Caroline de Balanda, with over two decades in lifestyle media and communication, joins Artravel Hôtels as Development Manager. Artravel Hôtels, a rising star in contemporary hospitality, aligns with Caroline's experience in prestigious media (Artravel, Vogue Living, Le Figaro Voyages) and international lifestyle brand communication. Caroline's career includes PR in Belgium, co-founding Delcambre & Mussons, and leading ContemporanPress.com. Artravel Hôtels, led by Grégory Ferrante, caters to travellers seeking meaningful, emotional, and narrative experiences.

📌 Minor Hotels appointed Nicholas Smith as Vice-President of Operations for Asia, overseeing the group's Asian portfolio operations and leading a regional executive team. Smith, with over 25 years in the hospitality sector, previously held leadership roles at Shangri-La Group, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, and NEOM's Sindalah island project in Saudi Arabia. Minor Hotels aims to add over 100 properties in Asia by 2027, with Smith's expertise expected to drive operational excellence and support expansion plans. He holds a degree in hotel and catering management from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.

🏡 Marriott International partners with VERKEHRSBUERO HOSPITALITY to rebrand five existing Austria Trend hotels, adding over 1,100 rooms to its Austrian presence. The signed agreement includes transitioning to Marriott Tribute Portfolio, AC Hotels by Marriott, and the introduction of Four Points Flex by Sheraton in Austria. Four properties will convert to Four Points Flex by Sheraton: Austria Trend Hotel beim Theresianum in Vienna, planned for Q3 2025; Austria Trend Hotel Salzburg Messe; Austria Trend Hotel Anatol in Vienna, expected in 2026; and Austria Trend Hotel Ananas in Vienna, which will become a dual-branded Four Points Flex by Sheraton Vienna Naschmarkt and AC Hotel by Marriott Vienna Naschmarkt. Additionally, the historic Parkhotel Schönbrunn will join Marriott's Tribute Portfolio. This partnership aligns with Marriott's strategy to expand in key European markets through conversions.

🍴 Born in 1991 in Como, Fabio Volontè, a passionate chef since childhood, has become the executive chef at Hôtel Villa Calvi. Previously, he was executive chef at Imperialino, a gastronomic restaurant in the Grand Hotel Imperiale Resort & SPA, Moltrasio. Volontè's global career includes working with renowned culinary figures, mastering traditional cuisine with a modern twist. Committed to sustainability, he emphasizes fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and minimal waste, while valuing teamwork, knowledge sharing, and collective creativity.

🏦 Hyatt appointed Marshneil Bharadwaj as General Manager of Andaz 5th Avenue in Manhattan, with nearly 20 years of luxury hospitality experience across four continents. Beginning at The Oberoi Raj Vilas and Le Meridien, she gained expertise at Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt Dubai, and led Grand Hyatt Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Moved to New York in 2022 and was Hotel Director at Gild Hall before her August 2023 promotion; now oversees operations and development strategy at Andaz 5th Avenue.

🏨 White Lodging promoted Chris Anderson to COO, previously EVP and CCO, to oversee revenue and operations strategies, including sales, marketing, and customer satisfaction. Joe Pagone, with White Lodging since 2022 and a former Kimpton Hotels employee for 14 years, was promoted from Regional Vice President to Senior Vice President of Operations. Anderson joined in 2015, recognized by HSMAI as a top marketing mind in 2018, and authored "I'm Not Buying It.

🏩 Maxence Ligneul promoted to Human Resources Director of OLCM Group and Deputy Manager of RÉ MANAGEMENT, also serving as Director of Hotels on Île de Ré. A graduate from Lycée Hôtelier de Dinard, Ligneul has extensive luxury hotel experience across Europe, including Relais & Châteaux, Groupe Barrière, and Ultima Collection. Since summer 2023, he helped Villa Clarisse on Île de Ré earn its fifth star and a top three ranking in Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2024.

📈 Jens Schmitz named Vice President of Marketing for Dorint Hotel Group, effective April 1, 2025. With over 15 years of high-level marketing experience, his focus will be on digital marketing and brand strategy for Dorint Hotels & Resorts, Hommage Luxury Hotels Collection, and Essential by Dorint. Jörg T. Böckeler, CEO of Dorint Hotel Group, announced the key appointment, emphasizing brand growth and innovation. Schmitz aims to enhance market presence and customer engagement through tailored marketing strategies.