Tatiana Valenzuela

📅 Baron Hotels and Resorts appoints Mehdi Othmani as area general manager in Egypt. With 30+ years of global experience, including roles at Steigenberger, Hilton, and Mövenpick, Mehdi will lead key operations in Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo, and Sahl Hasheesh. He will also support Baron Cascade's expansion and entry into Zanzibar. Previously, he was cluster general manager for DER Touristik Hotels & Resorts in the Red Sea Area.

🛣️ Maxime Brun has been appointed as the new general manager of Les Bateaux Belmond, overseeing operations for its seven riverboats in France. Brun, who previously served at Château Saint Laurent for four years, brings experience from Pink Lady Europe and Nestlé France. Les Bateaux Belmond operates April to October, hosting 4 to 12 passengers per boat, emphasizing a "Slow Luxury" travel experience. Brun aims to enhance guest experiences for the 2026 season.

📍 Kimpton Ashbel New York–Park Avenue is set to open in January 2026 at 70 Park Avenue, Midtown Manhattan. Brenda Correa has been appointed as general manager, with over 20 years of hotel leadership experience. Lucy Shulman, with nearly 20 years in hospitality, takes on the role of director of sales & marketing. Tyrone Fu is the director of revenue management, bringing 15 years of expertise. The hotel, a reimagined 1928 Beaux-Arts property, aims to elevate guest experiences.

📈 Louis Barruel joins JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group as senior vice president in the Montreal office, reporting to executive VP Katie Krieger. With 14 years of experience, Barruel has managed portfolios including InnVest Hotel’s 4,127-room Comfort Inn and 3,218-room Western Luxury. JLL oversees 200 hotels with nearly 50,000 rooms valued at $21 billion globally, reflecting their commitment to expanding hospitality advisory services across Canada, particularly in Quebec.

📖 JP Roberts has been appointed general manager of The Statler, a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, located in downtown Dallas. Roberts brings extensive experience in managing U.S. hotels and resorts, including 21c Museum Hotels in St. Louis, Dream Hotels in Nashville, and Hotel Vandivort in Missouri. Built in 1956, The Statler is part of the Historic Hotels of America and famous for iconic performances by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and The Jackson 5. Managed by Stonebridge, it remains a significant landmark.

📅 Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Celine Du as chief commercial and marketing officer in November 2025. With over 30 years of experience in luxury hotel brands like Mandarin Oriental and Shangri-La, Du will lead PPHG’s commercial strategy during its global expansion. Her focus includes corporate strategy, channel management, loyalty, and global partnerships across Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, and PARKROYAL brands, following their rebranding. Her leadership will be crucial for talent management and enhancing customer engagement worldwide.