Human Resources

📍 A&O Hostels appointed Carolin Paarmann as general manager for its first London site, A&O London Docklands Riverside, in Southwark. The hostel, situated in a 17th-century building, opened in late November, offering 500 rooms and 2,100 beds. A modernization investment of £17.3m (€20m) is planned for 2026. Paarmann, based in London since 2015, anticipates a 65% occupancy rate in early 2026 with 180,000 overnight stays expected. The site features a riverside bar and electric ferry service.

🗺️ Colorado Springs faced declining hotel occupancy due to decreased government travel in 2025, affected by U.S. Space Command's move and a government shutdown. A government per-diem decrease of $10 in summer and $5 elsewhere hurt rates. Yet, tourism grew by 2.7% in 2024 with a 5.2% spending rise. New developments include the $36 million airport expansion and $41 million Hosmer Visitor Center. Despite challenges, long-term prospects remain positive with continued tourism and economic investments.

🏨 Munir Salem has been appointed as the general manager of Hyatt's Dream Downtown hotel in New York City, located between Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. With over 25 years of experience, Salem's career includes leadership roles in the Middle East, Asia, and the U.S., notably at Hyatt Regency and Andaz Xiamen in China. Most recently, he was the hotel manager at Thompson Central Park New York. Salem aims to enhance the guest experience while maintaining the hotel's unique character.

📈 Accor appoints Leire Leoz as chief franchise officer for its Premium, Midscale, and Economy division, effective February 2nd. Leoz will optimize franchise operations and report to Jean-Jacques Morin, group deputy CEO. Her responsibilities include enhancing franchised hotel success and refining processes. Leoz previously served as VP, owner & partner relations for EMEA at Marriott International, with roles at Starwood Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotels Group.

🏨 In January 2026, Peregrine Hospitality in Denver appointed Heather Stege as Chief Operating Officer. Stege's experience includes leadership roles at KBP Inspired, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Paper Source, McKinsey & Company, and A.T. Kearney. New appointments include Anthony Gaeta as Senior VP of Technology, Christina Gregg as Senior VP of HR, and Jeff Gross as Senior VP of Asset Management. Gaeta, Gregg, and Gross have 20+, 25+, and 20+ years of experience, respectively.

💻 Ayotunde Gibbs was appointed as executive vice president of technology at Remington Hospitality, Dallas, Texas. With over 20 years of IT experience, she previously served at Dave & Buster’s Inc. and GameStop, Inc. Gibbs aims to implement a comprehensive IT strategy for operational performance and growth. She holds an Executive MBA from Texas Christian University and a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Texas Tech University, and is involved with the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Society for Information Management.

🍴 Sean Cooper joins Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal as general manager in January 2026. He carries over a decade of experience, including roles at The Fat Duck and The Clove Club. Cooper will oversee operations and guest experience at the Two-Michelin-starred, 34-seat restaurant, ensuring service excellence in contemporary French cuisine. His previous accomplishments include the 2019 opening of Siren at The Goring with Nathan Outlaw and managing Muse by Tom Aikens.

🏨 Hyatt Regency London Olympia, opening this spring, appoints a five-member leadership team led by Georges Moura, with 20 years at Hyatt. Located in London's Olympia regeneration district, the hotel features 204 rooms. Key appointments include Yanal Tarazi for sales, Roberto Alcaide for HR, Edyta Osiej for finance, and Mesrihel Dell’ovo for engineering. The team, boasting extensive hospitality experience, aims to position the hotel as a premier destination in West London.