Human Resources

📈 Virgin Hotels Collection appoints Paloma Martinez as VP of Operations, Americas. With over 30 years in luxury hospitality, Martinez will oversee Virgin’s U.S. portfolio and key properties like Necker Island. Her experience spans 13 countries, including roles at InterContinental and Six Senses. Chris Stevens, COO, praises her transformative leadership to enhance operations and guest experiences. Martinez aims to elevate service standards, aligning with the brand’s growth and guest-focused strategy.

📈 Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has appointed Amit Sripathi as CFO, effective immediately. Sripathi, previously Chief Development Officer – North America, succeeds Kurt Albert, interim CFO since November. David Wilner, with 30 years in franchise sales, is now Chief Development Officer – North America. Both report to CEO Geoff Ballotti. Sripathi joined Wyndham in 2021; Wilner previously spent 20 years at La Quinta. The appointments aim to boost FeePAR net room growth, aligning with Wyndham's 2026 financial outlook.

🏨 Lee Norris has been promoted to hotel director at Colessio in Stirling by Artemis Hotels Management. In 2025, the 39-bedroom hotel saw a profit increase due to strategic changes, including operational discipline and a refined commercial strategy. Norris, alongside founder Chris Charalambous, implemented cost controls, enhanced revenue management, and focused on guest experience. Norris will now oversee Colessio's strategic responsibilities, aiming for sustained profitability and brand evolution in Stirling.

🍴 Cumberland Hotel, part of the Clermont Hotel Group, will open Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen in London in April 2026, with bookings starting in March. Santino Cicciari, with 20 years of hospitality experience, becomes general manager, and Kyle Lewis, with 20 years in the culinary field, is head chef. The restaurant will occupy a 7,500 square-foot space with over 200 covers, featuring four chefs’ tables and a dedicated bar area.

🏨 Peel Hotels has put four hotels up for sale in Wallingford, Carlisle, Newcastle, and Peterborough. The decision follows founder Robert Peel's retirement, who started his career at 17 and founded Peel Hotels in 1998. The George Hotel, a 16th-century inn with 39 rooms, and the Edwardian Crown and Mitre Hotel in Carlisle offer significant guest capacity. The Caledonian Hotel in Newcastle features 89 rooms, and the 17th-century Bull Hotel in Peterborough has 118 rooms.

🏨 Paris Marriott Champs-Élysées Hotel underwent a complete renovation, finalizing the transformation of 192 guestrooms and 58 suites. Led by Muza Lab, the redesign incorporates couture influences with monochromatic and saffron accents. The hotel introduces Jenny, a restaurant and bar, and will reopen Cira's terrace in Spring 2026. It features seven meeting venues for up to 250 guests, offers Clefs d’Or concierge services, and has exclusive experiences like The Ultimate Guerlain Experience. Henri Michel was appointed as the new GM last month.

🏨 JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa and Marriott Cancun are now led by Juan Carlos Calderon, appointed as complex general manager. Calderon, a 24-year Marriott veteran, has a robust background in sales, marketing, and operations. His previous roles include hotel manager at Marriott Marquis Houston and general manager at Marriott Dallas locations. Calderon aims to elevate the JW Marriott experience during its 25th anniversary and enhance services at the all-inclusive resort.

🏨 Sarah Turner has been promoted to operations director at Valor Hospitality in the UK, responsible for 13 hotels across the Midlands and South. Valor's UK portfolio grew from 17 hotels in 2021 to 40 in 2026, adding sites in Aberdeen, Trafford City, and Liverpool. Turner joined Valor in May 2013 and advanced through roles at Crowne Plaza Harrogate and Leeds. She emphasizes team support and well-being in her leadership approach.

📈 Paris, 2 March 2026: Apaleo appoints Nicolas Suissa as Country Lead in France. With 15 years of international experience, Suissa returns to drive digital transformation in the hospitality sector. Apaleo operates in over 30 countries, supporting 2,200+ properties and 100,000+ units, with 100+ French hotels on its platform. Demand grows as operators seek flexible technology solutions. Apaleo's clients include citizenM, easyHotel, and Grand Hotel Cayré Paris.