Human Resources

🏨 Nicolas Dubort has been appointed as managing director of Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris. With 25+ years in luxury hospitality, Dubort's experience spans Four Seasons, The Peninsula, Dorchester Collection, Waldorf Astoria, and Mandarin Oriental. Previously, he was GM at Mandarin Oriental Muscat, Oman. Le Royal Monceau, near Champs-Elysées, built in 1928 and reopened in 2010, embodies Parisian glamour and creativity, promising artful elegance and unique experiences.

🏖 Monica Hubert, with 30+ years in hospitality, is the new GM at Everline Resort & Spa, Lake Tahoe. She last managed Outbound Sedona, launching it for Spring 2026. Previously, she was GM at Hyatt Regency Sonoma and led sales at Hyatt Centric Silicon Valley in 2022. Her career includes roles at Resort at Squaw Creek and Delaware North. Everline Resort, managed by CoralTree, offers ski-in/ski-out access and a full-service spa.

🏨 Obie Companies has promoted Curt Asmussen to president and COO of Obie Hospitality. Asmussen, who was vice president for five years and managing director at Obie's Inn in Boise, has worked in hospitality for two decades. Relocating to Eugene, he will lead growth through acquisition and development, including the new Residence Inn Boise Downtown/University and the 75-room Gordon Hotel Corvallis opening in spring 2027. This role centralizes expansion efforts.

🏨 Sacha Cauwels-Wigan is announced as the new general manager of The Imperial Hotel Blackpool. With over 32 years in international hospitality, she has held senior roles at Sheraton Hotels across the UK, Africa, and the Middle East. She will manage daily operations and oversee the transition to a family-oriented model. The 19th Century hotel is expanding to include themed bedrooms and all-inclusive packages, alongside its existing amenities like a cinema room and arcade.

🏡 Domaine des Etangs in Charente, France, has appointed Damien Bastiat as general manager. The 13th-century château will reopen in March. Bastiat, with 30 years of luxury hospitality experience, recently managed Almae Collection and previously led hotels like Hotel Le Toiny St. Barth and Ballyfin Demesne. The property joined Auberge Collection in April 2023. Mo Elbanna of Auberge Collection praises Bastiat’s leadership as they aim to establish the château as a luxury destination.

📍 Guillaume Ranvier, appointed general manager of Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, succeeds Louis Starck as of September 2025. Previously with Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris, Ranvier's career includes roles at Hyatt properties in Paris, Doha, Cannes, and Nice. Established in 1928, the hotel, known for its Belle Epoque facade and Gustave Eiffel-designed dome, is undergoing renovations. New suites and Bar Gustave are set to open in June 2026, enhancing its historic elegance.

🏨 Hospitality America celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, founded in 1995 by Chris Cargen, and now led by CEO Ben Campbell. It ranks #22 among South Carolina’s fastest-growing companies and was recently recognized by USA Today as a Top Workplace. New additions include hotels in Charleston, Rogers, Springdale, and Murrells Inlet. The company plans to enhance operations using enterprise technology and recognizes the importance of a supportive work environment for its associates.

🏨 Hand Picked Hotels appointed Matthew Selch as general manager of Brandshatch Place Hotel and Spa in Kent. With 10+ years of leadership experience, including roles at Village Hotels and De Vere Hotels, Selch will enhance the hotel’s bespoke events and private hire offerings. The hotel collaborates with local venues like Mount Vineyard and London Golf Club. Hand Picked Hotels runs 21 hotels across the UK and Channel Islands, aiming to strengthen their presence in the Kent event market.

📍 In 2027, IHG® Hotels & Resorts plans to open a 45-key Garner hotel in Bhiwadi, India, developed by Modest Structures Private Limited and managed by United Hospitality Management. This marks the fourth Garner signing in India, reflecting confidence in its midscale brand. IHG currently operates 51 hotels across six brands in India, with 80 more in the pipeline over the next 3-5 years, targeting India's high-growth, tier-two cities.

📈 Jean-Yves Minet, Global Brand President at Accor, manages ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget, Novotel, and Mercure Hotels, representing nearly 70% of the group's global portfolio with over 3,500 hotels worldwide. He emphasizes mastering purpose, value proposition, and brand personality to ensure future-proof brands. Minet's approach focuses on delivering consistent, valuable experiences globally, shaped by his non-hospitality background. His full interview on brand strategy is available on Hospitality ON.