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The Art of Welcoming in Japan – O’Service

Service Professions: “Japan and Service” in Partnership with the association O’Service This organization led by Denis Courtiade is devoted to restoring meaning and value to service careers. The organization holds as its objective to unite agents working in the French service profession to better advise service professionals of today and the future. Today I’d like […]

Traveling and the Art of Welcoming: Jet Tours

Traveling and Selecting a Hotel Interview with Margaux Pellegrino, Area Director of the Indian Ocean and Head of Jet Tours’ ‘Signature Collection Exception’ I recently had the pleasure of taking part in a press trip organized by Jet Tours in Scotland. I was thus able to discover all the steps involved in preparing a travel […]

The War of the Palaces: Dream vs. Reality

Rivalry Among the ‘Newest’ Palaces in Paris A little competition is always healthy and, when done right, usually leads to better client service. When I think about the situation over the last 15 years, it’s worth noting that the Park Hyatt was the first to establish itself (2002) and begin disrupting codes by offering a […]

A Conversation with Frank Marrenbach, CEO of Oetker Collection

Discovering the Oetker Collection I had the pleasure of visiting the marvelous and mythical city of Baden-Baden in Germany. This is a city rich in history, tradition, and nature. It is a holiday resort and a thermal station in the middle of the Black Forest. The German word ‘Baden’ means ‘baths’ and stands in reference […]

The Art of Coming Together at the Plaza Athénée

The Plaza Athénée and Its Salons The reception rooms at the Plaza Athénée have recently been renovated, and a new ballroom has even been constructed. Upon visiting the ballroom, you will feel like it has always been there. It certainly stacks up to the image of the hotel. This room, which spans 150 square meters and […]

Digital Technology and Hotels

The Inevitable Development of Digital Technology in Hotels Since their arrival, digital technology and the Internet have transformed our ways of life and our ways of consuming, as so often happens with the arrival of such progress. It has been this way, and it remains inevitable. Luxury hotels cannot close their eyes on digital transformations […]

The French Art of Welcoming in Hotel Spas

Is there such a thing as a French legitimacy and vision of the spa? It’s a legitimate question to ask. France has so many talents and creators. So yes, France is legitimate for creating its own vision of the spa, even if it is at the origin of this concept. France has the capacity to […]

Interview with Monsieur Zuber, One&Only

The Art of Sublimating Luxury Hotels I’ve been lucky to discover numerous One&Only Hotels, especially two in Dubai and one in Mauritius. The One&Only Dubai Palm is a sumptuous establishment, an oasis of calm between the Palm and Dubai Harbor. This interview with Monsieur Philippe Zuber, President of One&Only Resorts will allow you to better discover […]

Well-Being: Making the Difference in Hotels

Well-Being at a Hotel I first grew aware of the innovative spirit and work led by the Phélippeau family following the 2014 opening of their hotel, Château des Tourelles, and its thalassotherapy center. They have reinvted the welcoming and follow-up of their clients over the course of their cares. The teams on site demonstrate a […]

Luxury ‘à la française’ in Hotels

Luxury Has Become France’s DNA What is luxury ‘à la française’ in the sector of high-end hotels? Is there such a thing as a French hotel tradition? Here’s a question that someone asked me recently. I now have the pleasure of sharing my answer directly with you. It was in the 19th century that the […]

Sleeping in the Dark

Sleeping in the dark: How does one sleep well in a room? How do you prefer to sleep? In total darkness, in plain light, or in semi-darkness? In plain light, you will you will never have a problem with sleeping in hotels; any room will work fine, and you will likely be able to sleep […]

Elegancia: A New Look at the Hotel Industry

Interview with Philippe Vaurs, founder of Elegancia Hotels Philippe is an alchemist of the hotel industry. A well-respected influencer at the EQUIPHOTEL Salon, his modus operandi is to invest in hotels which he then transforms and even metamorphoses thanks to architects that he selects with the utmost care and originality. He has turned the Parisian hotel […]

The Art of Welcoming at Nadler Hotels

A Conversation with Robert Nadler, CEO of Nadler Hotels Robert Nadler, CEO of Nadler Hotels, founded his hotels using inspiration from his personal experience as a hotel client. I met Robert a few days before the opening of one of his latest hotels. Openings are a very special and intense moment for the owner. I had […]

The Art of Organizing and Furnishing a Hotel Room

The Opening of a Hotel: The Verdict At the moment of a hotel’s opening, everything is at its most beautiful and marvelous. The hotel invites the press to spoil them and sends its PR team to show around everything there is to be seen. So it’s an interesting exercise to return to the hotel a […]

The French Influence in the British Art of Welcoming

The World of Hotels: A Conversation with Robert Nadler, CEO of Nadler Hotels I’d like to share with you a very interesting conversation I had with an English entrepreneur who was raised in France and who’s created a hotel group in the United Kingdom after several years in the business world, where he had ample […]

The Art of Welcoming and Service Professions in the United States

Service professions devoted to the art of welcoming in partnership with the association O’Service This organization led by Denis Courtiade is devoted to restoring meaning and value to service careers. The organization holds as its objective to unite agents working in the French service profession to better advise service professionals of today and the future. […]

FIAC 2016: Contemporary Art and Luxury Hotels

FIAC: Contemporary art and luxury hotels—towards a new Eldorado? At the latest Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain (FIAC) in Paris, I reflected on the importance of contemporary art in Palaces and 5-star hotels. A fervent defender of the French art of welcoming, I am of the belief that contemporary art has always been an integral element of our DNA. […]

The St. Regis Hotel in Mauritius: The Mauritian Art of Welcoming

The Mauritian Art of Welcoming Meets the Italian Art of Welcoming I recently met with Rocco Bova, when he was the General Manager of the St. Regis Hotel in Mauritius. An Italian by origin, he has spent the last several years in Mauritius, where he’s brought his expertise as a hotelier from his time at […]

Selecting Interior Designers at Accor Hotels

Choosing Interior Designers A Conversation with Julie Grégoire. I’ve met her when she used to work for Accor as Operational Director of Luxury, High-End, and Thalassa France. How do you decide on an interior designer? What are the necessary qualities and criteria? How much room do you give for new talents? Do you always select experts? […]

Training Hotel Staff by M Gallery

An Engaging Internal Training Program What happens when you open a hotel? How do you train your staff teams? In each Sofitel, we have a person dedicated to training. Even better, we have a ‘flying’ trainer on hand in case a trainer is absent or when we need more specific training sessions around the brand’s […]

The Art of Welcoming & EQUIPHOTEL

“…the art of welcoming is not a prerogative of high-end hotels…” We are back with Corinne Ménégaux, the talented figure in charge of organizing EQUIPHOTEL Salon, a Parisian trade show that captures all the latest trends in furnishings in the hotel world. As a partner of the salon, it is my mission to regularly bring […]

Differentiation in the Hotel Industry

Differentiation in the Hotel Industry Achieving differentiation in the hotel industry is a key element for offering clients a memorable and quality experience. With the help of Charles De Foucault, General Manager of One&Only Le Saint Géran, I sought out to understand the key elements in the differentiation of a hotel. Numerous international luxury brands have […]

Hotel Construction in Paris

The Stages of Construction for the Mélia La Défense Paris Hotel I recently met with an investor who was seeking to acquire a hotel for the first time. He asked me if it was better to acquire an existing hotel or to sign on to construct a new hotel. The answer to this, of course, […]

The House of Guerlain: The French Art of Welcoming

The House of Guerlain I had the pleasure of meeting Louis de Vilmorin, the International Director of Institutes & Spa Guerlain, at the Hotel and Spa Forum held on June 19 at the George V Four Seasons Hotel in Paris. This was a very interesting forum where professionals from various European countries came together to listen […]

Vincent Beaurin Meets the Cheval Blanc Randheli Resort

The Masterworks of Vincent Beaurin It always makes it more interesting to bring meaning to the decoration of a hotel. This presents a wonderful space to give free rein to the expression of an artist, whose works might allow clients to escape, create an imaginary universe, and offer sources of inspiration. Whether it’s for a […]

The French Art of Welcoming, According to Patrick Charvet

Patrick Charvet, the previous Chef of the Hyatt Paris Madeleine, Patrick Charvet, shares his definition of the French art of welcoming I have been lucky to meet some passionate people, and I am going to share with you a very lovely meeting. I present to you Patrick Charvet, he was the head chef of the […]

Phélippeau: The Art of Welcoming in Thalassotherapy

I had the pleasure of meeting Stéfany and Jean Pascal Phélippeau, who allowed me to discover the Hotel Château des Tourelles (****), as well as the Center of Thalassotherapy—Relais Thalasso—located in the Bay of La Baule. I leave you to discover the rest in the following interview. How do you translate the art of welcoming […]

Restaurants and Luxury Hotels: Dining round the Clock

How are dining behaviors evolving in luxury restaurants and hotels? During the latest salon SuccessFood, three issues facing restaurants today were laid out before industry experts. Let’s consider the issue of “round-the-clock dining.” Here’s a well-established offering in luxury hotels. One should be able to eat whenever one feels like it. Open bars in the lobbies will likely be […]

Meilleur Ouvrier de France – Receptionist

A Conversation with Gilles Le Bras, organizer of the ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ competition for hotel receptionists. Back when I was a Director of Accommodations, I had the pleasure of serving as member of AICR (Amicale Internationale des Chefs de Réception), an international association for reception managers and assistant directors of large hotels. This dynamic association […]

The Art of Welcoming in France, the Maranatha Way

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”] [et_pb_row admin_label=”row”] [et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”] Does France Need to Work on the French Art of Welcoming? I recently met with Olivier Carvin, CEO for the Maranatha Group. We were able to exchange our views on the French art of welcoming. What is your point of view on the French art of welcoming? Does […]

Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku: The French Art of Welcoming

The French art of welcoming is a way of conceptualizing spaces for reception. How have you reinterpreted this art? To us, the French art of welcoming involves the feeling of truly being at home, of feeling good in a space so that we can create a certain energy. The space has to be very comfortable, […]

“We Always Need a Winter to Bring up a Summer”

Meet Séverine Pétilaire-Bellet, General Manager of the LOV Hotel Group Collection. This luxury hotel chain boasts the following establishments to its name: Les Airelles, Chalet Ormello, Aman Le Mélézin, and Le Chalet de Pierres in Courchevel, La Bastide de Gordes in Gordes and Pan Deï in Saint-Tropez. I encourage you to learn more about this […]

Serge Cachan on “Being Away from Home” with le 123 Sebastopol Hotel

As a follow-up to my article, “Far from Home….Spend a Night in the World of a Cineaste,” I invite you to meet Serge Cachan, the hotel manager of Le123 Sébastopol Hotel—a lovely variation on the theme of “being away from home.” How did you arrive upon the idea of calling out to film artists to […]

Isabelle Miaja: Her Definition of the Art of Welcoming

The Art of Welcoming According to Isabelle Miaja, Architect-Designer France’s history goes to show that we have cultivated a true art of living and welcoming. This expertise and thoroughly French art of welcoming has been considerably developed in luxury hotels, where it remains a source of inspiration for the great names in the hotel industry. […]

Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku: A Restaurant

Alain Ducasse Restaurant Following up from their earlier design work for the bar of the Plaza Athénée, Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku went on to design the Alain Ducasse Restaurant at the illustrious hotel for the third time. I invite you to discover their vision of the restaurant from their perspective as architects. Let’s talk about the dining room of […]

Safes in Hotel Rooms

Hotel : feel protected in Hotel Rooms Interview with Christian Perdomo, CEO of ARCARIUS Security within a hotel, especially in one’s room, is one of the most important factors in determining the quality of one’s stay. We all have the need to feel protected, and the presence of a safe contributes to this. It is also a […]

Mauro Governato, General Manager of luxury hotel

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mauro Governato, when he was the General Manager of the Hotel de Russie in Rome, during one of his trips through Paris. Now he is the general manager of the Four Seasons Hotel Milano. We enjoyed a long discussion on the art of welcoming in the hotel industry. You […]

Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok and the NGO Ô Services

Interview with Mr. Quentin Arnould, General Manager, l’Atelier de Joel Robuchon Bangkok He is a member of the NGO Ô Services. Ô Services, is the association was formed with the goal of uniting people from the various spheres of the profession. Their approach involves addressing the youth: convincing them, encouraging them, guiding them, and accompanying them… Quentin Arnould was born and […]

Edouard François, Architect: The French Art of Welcoming

The French Art of Welcoming Edouard François An encounter with architect Edouard François, who took part in the construction of Fouquet’s Barrière Paris. France’s history reveals that we have cultivated a true art of living and welcoming. This expertise and thoroughly French art of welcoming has been considerably developed in luxury hotels, where it remains […]

Repositioning a Hotel

Repositioning a Hotel: A True Challenge Repositioning a hotel reflects a true challenge for an existing hotel structure. It is not an effort from the management alone, or in any case, it shouldn’t be; in my opinion, this would be an assured failure. Repositioning a hotel requires the hotel to assemble and unify its entire […]

An Encounter with Fanélie Gaffinel

Fanélie Gaffinel Following the success of our first conference in January 2013 on the changes in luxury hotel renovations under the involvement of Studio Putman, Jean-Philippe Nuel, and Max Flageollet, I had the pleasure of working with Journal des Palaces to organize a second conference on hotel renovation at the Salon Maison et Objets. I was able to […]

Plaza Athénée: Changing Everything Without Changing Anything

Once Upon a Time at the Plaza Athénée François Delahaye and his team have taken to their feather pens to write the next chapter of the history of the Plaza Athénée. Their ambition is a marvelous one: ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS THE PALACE OF TOMORROW. The hotel has acquired its neighboring buildings in […]

Optimism in the Hotel Industry

Optimism in All Its Forms During the third annual ‘Printemps de l’Optimisme’ held in Paris, I had the pleasure of meeting Thierry Saussez, the founder of this wonderful event bursting alive in positivity and seeking to cultivate the dynamism of businesses across all sectors. I wanted to interview him on the importance of optimism in […]

Hotels in the Mountains, Hotels in the South

Hotels in the Mountains, Hotels in the South… Séverine Pétilaire-Bellet, General Manager of the LOV Hotel Collection Group, lets us in on her vision of the French art of welcoming that she applies each day in her hotels. The LOV Hotel Collection group brings together the following splendid establishments: Les Airelles, Chalet Ormello, Aman Le […]

Not a Bar Like the Others at the Plaza Athénée

How to renovate a bar ? A Collaborative Effort with the Head Bartender of the Plaza Athénée Interview with Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku ” We worked together on meeting the desires and operational needs of the bar staff. The head bartender has put a lot of thought into developing ways for improving the operation […]

Neil Jacobs, CEO at Six Senses

Neil Jacobs, CEO at Six Senses: The Art of Welcoming It is my pleasure to share with you my interview with Neil Jacobs, the Chief Executive Officer at Six Senses, about the art of hospitality and the Six Senses brand. Neil Jacobs is the CEO at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. With over three decades of experience in the operation, development […]

Repositioning a Hotel, The Example of Hotel Baume

I have a wonderful conversation to share with you all today. Sylvia Harrault is a well-known personality in the hotel industry. She is very involved in the association AICR, as well as in her hotel. She is always coming up with fantastic ideas for her clients. I recommend staying at her hotel if you are […]

In the Spirit of the Plaza Athénée

Opening Up a Breathtaking Space for the Bar of the Plaza Athénée Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku How did you collaborate with the Plaza Athénée? What characterizes your work on the bar, and how did you incarnate the ‘spirit of the Plaza’ in your designs? Our work at the Plaza Athénée has always remained a […]

What Are the Ambitions of Relais & Châteaux?

Phillippe Gombert, Relais & Châteaux Philippe Gombert, President of Relais & Châteaux, attests to the ambitions of the brand over which he presides. I invite you to rediscover his last interview on my blog by clicking here. Philippe Gombert in his own words: Relais & Châteaux has always, for me, been synonymous with passion. One of […]

Hard Rock Hotels

Josh Littman is the EMEA Vice President of Development for Hotels at Hard Rock International, based in London, having joined the company in April 2012. At Hard Rock, he is responsible for expanding the firm’s portfolio of hotels in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, which involves the sourcing of opportunities, negotiation of transaction […]

Haute Couture Hotels: “Away from Home” with Isabelle Miaja

Away from Home with Architect-Designer Isabelle Miaja Last year, I had the pleasure of conducting a roundtable at the Maison & Objet Salon around the theme “Haute Couture Hotels,” in the presence of Isabelle Miaja (architect-designer), Geoffray Maugin (Marketing Director of Sofitel), and Giovanna Golnelli (Marketing Head of Fendi Maison). We addressed various themes and topics […]

Between Hotel and Boutique

Boutique Hotel: Between Hotel and Boutique I recently met with Eric-Jean Floureusse, founder of the concept hotel Hameau des Baux, where he has recently integrated a boutique spirit. What this means: he’s established an exhibition gallery and artist boutique, both of which are redesigned every year, just like an actual gallery. In the space designated […]

Olivier Lapidus and the Art of Welcoming

Olivier Lapidus and the Art of Welcoming A few months ago, I addressed the theme of “high-fashion hospitality.” In line with this theme, allow me to introduce you to Olivier Lapidus, a fashion designer turned interior designer who is perhaps most well known for designing the Félicien Hotel. There, he imported his style, his innovations […]

Culinary Voyage Around the World

A Voyage with Patrick Charvet, Chef Upon meeting Patrick Charvet, the previous head chef at the Hyatt Paris Madeleine, it struck me that he is one of the rare chefs in France to have traveled around the world in search of new culinary horizons. To me, it seems more essential than ever these days to […]

Inspiration Journal: Hotel Professions

Professions in the Hospitality Industry My section on “Inspiration Journals” presents various hotel ambiances along themes that develop according to my visits, my readings, and my given mood. Today I want to turn the spotlight on those artisans who are involved in your hotel stays by examining the wide variety of careers in the hotel industry—those […]

Robert D’HENRY, French “Art of Welcoming”

Robert D’HENRY architects: His vision of French “Art of Welcoming” I met the architect Robert D’ Henry at the Hotel and Spa Forum organized in The George V Four Seasons Paris. It was an interesting forum where professionals from different European countries came to listen to international experts who present their knowledge and experience of […]

Hotel “Haute couture”, by Fendi

Interview of Giovanna Golnelli, Marketing and communication director of Fendi Casa. Could you present your positionning ? Fendi Casa is positioned on a high-end segment of the market, with a range of exclusive offers that reinterpret the aesthetics of living in a new kind of glamor-comfort. A collection of furniture that has been able to develop […]

The Human Dimension of the Peninsula Towards Its Staff

At the Peninsula, Respect Is What Underlies Service On my visit to the Peninsula Paris, I could sense that the brand placed importance on how they treat their staff members. This sentiment was confirmed upon my exchange with the General Manager of the Peninsula Chicago and the Peninsula Hong Kong. Upon meeting Peter C. Borer, […]

The Art of Welcoming by Mélia

At Mélia, the Art of Welcoming Begins with a Personalized Welcome At the opening of the newest Mélia Paris La Défense Hotel, I enjoyed a lengthy discussion with Jorge Roll, regional manager at the Mélia Group. I took advantage of this opportunity to ask him to introduce us to his brand. At Mélia Hôtel, what […]

Baby Food Offerings and Children’s Menus at Hotels

Baby Food Offerings and Children’s Menus at Hotels I had the pleasure of chatting with Alain Ducasse on the kinds of dishes one should offer children. He has just recently published a book « nature, simple, sain et bon » (Natural, Simple, Healthy, and Good) which offers a wealth of easy recipes to prepare for children, with […]

Inspiration Journal: Christmas at a Hotel

Inspiration Journal My section on “Inspiration Journals” presents various hotel ambiances along themes that develop according to my visits, my readings, and my given mood. Christmas Cheer Take advantage of the magic of Christmas to enjoy a stay in a hotel with a universe out of the ordinary and open to discovery. You will come […]

Robert Cheng, Marketing Director of Peninsula Hotels

Translating the DNA of the Peninsula Brand in Paris I’ve met Robert Cheng, when he was the international vice president of the Peninsula Hotel Group. Here is a man who knows the universe of luxury, having worked previously at De Beers. I met him at the Peninsula and again at the International Luxury Travel Market […]

Michel Guérard, Michelin-Starred Chef

Fête de la Gastronomie As a partner for the Fête de la Gastronomie 2016, I was able to sit down for an interview with Michel Guérard, the Michelin-star chef and sponsor of this event. Below Michel Guérard lets us in on his thoughts on the art of welcoming and the Fête de la Gastronomie. You were chosen […]

The French Art of Welcoming and the Butler Profession

The Art of Welcoming and Butlers A couple months back, I had a discussion with Robert Mauchamp, founder of ‘Association des Majordomes d’Europe et Personnel de Maison’ (Association of European Butlers and Domestic Personnel) and the distinction ’Excellence In Butlers Services’. We engaged in a fascinating discussion, and I wanted to shed the spotlight on […]

Pop-Up Hotels: From London to Singapor

Pop-up Hotels Pop-up hotels regularly pop up from time to time in various places around the world, often in untapped locations. To describe one as a ‘hotel,’ though, could be considered somewhat of a stretch, since it describes above all a room that comes with a few services. Nevertheless, these hotels often form unique experiences for enthusiasts. […]

W PARIS

The W Paris After opening back in February 2012, the W Paris, located a stone’s throw away from the Opera in Paris, has taken a strong foothold in just a matter of months among the vast panorama of Parisian hotels. The hotel features its own take on the art of living, which draws inspiration from […]

Children in Hotels: When It Comes to Restaurants

Children in Hotels: When It Comes to Restaurants While having breakfast at the Alain Ducasse Restaurant at the Plaza Athénée, I discovered the special menu suggested for children. I thought it was an excellent idea to offer an illustrated menu for children where they can choose their pastries, cereals, orange juice, etc. Luxury hotels have […]

Butlers in the Digital Age

Digital Butlers: The Evolution of the Butler’s Profession in the Face of New Forms of Technology New forms of technology have had significant impacts on various professions in the hotel industry. My meeting with Robert Mauchamp on the latest technology shows just how important it is to stay abreast of evolutions in order to be […]

ILHA, Partner of the hotel concept room ORIGINE at EQUIPHOTEL

ILHA, Partner of Chambre ORIGINE I am delighted to announce that the International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA) has joined Delporte Hospitality as a partner for La Chambre ORIGINE, which will be featured at EQUIPHOTEL 2016. ILHA is a key name around the world for all those who like to stay up to date on the luxury hotel industry and […]

Anne-Sophie Pic and the Art of Welcoming

Fete de la gastronomie As a partner for the Fête de la Gastronomie, I was able to sit down for an interview with Anne-Sophie Pic, the Michelin-star chef and godmother of this event. Below Anne-Sophie Pic lets us in on her thoughts on the keys to success to a restaurant What is your definition of […]

“Being Away at a Hotel” With Alexis Tricoire

“Being Away at a Hotel” With Alexis Tricoire Up until only a few years ago, clients largely sought out hotels that made them feel at home. Today, the circumstances have changed. The client, who has now become an experienced traveler and a well-informed connoisseur of hotels, is increasingly in search of being transported ‘elsewhere,’ an experience […]

ST. REGIS MAURITIUS, A NEW LIFE AFTER THE OPENING

The Unique Character of the St Regis Mauritius I recently spoke with Rocco Bova, when he was the General Manager of the St Regis Hotel in Mauritius, which belongs to the Starwood Group. This very fine hotel has just opened its doors, and two years in, I found the occasion to talk with Rocco Bova […]

John Licence Interview

Meet John Licence, Continental Brand Leader – Europe – Autograph Collection What characterizes your brand Autograph Collection in terms of construction and design? How do you select the hotels? How do you embody the spirit of the Autograph collection brand? Can you give us an example? The Autograph Collection marketing tag line is ‘exactly like nothing else’ and […]

Samy Boukhaled GM, Sofitel Bahrain

Art of welcoming What is your business approach to the French art of welcoming? Do you think that the French art of welcoming is a differentiating factor for luxury hotels? What are the values that you emphasize when welcoming your customers? French elegance is at the heart of Sofitel and is also, in my opinion, at […]

The Keys to Success in a Restaurant

A Discussion with Anne-Sophie Pic As a partner for the Fête de la Gastronomie 2015, I was able to sit down for an interview with Anne-Sophie Pic, the Michelin-star chef and godmother of this event. Below Anne-Sophie Pic lets us in on her thoughts on the keys to success to a restaurant. What are the keys […]

Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea by Sébastien Mariette, General Manager Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea. What is your business approach of “the Art of Welcoming”? Do you think that French “art de recevoir” is a differentiating factor for luxury hotels? What are the values that you emphasize when welcoming your customers? Our mission at Kempinski hotel […]

Flowers Revisited in the Hotel Lobby

Flowers in Hotels It is a touch of luxury tradition to be met with a resplendent arrangement of flowers upon entering a hotel. For the Royal Monceau, this forms a centerpiece that the hotel revisits every few months with the help of skilled artists. (I invite you to rediscover my article featuring Sylvie Maréchal, who was responsible for […]

NH Collection Venezia Palazzo Barocci

About NH Collection Meet Laurent Heras Guerquin, the previous GM at NH Hotel collection What is your take on the French art of welcoming? Do you think that the French art of welcoming is a distinguishing feature in the international hotel industry? I am French, and my mother is French…so I don’t see the art of welcoming as […]

How to design an hotel ?

Interview with Edouard François, the architect behind the design of Fouquet’s Barrière Paris Hotel. What inherited expertise have you reinterpreted in your project for the Fouquet’s Barrière Hotel? At Fouquet’s, we faced an ensemble of seven buildings constructed in both true and faux Haussmann-style and a building dating from the 70s that formed a near-complete island in the Triangle […]

The Evolution of the Hotel Franchise

The hotel franchise in luxury: Towards the evolution of a concept At the end of the day, creating a successful network of franchises in the luxury hotel industry comes back to offering quality services that align with the identity of an establishment that is unique, rather than generic. In other words, they should appropriately and respectfully utilize the attributes […]

The Art of Welcoming at Sofitel, M Gallery and Pullman

An Art of Welcoming Specific to Each Brand I met Julie Grégoire, when she was the General Manager of Sofitel, Pullman and M Gallery France. Julie Grégoire is thus in charge of this assortment of brands that she leads in France with the help of General Managers from the various hotels. I leave you to […]

The Digital Transformation of the Hotel Industry

The Importance of Digital Technology at Accor I met with Julie Grégoire when she was the General Manager of Sofitel, Pullman and M Gallery France, to discuss the ways in which the Accor Group was approaching digital technology What are your views on the role of digital technology in the hotel client experience? Where are […]

Relais & Châteaux and their Values

The Values of Relais & Chateaux I invite you each day of this week to discover my interview with Philippe Gombert, President of the brand Relais & Châteaux, around the French art of welcoming and Relais & Châteaux. Over the years, Relais & Châteaux has developed an international brand presence in order to export its expertise […]

Pierre Gagnaire: The French Art of Welcoming

Pierre Gagnaire : The French Art of Welcoming Lies in its Sincerity Pierre Gagnaire ranks among the greatest of French chefs. He owns close to 10 restaurants around the world, including Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire, located on rue Balzac in Paris. I had the pleasure of meeting him upon the occasion of the announcement of his […]

3 Palaces in France in 2014

What It Means to Have Three New Palaces in France: “The Palace Label has profoundly transformed the landscape of luxury hotels. Originally conceived in 2010, it was awarded for the first time in 2011 to 8 French establishments, including classic hotels from Paris (Le Meurice and the Plaza Athénée) as well as those in other […]

10 essential tips for improving the hotel guest experience

Customer experience is one of the most decisive aspects of the hotel business. To stand out from the crowd in such a competitive sector, hoteliers need to know how to meet guests’ expectations while offering services that go beyond their needs. As a hospitality expert who has visited over 300 hotels worldwide, I can help […]

TOMORROW NEEDS TODAY

It’s a such a pleasure to present Ralph Radtke, a man with nearly 40 years in the hotel industry across 15 different countries to his name, is a sizeable reference guide for this industry. Following a noteworthy career path as General Manager of Sofitel, Director of Operations in Accor Hotels in Luxembourg and a nomination […]

Langham Hotel : trends and sustainability

I recently had the privilege of meeting with Stefan Leser, CEO of Langham Hotel and we’ve shared our hotel vision during the ILTM show: What are your biggest challenges in the guest experience going forward? What trends do you see that you want to incorporate? The challenge is about how you bring your message […]

Fine hotel dining of the future: Towards a community approach, interview with chef Thierry Marx

Thierry Marx, Chief Executive & Restaurant Director of the Mandarin Oriental, Paris, is also an involved member of his community. He actively works on shaping the future of restaurant dining, going between a return to the basics and innovation. As sponsor of the 2018 edition of EquipHotel, he serves as the ambassador to a necessary […]

Langham Hotels, art of welcoming

I recently had the privilege of meeting with Stefan Leser, CEO of Langham Hotel and we’ve shared our hotel vision during the ILTM show: What differentiates Langham Hotels from other hotels? One thing that is unique is our club lounge. I almost don’t like the words ‘Club Lounge’ because a lot of people claim to […]

Iconic hotel

It’s a such a pleasure to present Ralph Radtke, a man with nearly 40 years in the hotel industry across 15 different countries to his name, is a sizeable reference guide for this industry. Following a noteworthy career path as General Manager of Sofitel, Director of Operations in Accor Hotels in Luxembourg and a nomination […]

Langham Group hotel

Meet a great entrepreneur : Stefan Leser – CEO of Langham I met with the CEO of Langham Hotels during the ILTM show. I’ve stayed in a Langham Hotel in Shanghai: a beautiful hotel in the French Concession area of the city. Where are Langham Hotels located, and what are the upcoming developments for the […]

The Negresco and the art of renewal

The reputation of the Negresco precedes it. Since it opened its doors in 1912, this Niçoise Palace has climbed to the summit of the hotel industry and has made a place for itself in the highly exclusive club of the jewels of French hotels. By any measure, the hotel had surely found the recipe for […]

The future of hospitality

I recently met with François Delahaye, General Manager of the Dorchester Collection. Like a fine symphony maestro, he leads the hotels in the Collection: Plaza Athénée, the Meurice in Paris, The Dorchester in Londres, The Beverly Hills Hotel and the Bel-Air Hotel in Los Angeles, Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan, the Coworth Park […]

The Art Of welcoming

The Art Of welcoming The art of welcoming in the Middle East and in Asia does not follow local customs, but instead prioritizes a highly international approach. What is your view on the French art of welcoming? In France, 90% of the products that I serve are French. And yet, when I look at the […]

Hotel Borgo Egnazia

Interview with Aldo Melpignano, General Manager of Hotel Borgo Egnazia On a recent trip to Hotelspa Forum, I had the privilege of meeting with Aldo Melpignano, who helped me discover Hotel Borgo Egnazia. Located in Puglia in Italy, Hotel Borgo Egnazia has created an authentic art of welcoming to help people achieve wellness and discover […]

Hotel Martinez in Cannes, a tale of reinvention

In May 2018, the iconic Hotel Martinez reopened its doors following 18 months of work, including 4 months in which the establishment was closed to the public. This construction work entailed a true rebirth for this iconic hotel, which has been in service since 1929. A new positioning, new image, new brand: this is an […]

Meet a great hotel entrepreneur !

I recently had the privilege of meeting with Sir Rocco Forte, the paterfamilias behind the luxury hotel group under his name: Rocco Forte Hotels. He helped me discover the unique art of welcoming at Rocco Forte Hotels. Many affluent travelers now want more in a hotel. They want some expertise on the destination and the […]

Trump Hotels

I was recently at ILTM, which brings together many of the finest hotel groups from around the globe. At the occasion, I was able to discover Trump Hotels. What is the history behind the brand? Our first hotel in our portfolio was Trump Central Park in New York. It’s been open for 21 years now. […]

François-Régis Simon, General Manager of the Four Seasons Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat (France)

How do you envision the future of luxury? The habits of our clients change very often. The strength of a brand or a company is to adjust very quickly and be very agile. In order to do so, you first need to grasp the expectations of the guest, meaning you need to spend some time […]

ART OF LIVING AND FRENCH REFINEMENT IN PARIS

The art of welcoming guest … Welcoming friends, family, clients, partners—all of these form occasions for an exchange of sensual and intellectual pleasures that, in France, bring out the best in standards, beauty, refinement, rituals, and sophistication, not to mention lightheartedness, excellence, and courtesy. This page is aimed at sharing the various codes, customs, signs, […]

Managing a Palace

The staff team: The heart of the Palace Experience I recently met with François Delahaye, General Manager of the Dorchester Collection. Like a fine symphony maestro, he leads the hotels in the Collection: Plaza Athénée, the Meurice in Paris, The Dorchester in Londres, The Beverly Hills Hotel and the Bel-Air Hotel in Los Angeles, Hotel […]

Preferred Hotels

Interview with Lindsey Ueberroth She is the Chief Executive Officer of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and a member of its Board of Directors. Since joining the company in 2004, Lindsey has helped solidify the position of Preferred Hotels & Resorts as an iconic global hospitality brand, a preferred partner for independent hotels, and a trusted […]

What does French luxury mean for high-end hotels?

Is there such a thing as a distinctly French style of hospitality? It was around the 19th century that the first Palaces appeared. In Paris, Hotel Meurice ranks among the oldest (it was established in 1835). In the 19th century, it was the only hotel available for welcoming wealthy travelers in Paris until the […]

What is a Palace in France?

Compared to the past, our lifestyles tend to undergo change more rapidly. The trend of the moment quickly becomes outdated. The codes that are in one day are replaced the next. What was true two years ago is no longer true today—and particularly so in the world of luxury hotels. Globalization has imposed its standards […]

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