The B2B magazine of generous hospitality® · 180+ articles published since 2011 · 10k newsletter subscribersThe art of welcoming
My perspective on the art of welcoming: heritage, craftsmanship and sense of place, from France to the rest of the world.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
A Closer Look at Generous Hospitality in the Heart of Quebec Introduction: A Place, A Story, An Atmosphere Overlooking the St. Lawrence River for more than…
June 25, 2026 · 12 min read
Copacabana Palace: Heritage, Celebration, and Living Hospitality
Conversation with Ulisses Marreiros, General Manager of the Copacabana Palace Facing the Atlantic Ocean, on the legendary beach of Copacabana, the…
June 20, 2026 · 14 min read
New York: Rethinking Hospitality at the Scale of a City
The meeting with Julie Coker took place in Cannes during the International Luxury Travel Market. In this environment dedicated to high end and luxury…
June 18, 2026 · 12 min read
Marlene Poynder: At The Carlyle, the Art of Welcoming Is a Conviction
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel , New York The elevator opens onto a silent corridor. Dark wood-paneled walls, soft lighting, a plush carpet with geometric…
June 7, 2026 · 8 min read
JANEIRO Hotel: A Hotel, a Meeting, an Energy
A stay at JANEIRO Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, facing the Atlantic Ocean: hospitality that is felt rather than proclaimed.
May 17, 2026 · 8 min
Barrière Collection: A New Take on French Hospitality
A conversation on Barrière Group's vision of the art of hospitality, amid a context of growth and strategic reorganization of its hotel portfolio.
May 4, 2026 · 8 min
Mayan hospitality and wisdom
My visit to Rosewood Mayakoba and its Sense spa: a traditional Mayan treatment where ritual, gesture and attentiveness redefine the art of welcome.
April 3, 2026 · 10 min
Hospitality according to Chef Edgar Chávez | Rosewood Mayakoba, Interview by Laurent Delporte
Chef Edgar Chávez tells DELPORTE HOSPITALITY MAG about hospitality at Rosewood Mayakoba: a luxury founded on consistency, passion and the creation of lasting memories.
January 12, 2026 · 6 min
Hospitality: When the Art of Service Becomes a Memorable Human Experience
Discover how luxury hospitality becomes a memorable human experience through the generous vision of Édouard Grosmangin and the key role of teams.
November 22, 2025 · 8 min
Hospitality as care: rethinking the customer experience through the prism of well-being
The Forum Hotel&Spa has become a must-attend event for those who imagine tomorrow’s well-being. It brings together in Paris at the four Seasons hotel the most influential players in the spa, hotel and design worlds, to discuss the major issues of the future.
October 23, 2025 · 6 min
The luxury of being free: how exceptional expertise gives new meaning to hospitality
In a world marked by standardization, speed and immediacy, we urgently need to rethink the foundations of hospitality. No longer an accumulation of services, but a subtle art of creating links, transmitting emotion and inscribing a story in a place. In this respect, Entreprises du Patrimoine Vivant (Living Heritage Companies), with their unique know-how, play […]
October 8, 2025 · 6 min
Beyond Luxury: Innovation through Hospitality and Human Connection
Through more than 400 luxury hotels visited, Laurent Delporte shares his vision of generous hospitality®: an emotional experience, embodied by committed teams, well beyond design and impeccable service.
April 10, 2025 · 4 min
The Hospitality of Today and Tomorrow at EQUIPHOTEL 2024
Meeting Béatrice Gravier, General Manager of EQUIPHOTEL, on today's hospitality, its challenges and its power to inspire other industries.
December 22, 2024 · 4 min
Luxury Hotels: The Art of Surprising Guests With a Welcome Gift
In luxury hospitality, the welcome gift is no longer a detail. It has become a strategic lever for creating emotion and a truly memorable stay.
December 16, 2024 · 7 min
Welcoming Children at the Hotel: A Marker of a Mature Hospitality Strategy
A poorly designed child's bed can break the harmony of an entire five-star room. Here is why welcoming children reveals the maturity of a hospitality strategy.
December 16, 2024 · 7 min
The Qualities of a Great Maître d'Hôtel
I share what makes a great maître d'hôtel: passion, resilience, emotional intelligence and adaptability, drawing on Denis Courtiade's experience.
January 19, 2021 · 3 min
Luxury Hospitality: Reinventing Guest Experience at Four Seasons Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat
Interview with François-Régis Simon on how Four Seasons Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat reinvents guest welcome and personalizes the stay on the French Riviera.
May 19, 2020 · 5 min
Thierry Marx and the Hospitality of Tomorrow
I met up again with Thierry Marx to talk about the hospitality of tomorrow: accelerated training, purpose for teams, and a genuine commitment to environmental responsibility.
April 9, 2020 · 4 min
Preferred Hotels & Resorts: Meeting Lindsey Ueberroth
Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, tells me how her brand supports independent hotels and protects what makes each one singular.
March 17, 2020 · 9 min
Kempinski, a luxury brand
Xavier Destribats, COO Americas at Kempinski Hotels, discusses the brand's growth from 75 to 105 properties, including new openings in Riga and Cuba.
February 5, 2020 · 2 min
Park Hyatt Vienna: Meeting Monique Dekker
Monique Dekker, General Manager of the Park Hyatt Vienna, discusses the hotel's transformation from a historic Austrian bank into a luxury property.
January 13, 2020 · 4 min
Lutetia: A Palace Label in Paris
I take you inside the Lutetia, the Left Bank's Palace hotel, to explore what sets its positioning, its service and its vision of hospitality apart.
January 7, 2020 · 4 min
Guest Experience and the Art of Welcoming with Langham Hospitality Group
I look back on my meeting with Robert Warman, CEO of Langham Hospitality Group, to explore his vision of personalized service, talent, and the luxury hospitality of tomorrow.
November 22, 2019 · 5 min
The Hotel Martinez in Cannes
Behind the scenes of the spectacular reopening and metamorphosis of the iconic Hotel Martinez in Cannes.
November 5, 2019 · 5 min
Rocco Forte Hotels: The Art of Welcoming, Leadership and Guest Experience
Sir Rocco Forte shares his vision of the art of welcoming: staff induction, team motivation and the primacy of service at Rocco Forte Hotels.
October 5, 2019 · 3 min
The Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, a Historical Hotel
By Lake Geneva, the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne has embodied a tradition in motion since 1857, blending historic architecture with exceptional service.
May 27, 2019 · 4 min
The Palace Hotel Crillon Paris, continually reinventing itself: Excellence across everything
Rosewood took over Paris's Hôtel de Crillon, reinventing French luxury through 600 contemporary artworks and preserved historic architecture.
February 27, 2019 · 2 min
Urban Resort Concept: How Banyan Tree Shanghai Reinvents Luxury Hospitality
A stay at Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund: a 5-star urban resort rooted in ecology, with private-pool suites and wellness in the heart of the city.
February 14, 2019 · 3 min
L'Hôtel de Crillon puts the spotlight back on service à la française
At L'Hôtel de Crillon, Rosewood brings back a butler in every room, reviving the essence of French service built on discretion and anticipation.
January 31, 2019 · 2 min
The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai: The Art of Welcoming
Andrew Houghton, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, reveals the three steps of service defining the art of welcoming and team empowerment.
January 24, 2019 · 3 min
Ryokan Kurashiki and Yama No Chaya: The Japanese Art of Welcoming
Ritsuko Nakamura of Ryokan Kurashiki and Ryokan Yama No Chaya explains how Omotenashi shapes warm, precisely timed Japanese hospitality rituals.
January 17, 2019 · 4 min
Hotel Sacher: The Austrian Art of Welcoming
Reiner Heilmann, General Manager of Hotel Sacher in Vienna, discusses the Austrian art of welcoming, the hotel's 1832 origins, and what drives success in luxury hospitality.
January 10, 2019 · 3 min
Hôtel de Crillon, the Rebirth of a Palace that Transcends the French Art of Welcoming
Hôtel de Crillon, one of Paris's oldest luxury hotels on Place de la Concorde, reopened in 2017 after 4 years of renovation restoring its historic grandeur.
January 3, 2019 · 3 min
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam: The French Art of Welcoming Meets Local Culture
Remco Groenhuijzen, General Manager of Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, on blending French art of welcoming with local Dutch culture and butler service.
December 13, 2018 · 5 min
Luxury Hotel Renovation: The Ritz Paris Between Heritage and Innovation in Hotel Design
400 million euros invested in the Ritz Paris to renovate itself, but did it manage to reinvent itself? My take on the balance between heritage and innovation in luxury hospitality.
December 4, 2018 · 6 min
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto: The Art of Welcoming
Interview with Mark Neukomm, General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, on the art of Japanese welcoming, digital tools, and talent management challenges.
December 2, 2018 · 5 min
Raffles: The Art of Welcoming
Laurent Delporte, French expert of luxury hotels, present The Art of Welcoming at the Raffles
November 29, 2018 · 8 min
Peninsula Chicago: The Art of Welcoming, an Interview with Maria Razumich-Zec
Maria Razumich-Zec, General Manager of The Peninsula Chicago, discusses the art of hospitality, community ties and the hotel's family-like culture.
November 26, 2018 · 3 min
The Ryokan Collection: The Art of Welcoming
Hiroki Fukunaga, founder of the Ryokan Collection, explains omotenashi, the Japanese art of hospitality shared by its 32 luxury ryokan members.
November 22, 2018 · 4 min
The Leela Palaces: The Art of Welcoming
Laurent Delporte, French expert of luxury hotels, present The Art of Welcoming at Leela Palaces & Resorts
November 15, 2018 · 9 min
Peninsula Beverly Hills: The Art of Welcoming
Laurent Delporte, French expert of luxury hotels, present The Art of Welcoming at Peninsula Beverly Hills
November 8, 2018 · 7 min
The Palace according to TAJ Hotels
Chinmai Sharma, Chief Revenue Officer of TAJ Hotels, explains how TAJ defines a true Palace: centuries-old heritage, restrained modernity, smart digital use.
November 5, 2018 · 4 min
Luxury Hospitality: The Urban Resort and Wellness Concept at Banyan Tree Shanghai
I take you to Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund, where the wellness resort leaves the seaside behind to reinvent the guest experience in the heart of the city.
October 30, 2018 · 5 min
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Shanghai
Laurent Delporte, luxury hospitality expert, presents the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Shanghai, blending contemporary design and Asian heritage.
October 23, 2018 · 5 min
Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund: Redefining the Urban Resort Experience
Glen Cook, GM of Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund, shares his vision on hospitality, staff motivation and the brand's signature urban resort concept.
October 11, 2018 · 3 min
Park Hyatt Shanghai: A Hotel Above the City
I take you to the 79th floor of the Park Hyatt Shanghai, a 5-star hotel where contemporary art, panoramic views and service redefine urban luxury.
October 2, 2018 · 3 min
The Four Seasons Hotel, Shanghai
I take you to the Four Seasons Shanghai, in historic Puxi: refined suites, a modern art of living, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Si Ji Xuan, an address of exception.
September 25, 2018 · 4 min
Interview with Hermann Elger, COO of Baccarat Hotels
Hermann Elger, COO of Baccarat Hotels, on personalized welcome, staff motivation, and his vision for tomorrow's luxury hotel, rooted in crystal heritage.
September 13, 2018 · 3 min
Ritz-Carlton Shanghai: A Luxury Hotel Built Around Family Experiences
At the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, I discovered a genuine art of welcoming families: the Ritz Kids program, an in-room camping night, a rooftop bar with a view. Pure generous hospitality.
September 11, 2018 · 4 min
The Park Hyatt Bangkok
At the Park Hyatt Bangkok, General Manager Michael Golden shares his vision of hospitality: a warm, discreet welcome designed to feel like coming home.
September 10, 2018 · 4 min
Nicholas Clayton, CEO of Capella Hotels
Nicholas Clayton, CEO of Capella Hotels, discusses guest welcome, team management, and the group's plan to reach forty luxury hotels worldwide.
August 11, 2018 · 2 min
Small Luxury Hotels of the World: The Art of Welcoming
Filip Boyen, former CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, tells Laurent Delporte why a genuine welcome matters more than any amenity in luxury hotels.
August 2, 2018 · 5 min
The French Art of Welcoming: A Conversation with Sophie de Menthon on a Myth That Still Captivates
A conversation with Sophie de Menthon (Mouvement ETHIC) on the French art of welcoming: a fragile but precious myth, built on detail, discipline and genuine savoir-être.
May 8, 2018 · 4 min
Oberoi Hotels: The Art of Welcoming
Kapil Chopra, CEO of Oberoi Hotels, discusses the art of welcoming, personalized arrival experiences, and the group's environmental commitments in 2018.
January 15, 2018 · 4 min
Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa: A Conversation with Hotel Manager Simon Spiller
A conversation with Simon Spiller, Hotel Manager of the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, on continuity, personalization and the soul of a palace.
November 7, 2017 · 5 min
Palace Château de la Messardière, legendary hotel
Laurent Delporte, French expert in luxury hotels, exchanges with Alexandre Durand-Viel, director of the Château de la Messardière, a hotel in Saint-Tropez
July 20, 2017 · 7 min
Neil Jacobs, CEO at Six Senses
In this 2017 interview, revisited today, Neil Jacobs of Six Senses shares the roots of emotional hospitality, an approach I still find remarkably ahead of its time.
February 22, 2017 · 8 min
Frank Marrenbach, Oetker Collection: A Vision for the Future of Luxury Hotels
Frank Marrenbach, former CEO of Oetker Collection, shares with Laurent Delporte his vision for luxury hotels over the next 10 to 15 years.
February 20, 2017 · 5 min
Culinary Voyage Around the World
Patrick Charvet, former head chef at the Hyatt Paris Madeleine, tells Laurent Delporte about his culinary world tour and his open, well-traveled French cuisine.
January 20, 2017 · 6 min
One&Only Resorts: The Art of Elevating Luxury Hospitality, with Philippe Zuber
Philippe Zuber, President of One&Only Resorts, tells Laurent Delporte how the brand elevates the art of hospitality in its destinations worldwide.
October 17, 2016 · 4 min
Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea
Sébastien Mariette, GM of Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, shares his vision of the art of welcoming and team management by the shores of the Dead Sea.
September 30, 2016 · 3 min
Casa Gangotena, Quito: The Art of Welcoming
Laurent Delporte, French luxury hotel expert, discovers the art of hosting at Casa Gangotena, a boutique hotel in Quito, Ecuador.
September 26, 2016 · 7 min
The Peninsula Paris: The Art of Welcoming, Why the First 60 Seconds Define the Guest Experience
At The Peninsula Paris, Peter C. Borer shared his vision of the art of welcome: everything is decided in the first 60 seconds of a guest's encounter with a hotel.
September 5, 2016 · 5 min
The extra soul of luxury hospitality
Laurent Delporte, expert in luxury hospitality, talks with Pierre Gruneberg, swimming instructor at the Grand-Hotel de Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
June 27, 2016 · 7 min
Anne-Sophie Pic on the Art of Welcoming in Fine Dining
With Anne-Sophie Pic, the art of welcome in gastronomy becomes an alchemy of sincerity, meaning and emotion, reaching far beyond what is on the plate.
June 15, 2016 · 6 min
The St. Regis Mauritius: A New Life After Opening
Two years after the opening of The St. Regis Mauritius, a conversation with General Manager Rocco Bova on adjustments, management and Mauritian hospitality.
March 3, 2016 · 3 min
Meeting Mossadeck Bally, Founder of Azalaï Hotels
Meeting Mossadeck Bally, founder of Azalaï Hotels: his entrepreneurial journey, the birth of the brand, and his vision of African hospitality.
January 18, 2016 · 5 min
Meet Alejandro Bernabé, CEO Kempinski
Alejandro Bernabé, CEO of Kempinski, discusses his international career and the opening of Kempinski Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar, planned for November 2014.
November 25, 2015 · 2 min
One&Only Le Saint Géran: The Art of Welcoming in Mauritius
A conversation with Charles De Foucault, General Manager of One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius, on luxury, simplicity and the Mauritian art of welcoming.
November 4, 2015 · 6 min
Cuisine through the Art of Welcoming
Laurent Delporte meets Pierre Thiam, a Senegalese chef based in New York, to discuss the connection between cuisine and the art of welcoming.
September 3, 2015 · 7 min
Pierre Gagnaire: Why Sincerity Remains the Key to French Hospitality
I met chef Pierre Gagnaire to talk about the art of French hospitality. His conviction: sincerity remains the true foundation of a lasting welcome.
May 4, 2015 · 5 min
Mauro Governato, General Manager of Hotel de Russie
I met Mauro Governato, then General Manager of the Hotel de Russie in Rome, to compare the French art of hospitality and Italian hospitality, between know-how and generosity.
March 30, 2015 · 5 min
Maison Guerlain: Reinventing the French Art of Welcoming, One Spa at a Time
At Guerlain, Louis de Vilmorin showed me how a historic house keeps reinventing its art of welcome, spa after spa, without ever losing its French soul.
January 30, 2015 · 4 min
Chef Christopher Hache and the French Art of Welcoming
I catch up with Christopher Hache, the Crillon's chef who set off to explore the world: how to stay true to French gastronomy while enriching himself with the cultures and the art of hospitality found elsewhere.
January 14, 2015 · 6 min