DELPORTE HOSPITALITY MAGThe B2B magazine of generous hospitality® · 180+ articles published since 2011 · 10k newsletter subscribers
The MagazineThe art of welcomingGuest experienceThe hospitality of tomorrowHotel expertiseArchitectureEmployee experienceConsulting
Across all sections

My encounters

My conversations with those who shape exceptional hospitality, from general management to front-line teams.

Laurent Delporte and a fellow journalist at the ILTM Cannes Media Centre, beside the event banner
The art of welcoming

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 tourism, where destinations strive to assert their uniqueness, New York naturally stands out as a global benchmark. Julie Coker serves as President and CEO of NYC…

June 18, 2026 · 12 min read
Laurent Delporte in conversation with Marlene Poynder in a Carlyle lounge overlooking Central Park
The art of welcoming

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walls, soft lighting, a plush carpet with geometric patterns everything here evokes another era, without ever feeling outdated. This is The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, at the corner of Madison Avenue and 76th Street,…

June 7, 2026 · 8 min read
Barrière Collection presentation at ILTM Cannes: two executives on stage before the A Living Legacy screen
The art of welcoming

Barrière Collection: A New Take on French Hospitality

n December 2025, at the ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes, Groupe Barrière presented the Majestic Barrière with a major reorganization of its hotel portfolio. This strategic turning point, unveiled by Grégory Rabuel, the group’s General Manager, and his team, now structures all hotels under the…

May 4, 2026 · 8 min
Signature cocktails staged on wood and volcanic stone, one topped with a translucent bubble
Guest experience

Bar Zapote: when hospitality becomes memory at Rosewood Mayakoba

At the heart of the Rosewood Mayakoba, the Zapote Bar embodies a rare vision of hospitality: one that transforms a service into a memory. In this interview, Laurent Delporte explores how emotion becomes true luxury with Ricardo BOBADILLA, head bartender at the Rosewood Mayakoba Hotel. Can a cocktail reveal the soul of…

February 12, 2026 · 7 min
Laurent Delporte and chef Edgar Chávez in the open kitchen of the Rosewood Mayakoba, cookbook in hand
The art of welcoming

Hospitality according to Chef Edgar Chávez | Rosewood Mayakoba, Interview by Laurent Delporte

I had the privilege of meeting Chef Edgar Chávez, a renowned Mexican chef, and of sharing with him his vision of gastronomy, management, and hospitality. During several days at Rosewood Mayakoba, I was able to explore the hotel behind the scenes, meet the teams, and engage in meaningful conversations with them. I…

January 12, 2026 · 6 min
Beachfront resort infinity pool, day beds under white parasols facing the turquoise lagoon
The art of welcoming

Hospitality: When the Art of Service Becomes a Memorable Human Experience

I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Édouard Grosmangin, general manager of Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico and regional head, a professional whose commitment to his teams and guests has been recognized for many years. We met back in high school, when I noticed his smile and his ability to take an interest in others.…

November 22, 2025 · 8 min
François Delahaye speaking at a Forum Hotel&Spa panel, facing a seated audience
Employee experience

The art of helping others grow: François Delahaye, hospitality from the heart

I took part in the Forum Hotel&Spa, a day rich in meetings and reflections, brilliantly organized by Vlady Kovanic at the heart of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris. This annual event brings together the key players in the spa, wellness and prestige hotel sectors, to discuss the major issues shaping the future…

October 28, 2025 · 6 min
Simon P. Casson speaking at the Hotel and Spa Forum 2025 in Paris
The art of welcoming

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: customer experience, sustainability, innovation, but also…

October 23, 2025 · 6 min
François Delahaye and Laurent Delporte
Hotel expertise

François Delahaye, a leading figure in luxury hospitality

I had the pleasure of being invited to the Forum Hotel&Spa, ably organized by Vlady Kovanic at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris. Over the years, this event has become a must-attend event for professionals in the wellness and upscale hotel sectors, bringing together those who wish to reflect together on…

September 22, 2025 · 6 min
Portrait of a smiling speaker, brown hair and navy top, against a light background
The art of welcoming

The Hospitality of Today and Tomorrow at EQUIPHOTEL 2024

At the EQUIPHOTEL trade show, I met Béatrice Gravier, General Manager of EQUIPHOTEL, to discuss the sector's major trends. She shares her vision of hospitality today, its challenges, and how this industry can inspire others. What is hospitality today? Hospitality has changed enormously. We now talk about…

December 22, 2024 · 4 min
A maître d'hôtel presenting a tray of petits fours on a terrace at dusk, the bay below
Employee experience

The Role of the Maître d'Hôtel in the Guest Relationship

"Being able to reinvent yourself matters, and teamwork is essential. The restaurant director, the head chef and their teams have to work together to think through a new project and put it in place. There is always a risk involved: you cannot please everyone." It can be difficult, emotionally, to disappoint a guest who…

December 16, 2024 · 3 min
Laurent Delporte and Denis Courtiade holding the book Pour vous servir in a palace lobby
The art of welcoming

The Qualities of a Great Maître d'Hôtel

Holding this role calls for real qualities. First, there is passion for the craft, which is needed to overcome the constraints that come with the job itself. That is the foundation: without passion, you will never feel fulfilled in this role, and you will end up feeling like you are enduring it rather than living it.…

January 19, 2021 · 3 min
Flowered alley of the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat sloping down to the sea between lawns and palms
The art of welcoming

Luxury Hospitality: Reinventing Guest Experience at Four Seasons Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat

In today’s luxury hospitality landscape, excellence is no longer defined solely by service standards or iconic locations. It is increasingly shaped by the ability to understand, anticipate, and reinvent the guest experience. Clients have become more experienced, more demanding, and above all, more mobile, constantly…

May 19, 2020 · 5 min
Chef Thierry Marx in the Mandarin Oriental Paris kitchen, explaining a technique to three young cooks
The art of welcoming

Thierry Marx and the Hospitality of Tomorrow

Thierry Marx, executive chef and director of food and beverage at the Mandarin Oriental, Paris, is also an engaged citizen. He is actively working to shape the hospitality industry of tomorrow, balancing a return to fundamentals with innovation. As patron of EquipHotel, he champions a necessary awakening, decodes the…

April 9, 2020 · 4 min
Laurent Delporte and Lindsey Ueberroth in front of the golden Preferred Hotels & Resorts sign
The art of welcoming

Preferred Hotels & Resorts: Meeting 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 resource…

March 17, 2020 · 9 min
Laurent Delporte and a Kempinski executive in front of an Art Nouveau stained-glass window
The art of welcoming

Kempinski, a luxury brand

Xavier Destribats oversees operations in The Americas, a fast-growing region of strategic significance for Kempinski, as a Member of the Management Board of Kempinski Hotels SA. In this role, Xavier has dual responsibility: on the one hand, strengthening the company's position and building momentum in the region,…

February 5, 2020 · 2 min
The illuminated neoclassical facade of the Park Hyatt Vienna, its pediment and stone porch
The art of welcoming

Park Hyatt Vienna: Meeting Monique Dekker

On a recent trip to Vienna, I had the privilege of discovering the Park Hyatt Vienna. It is a wonderful recent addition to the Park Hyatt portfolio, with a unique quality: it is the first Park Hyatt to open in a historic, refurbished building. Traditionally, Park Hyatts tend to be new constructions. Housed in a…

January 13, 2020 · 4 min
Ralph Radtke: Back to Basics in Luxury Hotel Service
Hotel expertise

Ralph Radtke: Getting Back to Basics to Reinvent Service in Luxury Hotels

In a hotel industry in constant motion, shaped by technological innovation and rapidly changing guest expectations, it becomes essential to ask what truly constitutes value in luxury hotel service. Behind the apparent sophistication, one fundamental question remains: what really makes the difference in the guest…

December 17, 2019 · 7 min
Virtuoso logo: the wireframe globe crossed by a red brushstroke, above Specialists in the Art of Travel
Hotel expertise

Virtuoso: Matthew Upchurch and Luxury Travel

Matthew Upchurch is a travel industry visionary with a lifetime of experience in numerous sectors of the field; he has led Virtuoso to become the top luxury travel network in the world. Matthew was named to the American Society of Travel Agents Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Cruise Lines International Association Hall…

December 6, 2019 · 9 min
Laurent Delporte and Robert Warman, CEO of Langham Hospitality Group, in front of the group's destination list
The art of welcoming

Guest Experience and the Art of Welcoming with Langham Hospitality Group

I had the pleasure of meeting Robert Warman, CEO of Langham Hospitality Group, a few years ago at the ILTM trade show in Cannes, where we discussed his vision for Langham Hotels on luxury, guest experience, and the challenges facing the hospitality industry of tomorrow. We spoke about the concept behind Langham…

November 22, 2019 · 5 min
Black and white portrait of Sir Rocco Forte, smiling, light jacket and open-collar shirt
The art of welcoming

Rocco Forte Hotels: The Art of Welcoming, Leadership and Guest Experience

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. To start with, it’s the attitude of the staff and how you prepare them. You have to be…

October 5, 2019 · 3 min
Meeting at the Raffles and Banyan Tree stand at the ILTM show, in front of both brand logos
Hotel expertise

Digital Technology at Raffles Europejski Warsaw

I attended the 2017 edition of the ILTM Conference in Cannes. Over the course of the program, I sought out numerous hoteliers and hospitality experts to discover the latest emerging themes and challenges in the luxury hotel industry. One theme that has fascinated me over the years is the subject of digital technology.…

February 20, 2019 · 4 min
Aerial night view of a Ritz-Carlton tower, its illuminated sign above the lit avenues
The art of welcoming

The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai: The Art of Welcoming

I recently had the chance to discover the wonderful Ritz-Carlton Hotel during my latest visit to Shanghai. The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai is one of the most elegant 5-star hotels in the Financial District, evoking all the glamour of 1930s Shanghai in a modern tower in the Lujiazui finance zone. The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai…

January 24, 2019 · 3 min
Traditional Japanese village at dusk: paved lane, wooden houses and tiled roofs facing the mountains
The art of welcoming

Ryokan Kurashiki and Yama No Chaya: The Japanese Art of Welcoming

I recently had the chance to discover Ryokan Kurashiki and Ryokan Yama No Chaya, two historic establishments that are perfect embodiments of the Ryokan style of hospitality found in Japan. They are part of the Ryokan Collection, which brings together a select group of traditional Ryokans in Japan in an effort to…

January 17, 2019 · 4 min
Hotel Sacher in Vienna, its red-awninged facade lit at night, facing the State Opera
The art of welcoming

Hotel Sacher: The Austrian Art of Welcoming

Interview with Reiner Heilmann, GM of Hotel Sacher On my most recent trip to Vienna (2018), I had the pleasure of discovering Hotel Sacher, a luxurious institution central to the local history and culture of Vienna. True to its name, Hotel Sacher is famous for being the birthplace of the traditional Viennese delicacy,…

January 10, 2019 · 3 min
Laurent Delporte and a hotel director in front of a Fairmont panel at a trade show
The art of welcoming

Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam: The French Art of Welcoming Meets Local Culture

In luxury hospitality, the most memorable experiences are often those that successfully combine identity, culture, and service into one coherent narrative. Hotels are no longer simply places to stay, they have become destinations in themselves, where history, design, and human connection converge to create a lasting…

December 13, 2018 · 5 min
Meeting at The Ritz-Carlton stand at the ILTM show in Cannes, in front of the brand's logo
The art of welcoming

The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto: The Art of Welcoming

I attended the 2017 edition of the ILTM Conference in Cannes, where I had the occasion to discover some extraordinary hotel brands. One of these was the Ritz-Carlton in Kyoto, Japan. Nestled along the banks of the Kamogawa river and featuring spectacular views of the Higashiyama Mountain, the Ritz-Carlton Kyoto offers…

December 2, 2018 · 5 min
The Grand Hotel d'Angkor lit at dusk, its white porch steps and golden sign
The art of welcoming

Raffles: The Art of Welcoming

I attended the 2017 edition of the ILTM Conference in Cannes, where I had the occasion to discover some extraordinary hotel brands. Luxury hotel brands often play a fine gamble between maintaining a core brand identity through a historically iconic collection while seeking to reinterpret and translate that identity…

November 29, 2018 · 8 min
The Plaza Athénée facade lit up at nightfall, its flowered balconies and entrance canopy
Employee experience

Leading a Palace Hotel: François Delahaye on Dorchester Collection

I met François Delahaye, CEO of Dorchester Collection. A conductor of excellence, he oversees the Collection's hotels: Plaza Athénée, Le Meurice in Paris, The Dorchester in London, The Beverly Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, Hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan, Coworth Park in Ascot, 45 Park Lane in…

November 27, 2018 · 3 min
The Peninsula entrance decorated for Christmas, with the two green Mini Coopers plated PEN 1 and PEN 2
The art of welcoming

Peninsula Chicago: The Art of Welcoming, an Interview with Maria Razumich-Zec

I met with Maria Razumich-Zec, General Manager of The Peninsula Chicago. Mrs Razumich-Zec joined the Peninsula Group as General Manager of The Peninsula Chicago in 2002 and was promoted to the position of Regional Vice-President, USA East Coast in 2007, with regional responsibilities covering The Peninsula Hotels in…

November 26, 2018 · 3 min
Cherry blossoms in front of Osaka Castle and its green tiled roofs
The art of welcoming

The Ryokan Collection: The Art of Welcoming

I discovered the Ryokan Collection, the world's first consortium of luxury ryokans, which are traditional Japanese inns and small luxury hotels. These small, family-run inns, many of them clustered in hot spring towns throughout Japan, have, over the centuries, developed Japan's special art of hospitality, called…

November 22, 2018 · 4 min
Laurent Delporte and a Raffles executive in front of a sunset panorama at a trade show
Architecture

The Restoration of the Raffles Hotel Singapore

I attended the 2017 edition of the ILTM Conference in Cannes, where I had the occasion to discover exciting developments in the luxury hotel world. One such exciting development is the long-awaited renovation of the legendary Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Below you will find my interview on this subject with Christian…

November 19, 2018 · 11 min
A Leela Palace lounge: warm wood panelling, a tiger canvas and a receptionist at the desk beyond
The art of welcoming

The Leela Palaces: The Art of Welcoming

I attended the ILTM Conference in Cannes, where I had the occasion to discover some extraordinary hotel brands. Luxury hotel brands often play a fine gamble between maintaining a core brand identity through a historically iconic collection while seeking to reinterpret and translate that identity into new locations…

November 15, 2018 · 9 min
The Peninsula Beverly Hills lit at night, its glass canopy and arrival driveway
The art of welcoming

Peninsula Beverly Hills: The Art of Welcoming

I met with Offer Nissenbaum, the Managing Director of Peninsula Beverly Hills. Mr. Nissenbaum has held this position since December 2007, before which he was Regional Vice President of Operations for the NYC-based Omni Hotels, overseeing eight properties on the East Coast. Most recently, Offer received the coveted…

November 8, 2018 · 7 min
An illuminated Taj palace at dusk, its arcades and lawns beneath a violet sky
The art of welcoming

The Palace according to TAJ Hotels

I attended the 2017 edition of the ILTM Conference in Cannes. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet hoteliers from all over the world and discover new ways of imagining the art of welcoming. In France, we often take the notion of 5-star hotels and Palaces for granted. To the French ear, the term ‘Palace’ evokes an…

November 5, 2018 · 4 min
Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund: the hotel's curved facade lit up at dusk
The art of welcoming

Banyan Tree Shanghai on the Bund: Redefining the Urban Resort Experience

Named after the Banyan tree that is celebrated for providing shelter to weary travelers in Thailand, Banyan Tree is perhaps better known today as a unique brand bringing together a family of luxury hotel and resort brands. Since its beginnings in Thailand, it has come to share its unique art of welcoming around the…

October 11, 2018 · 3 min
Provençal hilltop hotel: tiled roofs, cypress trees and gardens overlooking the village
Guest experience

Digital Technology in the Oetker Collection

I attended the 2017 edition of the ILTM Conference in Cannes. Over the course of the program, I sought out numerous hoteliers and hospitality experts to discover the latest emerging themes and challenges in the luxury hotel industry. One theme that has fascinated me over the years is the subject of digital technology.…

September 17, 2018 · 4 min
Baccarat Hotel facade lit at night, its vertical glass blades and three dark porches
The art of welcoming

Interview with Hermann Elger, COO of Baccarat Hotels

I recently participated in the ILTM 2017 Shanghai conference and exhibition on luxury hospitality. Conferences are not only an excellent way to discover the latest trends and discourses in the luxury hotel sphere; they are also an exciting chance to encounter new brands from across the globe in a short matter of time.…

September 13, 2018 · 3 min
Park Hyatt Bangkok lobby: openwork brass screens, pale columns and a white sculpture beyond
The art of welcoming

The Park Hyatt Bangkok

I attended the 2017 edition of the ILTM Conference in Cannes. Over the course of the program, I sought out numerous hoteliers and hospitality experts to discover the latest emerging themes and challenges in the luxury hotel industry. During the conference, I was eager to discover how different brands chose to approach…

September 10, 2018 · 4 min
Capella resort with curved facades, its turquoise pool and loungers under parasols
The art of welcoming

Nicholas Clayton, CEO of Capella Hotels

Every so often, I get the chance to discover amazing hotel brands that draw me into their unique brand vision. Capella Hotels is one of these. With brands including Solis Hotels and the destination spa brand Auriga in addition to Capella Hotels and Resorts, Capella is hoping to have as many as forty luxury hotels…

August 11, 2018 · 2 min
Portrait of Filip Boyen, CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Hotel expertise

Digital Technology in Small Luxury Hotels of the World

I attended the 2017 edition of the ILTM Conference in Cannes. Over the course of the program, I sought out numerous hoteliers and hospitality experts to discover the latest emerging themes and challenges in the luxury hotel industry. One theme that has fascinated me over the years is the subject of digital technology.…

August 6, 2018 · 5 min
Neoclassical palace hotel lit at dusk, its white facade opening onto the lawn
The art of welcoming

Small Luxury Hotels of the World: The Art of Welcoming

Small Luxury Hotels is a collection of luxury boutique hotels around the world bound by a common desire to provide each guest with a one-of-a-kind experience. They are distinctive in the highly competitive nature with which they select the hotels that they welcome into their portfolio; every year, over 1,000 hotels…

August 2, 2018 · 5 min
French palace suite: canopy bed, crystal chandelier, marble fireplace and velvet armchairs
The art of welcoming

The French Art of Welcoming: A Conversation with Sophie de Menthon on a Myth That Still Captivates

Sophie de Menthon, president of the Mouvement ETHIC (Entreprises de taille humaine, indépendantes et de croissance), is a leading expert on the essential subject of savoir-vivre and savoir-être, notably through the lens of customer relations, as explored in several of her best-selling books. It is therefore with ease…

May 8, 2018 · 4 min
The Plaza Athénée facade on avenue Montaigne, its red awnings and geranium-filled balconies
The hospitality of tomorrow

Luxury hotels: a rapidly evolving sector

I met François Delahaye, general manager of the Plaza Athénée and director of operations of the Dorchester Collection. Discovering catering at the age of thirteen as a chef's assistant in Lille, he became a footman for the Duke of Westminster at nineteen before attending the Ecole Supérieure d'Hôtellerie de Saint…

March 19, 2018 · 8 min
Meeting at the Oberoi Hotels stand: two executives before golden latticework and images of the Indian palaces
The art of welcoming

Oberoi Hotels: The Art of Welcoming

Please find here bellow my interview with Kapil Chopra, the CEO of OBEROI hotel. Please note that he quits the company to become full time entrepreneur. The hotel of tomorrow is going to be more digital. It's going to be more personalized. It's going to be more about choices. People like design, and they like great…

January 15, 2018 · 4 min
Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden seen from the park, its facade and flags behind autumn trees
The art of welcoming

Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa: A Conversation with Hotel Manager Simon Spiller

I met Simon Spiller, Hotel Manager of the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, in 2017. After the hotel school of Lausanne and an MBA at HEC Lausanne, Mr. Spiller trained in the world of luxury hospitality, discovering places like Cairo, Bali and Dubai through brands such as Raffles and Four Seasons. The Brenners…

November 7, 2017 · 5 min
Château de la Messardière: the turreted facade and green mosaic pool lined with sun loungers
The art of welcoming

Palace Château de la Messardière, legendary hotel

From the top of its hill, the Château de la Messardière is one of the largest hotels in Saint-Tropez. 5-star hotel with its 117 rooms and suites, part of the restricted circle of luxury establishments (Palace label) in France, it has a spa, a gourmet restaurant, two bars, an art gallery and a 10-hectare park. A palace…

July 20, 2017 · 7 min
Orange sunset over a sea of clouds, snow-capped peaks silhouetted on the horizon
The art of welcoming

Neil Jacobs, CEO at Six Senses

Some interviews gain depth over time. Not because they become outdated, but because they allow us to measure how ideas evolve and, in some cases, how visionary certain approaches already were. The conversation you are about to read was conducted in 2017 with Neil Jacobs, who was at the time the CEO of Six Senses…

February 22, 2017 · 8 min
Frank Marrenbach, CEO of Oetker Collection, in a suit in front of a hotel's white facade
The art of welcoming

Frank Marrenbach, Oetker Collection: A Vision for the Future of Luxury Hotels

I had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful and legendary town of Baden-Baden, in Germany, in 2017. This town is rich in history, tradition and nature. It is a resort town and a spa town, set deep in the Black Forest. Baden means “baths,” a reference to the Roman thermal baths that gave rise to the town. The town…

February 20, 2017 · 5 min
Chef in white jacket standing in a hotel lounge, black lampshades and a golden disc behind him
The art of welcoming

Culinary Voyage Around the World

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 be able to go off in such explorations that I thought…

January 20, 2017 · 6 min
Two Peninsula executives flanking a young bellboy in white uniform at the hotel entrance
Employee experience

The Human Dimension of the Peninsula Towards Its Staff

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 Managers of the Peninsula Chicago and the Peninsula Hong Kong. Upon meeting Peter C. Borer, Chief Operating Officer of Peninsula…

December 23, 2016 · 2 min
Reflecting pool of a One&Only resort under a wooden ceiling, glowing spheres and dancers in red
The art of welcoming

One&Only Resorts: The Art of Elevating Luxury Hospitality, with Philippe Zuber

I have had the chance to discover several One&Only hotels, in particular the two properties in Dubai and the one in Mauritius. One&Only The Palm Dubai is sumptuous, a haven of peace between the Palm and Dubai Harbour. This conversation with Mr Philippe Zuber, President of One&Only Resorts, will help you get to know…

October 17, 2016 · 4 min
Kempinski Ishtar infinity pool facing the Dead Sea, sun loungers and palm trees
The art of welcoming

Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea

Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, by Sébastien Mariette, General Manager of Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea. Our mission at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea is to deliver impeccable service to guests who value individuality and excellence. Therefore, the experience we provide is based on personal preferences,…

September 30, 2016 · 3 min
Peter C. Borer, executive at The Peninsula Hotels, seated in a suite lounge
The art of welcoming

The Peninsula Paris: The Art of Welcoming, Why the First 60 Seconds Define the Guest Experience

In luxury hospitality, everything begins long before a guest walks into their room. The experience takes shape from the very first moments, sometimes even before arrival at the hotel. This encounter between a brand and a guest is often underestimated, even though it is one of the most powerful levers of the overall…

September 5, 2016 · 5 min
The open gates of the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, the path leading to its white facade and flag
The art of welcoming

The extra soul of luxury hospitality

I had the pleasure of visiting the Grand Hotel Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and discovering one of the most beautiful hotels on the French Riviera. On this occasion, I met Pierre Gruneberg, a legendary figure of the Côte d'Azur and a physiotherapist who worked as a ski and swimming instructor with many celebrities of the…

June 27, 2016 · 7 min
Black and white portrait of chef Anne-Sophie Pic in her white jacket, hand against her cheek
The art of welcoming

Anne-Sophie Pic on the Art of Welcoming in Fine Dining

In fine dining, the art of welcome can no longer be reduced to the quality of what is on the plate alone. Today it belongs to a global approach to the experience, where every detail, from service to design, from culinary storytelling to the emotion it stirs, helps create value. In this interview conducted during the…

June 15, 2016 · 6 min
Aerial view of the St. Regis Mauritius: its villas, pool and the turquoise lagoon along the beach
The art of welcoming

The St. Regis Mauritius: A New Life After Opening

Rocco Bova is the General Manager of the St. Regis hotel in Mauritius, which belongs to the Starwood Group. This beautiful hotel had just opened its doors, and two years later, it was the perfect opportunity to talk with Rocco Bova about this key stage in the hotel's life, during my visit in 2016. The location, first…

March 3, 2016 · 3 min
Portrait of Mossadeck Bally, founder of Azalaï Hotels, in a dark suit against a light background
The art of welcoming

Meeting Mossadeck Bally, Founder of Azalaï Hotels

I met Mossadeck Bally, the founder of the Azalaï Group, in 2016 at the Hostelya Forum. What an entrepreneur! He built a hotel group in Africa that keeps on growing. The group meets the international standards of the hotel industry while carrying, above all, the traditional hospitality of West Africa, passed down from…

January 18, 2016 · 5 min
Complexe hôtelier Kempinski vu du ciel : piscines, jardins tropicaux et gratte-ciel en arrière-plan
The art of welcoming

Meet Alejandro Bernabé, CEO Kempinski

I'm very happy to share with you an interview of Alejandro Bernabé, the previous General Manager and Vice President, Southeast Asia, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, about the brand Kempinski. He is becoming now the CEO of Kempinski in 2015. With over 18 years in the hospitality industry, over a decade of which has been…

November 25, 2015 · 2 min
Portrait of a hotel executive in a pinstripe suit and gold tie, in front of a carved door
The art of welcoming

One&Only Le Saint Géran: The Art of Welcoming in Mauritius

The One&Only Le Saint Géran hotel, located on the east coast of Mauritius, was for a long time, and for a very long time, the sole jewel among the island's five-star hotels. It was the first luxury hotel to establish itself on the island. Since then, many five-star hotels have settled in Mauritius, rivalling one…

November 4, 2015 · 6 min
Portrait of smiling Chef Pierre Thiam
The art of welcoming

Cuisine through the Art of Welcoming

In the restaurant industry, the art of welcoming must be reflected at all levels, from the moment the guest arrives and even slightly before, at the time of reservation. The welcome, the atmosphere, the decor, the comfort, the floral touch, the choice of cutlery, the lighting, the acoustics, the aesthetics of the…

September 3, 2015 · 7 min
Black and white portrait of Isabelle Miaja, interior designer
Architecture

Isabelle Miaja, Interior Architect: Her Definition of the Art of Welcoming

In a world where luxury hospitality is undergoing profound transformation, the notion of the art of hosting has never been so strategic. Long associated with traditional codes, it must now adapt to international clients seeking more personal, more immersive and more emotional experiences. This evolution is…

June 26, 2015 · 8 min
Portrait of chef Pierre Gagnaire in a white jacket, glasses pushed up on his forehead
The art of welcoming

Pierre Gagnaire: Why Sincerity Remains the Key to French Hospitality

In a context where the guest experience tends to become standardized on an international scale, the question of French-style hospitality is coming back with force in luxury hotels and restaurants. Through a meeting with Pierre Gagnaire, an emblematic chef of the world gastronomic scene, one conviction stands out:…

May 4, 2015 · 5 min
Hotel de Russie Roma logo: the crowned red double-headed eagle above the hotel's name
The art of welcoming

Mauro Governato, General Manager of Hotel de Russie

In luxury hospitality, the art of welcoming guests is not simply a set of standards. It is deeply rooted in a culture, a history, and a particular way of connecting with guests. Each country develops its own reading of hospitality, shaped by its traditions, its customs, and its vision of service. I had the pleasure of…

March 30, 2015 · 5 min
Plaza Athénée bedroom: crystal chandelier, golden curtains and headboard, a bouquet of yellow roses
Architecture

Plaza Athénée Paris: Decorating a Palace Hotel Through Time

At the Plaza Athénée, decoration cannot be reduced to a simple aesthetic signature. It is part of a broader vision: that of evolving an iconic palace of Parisian luxury hospitality without ever breaking with its heritage. In a climate marked by the emergence of new luxury hotels and rising expectations around guest…

November 13, 2014 · 6 min
Round seaside spa pools, bamboo screens and thatched round roofs facing the mountains
Architecture

Being Somewhere Other Than Home: How Hotel Architecture Creates the Guest Experience

In luxury hospitality, the guest experience does not begin at reception. It starts well before that, from the very conception of the place. The architecture, the volumes, the materials and the relationship to the landscape all contribute to creating what might be called a first emotion, often silent, but decisive.…

April 11, 2014 · 6 min
← The whole magazine

The best of hospitality, every month.

Analyses, interviews, trends. No ads, no interruptions.