Courchevel, France | Madeleine Munier appointed General Manager of Monte-Carlo One Courchevel
Madeleine Munier has been appointed General Manager of Monte-Carlo One Courchevel, the first property under Monte-Carlo Company des Bains de Mer's international brand outside the Principality. She takes up her role during the pre-opening phase, with the first guests expected for the 2026/2027 winter season. With nearly nine years at Airelles, including a spell leading La Bastide de Gordes, she brings solid experience in luxury hotel management and hotel openings to the project.
USA | Access Point Financial and TMGOC Ventures inject €103m into New Orleans Fairmont/Element duo
Access Point Financial and TMGOC Ventures have co-financed the recapitalisation of the dual-branded Fairmont by Accor and Element by Westin complex in New Orleans to the tune of $120 million (approximately €103 million), via a bridge loan and a preferred equity investment. The scheme, led by local developer Kailas Companies, is the result of converting a former 31-storey office tower in the central business district. The Element opened in February 2026, while the Fairmont is due to follow in autumn 2026.
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Emmy Stoel Appointed General Manager of the Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium
Emmy Stoel, currently General Manager of the InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, has been appointed to head the Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium in Amsterdam. The news, revealed by Dutch daily De Telegraaf, marks the seasoned hotelier's return to the Dutch capital, where she has already led two landmark properties. The appointment comes as the hotel continues its repositioning under the Mandarin Oriental banner.
Southlake, USA | Derek Sharp appointed SVP Lodging, Ground and Media at Sabre
Sabre (NASDAQ: SABR) has announced the appointment of Derek Sharp as Senior Vice President, Lodging, Ground and Media, effective 8 September 2026. He succeeds Chinmai Sharma and will be responsible for driving further growth in this strategic business, as the technology group expands its hotel distribution offering and its connectivity with agencies and suppliers.
Wanda Hotels & Resorts Surpasses 300 Hotels Worldwide
Chinese hotel group Wanda Hotels & Resorts passed the 300-hotel mark worldwide in August 2026, a milestone confirming its steady rise since its founding in 2007. Backed by a pipeline of more than 500 projects and a presence now spanning over 400 destinations, the group is stepping up its growth in Africa and Southeast Asia while consolidating its footing in the Chinese market.
Nairobi, Kenya | Daniel Charlton appointed General Manager of Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi
Daniel Charlton has been appointed General Manager of the Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi, marking his return to Kenya after several years with the Dusit group and other international brands. With more than twenty-five years of experience spanning Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific, he previously held a leadership role in Nairobi between 2015 and 2017. The appointment reflects the continued development of Dusit Hotels and Resorts in East Africa.
360°: Today’s Hospitality News Round-Up | From Amboise to Lucknow via Tokyo and Zurich
🔎 Today's trend: hospitality between showcase and backstage. As Lucknow, Amboise and Tokyo celebrate new openings and collaborations, France's restaurant sector faces renewed scrutiny over working conditions in the Big Mamma case.
North America | Daniel Dubowski appointed Chief Information Security Officer at Marriott International
Marriott International has announced the appointment of Daniel Dubowski as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, effective August 2026. Based in the United States and reporting to the group's technology leadership, he joins the world's largest hotel group after more than two years in the same role at Hertz. The move comes as cybersecurity establishes itself as a growing strategic priority for hotel groups, which face cyberthreats targeting their infrastructure and guests directly.
United States | Goldman Sachs commits €351M to physical real estate with LCN Capital Partners acquisition
The Goldman Sachs Group announced on 18 August 2026 the acquisition of LCN Capital Partners, a platform specialising in sale & leaseback transactions, for a consideration of up to €351M ($410M). The deal gives Goldman Sachs Asset Management a specific area of expertise - the resale of corporate real estate while preserving its use through a long-term lease - after two years marked by high interest rates that curbed investment in physical real estate. For the hospitality sector, the acquisition is also a reminder that LCN held exclusive talks in 2025 to buy nine Silken hotels in Spain, before ultimately being outbid by Hotusa.
2026, United Kingdom | Cain International completes Arena Point, Europe’s tallest student residence, in Leeds
Cain International has announced the completion of Arena Point, a 45-storey, 634-bed tower in Leeds, now Europe's tallest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme. Developed with Olympian Homes and contractor RG Group, the asset will be operated by Fusion Students from the 2026/27 academic year. The delivery takes Cain's premium bed count across two UK Russell Group university cities to more than 1,100 in the recent period.
Bali, Indonesia | Goktan Kavak appointed General Manager of Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali
Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali has announced the appointment of Goktan Kavak as General Manager. The Turkish hotelier arrives from Fiji, where he most recently served as General Manager of Novotel Suva Lami Bay, following more than eight years with Warwick Hotels and Resorts. The appointment forms part of the beachfront resort's consolidation strategy in Tanjung Benoa, which is banking on its all-inclusive concept to drive further growth.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Donia Gharib appointed Corporate Director of Learning & Development at ORA Hospitality
ORA Hospitality has announced the appointment of Donia Gharib as Corporate Director of Learning & Development, based in Dubai from August 2026. She joins the luxury hospitality group following a thirteen-year career spanning Accor and Four Seasons, between Cairo and Dubai. The appointment comes as ORA Hospitality builds out its learning function, months after the arrival of its new Chief Executive Officer.





