🇫🇷 FRANCE
👨🍳 Gastronomy | Pedro Correira da Silva takes charge of the kitchens at Hôtel West End in Nice
Hôtel West End, a historic property on Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, has appointed Pedro Correira da Silva to lead its Le Siècle restaurant. The 38-year-old chef, whose career has included positions in Monaco, Courchevel and Saint-Tropez, is introducing an autumn menu combining Mediterranean, French, Italian and Portuguese influences.
🏛️ Heritage | Bouctot-Vagniez hotel project in Amiens remains at a standstill
Acquired in 2018 by La Compagnie de Phalsbourg for €4.1 million, the historic Bouctot-Vagniez mansion was intended to become a luxury hotel with a restaurant and spa, supported by a proposed investment of €35 million. According to France 3, the project still has no timetable, while the listed building continues to deteriorate. The liquidation of the proposed operator, Millésime, adds to the uncertainty, although no official cancellation has been confirmed.
🍽️ Restaurants | L’Arbre restaurant and rooftop in Montpellier close permanently
The management of L’Arbre, the restaurant and rooftop venue housed in Montpellier’s landmark Arbre Blanc building, has announced its permanent closure, effective 16 October. The concept, notably associated with chefs Éric Cellier and Charles Fontes, had been experiencing financial difficulties for several months.
📸 Guest experience | Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc introduces restrictions on influencer photoshoots
In Antibes, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc now requires prior authorisation for organised photography sessions. The measure, highlighted in an investigation by The Guardian, aims to protect guest privacy and tranquillity in response to certain content creation practices. It illustrates the growing tension between digital visibility and the luxury guest experience.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL
🇲🇦 💼 Investment | Casablanca prepares to host international hotel investors
On 26 November, Morocco Showcase will bring together investors, sovereign wealth funds, international hotel brands and operators in Casablanca. Morocco is targeting an additional 60,000 beds ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup and, according to W Hospitality Group, has a pipeline of 75 hotel projects representing 10,606 rooms. Radisson Hotel Group, meanwhile, aims to increase its presence in the country from 11 to 30 hotels by 2030.
🇲🇦 🏨 Development | Virgin Limited Edition plans a 37-suite retreat near Marrakech
Virgin Limited Edition plans to open a new luxury property in 2027 on a private agricultural estate near Marrakech. The project will eventually comprise 37 suites, including 22 in its first phase, three restaurants showcasing produce from the estate, a hammam and a 40-metre swimming pool. The concept will centre on privacy, nature and local gastronomy.
🇨🇭 🏗️ Real estate | Christian Constantin backs CHF 100 million hotel project in Ticino
Swiss entrepreneur Christian Constantin is planning a luxury hotel complex with more than 100 suites at Capo San Martino, overlooking Lake Lugano, representing an estimated investment of CHF 100 million. He is also considering 14 high-end apartments in Gandria. Both projects face opposition relating to landscape and heritage protection.
🇦🇺 🏨 Repositioning | Novotel returns to central Brisbane with 239 rooms
Accor has announced the opening of Novotel Brisbane City Centre on 1 November 2026. Owned by Frasers Hospitality and operated by Accor, the 239-room property will benefit from improvements to its public areas and facilities. It will become the group’s 22nd hotel in the city as Brisbane prepares for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
🇺🇸 👩🍳 Gastronomy | Alexia Duchêne joins Experimental* in New York
Experimental* has appointed French chef Alexia Duchêne as Consulting Chef for Experimental Cocktail Club and La Compagnie venues in New York. From 8 November, she will introduce contemporary French cuisine designed to complement their wine and cocktail menus. The appointment marks another collaboration between gastronomy and lifestyle hospitality.
🇪🇸 🏨 Opening | Fahana Hospitality opens five-star boutique hotel in Las Palmas
In Gran Canaria, Fahana Hospitality has opened Fahana Triana 54, the first hotel on Calle Mayor de Triana in Las Palmas. Housed in a restored historic building, the five-star property features eight rooms and suites equipped with smart-room technology, as well as a restaurant. The group now operates nine hotels across the Canary Islands.
🇨🇦 ⚖️ Regulation | Québec City considers restricting new hotels in Old Québec
Québec City is preparing regulations that would prohibit new tourist accommodation in certain parts of Old Québec in order to prioritise residential housing. Exceptions could allow existing establishments to expand, including the Marriott at Place D’Youville. The local hotel association is calling for a regulatory distinction between hotels and short-term rentals.
🇺🇸 💹 Corporate governance | Geoffrey Ballotti sells $1.42 million in Wyndham shares
Geoffrey A. Ballotti, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, sold 19,295 shares on 15 October for approximately $1.42 million following the exercise of stock options. The transactions were carried out under a pre-established trading plan intended, among other purposes, to cover costs and tax obligations associated with the options. He retains a substantial direct shareholding in the group.
🌐 🤖 Technology | roommaster connects PMS data to artificial intelligence assistants
roommaster has announced AI Connector, a solution enabling hotel data held within its property management system to be queried through conversational interfaces such as ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot and Gemini. The stated objective is to simplify access to operational information and support decision-making by hotel teams.
🇨🇭 ✨ Luxury | François-Henry Bennahmias reportedly approached as Hublot consultant
According to information attributed to Glitz, François-Henry Bennahmias, former head of Audemars Piguet, could take on a consulting role with Hublot alongside his venture, The Honourable Merchants Group. The potential collaboration has not been presented as an officially confirmed executive appointment.
🇫🇷 💼 Luxury | Questions emerge over Louis Vuitton’s leadership
Unconfirmed reports suggest tensions between Pietro Beccari, head of Louis Vuitton, and LVMH’s leadership over strategy and remuneration. No departure has been established at this stage. Given Louis Vuitton’s economic importance within the group, any confirmed change in its governance would be a significant development for investors.
🇨🇭 🍫 Management | Adalbert Lechner leaves Lindt & Sprüngli after 33 years
Adalbert Lechner has announced the end of his career at Lindt & Sprüngli after 33 years with the Swiss chocolate manufacturer, where he served as Group CEO. In his farewell message, he highlighted the commitment of employees and the strength of the group’s brands. The transition is worth watching within the premium consumer goods and luxury consumption sectors.
LTH Analysis
Today’s developments highlight three distinct trends.
First, international operators are favouring targeted projects: the repositioning of an existing asset in Brisbane, a small-scale luxury property in Las Palmas, and a luxury destination integrated into an agricultural estate near Marrakech.
Second, development ambitions remain dependent on financial and regulatory conditions. The Bouctot-Vagniez project in Amiens, opposition to developments in Ticino and proposed restrictions in Québec illustrate different forms of investor risk.
Finally, the guest experience is becoming an increasingly important area of strategic decision-making. Chef-led dining, privacy protection and the integration of artificial intelligence into management systems address very different challenges, but all contribute to operator differentiation.
At a Glance
Morocco: International hotel investors will meet in Casablanca as the country prepares for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Development: Virgin Limited Edition plans a 37-suite luxury retreat near Marrakech.
Australia: Accor will reopen a 239-room Brisbane property under the Novotel brand in November.
France: The proposed luxury conversion of Amiens’ historic Bouctot-Vagniez mansion remains uncertain.
Luxury hospitality: Fahana opens an eight-key boutique hotel in Las Palmas, while Experimental* appoints Alexia Duchêne as Consulting Chef in New York.
Technology: roommaster introduces a connector designed to make hotel PMS data accessible through generative AI assistants.
