Christiane Kirchenbauer takes over as General Manager of Le Méridien Hamburg from September 2026, within German hotel group MHP Hotel AG. She succeeds Till Westheuser, who is leaving MHP Hotel AG after leading the property since late 2024.
A Return to MHP Hotel AG
For Christiane Kirchenbauer, this appointment also marks a return to the group. She first joined MHP Hotel AG in December 2016 as Assistant F&B Manager at Le Méridien Stuttgart, before being promoted to F&B Manager in 2018, a post she held until September 2020.
This appointment comes as MHP Hotel AG continues to build out its portfolio across Germany and Europe. The group recently took over operations of the former Andaz Vienna am Belvedere, set to become the Hyatt Regency Vienna, and announced the arrival of its proprietary lifestyle brand MOOONS in Frankfurt. Christiane Kirchenbauer’s appointment in Hamburg underscores the group’s intention to strengthen its general management ranks with internal talent trained within its own brands.
A Career Rooted in the Marriott Ecosystem
Over the seventeen years of her career, the bulk of it has unfolded within Marriott International brands, with Le Méridien running as a constant thread throughout. Christiane Kirchenbauer began her career at Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg, between September 2009 and June 2011, before holding the roles of Bar Waiter and then Assistant Bar Manager until April 2013, followed by Bar Manager until April 2015. She then joined Aloft Stuttgart for its pre-opening and opening as Bar Manager, ahead of a first stint at MHP Hotel AG for Le Méridien Stuttgart. Her next hotel leadership role, at Roomers Baden-Baden, likewise fell within the American group’s orbit, the property belonging to the Autograph Collection brand.
Two chapters nonetheless took her away from Marriott. She became Executive Assistant Manager in charge of Food & Beverage at Althoff Hotel am Schlossgarten, an independent luxury property in Stuttgart, from September 2020 to January 2022. She then joined Schlosshotel Kronberg in Frankfurt, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, as Executive Assistant Manager and Deputy Director, until February 2023, before taking over hotel management at Roomers Baden-Baden for close to three years.
Her most recent role also took her under the IHG banner, as part of the pre-opening team at Hotel Schloss Reinhartshausen, Vignette Collection, a property managed by IHG in the Rheingau, where she led the project and oversaw the property’s renovation in coordination with the American group, ahead of her return to MHP Hotel AG.
Le Méridien Hamburg, a Strategic Asset on the Außenalster
Located in the St. Georg district, directly on the banks of the Außenalster, Le Méridien Hamburg comprises 285 rooms and suites. The property features the HERITAGE restaurant, a ninth-floor rooftop bar, fifteen event and meeting rooms, and a Le SPA space with an indoor pool and fitness centre.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
MHP Hotel AG appoints Christiane Kirchenbauer General Manager of Le Méridien Hamburg
Milestone: Christiane Kirchenbauer (39) becomes General Manager of Le Méridien Hamburg, effective September 2026.
Property: 285 rooms and suites on the Außenalster, St. Georg district, with the HERITAGE restaurant, a ninth-floor rooftop bar, 15 event and meeting rooms, and Le SPA with indoor pool.
Marriott throughline: most of her 17-year career has run through Marriott brands (Le Méridien, Aloft, Autograph Collection), with two independent-luxury stints and a recent IHG posting.
Succession: she succeeds Till Westheuser, who led the property since late 2024 and is leaving MHP Hotel AG.
Group context: the appointment follows MHP Hotel AG’s recent moves with Hyatt in Vienna and its MOOONS debut in Frankfurt.
