A pivotal moment for the collection
Announced from Paris, the appointments follow several years of evolution and growing momentum across the international portfolio of Oetker Hotels. They cover three key functions – operations, human resources and commercial – with design and project development added to the mix.
The timing is no coincidence. 2026 saw the opening of the Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach, the brand’s first address in the United States. In June 2027, Le Mas Bellevue will join the collection in Saint-Tropez, bringing a new expression of the Côte d’Azur alongside Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc and Château Saint-Martin & Spa.
The group believes that demand for highly individual, personalised, experience-led hospitality continues to shape the upper end of the luxury market. Its next chapter will combine the growth of its hotel portfolio with the development of Oetker branded residences, extending its approach to hospitality into private homes. Growth will remain deliberately selective, focused on the places and opportunities where Oetker Hotels believes it can create something singular.
A collection of Masterpiece Hotels
Oetker Hotels brings together Masterpiece Hotels and villas across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil and the Caribbean. In addition to more than 250 villas worldwide, the portfolio includes Le Bristol Paris, Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, Château Saint-Martin & Spa in Vence, The Lanesborough in London and L’Apogée Courchevel.
These are joined by Eden Rock – St Barths, Jumby Bay Island in Antigua, Palácio Tangara in São Paulo, Hotel La Palma in Capri and now The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach. The group describes its mission as preserving and extending its standards through the acquisition and management of unique properties.
Duarte Bon de Sousa: from operations to the Executive Committee
Duarte Bon de Sousa is promoted from Vice President Operations to Chief Operating Officer and joins the Oetker Hotels Executive Committee. Having joined the group in 2013, he spent many years at the helm of two of the collection’s French properties: Château Saint-Martin & Spa on the Côte d’Azur and L’Apogée Courchevel in the Alps.
When he was appointed Vice President Operations, he handed the leadership of both houses to his former Resident Manager, Géraud Tournier.
As Chief Operating Officer, he takes overall responsibility for the group’s hotel operations. His remit also extends to project development and design, bringing closer together the way new hotels are conceived, developed and ultimately brought to life for guests.
Virginie Saint-Laurent: culture as the foundation for growth
Virginie Saint-Laurent is named Chief People & Culture Officer and remains a member of the Executive Committee. Over fifteen years at Oetker Hotels, she has played a decisive role in building the company’s culture and guiding its evolution, including through some of the most significant periods in its development.
In her new role, she continues to lead the People & Culture function and its strategy worldwide, and takes on responsibility for sustainability. She will focus on developing the leadership and talent required for the group’s ambitions, while preserving the closeness, individuality and strong sense of belonging that have long set its culture apart.
Simon Neggers leads the move into branded residences
Simon Neggers is promoted from Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing & Communications to Chief Commercial Officer and remains a member of the Executive Committee. Since joining Oetker Hotels in 2020, he has played an important role in the company’s development and in its global commercial and brand strategy.
He now leads the group’s sales, marketing and communications, with an expanded commercial mandate as Oetker Hotels strengthens its international presence. He also takes charge of the new strategic area of branded residences, tasked with extending the group’s approach to hospitality and service beyond hotels.
Growing without chasing scale
For Timo Gruenert, CEO of Oetker Hotels, the appointments mark a phase of acceleration. He noted that there is currently very strong momentum at Oetker Hotels: The Vineta Hotel has opened an entirely new chapter for the group in the United States, Saint-Tropez will follow, and he sees very promising opportunities in Europe and beyond. He added that the group is preparing, for the first time, to take the Oetker experience beyond its hotels, with branded residences presented as a natural extension of its approach.
What excites him most, he said, is that these opportunities allow the group to grow while staying true to who it is, remaining fully focused on creating Masterpieces rather than pursuing scale for its own sake. In his view, the group is well positioned for the evolution of ultra-luxury, as travellers place increasing value on individuality, warmth, a sense of belonging and human connection – qualities that have been at the heart of its hotels for more than 150 years.
He also paid tribute to the three executives, saying that Duarte, Virginie and Simon have each played an important role in bringing Oetker Hotels to where it is today, know the company deeply, share its ambitions for the future and, above all, lead in a way that reflects its values of Family Spirit, Elegance and Genuine Kindness.
A reshaped Executive Committee
The Executive Committee continues to include Philippe Perd, Managing Director of Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, and Jens Hackebeil, Chief Financial Officer. From 1 October, they are joined by Fabrice Moizan, the new Managing Director and President of Le Bristol Paris.
Together with Timo Gruenert, Duarte Bon de Sousa, Virginie Saint-Laurent and Simon Neggers, these seven executives will form the body responsible for steering the group through its next phase of development.
Olivier Bihel takes charge of project design
In parallel, Olivier Bihel is promoted from Vice President Project Development to Senior Vice President Design & Project Development. He joins the Senior Leadership Team and reports to Duarte Bon de Sousa.
In addition to his existing responsibilities, he will oversee the design of all the group’s development projects, with particular attention to interior architecture. Working closely with the group’s creative partners, he will ensure that every hotel, current or future, asserts its own identity and a strong sense of place, in keeping with Oetker Hotels’ exacting standards of design, craftsmanship and quality.
Analysis – By promoting exclusively from within its own ranks, Oetker Hotels confirms an internal promotion policy already visible in the appointment of Fabrice Moizan at Le Bristol. Placing design under the COO and branded residences under the commercial function reflects a determination to integrate development, operations and brand within a single decision-making chain.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Oetker Hotels reshapes its leadership for its next growth phase
Duarte Bon de Sousa promoted to Chief Operating Officer and joins the Executive Committee
Virginie Saint-Laurent named Chief People & Culture Officer, adding Sustainability to her remit
Simon Neggers named Chief Commercial Officer, leading the move into Oetker branded residences
Olivier Bihel promoted to SVP Design & Project Development, reporting to the COO
Pipeline: Le Mas Bellevue Saint-Tropez opens June 2027, after The Vineta Hotel debut in Palm Beach
