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Appointment formally confirmed following a summer assessment period

The Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz officially confirmed the appointment of Xavier Destribats as General Manager on Friday, 9 October 2026. In post since May, he succeeds Vincent Poulingue, who left to lead Mandarin Oriental Paris.

His arrival was initially part of a mutual assessment period covering the summer season, ahead of confirmation of his appointment. According to information reported by regional newspaper Sud Ouest, the decision required the approval not only of Hyatt but also of the municipality and, ultimately, Destribats himself.

It is worth recalling that the property belongs to the City of Biarritz. It operates within the framework of Socomix, a mixed-ownership company in which the municipality holds a majority stake, with Hyatt acting as the hotel operator.

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This model places the General Manager at the intersection of commercial performance, heritage preservation and the expectations of the public-sector shareholder. A property owner, the City of Biarritz; a third-party asset operating entity, the mixed-ownership company; and a hotel brand and operator, Hyatt: a tripartite relationship requiring specific management skills in a persistently challenging economic environment.

From Hyatt to Kempinski: nearly 40 years of international experience

A graduate of École hôtelière de Lausanne, where he studied from 1982 to 1986, Xavier Destribats has built an international career spanning Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Europe.

He began his career with Hyatt in Cancún in 1986, subsequently holding several food and beverage and operational positions, notably in Mexico, Jerusalem and at Hyatt Regency Paris – Charles-de-Gaulle.

In 1996, he became General Manager of Hyatt Regency Acapulco, before also taking on regional management responsibilities for Hyatt in Mexico.

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He subsequently joined Grand Hyatt Tokyo, serving as General Manager and a member of its Board of Directors between 2001 and 2007. He continued his career in Japan as Senior Vice President of Panorama Hospitality from 2007 to 2011.

In April 2011, he joined Kempinski Hotels, where he successively held the positions of Senior Vice President Operations, President Europe and Chief Operating Officer for the Americas.

From January 2024 to December 2025, he served as Chief Operating Officer EMEA and The Americas, with operational responsibilities spanning several regions worldwide.

He also holds an Executive MBA from NEOMA Business School, obtained in 2014. He left Kempinski at the end of 2025 before returning to Hyatt a few months later in Biarritz.

His return to the management of an individual hotel, following many years in corporate and regional leadership positions, represents a notable development in his career.

Loss of Palace status: more a question of image than occupancy?

The appointment comes at a particular moment for Hôtel du Palais, which lost its official Palace distinction awarded by Atout France in June 2026.

The decision came despite an extensive refurbishment programme involving more than €80 million in works, according to reports in the regional press.

Among the factors cited to explain the loss of this highly coveted designation — it is worth recalling that the Ritz Paris does not hold Palace status, while the iconic Byblos in Saint-Tropez and Hyatt Vendôme in Paris have also lost the distinction — are ageing bathrooms and constraints relating to the configuration of the hotel’s gastronomic dining facilities. La Rotonde, the property’s large historic dining room, has architectural characteristics that make it difficult to create a separate fine-dining venue without fundamentally altering the space.

Faced with this situation, Xavier Destribats has adopted a position that prioritises the property’s historic identity over the immediate pursuit of an official designation.

In an interview with Sud Ouest, he summed up this approach in a single statement: “We are a palace; we do not need to be a Palace hotel.”

This statement does not rule out improvements to the facilities, but underlines the intention to preserve the property’s heritage character.

A strong summer season, with 90% occupancy in August

Commercially, Xavier Destribats’ first months at the helm of Hôtel du Palais were marked by strong demand.

According to the reported figures, occupancy exceeded 80% in July 2026 before reaching 90% in August.

The average daily rate is also reported to have increased compared with the previous summer season, although neither the precise rate nor RevPAR figures have been disclosed.

These results suggest that the loss of Palace status did not prevent the property from maintaining strong appeal during the peak season.

Several events contributed to the hotel’s activity, including the Chanel fashion show held in Biarritz in late April and the Nouvelles Vagues film festival in June.

These events illustrate the role that a heritage hotel of this stature can play in hosting prestigious occasions and contributing to the destination’s tourism economy.

Food and beverage, bathrooms and team organisation among the priorities

Xavier Destribats’ operational agenda includes several areas of focus.

Bathroom refurbishment is among the announced priorities, with certain facilities identified as no longer fully meeting the standards expected of the property.

Food and beverage operations represent another priority, with the arrival of Robin Furt, aged 32, as Director of Food and Beverage.

The hotel is also scheduled to undergo a technical closure from 30 November to 16 December 2026, primarily for facilities maintenance, deep cleaning and targeted works.

This planned interruption does not constitute the announcement of another major refurbishment programme.

Strengthening relationships with the Biarritz community

Beyond its domestic and international guests, Hôtel du Palais intends to strengthen its appeal among residents of Biarritz and surrounding communities.

From 5 to 28 November 2026, special offers are scheduled to be made available to local residents.

The property also plans to install a Christmas chalet in its gardens, offering drinks and festive food.

These initiatives reflect a desire to make certain hotel spaces and services more accessible to local residents, rather than exclusively to overnight guests.

For a property whose real estate is owned by the local authority, this community dimension carries particular significance.

LTH Analysis | Between imperial heritage and contemporary management requirements

Xavier Destribats’ appointment comes at a time when Hôtel du Palais must reconcile several priorities: preserving an exceptional heritage asset, maintaining commercial performance, modernising certain facilities and strengthening its operational organisation.

His international experience, particularly in regional leadership positions with Hyatt and Kempinski, represents an asset in managing this new phase.

The loss of Palace status does not, in itself, alter the property’s historic positioning, but it introduces questions of perception and recognition within the ultra-luxury market.

Hôtel du Palais’ ability to sustain performance beyond the peak season, continue investing in its facilities and consolidate its food and beverage offering will be among the principal indicators of the success of this new management chapter.

At a Glance