Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo: Louis Starck takes the helm of Monaco's flagship hotel chain
A new chapter begins for Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Since 29 September, Louis Starck has been at the helm of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, in charge of an average of almost 500 employees, taking over from another great hotelier, Olivier Thomas.
" It 's a very proud moment, and at the same time I'm fully aware of the responsibility and expectations that this position represents ", commented Louis Starck as he took up his post.
As the flagship of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer's hotel sector and the Principality of Monaco's flagship hotel, the Hôtel de Paris has occupied a special place on the world map of luxury hospitality for over 160 years. The legacy is great, as is the challenge of continuing to live up to the promise of François Blanc, Founder of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer: " A hotel that surpasses everything that has ever been created [...]".
Louis Starck takes over the helm of a thriving establishment, which has just welcomed new pastry chef Cedric Grolet to diversify its already rich restaurant offering (Louis XV-Alain Ducasse***, Le Grill*, Em Sherif, Bar Americain). The hotel boasts 5 stars and the Palace distinction, 3 Michelin stars and 5 stars in the Forbes Travel Guide. While the Hotel is a regular feature in prestigious rankings, there is still room for improvement, a sign of the continuous improvement of the experience, the quality of service and the range of products and services on offer. "Building on the legacy" is at the heart of Louis Starck's roadmap. A man of challenges, motivated by competition and teamwork, he knows he can count on a great team, in particular his Deputy Director, Vincent Chasseignaux, and all his Department Managers.
Louis Starck, the story of a passionate man
With a degree in Management from the Strasbourg Hotel School and an Executive Management MBA from Henley Management College, Louis Starck built his career from 1994 to 2004 in the international hotel business, from Paris to London, via Muscat and Athens, in various hotels and hotel groups, including InterContinental. In 2004, he was appointed to the coveted position of Hotel Director at the Warwick Hotels & Resort on the Champs Elysées in Paris. In 2008, he joined the Hôtel Fairmont Monte-Carlo in Monaco. It was a ten-year adventure that shaped his experience and set the seal on his bright future in Monaco. In 2018, he joined the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group, taking over the management of the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. On the eve of the completion of the major renovation programme at the Hôtel de Paris (2014-2019), the stakes were high: to continue to develop the establishment's results, boosted by the reduced capacity of the Hôtel de Paris and, more importantly, to give the Hermitage a strong identity, capable of competing with the metamorphosed flagship next door. Thus was born the concept of a "connoisseur's Hotel", turning the palace into a veritable haven for lovers of culture, art and top-flight gastronomy. Under the direction of Louis Starck, the palace on Square Beaumarchais is enhancing its cultural offering, perpetuating the legacy of the great artistic figures who have frequented it, from Maria Callas to Joséphine Baker, via Marcel Pagnol, as well as its gastronomic offering. Chef Yannick Alleno will successively set up two flagship concepts, the very Parisian Pavyllon and its starred counter-top cuisine in 2022, followed by the very Japanese L'Abysse in 2024, which will establish sushi as an art form and win 2 Michelin stars in one go in 2025. The next step was taken in autumn 2024 with a vast renovation programme for the Hotel.
The results are in and the story of the Hôtel Hermitage will continue with Laurent Guermont, Louis Starck's loyal deputy, who is now acting as the hotel's interim manager until a future General Manager is appointed.
I would like to thank Louis Starck for the work he and his teams have accomplished at the Hôtel Hermitage over the last seven years. His wealth of experience in the hotel industry, his knowledge of the Monegasque ecosystem and the requirements of our international clientele, his commitment and his competitive spirit are all invaluable assets in continuing to make the legendary Hôtel de Paris shine on the new world hotel scene.