Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo: Louis Starck takes the helm of Monaco’s flagship hotel
A new chapter begins for the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Since 29 September, Louis Starck has been at the helm of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, leading the luxury hotel’s average workforce of nearly 500 staff, succeeding another leading hotelier, Olivier Thomas.
“ This is a moment of great pride, and at the same time I am fully aware of the responsibility and expectations that this role entails, ” commented Louis Starck on taking up his post.
As the flagship of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s hotel division and the jewel in the crown of the Principality of Monaco’s hospitality sector, the Hôtel de Paris has held a unique place on the global map of luxury hospitality for over 160 years. The legacy is a great one, as is the challenge of continuing to fulfil the promise made by François Blanc, founder of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer: “A Hotel that surpasses everything that has been created so far […]”
Louis Starck takes the helm of a thriving establishment, which has just welcomed its new Pastry Chef, Cédric Grolet, to further diversify an already extensive dining offering (Louis XV-Alain Ducasse***, Le Grill*, Em Sherif, the Bar Americain). The accommodation stands out for its 5-star rating and Palace status, its 3 Michelin keys, and its 5-star Forbes Travel Guide rating. Whilst the Hotel regularly features in prestigious rankings, there is still room for improvement, a sign of the continuous enhancement of the guest experience, service quality and offerings. “Building on the Legacy” is at the very heart of Louis Starck’s roadmap. A man who thrives on a challenge, driven by competition and teamwork, he knows he can count on a superb team, notably his Deputy Director, Vincent Chasseignaux, and all his Department Heads.
Louis Starck: the journey of a passionate professional
A graduate in Management from the Strasbourg Hotel School, and holder of an Executive MBA from Henley Management College, Louis Starck built his career between 1994 and 2004 in the international hospitality industry, from Paris to London, via Muscat and Athens, working in various hotels and hotel groups, notably the InterContinental. In 2004, he was appointed to the coveted position of hotel manager at the Warwick Hotels & Resorts on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. In 2008, he moved to Monaco to join the Hôtel Fairmont Monte Carlo. A ten-year adventure that shaped his experience and cemented his brilliant future in Monaco. In 2018, he joined the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group, taking over as manager 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 challenge was considerable: to continue to improve the hotel’s performance, despite the reduced capacity of the Hôtel de Paris, and, even more importantly, to give the Hermitage a strong identity capable of rivalling its transformed neighbouring flagship. Thus was born the concept of the ‘hotel for connoisseurs’, transforming the palace into a veritable haven for lovers of culture, art and high-end gastronomy, in particular. Under the direction of Louis Starck, the luxury hotel on Square Beaumarchais is enriching its cultural offering, continuing the legacy of the great artistic figures who once frequented it – from Maria Callas to Josephine Baker, via Marcel Pagnol – as well as its gastronomic offering. Chef Yannick Alleno is successively introducing two flagship concepts: the quintessentially Parisian Pavyllon and its Michelin-starred counter-style cuisine in 2022, followed by the quintessentially Japanese L’Abysse in 2024, which elevates sushi to an art form and secures two Michelin stars in one fell swoop in 2025. The next phase began in autumn 2024 with a major renovation programme for the Hotel.
The results speak for themselves, and the Hermitage’s story will continue with Laurent Guermont, Louis Starck’s loyal deputy, who is now acting as interim Hotel manager until the forthcoming appointment of a new General Manager.
I would like to thank Louis Starck for the work he and his teams have accomplished at the Hôtel Hermitage over the past seven years. His wealth of experience in the hotel industry, his knowledge of the Monegasque ecosystem and the demands of our international clientele, his commitment and his competitive spirit are all valuable assets for ensuring that the legendary Hôtel de Paris continues to shine on the new global stage of the hotel industry.