Oetker Hotels and Eden Rock - St Barths announce Senior Leadership Appointments

Fabrice, the General Manager of Eden Rock will take the helm of Le Bristol Paris and will join the Executive Committee of Oetker Hotels. Fabrice will remain connected to Eden Rock as Jean-Alexis, his deputy for a number of years, moves into the role of General Manager.

Oetker Hotels and Eden Rock - St Barths today announce two senior leadership appointments across its collection of Masterpiece Hotels. Fabrice, the General Manager of Eden Rock will take the helm of Le Bristol Paris and will join the Executive Committee of Oetker Hotels. Fabrice will remain connected to Eden Rock as Jean-Alexis, his deputy for a number of years, moves into the role of General Manager.

Fabrice, widely respected across the global hospitality industry and named Best Hotelier at DUCO France 2025, will assume the role of President and Managing Director of Le Bristol Paris in October 2026. His appointment comes at an exciting moment as Le Bristol enters into its second century, following the celebration of its centennial year and looks ahead to its next chapter of excellence.

For more than a decade Fabrice worked particularly closely with the creators of Eden Rock - St Barths, David and Jane Matthews, whose vision always was to create something more encompassing than a hotel alone. They were inspired by the very nature of the French island – elegant, peaceful and honest. Fabrice, Jean-Alexis, and the remarkable Team of Eden Rockers, have helped honour and evolve that vision.

Throughout this period, Fabrice and Jean-Alexis worked in close partnership, forming a trusted leadership duo with the Matthews family, majority shareholders of Eden Rock - St Barths, which has continued to help shape the hotel’s culture, operations, and guest experience. Fabrice and Jean Alexis guided Eden Rock through its monumental two-year rebuilding and restoration following the particularly damaging Hurricane Irma and then oversaw a remarkable period of commercial growth. Following the rebuild, Eden Rock began to consistently be ranked amongst the world’s most celebrated resorts and hotels, earning accolades regularly within the World’s 50 Best Hotels, Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, and Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

Fabrice began his career at Hotel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville. He is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, his great charm and particularly his strategic vision. Working with Jean-Alexis, Fabrice has helped shape the evolution of Eden Rock’s additional trading departments – Eden Rock Villa Rental, Eden Rock Boutiques, Eden Rock Yacht Rental and exclusive collaborations with prestigious brands including Chopard, Goyard, and Assouline.

“It has been an honour to lead Eden Rock, now one of the great iconic brands of hospitality, and a true privilege to be part of the extraordinary ‘Eden Rockers’ family of hard-working young people. For some time, I have shared with Jean-Alexis and the Matthews my wish to return to France and to live more closely to my family. The hotel is in exceptionally good hands with Jean-Alexis and, having worked alongside him for many years, I have every confidence he will thrive in this new role,” said Fabrice.

Of his new position at Le Bristol Paris, he added: “It is any hotelier’s dream to lead Le Bristol, one of the most iconic hotels in the world. It is also a full-circle moment for me, as my mentor, Pierre Ferchaud, led Le Bristol for nearly twenty years. His unwavering attention to detail and philosophy of always putting oneself in the shoes of the guest helped shape my own approach to hospitality. I look forward to joining new colleagues in Paris and contributing to the continuing success of this legendary Palace – bringing fresh energy whilst honouring its perfectly extraordinary heritage.”

Jean-Alexis began his career at Le Bristol 25 years ago, where he progressed through Rooms Division and Front Office leadership ranks. Jean-Alexis excelled and became an unusually talented entrepreneur and leader of people. He brings proven leadership qualities and a particularly successful track record to his new role of General Manager at Eden Rock - St Barths.

Timo Gruenert, CEO of Oetker Hotels, said: “It is immensely rewarding to see what Fabrice and Jean Alexis have achieved together over the past years, and that they will now be bringing their extraordinary talent to bear in new roles within Oetker Hotels. Both gentlemen embody our values of family spirit, elegance, and genuine kindness in the most authentic way. They lead with integrity, creativity, and a deep understanding of what it takes to turn hotels into true masterpieces. I wish them every success in this exciting new chapter.”

James Matthews, Chairman of Eden Rock - St Barths, said: “The Matthews family would like to say a big thank you to Fabrice, we are grateful for his contribution, he is much admired professionally and personally, he has become a trusted friend over the years and we look forward to building on our relationship. In Jean Alexis we have absolutely the right successor, a talented leader who will continue to develop the unique and successful Eden Rock – St Barths..... Read more here - Hotel Management Global Outlook Link

---

Small Tip To Landing Good Senior-Level Hotel Management Positions in 2026

Many of our members have remained with us since the inception of our job lead service seven years ago. They continue to renew their memberships, staying on board even after securing new positions, and for good reason.

Daily, our editors dispatch bulletins detailing new job vacancies, projects, and industry shifts, including hotel launches, expansions, strategies, and market trends.

We recognize that numerous long-standing, senior-level members utilize these bulletins as conversation starters, reaching out to hotel chains and potential employers, sometimes with unsolicited applications and messages. LHN endorses such proactive engagement. It's an excellent, informal method to gain early interest from prominent hotel groups and upcoming projects, indicating your interest and broadening your opportunities for intriguing interviews or discussions about potential roles, particularly at the upper echelons of management.

Our editors also keep these proactive efforts in mind, shaping many bulletins to cover "new openings, new projects, and new market developments."

While membership spots for 2026 are limited, it's not too late to renew.- Read more her

WHY NOW’S THE BEST TIME TO LOOK FOR A NEW GENERAL MANAGER JOB

The career landscape in the hotel industry is constantly evolving. Staying up-to-date with the job market is essential even if you have a position that you are satisfied with. A vast majority of GM job openings are never advertised or publicly announced, but filled through word-of-mouth or networking. And recruiters and companies often prefer to work with still-employed candidates, since they are more likely to have up-to-date skills.

Becoming member of Leading Hoteliers Network's Job Lead Service is a great way to stay informed about the hotel industry and to remain current with the most important news and updates. We encounter members every day who absolutely know when the time is right for them to expand their business or make a career move, ....Use direct link to the Joblead-Service here ( we're still accepting members ) - Read more here

The Team

at LEADING HOTELIERS NETWORK / JOB LEAD SERVICE

>> Express Link for Premium Membership Upgrade

To gain immediate access, you can either renew your membership or sign up by choosing membership here: 3 Months / 6 Months / 12 Months / Premium Membership

For Last Minute Offers - Read more here