Guillaume Marly has departed from his role as Managing Director of Hotel Café Royal on London’s Regent Street after seven years.
Marly said on LinkedIn: “It has been an amazing and fulfilling journey! I am truly thankful to every single member of this rather exceptional team, as their support and dedication has allowed us to make so much more progress in that time and create such wonderful memories for our guests, clients and business partners.”
He joined the 159-room Set Collection property in November 2017, succeeding Thomas Kochs, who was moving to the Corinthia Hotel in London’s Westminster.
Before joining Hotel Café Royal, Marly served as General Manager of ME London on the Strand, Managing Director of Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, and Hotel Manager at both The Ritz London and The Connaught in Mayfair.
He said he will be “updating everyone soon” on his new London-based project, which he will start on 1 October.
Eugene Leonard (pictured above) will succeed Marly as General Manager of Hotel Café Royal, joining from Maybourne Beverly Hills.
Leonard has been with Maybourne Hotel Group for 15 years and has also served as Hotel Manager at both Claridge’s and The Connaught.
He is a graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management and has gained experience working in Switzerland, Scotland, and London.
Philip Haller, chief operating officer of the Set Hotels, said: “Eugene brings a wealth of experience to Hotel Café Royal, and we are confident he will build on the exceptional work of the past decade. His leadership, alongside our dedicated team, will continue to elevate the property as one of London’s leading hotels.”
Leonard added: “I am deeply honoured to join Hotel Café Royal as General Manager. I look forward to working alongside the talented team to delight our guests, continue to grow the hotel’s performance and write the next chapter in its rich and storied history.”
Dating back to 1865, The Café Royal is renowned for having hosted celebrities including Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, Muhammad Ali, and Diana, Princess of Wales.