French flair at the helm of Orient-Express's illustrious Mount Nelson Hotel (France)
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French flair at the helm of Orient-Express's illustrious Mount Nelson Hotel (France)
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Category: Europe - France - Careers
- Appointments
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2011-10-12
Orient-Express Africa’s Regional Managing Director, Sandro Fabris, is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Xavier Lablaude as the Mount Nelson Hotel’s new General Manager.
Mr Lablaude has worked in renowned hotels in Paris, such as the Hotel Royal Monceau, Hotel de la Tremoille, Le Méridien Paris Étoile, and the Trianon Palace in Versailles. He then had the opportunity to work in the US as Assistant General Manager at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys. His next move was to Orient-Express’s Hotel de la Cité in Carcassonne, France, as General Manager where he stayed for ten years.
So why did Mr Lablaude suddenly come to the other side of the world to manage La Nellie – as he will probably think of it? ‘The Mount Nelson is a wonderful hotel, perfectly located in the heart of Cape Town. The staff is truly dedicated and service levels have improved spectacularly over the last few months. The refurbished rooms are beautiful and Planet Restaurant is a vibrant, contemporary restaurant, matching the equally glamorous and much loved Planet Bar. The market in Cape Town is challenging right now, but as this is such a fabulous destination, there is no doubt that it will turn around shortly.’
His love for his new job is not solely about The Nellie: ‘I love the area around the Mount Nelson. Kloof Street and Long Street are always abuzz, full of locally owned boutiques, restaurants and art galleries. My wife and daughters have already found some lovely fun boutiques and it is so very convenient to have the Labia movie theatre next door which offers an excellent independent film programme.’
As a typical French bonus, Mr Lablaude adds: ‘I love living in a wine region. I just left the Languedoc-Roussillon wine region and it has been very exciting discovering the wines of South Africa ever since I have arrived in Cape Town a few weeks ago. I left many winegrowing friends in France and I hope to meet many new ones in this beautiful country. But I still hope that France will win the rugby world cup!’
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