Eugene Leonard named general manager of London’s Hotel Café Royal

Eugene Leonard has been named general manager of Hotel Café Royal on London’s Regent’s Street.

Leonard, who was most recently general manager of Maybourne Beverly Hills, has been with Maybourne Hotel Group for 15 years, having also held hotel manager roles at both Claridge’s and the Connaught.

He is a graduate of the Shannon College of Hotel Management and has worked across 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.”

It comes soon after Guillaume Marly (pictured above) announced his departure from the hotel after seven years as managing director.

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-bedroom Set Collection property in November 2017 to take over from Thomas Kochs, who was leaving Hotel Café Royal for the Corinthia in London’s Westminster.

Marly was previously general manger of Me London on the Strand, managing director of Chiltern Firehouse in London’s Marylebone, and hotel manager of the Ritz London and the Connaught in Mayfair.

He added he will be “updating everyone soon” on his new London-based project, which he will start on 1 October.

Marly will be replaced by Eugene Leonard (pictured above), who joins from Maybourne Beverly Hills as general manager of Hotel Café Royal.

The Café Royal, which dates back to 1865, was believed to have hosted celebrities such as Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, Muhammad Ali and Diana, Princess of Wales.

In 2012, it was transformed into a hotel following a £200m refurbishment and since 2022, it has been home to Alex Dilling’s eponymous restaurant, which received two Michelin stars in 2023.