Luca Virgilio appointed general manager of the Dorchester

Luca Virgilio has been appointed general manager of the Dorchester following the departure of Robert Whitfield earlier this year.

He will join the five-red-AA-star hotel in London’s Park Lane from the Dorchester Collection’s hotel Eden in Rome, in January 2022. The hotelier will oversee operations and strategies for the 250-bedroom property as well as managing its biggest renovation since 1989, which is due to commence in February 2022.

Virgilio has been general manager of the hotel Eden since 2014 and overseen its renovation and repositioning.

Christopher Cowdray, CEO of the Dorchester Collection, said: “Since we acquired hotel Eden, Luca has done an outstanding job in transforming the property into one of Rome’s best hotels. Now, as we enter a new era for the Dorchester with an extensive renovation, I know that Luca will bring his flair and passion for excellence to the project, reinforcing the hotel’s legendary status.”

Virgilio added: “I am delighted to return to London to run one of the world’s most renowned hotels at a time of immense change, which will see the hotel further enhanced. The Dorchester has a rich heritage and incredibly loyal employees, and to be part of its legacy is an exciting prospect.”

The hotelier has held leadership roles in hotels in Switzerland, Monte-Carlo and London. During his tenure at hotel Eden he was named Best Italian Hotelier 2021 at the DUCO Travel Summit.

The Caterer reported Whitfield's resignation last month. He been with the hotel since 2017.