Oetker Hotels has appointed Géraud Tournier as general manager of Le Mas Bellevue in Saint-Tropez, slated to open in June 2027. Simon Bannelier, who has worked closely with Tournier for many years, has been promoted to general manager of Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa.
Le Mas Bellevue will mark Oetker Hotels’ arrival in Saint-Tropez. It will join Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc and Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa in the South of France.
“Entrusting a debut as significant as Le Mas Bellevue to Géraud reflects our confidence in his leadership and his deep understanding of our guests and values,” said Timo Gruenert, chief executive officer of Oetker Hotels. “Simon’s promotion is equally rewarding. Having developed his career alongside Géraud, he brings both continuity and his own ambition to Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa. Together, these appointments demonstrate the extraordinary talent growing within Oetker Hotels.”
Tournier has spent more than a decade with Oetker Hotels, working at Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa and L’Apogée Courchevel. He has served as general manager of both properties since 2022. He joined Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa as head sommelier and became part of the opening team at L’Apogée Courchevel the following year. He later served as food and beverage manager and resident manager. Earlier, he held sommelier roles at Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris and Le Louis XV in Monaco.
“Opening Le Mas Bellevue is a wonderful opportunity to create something distinctive in a destination with such a strong personality,” said Tournier. “I want guests to feel the elegance and ease of a refined retreat, alongside the fun, generosity and social energy that make Saint-Tropez so special. Above all, we will build a team that brings the genuine warmth of Oetker Hotels to every stay.”
“Watching Géraud grow over the past decade has been a great pleasure. He has a remarkable ability to inspire people and create teams that care deeply about their guests and one another,” said Duarte Bon de Sousa, chief operating officer of Oetker Hotels, who has mentored Tournier. “Seeing Simon now take the next step underlines how that same generosity of leadership creates opportunities for others.”
Bannelier has built his career at Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa and L’Apogée Courchevel, progressing through front office and operational leadership roles to become resident manager of Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa and deputy general manager of L’Apogée Courchevel.
“Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa has played such an important part in my career, and it means a great deal to lead a hotel and a team I know so well,” said Bannelier. “Géraud has given me the trust, guidance and opportunities to grow, and I look forward to offering that same support to others. Together with the team, my ambition is to keep enriching the experience for our guests while preserving the warmth and character they love.”
Both appointments come on the heels of the senior leadership appointments of Duarte Bon de Sousa, Virginie Saint-Laurent and Neggers that the company recently announced.
