Oetker Hotels and Eden Rock – St Barths today announce two senior leadership appointments across its collection of Masterpiece Hotels. Fabrice, the General Manager of Eden Rock will take the helm of Le Bristol Paris and will join the Executive Committee of Oetker Hotels. Fabrice will remain connected to Eden Rock as Jean-Alexis, his deputy for a number of years, moves into the role of General Manager.
Fabrice, widely respected across the global hospitality industry and named Best Hotelier at DUCO France 2025, will assume the role of President and Managing Director of Le Bristol Paris in October 2026. His appointment comes at an exciting moment as Le Bristol enters into its second century, following the celebration of its centennial year and looks ahead to its next chapter of excellence.
For more than a decade Fabrice worked particularly closely with the creators of Eden Rock – St Barths, David and Jane Matthews, whose vision always was to create something more encompassing than a hotel alone. They were inspired by the very nature of the French island – elegant, peaceful and honest. Fabrice, Jean-Alexis, and the remarkable Team of Eden Rockers, have helped honour and evolve that vision.
Throughout this period, Fabrice and Jean-Alexis worked in close partnership, forming a trusted leadership duo with the Matthews family, majority shareholders of Eden Rock – St Barths, which has continued to help shape the hotel’s culture, operations, and guest experience. Fabrice and Jean-Alexis guided Eden Rock through its monumental two-year rebuilding and restoration following the particularly damaging Hurricane Irma and then oversaw a remarkable period of commercial growth. Following the rebuild, Eden Rock began to consistently be ranked amongst the world’s most celebrated resorts and hotels, earning accolades regularly within the World’s 50 Best Hotels, Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, and Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
Fabrice began his career at Hotel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville. He is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, his great charm and particularly his strategic vision. Working with Jean-Alexis, Fabrice has helped shape the evolution of Eden Rock’s additional trading departments – Eden Rock Villa Rental, Eden Rock Boutiques, Eden Rock Yacht Rental and exclusive collaborations with prestigious brands including Chopard, Goyard, and Assouline.
“It has been an honour to lead Eden Rock, now one of the great iconic brands of hospitality, and a true privilege to be part of the extraordinary ‘Eden Rockers’ family of hard-working young people. For some time, I have shared with Jean-Alexis and the Matthews my wish to return to France and to live more closely to my family. The hotel is in exceptionally good hands with Jean-Alexis and, having worked alongside him for many years, I have every confidence he will thrive in this new role,” said Fabrice.
Of his new position at Le Bristol Paris, he added: “It is any hotelier’s dream to lead Le Bristol, one of the most iconic hotels in the world. It is also a full-circle moment for me, as my mentor, Pierre Ferchaud, led Le Bristol for nearly twenty years. His unwavering attention to detail and philosophy of always putting oneself in the shoes of the guest helped shape my own approach to hospitality. I look forward to joining new colleagues in Paris and contributing to the continuing success of this legendary Palace – bringing fresh energy whilst honouring its perfectly extraordinary heritage.”
Jean-Alexis began his career at Le Bristol 25 years ago, where he progressed through Rooms Division and Front Office leadership ranks. Jean-Alexis excelled and became an unusually talented entrepreneur and leader of people. He brings proven leadership qualities and a particularly successful track record to his new role of General Manager at Eden Rock – St Barths.
Timo Gruenert, CEO of Oetker Hotels, said: “It is immensely rewarding to see what Fabrice and Jean-Alexis have achieved together over the past years, and that they will now be bringing their extraordinary talent to bear in new roles within Oetker Hotels. Both gentlemen embody our values of family spirit, elegance, and genuine kindness in the most authentic way. They lead with integrity, creativity, and a deep understanding of what it takes to turn hotels into true masterpieces. I wish them every success in this exciting new chapter.”
James Matthews, Chairman of Eden Rock – St Barths, said: “The Matthews family would like to say a big thank you to Fabrice, we are grateful for his contribution, he is much admired professionally and personally, he has become a trusted friend over the years and we look forward to building on our relationship. In Jean-Alexis we have absolutely the right successor, a talented leader who will continue to develop the unique and successful Eden Rock – St Barths.”
