View all newsletters
Latest in Luxury - Sign up to our weekly newsletter
  1. Leaders in Luxury
December 7, 2012updated Feb 21, 2013

Frank Marrenbach

By Chris Boyle

Frank Marrenbach

CEO
Oetker Collection

You probably know the hotels: Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, Le Bristol Paris, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Château Saint-Martin & Spa and Hotel Saint-Barth Isle de France. Family-owned and managed, the group has been trading for three years under the owner name of Oetker Collection, part of the namesake 8 billion-a-year food products empire. With new openings in 2012 and plans for growth, hotel CEO Frank Marrenbach gave Elite Traveler Editor-in-Chief Douglas Gollan an overview during the International Luxury Travel Mart in Cannes, France.

ET: How does Oetker Collection differ from other luxury groups?

Frank Marrenbach: We are privately held. We don’t have to speak to the stock exchanges. We manage but we also own or co-own. It makes a difference.

ET: How would you describe the collection?

Frank Marrenbach: If you want to see the Mona Lisa you have to go to the Louvre. Each of our hotels has its own soul. It’s the same concept. In nature pearls are all different but when you put them together they are perfect.

ET: What were the highlights for 2012?

Frank Marrenbach: We opened Palais Namaskar in Marrakech in April. It’s already won four major awards including Harper’s Bazaar’s Best Hotel in the World. It’s not so much a new hotel but a new destination.

Content from our partners
W New York - Times Square: "We Do Things Differently"
The Finest Destinations to Fly Private with Qatar Executive
A Weekend Travel Guide to Austin, Texas

ET: What about 2013?

Frank Marrenbach: L’Apogée will open in December 2013 in Jardin Alpin in Courchevel. It will have 55 keys, one penthouse, one chalet and 33 junior suites. It’s ski in, ski out and we have our own private lift. There’s a full spa and indoor pool.

ET: Are there more growth plans?

Frank Marrenbach: There will be more good news. We see 15 hotels by 2020. Europe, the Middle East, East Coast US. We want rarity. We don’t want to be on every corner. It’s no secret we are looking at Istanbul, London and New York. We are hoping for Abu Dhabi to open by 2013.

ET: Do you have any feelings on how large a luxury hotel can be?

Frank Marrenbach: We think 150 to 200 rooms and that’s it.

ET: Are the hotels a for-profit business or a hobby?

Frank Marrenbach: Every single entity has to makes its earnings. It’s a passion but not a hobby.

Select and enter your email address Be the first to know about the latest in luxury lifestyle. Get the latest news on hotel openings and in-depth travel guides. Get insider access to exclusive promotions and special offers from our luxury partners.
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thank you for subscribing to Elite Traveler.

Websites in our network