Starhotels has appointed Alex von Ulmenstein to the newly created role of Director of Food & Beverage for its three luxury London hotels – The Franklin, The Gore and The Pelham, all part of Starhotels Collezione brand.

Ulmenstein joins Starhotels from Wentworth Club, where he was Director of Food & Beverage. Notable achievements of his time at Wentworth included managing the catering of the 2019 PGA tournament and the implementation of innovative F&B concepts and communications to increase revenue and member engagement.

Prior to Wentworth Club, Ulmenstein spent more than five years at Relais & Chateaux Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa, joining in 2014 as Restaurant Manager, before rising within two years to the position of Food & Beverage Operations Manager. This role saw him manage the financial operations of the hotel, including two full service and one health club restaurant, and introduce team leadership coaching across the management team.

Ulmenstein began his career in the South African wine lands of Stellenbosch, joining the Delaire Graff Restaurant at the Relais & Chateaux Delaire Graff Estate in 2010, where he remained until his move to the UK in 2014 to expand his international hospitality experience.

‘’I am delighted to welcome Alex to the Starhotels family. He is an outstanding individual of significant experience in world-renowned properties,” comments Thomas James Orchard, Complex General Manager for the three properties. “He will undoubtedly lift our Food and Beverage operations to a new level with his dynamic and personable approach. I very much look forward to working with Alex to continue to develop memorable experiences for our guests and a rich and rewarding work environment for our team.” 

“I am excited to be joining these three beautiful and unique city-centre properties at this key moment as London emerges stronger from the pandemic and re-establishes itself as a leader on the global hospitality stage,” adds Alex von Ulmenstein. “I am looking forward to working with each hotel to individualise and truly enhance the dining experience for our guests and to invest in our teams to ensure we are developing them to their full potential.”

Starhotels Collezione owns and operates three properties in London – The Franklin London, with interiors by Anouska Hempel; The Pelham London, a 52-room luxury hotel at the heart of South Kensington; and The Gore London, a townhouse on Queen’s Gate.