Gilles Bontems Appointed General Manager of Brach Paris by Evok Collection
Gilles Bontems has been appointed General Manager of Brach Paris, the flagship property of Evok Collection’s Brach brand. Bringing extensive experience across prestigious international luxury hospitality groups, Bontems joins the Paris property to support its continued development, strengthen the guest experience and maintain the distinctive character and exceptional service standards that define the hotel.
The appointment reflects Evok Collection’s ongoing commitment to developing distinctive hospitality destinations that combine personalised service, authentic experiences and a strong sense of place. With a professional background spanning luxury hotel operations, food and beverage, and lifestyle-driven hospitality, Gilles Bontems brings a broad operational perspective to his new role at Brach Paris in 2026.
Gilles Bontems Brings Extensive Luxury Hospitality Experience to Brach Paris
Throughout his career, Gilles Bontems has developed expertise across leading international luxury hotel groups in France and abroad. His experience includes senior operational positions at established hospitality properties, where attention to detail, service excellence and effective team management are essential to delivering a consistent guest experience.
Before joining Evok Collection, Bontems served as Hotel Manager at Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, gaining experience within the luxury hospitality landscape of the French capital. He also held the positions of Hotel Manager and Director of Operations at Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, along with the role of Director of Operations at Le Méridien Nice.
These appointments have contributed to his understanding of the operational requirements associated with luxury hotels, from maintaining service standards to supporting teams and delivering experiences that reflect each property’s identity.
His professional background across several prominent hospitality environments provides a foundation for his responsibilities at Brach Paris. In his new position, Bontems will work alongside the hotel’s teams to support its development while preserving the character and service philosophy that distinguish the property.
Gilles Bontems’ Leadership Background Across International Hotels
Gilles Bontems has also developed experience beyond hotel operations, particularly in food and beverage management and lifestyle-focused hospitality. He served as Director of Food & Beverage at the Sheraton Brussels Airport Hotel and held various management positions in Switzerland, Belgium and France.
This combination of operational and food and beverage experience has given him a comprehensive perspective on hotel management. It also reflects the interconnected nature of modern luxury hospitality, where accommodation, dining, wellness and personalised service contribute to the overall guest experience.
His international professional background has helped shape a strong attention to detail and a commitment to service excellence. These qualities align with the expectations of luxury hospitality and the standards associated with Brach Paris.
Gilles Bontems to Support the Continued Development of Brach Paris
As General Manager, Gilles Bontems will be responsible for further strengthening Brach Paris’ reputation in France and internationally. His role will include supporting the guest experience, working closely with the hotel’s teams and contributing to the property’s continued growth and desirability.
The appointment comes within the context of Brach Paris’ distinctive positioning in the luxury hospitality market. Rather than functioning solely as a place to stay, the property has been conceived as a destination that brings together hospitality, gastronomy, wellness and local community life.
Maintaining this positioning requires a clear understanding of the property’s identity and the expectations of its guests. The focus extends beyond traditional hotel operations to the overall experience, including the atmosphere, service interactions and the ways in which guests engage with the destination.
Bontems’ experience across luxury hotels and lifestyle-driven hospitality environments provides relevant expertise for this responsibility. Working alongside the teams, he will support the continued development of Brach Paris while helping preserve the distinctive spirit and standards that define the property.
Enhancing the Guest Experience at Brach Paris
The guest experience remains central to Brach Paris’ identity. The property combines several elements of hospitality within a single destination, creating an environment where accommodation, gastronomy, wellness and social experiences form part of a broader offering.
Under Gilles Bontems’ leadership, the focus will be on continuing to enhance this experience while maintaining the property’s established character. Attention to detail, service consistency and a strong understanding of guest expectations are important elements of this approach.
His previous roles in hotel management and operations provide a foundation for supporting the teams responsible for delivering these experiences. His background in food and beverage also complements the multidisciplinary nature of Brach Paris, where gastronomy contributes to the property’s wider identity.
The objective is to continue developing the hotel without losing the distinctive personality that sets it apart within the luxury hospitality sector.
Brach Paris: A Distinctive Approach to Urban Luxury
As the flagship property of the Brach brand, Brach Paris represents Evok Collection’s approach to creating hospitality destinations with strong individual identities. The property embodies a vibrant, urban, cultural and deeply human interpretation of luxury.
Its concept positions the hotel as a destination to be experienced, rather than simply accommodation for visitors to the French capital. Hospitality, gastronomy, wellness and local community life come together through an approach designed around a distinctive atmosphere and sense of energy.
This positioning places the property within a wider evolution in luxury hospitality, where the experience extends beyond traditional service and accommodation. Individual character, authenticity and a connection with the surrounding community can play an important role in shaping how guests perceive and experience a hotel.
Brach Paris’ identity is built around this combination of elements. Its distinctive spirit forms part of the property’s appeal and provides the context for its continued development under the leadership of Gilles Bontems.
Preserving this identity while supporting growth requires consistency across the guest experience and the hotel’s day-to-day operations. The General Manager’s role is therefore closely connected to maintaining service standards while helping the property continue to evolve.
Gilles Bontems’ Appointment Reflects Evok Collection’s Hospitality Vision
The appointment of Gilles Bontems reflects Evok Collection’s ambition to create and nurture hospitality destinations with strong personalities. The group emphasises an approach in which emotion, authentic service and attention to detail come together to deliver a distinctive and enduring vision of hospitality.
Brach Paris illustrates this philosophy through its combination of urban culture, gastronomy, wellness and community-oriented experiences. Its identity is central to the way the property positions itself within the luxury market.
By appointing a leader with experience across international luxury hotel groups and multiple areas of hotel operations, Evok Collection is reinforcing its focus on operational expertise and the continued development of its hospitality destinations.
Bontems’ experience across France, Belgium and Switzerland, together with his background in food and beverage and lifestyle-driven hospitality, provides a broad professional foundation for the role. His responsibilities will include supporting the hotel’s teams, enhancing the guest experience and strengthening Brach Paris’ reputation in domestic and international markets.
The appointment also highlights the importance of leadership in maintaining the balance between growth and authenticity. For distinctive luxury properties, continued development must remain aligned with the character, service standards and guest expectations that define the brand.
A New Chapter for Gilles Bontems and Brach Paris
Gilles Bontems’ appointment as General Manager marks a new chapter in the continued development of Brach Paris. With experience spanning luxury hotel management, operations and food and beverage, he joins the property with a background that aligns with its multifaceted hospitality concept.
His focus will be on strengthening the hotel’s reputation, supporting its teams and enhancing the guest experience while remaining faithful to the distinctive spirit of the house.
For Evok Collection, the appointment reinforces its ambition to develop hospitality destinations that combine authentic service, attention to detail and a clear sense of identity.
As Brach Paris continues to build on its position as the flagship property of the Brach brand, Gilles Bontems will play a central role in supporting its development and maintaining the exceptional standards that define its approach to urban luxury.
Ahmed Abdul Wasey
Managing Editor, Eat ‘N Stays
Ahmed Abdul Wasey is the Managing Editor in Eat ‘N Stays, overseeing all editorial coverage of travel, hospitality, and food across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. He sets the publication’s editorial direction and reviews coverage across hotels, restaurants, tourism, cruise, and industry news before it publishes.
Have a story tip, correction, or question about our coverage? Reach Ahmed directly at pr@eatnstays.com.
