French luxury hospitality brand Airelles is celebrating a major achievement at the 2026 Virtuoso Global Awards, with Étienne Petitpez, General Manager of Airelles Palladio Venice, named Hotelier of the Year.
The prestigious win comes alongside two further nominations for Airelles at this year’s awards:
- Best New or Reimagined Hotel – Airelles Venezia
- Best Brand Hotel – Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
Presented annually during Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, the Virtuoso Global Awards are among the luxury travel industry’s highest honours, recognising exceptional performance, innovation and commitment to creating extraordinary travel experiences. The Hotelier of the Year award recognises exceptional leadership and celebrates hoteliers who have made a profound impact on both their teams and the guest experience.
A respected leader in luxury hospitality, Étienne has built a distinguished career across some of the world’s most renowned institutions, including Le Meurice, Le Bristol, Palais Namaskar and the Ritz Paris. Most recently, he has overseen the opening of Airelles Venezia, the brand’s first international property.
Known for his people-first leadership philosophy and unwavering commitment to service excellence, Étienne has been instrumental in bringing the Airelles vision to Venice, fostering a culture grounded in authenticity, care and meticulous attention to detail.
“This recognition belongs to our entire team”, says Étienne. “Hospitality is, above all, a collective endeavour. Every memorable experience is made possible by passionate people who share a commitment to excellence and genuine care for others.”
The award marks a significant personal milestone for Étienne and reflects a career shaped by a deep commitment to the art of hospitality. After initially studying law, he began his hospitality career in Paris, drawn to the city’s renowned luxury hotels and distinctive approach to service. He developed his expertise in concierge services at Le Meurice and Le Bristol, where he earned his Clefs d’Or, before contributing to the opening of Palais Namaskar in Marrakech and the historic reopening of the Ritz Paris.
He subsequently took on his first General Manager role at Airelles Val d’Isère, where he helped establish a team culture founded on trust, recognition and service excellence. His approach reflects the wider Airelles philosophy: creating destinations where a strong sense of place, heritage and culture are brought together with highly personalised hospitality.
The recognition follows the opening of Airelles Palladio Venice on the island of La Giudecca, Airelles’ first international address. Set across three meticulously restored 16th-century buildings and surrounded by nearly one hectare of gardens overlooking San Marco, the property represents a bold new chapter for the French hospitality group.
Étienne’s Virtuoso recognition reinforces Airelles’ position at the forefront of experiential luxury hospitality, celebrating not only the individuality of its destinations, but also the people whose passion, leadership and expertise bring the Airelles experience to life. www.airelles.com
