In advance of the highly anticipated opening of the first Four Seasons hotel in Spain, Christoph Schmidinger has been appointed opening General Manager to oversee the new luxury hotel set to open in late 2019.
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Madrid will be located in the heart of the historical city centre, converting several spectacular heritage buildings into a 200-room hotel and 22 Private Residences.
Schmidinger started his Four Seasons career 25 years ago, and after a series of international assignments in Singapore, Chicago, Atlanta, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, he assumed leadership at the landmark Four Seasons Hotel New York in Midtown Manhattan, overseeing several other properties as Regional Vice President. His ascent in the company continued when he was appointed General Manager and Regional Vice President to the company’s flagship property in Asia, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, where he has been since 2014.
Under his leadership, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, home to the first Cantonese restaurant in the world to earn three Michelin stars, set the global record for the most Michelin stars at a single hotel. The Hotel has also been widely regarded as one of the finest luxury hotels in China, and around the globe.
“Christoph is an incredibly experienced and talented hotelier, and we are very lucky to have had him lead some of our most notable properties around the world,” said Simon Casson, President, Hotel Operations, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. “His experience and expertise are what make him the perfect candidate for our new hotel in Madrid, a project that is incredibly important to Four Seasons growth as it will mark our entry into Spain in a thriving international city, and a key destination for luxury travellers.”
“I am very proud to be part of such a significant milestone in our company’s history, and to lead the team as we introduce the Four Seasons brand to Spain with this exquisite hotel,” said Schmidinger. “This project is exceptional in every way, from its location to the destination, the product and our partners at OHL Desarrollos and Mohari Hospitality, and I cannot wait to welcome guests to see for themselves and to experience this great city in a new way together with Four Seasons.”
Truly an international individual, Schmidinger has travelled extensively, starting at a young age with his family, and speaks four languages. Combining his love for travel and hospitality, he studied at the Certificate of Hotel and Tourism Administration Academy in Salzburg, Austria before holding managerial positions at renowned hotels around the world, and then joining Four Seasons.
Casson continues, “Christoph is already hard at work preparing for the upcoming opening of Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Madrid, and I have no doubt that he is the ideal leader to introduce the Four Seasons culture, brand, and people to this great city, positioning yet another iconic Four Seasons property for great success.”
About Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Madrid
Opening in late 2019, Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Madrid will include 200 guest accommodations and 22 luxury Private Residences, as well as three restaurant and bar outlets, unrivalled function and event spaces, a world-class spa and fitness facility complete with swimming pool, as well as being connected to 15,000 square metres (160,000 square feet) of luxury retail and gastronomy at Galería Canalejas.
The hotel and residences will be housed within a collection of heritage buildings in the most vibrant district of Madrid, between the Puerta del Sol square and the Prado Museum, and located within walking distance of some of the city’s major landmarks and attractions. The historic buildings, including those with frontages on Alcalá Street, Sevilla Street, Canalejas Square and Carrera de San Jerónimo, are being carefully restored and renovated, maintaining the character, charm and history of the surroundings, creating a truly one-of-a-kind hospitality experience for leisure and business travellers alike.
This project is in partnership with OHL Desarrollos, highly regarded developers in Spain, and Mohari Hospitality, and will join a growing collection of historic properties from Four Seasons.
