On the heels of its seasonal reopening, Belmond La Samanna, the ultimate luxury resort in St. Martin, welcomes Michael Schoonewagen as the property’s newly appointed general manager.
Pascal Deyrolle, the former general manager of Belmond La Samanna, was appointed general manager of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in October.
Pascal takes over the role from Claude Ginella, who will be retiring. Ginella was involved with the start of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train in 1982 and has been successfully running the train ever since. Ginella has agreed to stay on in advisory role for 18 months to assist the transition.
Prior to his appointment at Belmond La Samanna, Schoonewagen spent nearly five years at the helm of the well-known St. Regis Bora Bora and has a portfolio of experience including renowned properties in Monte Carlo, The Comoros, Mauritius, Moscow, St. Tropez, and Madeira.
“I am proud to be joining the Belmond team – a company I’ve always admired – and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season at Belmond La Samanna,” said Schoonewagen in a written release. “After working in the middle of the Pacific Ocean for nearly 5 years, I’m glad to be back in civilization and continuing to inspire and cultivate the next generation of Belmond La Samanna guests, who eventually become family and will call the resort their home away from home.”
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