Clifford Grauers is new GM at Great Eastern

Hyatt veteran Clifford Grauers is to become the new general manager of London's Great Eastern hotel, Caterer can exclusively reveal.

Grauers, currently at the Birmingham Hyatt, will take over from the Great Eastern's general manager, Nicholas Rettie, on 1 April.

Grauers, who has spent 20 years working for Hyatt in Casablanca, Dubai, Bali and Tokyo, said: "I want to keep the style and quirkiness of the hotel but also bring the advantages of Hyatt's marketing and selling systems to give us the best of both worlds."

Conran Holdings' contract to run the hotel's three restaurants is also now under discussion. Grauers said: "They are successful restaurants and if they can bring something to the table, we'll look at that and how much it's going to cost."

Global Hyatt Corporation bought the Great Eastern from Conran Holdings and Blackstone Real Estate last month. The 267-bedroom hotel will be rebranded as a Hyatt next January.

• Kevin Kelly has been appointed general manager of the Marriott Grosvenor Square, following Hunter Hansen's departure to Florida. Kelly returns to the hotel after two years as general manager at the Marriott Marble Arch.

By Emily Manson

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