Luxury hotel operator Dorchester Collection has confirmed the appointment of Richard Cooke as General Manager of Hotel Bel‑Air in Los Angeles, with the new role effective from 1 January 2027. The announcement, made by the company this month, places a senior British hotelier at the helm of a property famed for its gardens and secluded character.
Experienced leadership for a landmark site
Hotel Bel‑Air, set within 12 acres of gardens in Los Angeles, joins Dorchester Collection’s portfolio of international luxury hotels. In his new role Cooke succeeds the current leadership and will be responsible for guiding the hotel into its next phase of operations under the umbrella of the Collection.
Cooke’s career spans more than 30 years in luxury hospitality. He arrives from Rocco Forte Hotels, where he served as Managing Director for the UK and Northern Europe. During that tenure he led operations at Brown’s Hotel in London and held oversight for properties across the UK, Belgium and Germany. Earlier in his career he held senior leadership positions with Shangri‑La Hotels & Resorts, including General Manager and Area General Manager roles across Asia and Canada, and worked in food and beverage management in the US for brands including Four Seasons, Regent Hotels, Ritz‑Carlton and Rosewood.
“Hotel Bel‑Air is unlike anywhere else; it’s a much‑loved legendary hideaway with a remarkable team, a deep creative spirit and a rare sense of freedom,” said Philippe Leboeuf, Chief Executive Officer of Dorchester Collection.
Leboeuf added that Cooke’s “warmth, cosmopolitan perspective and instinct for truly meaningful hospitality” made him well placed to lead the property. In a statement accompanying the appointment Cooke also commented on his feelings about the move, saying it was a “true honour” and expressing excitement at leading the team.
What the appointment means locally and for the brand
Although Hotel Bel‑Air is based in Los Angeles and does not operate in Dorset, the appointment is notable for readers here because it involves a UK‑born hotelier and one of Britain’s better known luxury hotel groups. Dorchester Collection’s moves shape the perception of British hospitality talent on the global stage, and the selection of a leader with extensive experience in Europe, Asia and North America demonstrates the international mobility of senior hospitality professionals.
- Effective date: 1 January 2027
- Property: Hotel Bel‑Air, set within 12 acres of gardens
- New role: General Manager — Richard Cooke
Hotel Bel‑Air also recently received a Three Key rating from the Michelin Guide, a distinction it shares with sister property The Beverly Hills Hotel, underlining the culinary and service standards expected at the site. Cooke’s appointment follows that recognition and signals Dorchester Collection’s intention to sustain and develop the guest experience.
Career highlights in brief
| Organisation | Role(s) |
|---|---|
| Rocco Forte Hotels | Managing Director, UK & Northern Europe; Oversaw Brown’s Hotel |
| Shangri‑La Hotels & Resorts | General Manager and Area General Manager roles (Asia and Canada) |
| Various US luxury groups | Food & beverage positions at Four Seasons, Regent, Ritz‑Carlton, Rosewood |
Cooke has also completed executive education programmes, including the General Manager Programme at Singapore Management University and further study at the Cornell‑Nanyang Institute of Hospitality in Singapore.
For residents of Dorchester and across the South West the story is a reminder that British hospitality executives continue to take leading roles internationally. While the physical hotel sits in Beverly Hills’ quieter hills and the hotel’s gardens are a long way from Dorset’s hedged lanes, the appointment illustrates the global reach of a sector in which British training and experience remain influential.
As Hotel Bel‑Air prepares for Cooke’s arrival in the new year, attention will fall on how he steers the property following recent culinary recognition and how he balances preservation of the hotel’s celebrated privacy with the evolving expectations of luxury travellers.
