The Palace Hotel, Madrid announces the appointment of Elisa Barral as its new General Manager, making her the first woman to lead the iconic hotel since its opening in 1912…
With a solid background in the hospitality industry and more than 25 years of experience in management, finance, and operations for international luxury brands, Elisa Barral assumes leadership of the iconic The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid at a key moment of transformation, aiming to foster sustainable growth and further strengthen its position among the finest luxury hotels in Europe.
Image credit: The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid
Barral takes on the leadership of the hotel with the intention of “returning The Palace to the very top of Madrid’s luxury hospitality scene and repositioning it on the international stage as the great city hotel it has always been. The renovation has only been the beginning; our goal now is to deliver an experience worthy of its legendary prestige, creating memorable moments and building strong, lasting relationships with our guests. With the renovation project virtually complete, our next chapter is about elevating the essence of The Palace – its service, atmosphere, and experiences – to make it the most desirable destination in Madrid, both for locals and for luxury travellers from around the world, a place with which guests maintain a special connection long after their departure,” she concludes.
Prior to joining the hotel, Elisa Barral served as Senior Vice President of Operations and Asset Management for Mediterranean Europe at L+R Hotels, where she oversaw a broad portfolio of luxury properties in Spain, Monaco, and Italy, leading high-impact projects focused on driving profitability, service excellence, and cultural transformation. However, this is not her first experience at The Palace, as early in her career she was part of the hotel’s finance department for two years. Her professional background also includes notable tenures as General Manager of Le Méridien Barcelona, as well as multiple senior roles within Marriott International and previously Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Recognised for her strategic vision and strong leadership capabilities, she combines a solid financial orientation with a people-centric approach focused on talent development and excellence in luxury service. Her experience –balancing a deep respect for The Palace Hotel’s historic legacy with a strong commitment to innovation – will be key to guiding the hotel through this new phase and defining its strategic roadmap for the years ahead.
Main image credit: The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid
