Profile

Marc Dardenne

Chief Executive Officer
Modon Holding Hospitality

Following graduation from the world-renowned Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, Marc embarked on a rich and progressive career as a hotelier across the globe. He is currently the CEO of Modon Hospitality. Marc is a passionate and relatable hotelier with well-rounded operational expertise, having worked extensively with Grand Hyatt and Ritz-Carlton in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. He is well recognized for creating operational excellence and delivering strong financial results. In 2008, Emaar, the Middle East’s largest real estate company, approached Marc to develop and launch its hospitality division. During his tenure, he created the luxury five-star lifestyle brand The Address Hotels and Resorts and collaborated with Giorgio Armani on launching the Armani Hotels in Dubai and Milan. He also led the expansion of Emaar’s leisure division, which included spas, golf courses, a polo club, and a yacht club. In 2011, Marc was recruited by Pontiac Land in Singapore, owned by the Kwee family, prominent real estate investors. He led the creation of their ultra-luxury brand, Patina Hotels and Resorts, developing projects in Singapore, Shanghai, Maldives, and Sydney. He later joined Jumeirah Group in Dubai as COO and Acting CEO, followed by a project with PIF on the Amaala development in Saudi Arabia. His most recent role was with Accor Luxury Brands in Europe, overseeing operational excellence for 55 hotels, including Raffles Royal Monceau, the Savoy, and Fairmont Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg. Marc is Belgian, born in France, raised in Switzerland, and fluent in four languages. He has been happily married for 35 years to Rima, his American wife. They are blessed to have two children living in Miami and San Francisco. A health and sports enthusiast, Marc enjoys global travel and cultural exploration. He supports several charities including Doctors Without Borders and The Red Ribbon, and recently joined Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne as a visiting professor.