Wilhelm LuxemMichel Rey is ending his 30-year tenure as Managing Director of the Baur au Lac with his elevation to the hotel's board, and Wilhelm Luxem (pictured, below left) has been appointed the new Managing Director of the renowned Swiss hotel. The Rey family, including Rey's father and predecessor, Georges Rey, has been dedicated to the tradition-rich Baur au Lac for nearly 60 years. Since taking over his father's position as Managing Director in the early 1980s, Rey has gracefully met the ever-changing needs of travelers, beginning a new chapter in the success and growth of the Baur au Lac. Together with Andrea Kracht, owner of the Baur au Lac, Rey has played a significant role in repositioning the hotel amid Europe's leading hotels. By overseeing an outstanding staff, he has maintained the hotel's service at a world-class level, resulting in two commendable tributes of the coveted Commitment to Quality Award as the "Best Hotel in Europe,"from the experts at the The Leading Hotels of the World. "Michel Rey has certainly left his mark on the Baur au Lac, as he has worked relentlessly with enthusiasm and dedication to successfully amplify the Baur au Lac's appeal as one of the most exclusive and luxurious hotels in both Europe and the world," says Andrea Kracht. "Though we will all miss Michel's daily presence, his magic touch will continue to be felt throughout the Baur au Lac." Wilhelm Luxem has extensive experience in the luxury hotel industry. His career path included the Schlosshotel Kronberg in Taunus; Brenner's Park Hotel & Spa in Baden- Baden; Australia's renowned Hayman Island Resort; and he opened and managed both the Anassa Resort in Cyprus and The Oberoi Mauritius. Since 2004, Luxem has successfully run the Excelsior Hotel Ernst in Cologne, the Baur au Lac's sister establishment, and in 2009, he was named Germany's "Hotelier of the Year" by the Busche Publisher. During his tenure at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst the venerable hotel was also awarded the 2011 Leaders Club Guest Recognition Award of Excellence by the members of The Leading Hotels of the World's "Leaders Club".