Richard Cooke has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Bel-Air
Dorchester Collection has announced the appointment of Richard Cooke as general manager of its legendary Los Angeles hideaway Hotel Bel-Air, effective January 1, 2027. He joins from Rocco Forte Hotels, where in his role as managing director, UK & Northern Europe he led the operations at London’s Brown’s Hotel as well as overseeing the company’s hotels across UK, Belgium and Germany.
Richard brings more than 30 years of international luxury hospitality experience to his new role. Prior to joining Rocco Forte Hotels, he spent more than 15 years in senior leadership positions with Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, including general manager and area general manager roles in Asia and Canada. His earlier career was spent in food & beverage management across the US with Four Seasons, Regent Hotels, Ritz Carlton and Rosewood.
Born and raised in the UK, Richard completed the general manager program at Singapore Management University as well as executive education at the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality, also in Singapore.
Hotel Bel-Air is one of Los Angeles’ most private addresses; hidden inside 12 acres of canyon gardens yet moments from the excitement of the city. It offers a world apart in which to move through LA differently. Richard’s appointment as general manager follows the from the hotel being awarded the Michelin Guide’s prestigious three-key rating as one of only two in LA; alongside sister-property The Beverly Hills Hotel.