Dutch operator Eden Hotels, owned by KSL Capital Partners and the Dijkstra family, has named Billy Skelli-Cohen as its new CEO. His predecessor Leon Dijkstra will now take up a new role on the Supervisory Board.

A seasoned hospitality operator with a track record in investment, development and operations, Skelli-Cohen was formerly CEO of Lore Group, where he led the acquisitions, re-positioning and operations of Pulitzer Amsterdam, Sea Containers London and Riggs Washington DC. Most recently, he co-founded Àterre.

Eden Hotels currently owns and operates 14 hotels with almost 2,000 rooms, predominantly in Amsterdam and other major Dutch cities. The business has been built up by the Dijkstra family over almost 75 years and includes, among others, the 400-room Eden Hotel Amsterdam as well as the Hard Rock Hotel Amsterdam American. Today, the business employs over 500 people across its hotels and central offices in Holland.

“Our partnership with KSL in December marked the start of our growth plans, and having Billy onboard will help us realise this,” says Leon Dijkstra. “Collectively with KSL’s backing, our core DNA and Billy’s experience, we are excited to take Eden to the next level and kick start our European growth.”

Skelli-Cohen comments on his move: “It’s a real privilege and an honour to be joining a long-standing family business that has built a compelling collection of city centre hotels over two generations and is now part of KSL’s impressive portfolio. I am excited to join forces with the existing team to propel the development and growth, and enable Eden hotels to write the next chapter in its history.”