One Aldwych, Covent Garden, one of London’s leading independently-owned hotels and member of Leading Hotels of the World, has announced the appointment of Simon Hirst as Managing Director. Home to 93 guestrooms and 12 suites plus two renowned restaurants: the recently launched Eneko London by three Michelin-starred Basque Chef Eneko Atxa and Indigo, Hirst returns to the hotel where he launched the property as General Manager. He re-joins One Aldwych as a Board member and Managing Director.

Hirst brings over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry to his new position at One Aldwych. He began his career with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, holding senior management positions with the group’s hotels in Hong Kong and San Francisco. Since, Hirst was General Manager at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in London, Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, and The Four Seasons in Chiang Mai.

In 1997, Simon was appointed as opening General Manager of One Aldwych, London. Over the next 14 years at One Aldwych he also oversaw Carlisle Bay, Antigua, Dukes, London and Le Gray, Beirut. He joined Raffles Hotels & Resorts as General Manager of Raffles Seychelles in 2011 and two years later became General Manager of Raffles Singapore.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to One Aldwych. As the original General Manager of the hotel when it opened in 1998, the property holds a very special place for me. I look forward to working closely with this warm, passionate and professional team to take it to the next level,” said Hirst.

Rooms start from £270 + VAT.

One Aldwych, www.onealdwych.com