Dorchester Collection appoints new general manager at New York Palace

The Dorchester Collection has appointed a new general manager for the New York Palace hotel, replacing Niklaus Leuenberger who was removed from his role earlier this year.

Edward Mady will take up his new position on 1 June reporting to Dorchester Collection chief executive Christopher Cowdray.

Mady will join from Ritz-Carlton where he has been vice-president and area general manager responsible for their properties in San Francisco, Half Moon Bay and Phoenix since January 2002.

Cowdray said the group was thrilled to be welcoming such a respected and experienced hotelier to the collection.

"We have ambitious plans for the New York Palace with a major refurbishment due to start in 2011 and I know Ed will do a tremendous job in leading this exciting project," he said.

Leuenberger departed the position at the 55-storey luxury hotel on Madison Avenue on Monday 23 March, after a stint of almost three years at the property.

According to the New York News](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/03/25/2009-03-25_new_york_palace_hotel_boss_niklaus_leuen.html) Leuenberger was asked to leave the hotel after he allegedly ordered a Catholic employee to clean his forehead of ash on Ash Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the Dorchester Collection confirmed that Leuenberger no longer worked at the New York Palace Hotel, but would not be drawn on the reasoning.

"As of Monday 23 March, Leuenberger is no longer employed by the New York Palace," she said.

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By Chris Druce

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