New general manager Stephane Lacroix arrives at Hotel Jerome

Change is afoot at the iconic Hotel Jerome. 

Stephane Lacroix took over the helm as general manager on May 12. It’s a move that felt “meant to be,” Lacroix said, given the timing, as the historic property was already undergoing a refresh and preparing for a significant reactivation. The highly anticipated reopening took place May 22.

Lacroix, who was born in France, settled in the U.S. in 1994 with the goal of learning English fluently and expanding his career in luxury hospitality. Along the way, both Aspen and Hotel Jerome captured his imagination. 

“I have always heard about Aspen and so many times about Hotel Jerome,” he said. 

While he hadn’t “penciled” Aspen into his journey, the thought of one day becoming part of Hotel Jerome’s story was always lingering. When Auberge Resorts Collection reached out to him about the general manager opportunity, his interest was piqued immediately. 

It didn’t matter whether Lacroix was living in San Francisco, New York, or Los Angeles; Lacroix noticed how the mention of Aspen always seeped into the conversation.

“When you associate your brand name with such a legacy property and you are potentially seeing another legacy property that could be part of your journey, there was very quickly an interest from me,” he said.

The next step was experiencing the product firsthand. After a 13-year stint in Los Angeles, he arrived on site and spent two transformative days with Tony DiLucia, the hotel’s long-serving general manager for three decades.

“Tony and I spent two full days together, like two old friends that have known each other the whole time,” Lacroix said. 

The two hoteliers had in-depth conversations about Hotel Jerome’s past successes, its tremendous potential, and the ongoing commitment to improve.  

Lacroix’s initial weeks continue to be a flurry of activity as he connects the dots with the dedicated team and the Aspen community. 

“You want the legacy, but you also want to be current,” he said, speaking of the delicate balance of honoring a property established in 1889 while ensuring it feels fresh and contemporary. 

The recent room refresh, for example, stayed true to the authenticity of the design while providing a “pristine product” for their guests. The core of luxury, he shared, is ensuring everything is provided, so guests can experience perfection upon entering their room or suite.

One returning guest told him “It’s the most amazing hotel” after a 10-day stay. Lacroix was impressed to meet another set of guests with an emotional connection to the hotel, boasting of over 40 stays at Hotel Jerome.

The newly activated Garden Room is another example of innovation. Although set in motion before Lacroix’s entrance, the general manager emanates his enthusiasm for the bold move.

“It’s a very intimate, unique, space that to me adds another layer to the many options that you find when you are on the property here,” Lacroix said. “The natural light flooding in through large windows is a seamless extension of the hotel’s Victorian design.”

“It feels like it’s always been here,” said Mandi Meng, Auberge Resorts Collection area director of marketing and communications.

Hotel Jerome also continues to evolve its culinary offerings, from the J-Bar to The Prospect, which now offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel will extend its menu to the elegant outdoor courtyard, The Prospect Garden, starting June 9.

After three weeks, Lacroix and his wife, Estelle, are embracing their new hometown. Originally hailing from Switzerland, she lived in the U.S. for 29 years. Together, they are exploring Aspen’s celebrated dining scene, with spots like Clark’s for oysters or the White House Tavern, and joining in with the active, outdoor lifestyle with activities such as visiting the Maroon Bells.

Now a firsthand witness to Aspen as a “world-class destination” and Hotel Jerome as a “significant part of that process,” Lacroix is all about continuing “the quest for excellence” and ensuring Hotel Jerome continues to uphold its renowned status.

He concludes, “If you don’t find a challenge, I think you are in the wrong industry.”