The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas has appointed Guntram Merl as its new general manager. Within his role, Merl will oversee day-to-day management of operations, including the resort’s evolving food and beverage program, working across departments to ensure cohesion and strategic planning.
With more than 25 years of international hospitality experience, Merl has built a reputation for delivering exceptional guest experiences and cultivating high-performing, service-driven teams. Born in Carinthia, Austria, Merl’s career spans five-star, five-diamond, and boutique properties across London, Gstaad, Australia, the Cayman Islands, Asia and the United States. In global leadership roles, including at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, where he helped launch the premier Cayman Cookout culinary festival, he has contributed to earned accolades including the Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond awards.
Merl most recently served as general manager of The St. Regis Atlanta, where he oversaw a 15-year streak of Five Diamond ratings and maintained best-in-class Intent to Recommend scores. During his tenure, the hotel was named Marriott’s “Hotel of the Year,” and Merl earned the distinction of General Manager of the Year for the brand’s U.S. East Region in 2023.
Merl’s dedication to hospitality extends to food and beverage initiatives. Among other initiatives, he helped launch “Out of the Kitchen,” a culinary fundraiser that earned nearly $5 million across four markets, benefiting organizations such as Horizons Atlanta and other philanthropic groups across the country.
Merl holds a degree in Hospitality Management with distinction from the Hospitality Professions School in Oberwollanig, Austria.
