Franziska Pfaff Appointed General Manager of The Zipper
One of the First Hotel Managers
Düsseldorf, October 15, 2026 – Franziska Pfaff (30) is taking over the position of General Manager at The Zipper Hotel & Apartments in Düsseldorf, effective immediately.
In this role, she will have overall responsibility for the property in the RKM 740 Tower on Pariser Straße, a premium project by HOSPITALITY X.
She is one of the youngest general managers in this hotel category.
Franziska Pfaff has been part of the team since the pre-opening phase; the property opened in November 2023. Starting as Resident Manager and then as Hotel Manager beginning in 2024, she expanded her scope of responsibility year after year, most recently to include revenue management and distribution.
Today, she leads a team of 11 employees.
Comprehensive responsibility for the site
“In her new role, Franziska will assume overall responsibility for the location.
We’re especially proud of how well Franziska has built her network.
This aligns perfectly with our approach at HOSPITALITY X and, in particular, with our goal of continuing to grow in the areas of events and community at The Zipper.
We’re convinced that this is one of her particular strengths, just as much as her high standards for operational excellence,” say Otto K. Lindner and Tobias S. Oberdieck, co-founders and co-managing directors of HOSPITALITY X.
Pictured from left to right: Tobias S. Oberdieck, Franziska Pfaff, Otto K. Lindner
Practical Experience, Qualifications, and an International Perspective
Pfaff, who lives in Düsseldorf, began her career by training as a hotel manager at the Lindner Hotel & Sporting Club Wiesensee.
This was followed by several years at the Lindner Hotel & Residence Main Plaza in Frankfurt, most recently as banquet sales manager, and as head of Meetings & Events for three properties of the Radisson Hotel Group.
She holds a degree in Hotel Management (DHA), serves as a volunteer examiner for the Frankfurt am Main Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), and completed the General Managers Program at Cornell University in New York in early 2026.
One of the most innovative buildings of its kind
The Zipper offers 168 premium serviced apartments, available for stays ranging from one night to long-term stays.
Under the motto “A Guest. At Home,” it combines a fully digitized stay with personalized service, co-working, co-cooking, a rooftop terrace with a view of the Rhine, and a panoramic sauna. The building also houses an interdisciplinary specialty clinic.
In 2025, Vodafone recognized the concept as “Germany’s most innovative hotel concept.”
“What makes The Zipper special is that all decisions regarding the hotel property are made on-site. There are no central administrative offices—we are the administrative office,” says Franziska Pfaff.
“As General Manager, I see it as my responsibility to carry forward the passion for this hotel, together with all our partners, employees, and guests, who make us so unique.”
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