Canning, President of Westport Hospitality, LLC based in Burlington, announced the appointment of Hans van Wees as General Manager of the NEW Hotel Vermont. When the contemporary, LEED-certified hotel begins welcoming guests in Spring 2013, van Wees will be responsible for managing the hotel including all operations, sales and marketing and overseeing food and beverage.
A seasoned hospitality professional with extensive Vermont hotel experience, van Wees arrives at Hotel Vermont following senior leadership roles at hotels across New England, Europe and the Caribbean. Trained as an officer in the Dutch army, he launched his career in the Netherlands with Sonesta International Hotels and Resorts before transferring to Bermuda as Resident Manager of in various senior management positions at the 400-room Sonesta Beach Resort and Spa. Van Wees then moved to the U.S. as General Manager of the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. He also provided consulting services to a variety of businesses throughout New England, including Jay Peak Resort in Jay, Vermont, where he led the opening of the boutique Tram Haus Lodge - a key component of the resort's $200 million expansion.