Kenan Tekin has been appointed as General Manager at Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection
Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection is pleased to announce the appointment of Kenan Tekin as General Manager, bringing more than two decades of hospitality leadership experience to the luxury beachfront hotel.
In his new role, Tekin will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, guiding strategic growth, guest experience, team development, and overall property performance as Sandbourne continues to establish itself as one of the Westside’s most sought-after luxury destinations for leisure travelers, groups, and destination diners.
A seasoned hospitality executive, Tekin has successfully led hotel operations across a diverse portfolio of properties ranging from boutique lifestyle hotels to full-service resorts with more than 800 guestrooms. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation for driving operational excellence, leading successful hotel openings and transitions, and creating elevated guest experiences while delivering strong financial results.
Prior to joining Sandbourne Santa Monica, Tekin held leadership positions with some of the hospitality industry’s most recognized brands, including Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Omni Austin Southpark, Red Cliffs Lodge Zion, and Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Resort. Over the course of his career, he has spearheaded multiple hotel openings, large-scale renovations, rebranding initiatives, and repositioning efforts.
Known for his people-first leadership style, Tekin emphasizes collaboration, operational clarity, and long-term asset value. His experience extends beyond traditional hotel operations to include food and beverage concept development, technology integration, and strategic repositioning initiatives that enhance both guest satisfaction and profitability. Across numerous assignments, he has consistently improved RevPAR performance, guest satisfaction scores, audit results, and online reputation rankings.
Tekin’s leadership has been widely recognized throughout the industry. He is a multiple-time General Manager of the Year finalist, recipient of the HSMAI Los Angeles Best of the Best General Manager of the Year Award, and a J. Willard Marriott Awards of Excellence honoree. Most recently, he was named one of Hotel Management magazine’s “GMs to Watch” in 2025. He previously served as President of HSMAI Los Angeles and currently sits on the organization’s Board of Directors. A frequent industry speaker and panelist, Tekin holds a hospitality degree from Istanbul Hotel Management School, a Hotel Real Estate Investments & Asset Management Certificate from Cornell University, multiple hospitality certifications, and is bilingual in English and Turkish.
With Tekin at the helm, Sandbourne Santa Monica is poised to continue its momentum as one of Southern California’s most distinctive luxury hospitality destinations.