Long-time UAE hotelier Wojtek Orelwicz has been appointed complex director of rooms for Marriott's Le Meridien Dubai cluster. This puts Orelwicz in charge of 1,247 keys across Le Meridien Dubai, Le Meridien Fairway, Aloft & Element Airport and Aloft & Element Al Mina Hotels.
Williams has long-standing experience in resort maintenance within the hospitality industry both in the UK and abroad, where he has overseen multiple redevelopments, refurbishments and new builds. His most recent venture prior to joining the team at The Belfry was in St. Lucia.
The Woodstock Inn & Resort announces the appointment of Melissa Sheffer to director of rooms. Sheffer brings more than 20 years of experience in hospitality to her new position.
Jesus Avila brings a diverse background of experience with both restaurants and hotels to his dual role of Director of Engineering and Style for AC San Rafael. As Task Force General Manager for Chipotle locations throughout Northern and Southern California, Jesus gained experience in not only opening new locations but also managing all aspects of operations and finances for existing restaurants. In 2005 Jesus opened his own restaurant and bar, Tortilla Flats, which he owned and managed for nearly twelve years in Chico, California before he relocated to Pleasant Hill to switch to the hotel side of the industry. He joined Mark Pope's team as Director of Maintenance for Extended Stay America, and later took on the General Manager position for one of its San Jose locations. In late 2020, he joined the pre-opening team for the Moxy Oakland Downtown as Director of Engineering and Housekeeping, responsible for coordinating all of the building interiors, fire and safety systems and more. Jesus joined Mark Pope's opening team for the AC San Rafael in January 2023, marking his fourth hotel project with Mark, and his first with Evolution Hospitality.
Nathalie Valgaeren has taken up a role in the UAE for the first time, now the front office manager at Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai.
Sofitel Dubai The Palm has brought in Yasmine Huneidi as its director of rooms.
Mr. Erkoc joins Highgate and The Newbury after previously serving as the Director of Rooms at Wayfarer Hotel DTLA, where he successfully recruited, onboarded and trained the Rooms Division team. Prior to Wayfarer DTLA, he was the Assistant General Manager at Kimpton Amara Resort and Spa, Director of Housekeeping at UCLA Luskin Hotel and Conference Center, and Director of Housekeeping & Laundry Operations at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows. In his role at The Newbury, he will be overseeing all the activities of the rooms division, including housekeeping, front office, concierge and guest relations.
Mr. Driscoll joins The Newbury from within Highgate, having most recently been Complex Director of Engineering overseeing The Arcadian Hotel Brookline and Marriot Courtyard Cambridge. Before his career at Highgate, he was the Senior Maintenance Manager at Avalon Bay Communities, Director of Engineering at Cliffhouse Maine, and Director of Engineering at Royal Sonesta. In his new role, he will be overseeing the engineering team at The Newbury Boston, managing contractors and special projects, and ensuring the hotel meets all luxury facility standards.
Tiare Tipoti is the resort's new director of event management, in charge of the planning and execution of events at Waikiki Beach Marriott. Previously, Tipoti held the position of director of sales and marketing for event rental company Accel Events & Tents, responsible for driving sales across Oahu and Maui. Tipoti started her career at Turtle Bay Resort where she spent more than 15 years, growing from conference concierge into positions such as conference service manager and banquet manager before being promoted to director of catering and convention services and assistant director of food and beverage.
Lara will lead the engineering teams and projects for both The St. Regis Chicago Hotel and Residences. Lara has vast experience in the Chicago hotel market, including leading engineering operations for the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, during a successful, major renovation.
BirchStreet Systems Promotes Rosa Bloch to Senior Vice President of Global Implementations
Vakkaru Maldives is delighted to announce the promotion of Ali Almaas to the position of Director of Rooms. Almaas, who previously held the role of Front Office Manager, will join the Executive Committee team and take on additional responsibilities, including overseeing Housekeeping operations.
With previous luxury hospitality experience in the UK and Canada, including The Westin Ottawa and Hotel Le Germain Toronto, Charline Bianchi brings exceptional, global expertise to Marriott Irvine Spectrum as its new director of room operations. In her most recent role as director of guest services at The Clancy, an Autograph Collection in San Francisco, Bianchi led her team to success with an elevated approach to service by implementing next-level training, launching a Loyalty Mindset program, and driving a coaching culture to support young leaders. Bianchi brings her inspiring vision and passion to her role at Marriott Irvine Spectrum and she is responsible for leading day-to-day room operations with the goal to provide impeccable guest service and one-of-a-kind luxury experiences.
McDowell has a robust history in the hospitality industry. An innovative, intuitive and passionate leader, her 20+ years of experience spans from Hawaii to California and New York. Most recently, McDowell was the Director of Rooms at The Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach for over 4 years, where she was responsible for the leadership of all Rooms-related departments. Prior appointments include Hotel Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach, Membership Sales and Service Manager at Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, Director of Guest Services at Turtle Bay Resort, and Learning & Development Manager at Mandarin Oriental, New York.
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center - a newly renovated warm and inviting upscale hotel on the West End of Historic Alexandria - is pleased to announce that Audrey Vincent has been appointed as Director of Catering.
The Newest Marriott property in Mumbai - Fairfield by Marriott, Mumbai International Airport announces appointment of Shashank Pathak as Rooms Division Manager. He will be taking care of overall Rooms division Operations and Revenue.
Evok Collection, founded in 2014, has recruited Mazen Kais as group technical director.
With more than a decade of expertise in creating personalised itineraries, Ashok is a consummate hotelier with a measured and balanced approach to his role. Prior to joining Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai in 2017, Ashok managed a diverse portfolio at the Taj Hotels, Resorts & Palaces, including the internationally acclaimed Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, India. Beginning his career there in learning and development, and later as palace services manager, Ashok built a commendable reputation, playing a vital role as the Palace was named among the final four of Virtuoso's "Hotel of the Year" 2014. As someone who is always obliging, even when his multiple spinning plates are about to take a wobble, Ashok's career traces back to key position in other palace hotels including the Taj Rambagh Palace Hotel, Jaipur and Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur - both illustrious in their own right.
LJBTC announced the hiring of Niki Ellis as Director of Catering & Conference Services. In her new role, Niki is responsible for developing and executing catering initiatives for corporate business and social events. She'll also help to manage the club's large, prestigious events. Prior to joining LJBTC, Niki was the Director of Operations at Downtown Works and also served in special events management roles at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Rancho Valencia, and Maderas Golf Club.
Joshua Jolicoeur an experienced hospitality professional with over 15 years of experience will provide oversight to the hotel's Guest Services. A longtime Miami native, Joshua recently relocated to Atlanta to join the Intercontinental Buckhead Atlanta team, bringing with him years of operations expertise. Josh began his hospitality career with Sheraton Hotels and then later moved to an independent brand Fontainebleau in Miami where he was most recently the Director of Guest Services. At the inception of his career Josh has always lived by the motto "Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Josh brings energy and passion into all aspects of his career and infuses this same energy into creating memorable guest experiences. He's excited to bring this same excitement and energy to Intercontinental Buckhead Atlanta and ensure the guest experience remains top notch.