Germantown, TN- based McNeill Hotel Company recently named Karla Jacobs as General Manager at its Hampton Inn & Suites Destin (FL) property. MHC President Travis Murray made the announcement.
Germantown, TN- based McNeill Hotel Company (MHC) recently promoted Etienne Courchesne from Assistant General Manager to General Manager at its Home2 Suites by Hilton Destin (FL) property. MHC President Travis Murray made the announcement.
Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel company founded by Sheila Johnson, has appointed David Mars as general manager of The Henderson, a Salamander Beach & Spa Resort - northwest Florida's premier luxury destination. Mars brings more than two decades of experience and leadership within the hospitality industry to the position. He joins The Henderson in Destin, FL, after eight years with Montage Hotels & Resorts, where he was the general manager of Spanish Peaks Mountain Club in Big Sky, MT. Previously, he was the resort manager at Montage Deer Valley in Park City, UT, and the rooms executive at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, CA. Mars began his career in the front office at the Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad, CA. He has also served as director of operations for SKYLOFTS and Signature, both at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as well as assistant general manager at the Renaissance Las Vegas. Reminiscent of a luxurious grand seaside manor of yesteryear, The Henderson is located adjacent to 200 acres of pristine preserve and just steps from miles of sugar-sand beaches and emerald waters. The property captures the romance of traditional coastal architecture with striking shingles and steep gable rooflines that give reverence to Florida's deep nautical history. The 170-room resort features spacious, coastal-inspired guest rooms and suites with sweeping balconies, as well as luxurious villa-style accommodations called The Lofts, which opened this year. The Henderson also includes the beautiful Salamander Spa with numerous wellness offerings, coastal-inspired dining in the relaxed settings of Primrose and Horizons, two swimming pools and a lazy river, Sprinkles Ice Cream Shop, a sunset rooftop terrace, 30,000 sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and a host of family-friendly recreational programs and activities.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, the largest full-service beachfront resort on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, has announced the completion of renovations at their award-wining Serenity by the sea Spa, and the appointment of Rhonda Davis as the new spa director. A Tennessee native, Davis began her journey in the spa industry as a private practice massage therapist in Memphis in 2003. In 2007 she was presented an opportunity to work with The Spa at The Four Seasons in Miami, which launched career as hotel spa director. Prior to Serenity by the sea, Davis was spa director at Sports Club LA in Miami, Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort in Tampa, Fla. and most recently, Spa Oceana at the historic Lowes Don Cesar Spa Oceana in St. Pete Beach, Fla. In addition to her spa experience, Davis has had more than 20 years of corporate retail experience in soft and hardline industries. She previously held positions of regional trainer, recovery trainer and district manager with companies such as Lenox China, Dress Barn and Stone Mountain Handbags.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, the largest full-service beachfront resort on Northwest Florida's Gulf Coast, has announced the appointment of Elyse Graver as the resort's newest regional sales manager. Based in Plano, Texas, Graver will direct the resort's sales efforts into the Texas and the West Coast territories. A 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Graver has for the last 12 years worked as an independent hotel contractor representing resorts, full-service and select-service properties for all major hotel brands, including Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt and Sheraton. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Graver also worked as the corporate sales manager for Bristol Hotels for nine years.
With her vast experience in management and marketing, Ms. Harrison offers unique insight and leadership. Most recently Ms. Harrison worked as community relations/public relations coordinator for Walton County Tourist Development Council where she managed their social media account deployment, was in charge of Visit South Walton Artist of the Year program, and developed newsletters and press releases. Ms. Harrison’s management career is also highlighted by her ability to manage large financial budgets and staff both effectively and efficiently at her previous places of employment.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, the largest full-service beachfront resort on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, has announced the appointment of Richard Ross as the resort’s new vice president of sales and marketing. With 20 years of leadership success in hospitality and tourism, Ross has amassed numerous industry achievements. Most recently he was vice president and director of sales and marketing for Remington Hotels, based at Hilton Fort Worth, where he was nominated for Sales Leader of the Year, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Ross’ hospitality career includes various positions at Hilton, including complex director of sales and marketing at Buffalo Thunder Resort, where he was instrumental in opening the resort three months ahead of schedule and under budget.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa announces the appointment of Kelli Sprague as Wedding and Special Events Manager. In her new role, Sprague will be responsible for managing weddings and local special events. She will provide all clients with a professional and friendly contact throughout their experience with Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.
A native of the Southwest, Lee has worked in hospitality and tourism sales industry for nearly 15 years, with much of that time spent as part of the Hilton Family. Most recently he worked as the regional director of sales for Guoman & Thistle Hotels, the largest portfolio of hotels in the UK. In addition, he has been in Chicago for 10 years where he was a national and senior sales manager for Hilton Hotels of Chicago, Starwood Hotels of Chicago and Kokua Hospitality, LLC. He is certified by Hilton’s Customer Focused Selling program and has completed the Hilton Revenue Management University.