ette hotels, a contemporary luxury hotel group founded by hotelier Alex Ekbatani, launches ette hotel Orlando, the first in their portfolio which is set to open its doors early this Summer. Out to redefine the luxury hospitality space, ette hotels will feature a sophisticated look and feel with a focus on high-touch service and personalized experiences.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is thrilled to announce the promotion of Greg Durrer to the position of Hotel Manager. A 21-year company veteran, Mr. Durrer has returned to Grande Lakes, having held the role of Rooms Director at The JW Marriott from 2007 to 2011.
Downtown Orlando's first lifestyle hotel has tapped industry veteran Robert Mason to forge an innovative beverage and food (B&F) program. With plans to shake up the area's cocktail scene, Mason joins the AC Hotel Orlando Downtown as the Director of Beverage & Food with more than 35 years of hospitality experience, 20 of those spent in the Central Florida region. Mason's inventive B&F program for the new AC Hotel Orlando Downtown includes Spanish-style tapas, creative cocktails made with locally sourced and farm-fresh ingredients, and beers from nearby Tampa, Orlando, and South Florida brewers on draft. One of Mason's signature creations known as "The Cloud" is inspired by the magic of Orlando and SkyBar's rooftop location seemingly amongst the clouds. The unique libation includes Hendricks Gin and a white orb that when popped gently releases plumes of elderflower herbals. Mason will also oversee the property's entertainment schedule that will eventually include a live DJ and Spanish guitarist. Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, Mason started his career with a three-year apprenticeship under Italian master chef Ermes Paulin. Having ignited his passion for creative culinary concepts infused with global flavors, Mason was named Executive Chef of Vic Stewart's Steak House in Walnut Creek, CA, followed by an Executive Chef position for California Café, a move that would eventually take Mason to "The City Beautiful." Charged with opening California Café's Orlando location, Mason discovered his knack for F&B operations, staff development and seasonal menu creation, which earned the restaurant a spot on Florida Trend's list of top 20 restaurants in The Sunshine State. Mason then joined The Kessler Collection in 2001 as the Executive Chef and Assistant Director of Food & Beverage.He opened The Grand Bohemian in Orlando and created the menu for The Boheme, eventually securing its status as a top-rated restaurant in Orlando. Having achieved such notoriety within the culinary community, Mason was invited to the prestigious James Beard House in New York City as a guest chef, which he calls a career-defining moment. On the heels of this, Mason was promoted to Corporate Executive Chef / Food & Beverage Director for The Kessler Collection in 2005, overseeing eight portfolio properties including six AAA Four-Diamond operations. He further expanded his horizons upon taking a new role as Director of Food & Beverage for The Westin Imagine Orlando, driving the strategy for its award-winning restaurant, Fiorella's Cucina Toscana. During his six-year tenure, Mason was acknowledged as a pioneer of Orlando's culinary scene and inducted into the Orlando Fine Dining Hall of Fame. Recognized for his leadership, unrelenting drive and eclectic spin on F&B, Mason was hired in 2015 as the Director of Food and Beverage for Reunion Resort with responsibilities that included managing daily F&B operations, reimagining menus, improving revenue, and supervising nine meetings outlets. Now ready to oversee the beverage and food program at the brand-new AC Hotel Orlando Downtown, including its signature SkyBar rooftop terrace, Mason is eager to translate his knowledge and experience into a lively cocktail program and provide strategic leadership for the hotel's cocktail and culinary concepts.
The Wave Hotel is designed to be the signature epicenter of the Lake Nona Town Center. The 234-room property will offer 18 suites including two presidential suites of 2,354 square feet. Each room will be appointed with a modern design and personal amenities to make the guest stay even more enjoyable.
Tom Luersen, president of CoralTree Hospitality, recently announced that Suzie Yang has been hired as the general manager of the new Lake Nona Wave Hotel. The 234-room luxury lifestyle hotel, located in the vibrant Lake Nona Town Center in Orlando, Florida, is scheduled to open this fall. Yang brings nearly three decades of hospitality management and leadership to her role at The Wave Hotel. She rejoins the CoralTree team after overseeing the asset management for six hotels in Arizona, California and Washington, D.C. Prior to her role as an asset manager, Yang was the area general manager of several CoralTree properties in the Bay Area including Galleria Park and Hotel Del Sol. Yang's leadership and operational standards helped Galleria Park Hotel make the Condé Nast Readers' Choice list in 2019 as well as rise to the No. 1 hotel in the Joie de Vivre brand for achieving top revenue performance standards in 2018. Her experience in California also includes leading the team at the Hotel Adagio, Autograph Collection, as general manager and she held the same position for the W San Diego where she oversaw a multimillion dollar renovation. Yang also has proven success in driving business travel having grown market share at the W Hotel Silicon Valley by more than 12 percent year over year. She played a key role for Larkspur Hotel and Restaurants during the mid-2000s operating both independent and branded hotels in the San Francisco area. She was general manager of the Larkspur Hotel Union Square, area general manager for the Larkspur Landing and regional director of operations and complex general manager for the Hilton Garden Inn-South. Yang's early career provided her with an opportunity to hone her skills as an operations leader with several property and area director of operations positions. Yang has been recognized by numerous hotel companies and industry organizations for her work. In 2019, she received the Hotel Hero Lifetime Achievement Hotel Executive Award from the Hotel Council of San Francisco. While working for Starwood Hotels, she received several honors including the Most Innovative Hotel - West Region award in 2010. She also receive the Area Operations Manager of the Year award when working for Homestead Studio Suites Hotels. She's been an active member of her community giving back to both nonprofit organizations and industry groups. Yang was a board member of the Hotel Council and committee chair of the Woman's Leadership Group and Young Professionals. She was an active member of the San Francisco Chamber and actively supported the Union Square Association and Korean American Communication Association while in the Bay Area. Yang is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. She is relocating to Florida where she is excited to join the Lake Nona community as she will be residing there. She is a yoga enthusiast so thrilled to get immersed in all the wellness activities that the community offers.
Spirides Hospitality Finance Company has successfully provided and the borrower has officially closed a $13.5 million construction and permanent mortgage loan made by a Southeast U.S. headquartered bank to finance the development of a new Comfort Suites in Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, Florida.
Next generation vacation rental resort and 433-room Conrad Orlando hotel adjacent to Walt Disney World® planned for Summer 2023.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated, newly renovated guest rooms, luxury pool and Club Lounge. The $30 million renovation features cohesive, layered, and refined accommodations, a new luxury pool and cabanas and updated Club Lounge.
The design-driven AC Hotel Orlando Downtown, slated to open January 12, 2021, will usher in a new level of urban sophistication as the area's first lifestyle hotel. This contemporary property managed by Kolter Hospitality is set to offer a true high-rise experience in the heart of the city.
A highly anticipated newcomer to the Orlando hotel scene, TRYP by Wyndham Orlando—the city's newest hotel and the first TRYP by Wyndham hotel to arrive in Orlando—has announced its grand opening on Saturday, November 14th. Located on Orlando's famed I-Drive, heart of Orlando just minutes from the world's greatest theme parks including Universal Orlando, SeaWorld® Orlando and Walt Disney World. Guests will also find premier golf courses, museums, local restaurants and shopping nearby. The TRYP by Wyndham Orlando team will celebrate its debut with a socially-distanced ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 5 at 11:00am. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EVP & Chief Development Officer Chip Ohlsson, Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association President Rich Maledecki and Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings will be in attendance of this socially distanced ceremony along with other hotel executives and representatives.
JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa is pleased to announce the appointment of Vibeke Sansone as Director of Sales & Marketing. In her role at the newly opened luxury hotel, Sansone will develop strategies to establish JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa as a leader in the marketplace through the development of future and repeat business as well as a trailblazer in local business, namely the food and beverage outlets and leisure business. A longtime sales professional, Sansone brings more than 30 years of hospitality industry expertise to JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek. After earning her bachelor's degree in hospitality administration at the Danish Hotel and Restaurant Institute in Copenhagen, she began her career at JW Marriott Century City, Los Angeles as Director of National Accounts. She has served in Sales Leadership roles in several Marriott Branded properties including Ritz-Carlton and Renaissance in Los Angeles, New York City, Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. Most recently, Sansone served as Director of Sales & Marketing at the historic Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.
Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) innovative hotel brand, Tru by Hilton, today announced the opening of its latest property, Tru by Hilton Orlando Convention Center. The 259-room hotel, located at 6461 Westwood Boulevard, is owned by Epelboim Development Group and managed by Highgate. The new hotel is conveniently located near the Orange County Convention Center and centrally located between Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal.
Gregory Viaud has recently been appointed as the new Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. Viaud joins the Orlando property from Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center, where he served as Hotel Manager. A 16-year veteran of Four Seasons, Viaud has travelled the globe with the company, working at properties in London, Bora Bora, Maui, Bali and Los Angeles, in addition to Philadelphia.
Owned, developed and operated by Peachtree, the extended-stay hotel at 8278 Universal Blvd. is just east of Interstate 4, some 10 miles from the metro's downtown and about 14 miles from Orlando International Airport. The surrounding area offers more than 40 restaurants, bars, entertainment and boutiques, and the Orange County Convention Center, Universal Studios and SeaWorld Orlando are nearby.
Paramount Hospitality Management's (PHM), The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando announces the appointment of hospitality veteran, Rod O'Connor, as General Manager. With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Rod oversees all day-to-day operations of the 878 all-suite property, including management of the executive team.
Arancibia has been part of the McKibbon family for 8 years and most recently served as General Manager for the 128-room Homewood Suites by Hilton Orlando Airport, where he managed 46 associates and all hotel operations. He began his hospitality career in 2007 as Task Force Support for Hilton Hotels, moving up to Operations Manager for Hampton Inn by Hilton in Melbourne and Orlando. Arancibia attended Florida International University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Business Administration and Management. During his leadership at Homewood Suites by Hilton, Arancibia led his team to achieve outstanding service scores which resulted in the property receiving Hilton's highest honor: the Connie Pride Award in Overall Hotel Performance for 2014, 2016 and 2017. He also guided the team into securing the top hotel for TripAdvisor City Ranking in Orlando. Arancibia spends his free time raising awareness for the LGBTQ+ community through a non-profit organization that assists Orange County residents with medical prevention causes.
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, spanning 28 acres within the heart of International Drive, proudly promotes Natalie Cohee to executive chef, selecting the culinary leader with more than 12 years of experience in the DoubleTree Orlando kitchens to lead the team. Tenured executive chef Alberto Correa - Chef Cohee's mentor - is promoted to director of culinary experiences. In their new roles, the duo expands offerings for groups using the 100,000 square feet of meeting and event space and leisure guests enjoying the multiple dining options at DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld. A leader of the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld culinary team since 2007, Chef Cohee has developed an expertise in banquets and catering in her time with the resort. She expertly blends Caribbean flavors and adds an Asian twist, with a uniquely modern approach to grilling, smoking and roasting, resulting in memorable and tempting dishes. Her creativity is evident on restaurant and catering menus with dishes like Sweet Citrus Glaze Salmon, Guava BBQ Chicken Flatbread and Lobster Empanadas. Growing up in the industry as the daughter of restaurant owners, Chef Cohee knew she wanted to pursue a career as a chef from a young age. She spent countless hours in the kitchens of Paco's Cantina and Calypso, creating flavorful concoctions and learning to recreate dishes. Chef Cohee graduated top of her class at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale, Ariz., and she started her career with a coveted externship at Latitudes Restaurant at the well-known Hilton Sunset Key. Prior to joining the team at DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld, Chef Cohee served as the executive sous chef at the Sheraton in Key Largo and as a chef on private yachts sailing through the Caribbean, where her she developed a strong appreciation for local cooking styles and finessed her talents working with fresh seafood.
JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, Inc., today announced the upcoming opening of JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa slated for March 2020, marking JW Marriott's second property in Orlando. Just a 30-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport and ideally located on the doorsteps of Walt Disney World, the resort will provide families a luxury experience with unique family-friendly offerings and specially designed Family Suites. The resort's warm, inviting social spaces and amenities include a Spa by JW, resort pool with splash pad, specialty restaurants, as well as a rooftop terrace boasting nightly views of theme park firework displays.
Hilton announced today the appointment of hotel industry veteran Frederick Sawyers as the managing director for Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando. In this role, Sawyers will oversee the management of daily hotel operations, development and execution of strategic sales and marketing initiatives, and financial planning and analysis for the Bonnet Creek resort complex. The 1,500 room complex features 175,000 square feet of meeting and event space, 12 distinct dining outlets, a nationally-acclaimed golf course, and the world-class Waldorf Astoria Spa.
Simpson was most recently the opening Director of Finance for Dockside Inn and Suites' sister hotel, Surfside Inn and Suites, and has held various financial leadership roles with the company. Prior to joining Loews Hotels & Co in 2013, Carla was the Assistant General Manager of Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Airport.