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W Bellevue Opens

W Bellevue has officially opened its doors for guests and locals to experience what's new and next on the Eastside. Part of the new Lincoln Square expansion, W Bellevue is where green meets global glamour. Playing off the agrarian culture that defined Bellevue, the hotel's design is a modern take on the traditional lake house for the independent spirit. From the moment guests arrive, they are transported to a lake house oasis. Whether it's exploring Civility & Unrest, a speakeasy-inspired lounge; the signature W Living Room; or The Porch, an open-air pop homage to the lake house complete with swings and a roaring fire, W Bellevue provides multiple opportunities to relax, refuel and enjoy craft cocktails. 

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson Opens Refreshed Hotel Minutes From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSM, a leading upper midscale hotel brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, WA. Located at 3100 South 192nd Street, the hotel adds ease for visitors flying into the area as it is less than three miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and provides a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle. The hotel recently completed an extensive $5.5 million renovation which included upgrades to the guest rooms, business center, fitness center and lobby.

Home2 Suites by Hilton DuPont Opens

Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton DuPont. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features 140 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. Home2 Suites by Hilton DuPont complements the destination's diverse attractions including its rich American history, extensive hiking trails and USGA Championship golf courses.

Motif Seattle Announces $10 Million Imaginative Redesign

Motif Seattle, A Destination Hotel, announces the unveiling of a comprehensive $10 Million guestroom redesign, led by acclaimed Seattle-based architectural and interior design firm DEGEN & DEGEN. The makeover includes all 319 guestrooms of the design-driven boutique hotel, as well as enhancements to its corridors, giving the property a sleek urban style while maintaining a residential comfort. The fresh redesign is distinctive to the Seattle market, complete with striking art walls that serve as bold representations of the Seattle cultural scene and artwork all created by local artists.

IHG Announces Opening Of First Holiday Inn® Hotel Featuring Brand's New H4 Design

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, announces the opening of the new-build 153-room Holiday Inn® Hotel & Suites Bellingham hotel in Bellingham, Washington. The hotel, which is located steps away from Bellingham International Airport, is the first Holiday Inn property to open featuring the brand's new H4 design, which was developed in collaboration with Holiday Inn hotel owners and frequent guests to meet the changing needs of modern leisure and business travelers.

John Pivar has been appointed as Executive Chef at Hyatt Regency Bellevue

Pivar developed a passion for food at a young age while watching his grandmother bake fresh pastries and breads, then launched his culinary arts career in his hometown of Chicago. From there, his passion for cooking took him all over the country and beyond, including the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Sanibel Harbor Resort, Fort Myers, Fla.; and Scottsdale Princess Resort, Scottsdale, Ariz. all AAA four-star diamond resorts – Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Curacao, Caribbean; Hyatt Regency Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Ind.; and most recently Hyatt Regency Lost Pines, Bastrop, Texas, where he reconcepted the nine seasonal and year-round dining outlets and forged partnerships with local vendors and farms. Pivar authored two books, “Fire It Up: Grill with Flavor, Flair & Fun” and “Taste the Vinoy: Without Reservations,” and was recognized by the James Beard Foundation Dinner’s “Best Hotels Chefs of America” series. When he’s not experimenting with a new dish or brainstorming book ideas, Pivar can be found hiking, gardening, riding his motorcycle or spending time with his wife and daughter.

Rhocelli Pascual has been appointed as Director of Marketing at Motif Seattle, A Destination Hotel

Motif Seattle, A Destination Hotel, has named Rhocelli Pascual as its new Director of Marketing. In this role, Pascual will be responsible for shaping and executing an overall marketing strategy for the hotel, ensuring alignment of marketing and sales strategies, and developing new programming. She will also oversee the hotel’s overall branding, advertising and public relations efforts. Pascual’s hotel marketing career spans more than six years. Most recently, she served as Associate Director of Marketing for The Garland Hotel in North Hollywood, California, where she oversaw all marketing communication channels during a $20 million renovation. In addition to relaunching the hotel and its restaurant, The Front Yard, she led the production of all marketing communication and digital marketing campaigns, and managed the hotel’s PR efforts. Prior to The Garland, she served in marketing, social media, SEO and reputation management roles with JC Resorts, a collection of four hospitality properties based in San Diego. Throughout her career, Pascual has received numerous awards, including: 2016 Marcus Hotels & Resorts Marketing Leader of the Year; 2016 IAC Best Restaurant Website; 2015 HSMAI Adrian Silver Level Award for Website Design; and 2015 Platinum Summit Marketing Effective Award for Website. Pascual gained her bachelor of science degree in Fashion Marketing and Management from The Art Institute of California – San Diego. A Washington native, Pascual is engaged and lives in South Seattle with her corgi.

Garret Fujieda has been named Director of Food and Beverage at Suncadia Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel

As director of food and beverage at Suncadia, Fujieda is working to preserve the sense of place while continuing to push the creative envelope on all the resort’s culinary endeavors. As Suncadia undergoes major changes to its food and beverage menus and offerings, Fujieda brings his expertise and explorative palate to the team at the perfect time.

Aaron Solaimani has been promoted to Vice President at HVS

HVS is pleased to announce that Seattle-based Aaron Solaimani has been promoted to Vice President. Aaron recently relocated to his home town of Seattle following several years at the San Francisco HVS Consulting & Valuation office. Prior to joining HVS, Aaron was a member of the finance team at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, where he specialized in budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, and market analyses. He received his BA from the School of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University. Originally from Seattle, Aaron served as President of the student-run National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) while at Washington State University in Pullman.

Gavin Stephenson has been appointed as Executive Chef and Director of Food & Beverage at SLS Seattle

Stephenson is a renowned culinary innovator with his most recent role as executive chef of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel and member of the national Fairmont Corporate Food and Beverage Council. Prior to making Seattle his home, Stephenson was executive sous chef at a James Beard Award winning restaurant at the Ritz Carlton Chicago and the executive sous chef at the Regent London UK, where he received the Acorn Award for best British chef under the age of 30. Stephenson also held culinary positions at the Four Seasons Boston and the Berkeley Hotel in London.

Leah Levar has been appointed as Director, Human Resources at SLS Seattle

Levar brings over 20 years of hospitality experience to SLS Seattle having served as the human resources executive for the iconic Olympic Hotel since 1994. She is recognized for her excellence in leading both Four Seasons and Fairmont five diamond award winning teams. She has earned the “Best in Class” Colleague Engagement award annually from 2009 – 2015, and the Service Excellence Award in both 2009 and 2014. She is a Washington State University alumni and a board member of the Seattle Society for Human Resource Management.

Tawny Paperd has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at SLS Seattle

Paperd’s passion for service, sales and marketing serves as the foundation for success with colleagues and clients alike. Her knowledge and experience span the pillars of hospitality with leadership positions in Food and Beverage, Catering, Sales and Marketing with local industry leaders including: Sheraton Seattle Hotel & Towers, Salish Lodge & Spa, Hotel 1000 and the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle.

Michele Oliveri has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Hilton Bellevue

Officials of The Dow Hotel Company (DHC), a leading national hotel owner/investor and operator, today promoted Michele Oliveri as the director of sales and marketing of the 353-room Hilton Bellevue in Wash., state. In her new role, Oliveri will lead the sales team to forge new partnerships, expand existing alliances and enhance industry connections. DHC has extensive relationships with all the premium hotel brand families, independent boutique and life-style hotels and resorts.Oliveri brings more than a decade of hands-on hospitality experience and leadership to DHC, with in-depth local and national hotel sales experience. Prior to joining the Hilton Bellevue, Oliveri worked with such well known hotels as the Hotel Deca, Warwick Seattle Hotel and Holiday Inn Seattle Center as sales manager, focusing on customer organization and bringing in new accounts, as well as maintaining existing ones. She has been continuously recognized for her superior work, including six Gold Key Awards at the Hotel Deca for perfect sales shops in July 2008, October 2008, January 2009, November 2009, April 2010 and August 2010. Oliveri received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Portland, Ore.

Alison Hoyt has been named recipient of the 2016 Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting at ISHC

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) today announced Alison Hoyt as the winner of the second annual Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Hoyt attended the ISHC annual conference from September 22-24 in Seattle, Wash., where she was officially presented the award. The event provided an opportunity for Hoyt to network with members and experience the conference program, in addition to the one-year associate ISHC membership she received for further relationship building with top industry consultants and professional advancement the exclusive society has to offer.

Scott Guthrie has been promoted to General Manager at Salish Lodge & Spa

Salish Lodge & Spa has named Scott Guthrie as general manager. Guthrie has served as hotel manager at Salish since 2014, overseeing the food and beverage, rooms and spa divisions as well as enhancing the overall guest experience. In his new role, Guthrie will direct and manage daily operations of the lodge as well as lead the sales team. Prior to arriving at Salish almost three years ago, Guthrie served in various senior management roles at the Mandarin Oriental, New York, the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel and as an instrumental part of the opening team at the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, in 2009. He began his career in the hospitality industry at the Four Seasons Olympic Hotel in Seattle. He has excelled at growing guest satisfaction scores across multiple indexes and overseeing diverse and large teams throughout various areas of each property including front office operations, group business and catering, food and beverage and employee retention and satisfaction. Scott has been an integral part of the Salish team for the past three years and we are thrilled to see him grow within the Columbia Hospitality family, said John Oppenheimer, CEO of Columbia Hospitality. Were confident that he will carry on Salishs reputation for exceptional guest services, cuisine, indulgent spa offerings and a truly iconic destination for special events. Scotts industry expertise from his years working at luxury hotels throughout the country will lend itself perfectly to the overall guest experience at Salish. Guthrie embraces his Northwest roots and looks forward to ensuring each guests stay is truly memorable.

Rachel Blake has been appointed as General Manager at Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle-North/Lynnwood

Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle-North/Lynnwood, a Hilton Worldwide all-suite hotel neighboring Seattle, proudly announces new General Manager, Rachel Blake. An industry veteran with more than 20 years experience in hospitality sales, marketing and leadership in the Seattle market, particularly in the Lynnwood area, Blake joins the team with proven operations and management success.Blakes’s past experience positions her as highly experienced leader in the hospitality industry, focused on sales and marketing, and operations, having held a number of general manager positions with Windsor Capital properties during her 15 year tenure with the notable company. Most recently, Blake served in the Director of Operations role at the 850-room Doubletree Seattle Airport, where she was responsible for all the aspects of the day-to-day operations.Originally from the Bellevue area, Blake studied Editorial Journalism at the University of Washington.

Rod Lapasin has been appointed as General Manager at SLS Seattle

sbe, the Los Angeles-based leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-winning hospitality venues, announced today it has appointed Rod Lapasin as General Manager of the highly-anticipated SLS Seattle. Spanning 16 floors of The Mark, a premier mixed-use 44-story development on the iconic Seattle skyline, SLS Seattle is situated in the heart of the city. With over 35 years of hospitality experience, Lapasin will oversee the day-to-day operations of the SLS Hotel's debut in Seattle, slated for the summer of 2017.Prior to joining sbe, Lapasin served as the General Manager of the renowned Salish Lodge & Spa. Within the Columbia Hospitality Inc. portfolio, he was a managing consultant for the Kenwood Inn and Spa in Sonoma, CA and managed the TCP Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Course in Snoqualmie, WA. Lapasin held numerous executive positions with The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle, Four Seasons Olympic Hotel and the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. He began his career with Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Lapasin was also awarded the 2011 Washington State Lodging Association Manager of the Year Award.

Clay Blake has been appointed as Executive Chef at Suncadia Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Hotel

Suncadia, A Destination Hotel, is pleased to announce the appointment of Clay Blake as executive chef. With more than nine years of experience in the industry, Blake will be responsible for ensuring resort guests and home owners experience the best local, northwest-inspired fare in a lavish and comfortable setting. Blake is a pacific northwest-native, born in Klamath Falls, Ore., and growing up in Puyallup and Spokane, Wash. After taking various classes at both Washington State University and the University of Cincinnati, he would discover his true calling at the Cincinnati Culinary Arts Academy. The ability to not only nourish but entertain and delight through food had always come naturally to him, though it wasn’t until enrolled at culinary school that he realized it was what he was meant to do. As executive chef at Suncadia, Blake looks forward to creating an environment where timing, speed, teamwork, communication, athleticism and artistic impression come together to make Portals the number one Washington restaurant east of the Cascades and the number one destination for weddings.