After more than 20 years of experience, Simon Marxer joins Miraval Group as director of spas. At Miraval Group, Marxer will use his expertise to oversee all spas and create new and innovative treatments and services that uphold the brand"s longstanding position as a pioneer and thought-leader in the spa space.
With more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Marisa Galdi joins Miraval Group as director of talent and culture where she oversees all aspects of the human resources function with an emphasis on colleague engagement.
Jorah Anderson joins Miraval Group as director of sales. In this position, Anderson develops and executes innovative sales strategies across all Miraval resorts and spas. Anderson comes to Miraval Group with more than 17 years of experience in the sales division of the hospitality industry.
Formerly the vice president and general manager of Miraval Arizona, Carl Pratt has been appointed vice president of programming. In this role, Pratt oversees the development of signature Miraval experiences, classes, workshops and lectures that uphold the brand"s core values and position the company as a thought-leader in the health and wellness industry.
Cecil Hopper brings more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry to his role as director of revenue optimization at Miraval Group. In this position, Hopper oversees leisure sales and revenue optimization of all Miraval resorts and spas to enhance efficiency and maximize profits.
The Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel has named Jack Strong as Executive Chef for the 521-room iconic property, according to General Manager Paige Lund.
James Anderson was recently named Director of Sales & Marketing for the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. He was most recently the Director of Group Sales for the 1,511-room Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. During his 12 year tenure at the Gaylord, Anderson was Director of West Coast Sales and Director of Northeast Sales/Senior Sales Executive before being promoted to Director of Group Sales. He has held similar positions at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and the Tan-Tar-A Resort & Golf Club in Osage Beach, Missour
Loews Hotels promoted Tony Phillips to GM of the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. Phillips brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to his role, having most recently served as GM of the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville. He will be responsible for all operational aspects of the 398-guestroom resort in Tucson, Ariz.
Prior to returning to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa where he initially opened the 950-room luxury property as Director of Rooms Operations in 2002, Ellis was most recently the General Manager of the JW Marriott Houston Galleria. Ellis brings extensive industry experience to his new position and has spent 27 years within the Marriott organization.
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, today announced the completed conversion of the former Hilton Phoenix Suites to the 242-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Downtown North. HVMG, which purchased the hotel in 2016 as part of a joint venture, will continue to operate the property.
The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, announces the appointment of Mark Lindsey as Director of National Accounts. In this position, Lindsey will utilize his vast luxury hospitality expertise to develop exciting new strategies and plans to represent the resort, offer unparalleled customer service and maximize revenue. He brings a unique perspective and affiliation to the storied resort, having worked at the property as a teen where he garnered the experience that shaped his forthcoming career as a respected hospitality industry veteran.
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort has announced the completion of an extensive $8.5 million renovation. The updates encompass 224 North Pointe Suites, including the exclusive Presidential Suite, the remastered North Pointe lobby, and 48,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. The redesign celebrates the resort"s 40th anniversary along with its colorful history and iconic location in the Valley of the Sun.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix has hired Wade Gruenewald as the director of food and beverage.
Varsano began his new role at Omni Scottsdale in July and serves on the resort’s Executive Committee responsible for oversight of the luxury resort’s overall sales efforts, group, transient and catering, in addition to public relations and marketing at all levels. Varsano will also serve as liaison to the Area Managing Director on future developments and acquisitions in the Southwest region.With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry that includes working with top luxury hotel brands, Varsano most recently served as the director of sales and marketing at Phoenix Marriott Tempe at the Buttes in Tempe, Ariz. During his tenure at Marriott, he led his team to earn the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association’s coveted Community Service Leader of the Year Award for the state of Arizona two years in a row.
W Scottsdale is pleased to announce the appointment of David Cronin as General Manager of the vibrant Entertainment District property, and the only W Hotel in Arizona.
Canyon Ranch today announces the appointment of Rodrigo Vargas Design to spearhead the revitalization of the guest casitas at the brand"s flagship resort in Tucson. The accomplished design team will channel the calming and harmonious nature of Canyon Ranch, creating a therapeutic and immersive sanctuary for guests to enjoy in the comfort of their room by using a mix of clean lines, woven textural elements, and natural materials inspired by the surroundings of Canyon Ranch in Tucson.
Enchantment Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Franck Desplechin as Executive Chef. Desplechin will drive the creative culinary direction of Che Ah Chi, the resort’s signature modern American restaurant, in addition to the resort’s four other dining concepts, in-room dining and banquet operations. Set on 70 acres of panoramic natural terrain in spectacular Boynton Canyon, Enchantment Resort is known for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients – imaginative, sophisticated menus – award-winning wine lists and views destined to take your breath away.
Cerelle moves to Tucson, AZ from the Big Island of Hawaii, where she was the Director of Sales, at the number one luxury property in the State of Hawaii, as well as, the number one luxury property of the Four Season's, The Four Seasons Hualalai. She successfully led the sales efforts there for the last four years and is thankful for the opportunity to have worked with such a strong, collaborative team.
San Diego-based hotel management firm, RAR Hospitality is pleased to promote Mike DiNucci as Director of Sales of DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North who recently served positions as General Manager and Director of Sales for Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tempe. Formerly, the Radisson Hotel Phoenix North, the property is undergoing a hotel conversion to be rebranded as DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North, part of DoubleTree by Hilton’s fast-growing global portfolio of upscale, full-service hotels. Owned and operated by RAR Hospitality, the redesign and renovation is scheduled to be completed by Fall 2017.
Sonesta announced Collin Ash as the General Manager of Sonesta ES Suites Flagstaff. In this role, Ash will be tasked with overseeing the daily operational activities of the property and its staff. Working across teams, Ash will be instrumental in maintaining employee engagement, driving revenue and profitability and ensuring that Sonesta ES Suites Flagstaff provides guests with more than just a place to stay. Ash takes on the role of General Manager after over four years of service as the Operations Manager for the property, managing the front desk, housekeeping and food and beverage teams, as well as acting as a driving force behind hotel performance and guest satisfaction. Prior to joining the Sonesta ES team, Ash served as the Front Desk Supervisor for La Quinta Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express.