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The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Debuts Transformation

Since opening in 1991, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island has remained at the forefront of Northeast Florida luxury with warm hospitality, nature-driven experiences and award-winning amenities. In honor of its 30th anniversary this year, the iconic barrier island resort will debut transformation that reflects the destination of unspoiled coastal beauty and Southern charm, an epitome of the classic beach vacation.

Sunni Dupree has been appointed as General Manager at Hotel Effie Sandestin

The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort announced today that Sunni Dupree has been appointed as general manager of Hotel Effie Sandestin. The property is scheduled to open on February 1, offering an unparalleled experience that exemplifies genuine Southern hospitality and exceptional service wrapped in comfortable luxury that feels like coming home.

Robert Mason has been named Director of Beverage & Food at AC Hotel Orlando Downtown

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.

Country Inn & Suites By Radisson Opens

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, a leading upper midscale hotel brand, today announced the opening of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Tampa RJ Stadium at 4750 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, Florida. Convenience meets comfort at this fantastic location providing business, leisure and transient guests with a relaxing respite ahead of their next journey. The hotel offers easy access to U.S. Highway 92 and is just minutes from Tampa International Airport (TPA). Additionally, this welcoming hotel places sports aficionados within five minutes of Raymond James Stadium, host of Super Bowl LV and home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It is also just a few blocks away from George M. Steinbrenner Field where fans can catch the New York Yankees during spring training.

Moxy Launches in Miami South Beach

The first resort-style property within the Moxy brand portfolio, the 202-room Moxy Miami South Beach will be a stylish and playful celebration of Miami's cosmopolitan culture. The eight-story hotel is located steps away from the beach, featuring hotel interiors by Rockwell Group and restaurant and bar interiors by Saladino Design Studio. Guests will indulge and relax in a hotel that blends the glamour of midcentury Havana, the artistry of contemporary Mexico City, and a tropical vibrancy that's unmistakably Miami.

Philip Thompson has been named Executive Chef at Hilton Aventura Miami

Philip Thompson has been named executive chef and is tasked with creating unique experiences for guests, ensuring food quality and overseeing kitchen operations. Thompson is a vastly experienced Hilton Chef with more than two decades of global culinary experience with the brand. Born in England and classically trained in France, Thompson grew his culinary career by working his way through various Hilton hotels in the Washington DC region. In his most recent position, Thompson served as executive chef at the Hilton flagship, Hilton McLean, Tysons Corner, where he led and managed teams at multiple dining concepts and on-site culinary projects including outdoor chefs garden and rooftop beekeeping. Throughout his career, Thompson has had the honor of working Presidential black-tie events, such as multiple White House Correspondents Dinners, and has overseen philanthropic partnerships with No Kid Hungry, local food banks, Tables Without Borders, and more. Thompson specializes in seed-to-table cuisine and has a passion for sourcing and working with local, sustainable ingredients.

JW Marriott Celebrates Opening of 100th Property Worldwide

JW Marriott is pleased to announce that its 100th property, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street is now open, bringing a new level of luxury to the Tampa Bay area. Located in the heart of the dynamic Water Street neighborhood, the new property invites discerning guests to take time for themselves, relax, and rediscover a balance in mind and body. A formal grand opening celebration is expected to take place in April 2021.

Suzie Yang has been appointed as General Manager at Lake Nona Wave Hotel

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.

Strand Hospitality Opens a Courtyard by Marriott Pensacola West in Florida

Strand Hospitality, today announced the opening of the Courtyard by Marriott Pensacola West, a 124-room hotel, located at 3200 West Nine Mile Road. The new hotel offers guests convenient access to 5 Flags Speedway, the National Naval Aviation Museum, Cypress Lakes Golf Club, Pensacola Beach and serving the Navy Federal Credit Union's Heritage Oaks Campus.

2023 Opening for Virgin Hotels Miami

Virgin Hotels Miami is slated to open in 2023 and will be a 40-story new-build hotel. Featuring close to 250 chambers; a spa; over 15,000 square feet of meeting and event space; and multiple dining and drinking outlets, including the brand's signature culinary experience Commons Club, a restaurant, bar, and modern social club; a beer garden live music venue; and Funny Library Coffee Shop. Virgin Hotels Miami, managed by Virgin Hotels, is being developed by Blue Jay Capital with BLUR Workshop as the architect.

Kara Lundgren has been appointed as General Manager at Cambria® Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach

Kara Lundgren is a highly motivated and driven hospitality veteran, successful at implementing strategic approaches to drive profitability and sales. She is recognized for performance excellence in operations, customer care, branding and team development and is highly successful at motivating, training and developing team members to drive profitability in highly competitive environments. Her strong ability to drive profits, control costs and exceed customer expectations made Lundgren the ideal candidate to lead the new Cambria Hotel Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Marwan Haddad has been appointed as Director of Hotel Sales at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village

The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village proudly announces the appointment of Marwan Haddad as Director of Hotel Sales. An experienced hotelier recognized for his work introducing and elevating Marriott brands across new domestic and international markets, Haddad will lead all sales and marketing initiatives for the luxury hotel. His day to day focuses will include identifying new and innovative business-generating strategies and implementing targeted sales techniques to broaden guest reach.

Florida’s Historic Don CeSar Unveils Full Property Renovation Concluding Three-Year Restoration

Florida's iconic Pink Palace®, The Don CeSar, has officially unveiled its highly anticipated, multi-million-dollar renovation dramatically enhancing and expanding the historic, award-winning resort. Managed by Davidson Resorts , The Don CeSar's top-to-bottom renovation embraces its 93-year history as a beloved Gulf Coast icon while seamlessly fusing modern amenities, sleek design and world-class experiences to set the tone for generations of visitors to come.

Hotel Maren Fort Lauderdale Beach, Curio Collection by Hilton Opens on Fort Lauderdale Beach

Hotel Maren Fort Lauderdale Beach, the latest addition to Curio Collection by Hilton's growing hotel portfolio, has announced today that it has officially opened its doors. As the first Curio property to open in Fort Lauderdale, Hotel Maren Fort Lauderdale Beach sits on an idyllic location between Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway, providing water views on both ends of the hotel. The hotel features 141 water-view rooms and suites - most with balconies - a state-of-the-art fitness center, a yoga studio and an ocean-facing pool deck and restaurant.