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Donelle Zunker has been appointed as General Manager at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa announces the appointment of Donelle Zunker as general manager. With nearly 30 years of experience, Zunker will be responsible for overseeing the distinguished hotel's 650 guestrooms, pool and beach amenities, various dining outlets, and lively programming. A Marriott International team member for 28 years, Zunker joins the refined oceanfront resort from the Renaissance and Marriott Atlanta Airport Gateway where she served as dual manager of the properties. In this role, she recently broke all-time records in total revenue, profit and profit margin for Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway while the Renaissance exceeded expectations in all areas. Prior to joining Renaissance and Marriott Atlanta Airport Gateway, Zunker served as regional senior director of sales on Marriott International's Central Regional team. Working closely with 83 hotels, she developed strategies to grow revenue and market share across the region. This position led her to her role as area director for South/West Florida select service, Extended Stay and AC Hotels where she was responsible for $90 million in sales while overseeing 16 hotels. A Midwest native, Zunker realized her passion for hospitality while attending Purdue University, where she obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Restaurant, Tourism and Institutional Management. She later earned a Master's in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando Near Universal Opens
Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando Near Universal. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. The six-story, 122-suite hotel is a short drive from Universal Studios and is located off International Drive, providing guests convenient access to shopping and entertainment options.
Margaritaville Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Hotel on Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Margaritaville Holdings, the global lifestyle brand synonymous with fun and escapism, made the official announcement today that a new Margaritaville Hotel broke ground on Jacksonville Beach on March 8th. Located adjacent to the beach on Ocean Front North, the property will feature 202 guestrooms with Margaritaville's casual-luxe design, signature food and beverage concepts, a fitness center, and an outdoor recreation area with a pool and fire pits.
Sleep Inn Continues Coast-To-Coast Rollout Of In-Demand Prototype With Tampa Opening
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) continues to expand the footprint of its proven midscale Sleep Inn brand with the opening of a new 77-room, four-story hotel in Tampa, Fla.
Reginald Campbell has been named Director of Food & Beverage at Villas of Grand Cypress
This appointment represents a promotion for Reginald Campbell, who previously served as director of outlets at Villas of Grand Cypress. Prior to joining Benchmark, Mr. Campbell invested 24 years of his hospitality career with Walt Disney World, serving in food and beverage positions of increasing responsibility within the theme parks, hotels, and Disney's Pleasure Island. While with Disney, Mr. Campbell helped open Disney Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Paris.Reginald Campbell is a graduate of the University of Central Florida where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He is the recipient of the Walt Disney World Certificate of Sommelier and the Walt Disney World's Partner in Excellence award. While with Villas of Grand Cypress, he received the Exceptional Manager award on more than one occasion. He is active in the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida, and resides in Apopka, Florida.
Best Western® Hotels & Resorts Celebrates Groundbreaking of Vib® Hotel in Orlando, Florida
In a groundbreaking ceremony held Tuesday, March 12, Best Western Hotels & Resorts celebrated the arrival of its upscale boutique hotel brand - Vīb - in Orlando, Florida. A perfect reflection of what Best Western offers today's travelers with a stylish design and focus on convenience and technology, Vīb Orlando will bring a fresh look and comfortable amenities to the heart of Central Florida's most popular tourism destination.
Key International Breaks Ground on AC Hotel by Marriott in Fort Lauderdale Beach, Florida
Prominent, Miami-based real estate investment and development company Key International has broken ground on an AC Hotel by Marriott, the design-led lifestyle hotel brand by Marriott International. The property, which was acquired in 2016 as three adjoining land parcels that span more than a half-acre, is located in prime Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fla., and will feature 171 guest rooms amidst 10 stories.
Pelican Grand Beach Resort Debuts $7 Million Dollar Guestroom Renovation
As one of the only true beachfront, boutique hotels in Fort Lauderdale, Pelican Grand Beach Resort, managed by Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Ltd. and owned by Jefast Hotels, LLC, today proudly announces the completion of its $7 million dollar guestroom renovation. Providing a tranquil yet elite vacation experience, the eight-month transformation honors the existing property's old Floridian charm while introducing modernized design and boho-inspired elements.
WoodSpring Suites Expands Footprint in Southwest Florida
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), along with developer Gold Coast Premier Properties, LLC, opened today the WoodSpring Suites Naples in Florida.
DoubleTree by Hilton Welcomes Miami Hotel to the Heart of Doral’s Bustling Business District
Today DoubleTree by Hilton Miami Doral opens its doors, welcoming guests looking to escape the winter chill with warm weather or venturing to beautiful Miami for business travel. Featuring 150 modern guest rooms, this hotel provides an extra incentive to visit one of the most sought-after destinations.
Brooke Mallory has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale
Brooke Mallory has taken the position of Chef de Cuisine of Burlock Coast at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Hailing from the Midwest, Mallory began her life in the culinary industry working at a seafood restaurant in Northern Michigan. It was during this time that she decided to pursue a career in the culinary arts and enrolled in the Great Lakes Culinary Institute. After attaining a culinary degree, Mallory (30) accepted a position at 3030 Ocean in Fort Lauderdale where she honed her skills under acclaimed chefs Dean James Max and Paula DaSilva. Looking for a change in scenery, Mallory packed her knives and moved to Ohio where she introduced South Florida-inspired cuisine at another Dean Max destination restaurant, AMP 150 in Cleveland. Later, she worked side-by-side with Chef Brad Phillips at Asador Restaurant in Dallas. The duo collaborated on a menu that combined the styles and flavors of the Midwest, the South, and the Southwest before returning to 3030 Ocean where she became Sous Chef under executive chef Adrienne Grenier. Mallory now joins Burlock Coast at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, working once again under the direction of Paula DaSilva, the property's executive chef. Mallory works with the culinary team to create inventive, refined farm-to-table cuisine with a focus on local seafood. A self-described "drink nerd" and cocktail enthusiast, she finds there is beauty and charm in the art of mixology. In fact, in the past, Mallory has jumped behind the bar from time-to-time to concoct her own creative libations to pair with some of her delectable dishes.
Wayne Childs has been appointed as Director of Sales at Hampton Inn & Suites Gainesville-Downtown
Childs will be responsible for overseeing and managing the small meetings market and group travel to the property. Managed by LBA Hospitality and owned by Key International, the Hampton Inn & Suites Gainesville-Downtown offers nearly 1,875 square feet of meeting space and beautifully appointed guest rooms and studio suites recently renovated in 2017.
Interstate Hotels & Resorts and Baptist Health Debut the New Hilton Miami Dadeland
Following a ribbon cutting ceremony that took place yesterday, Baptist Health South Florida and Interstate Hotels & Resorts unveiled the new Hilton Miami Dadeland, an innovative hotel in the Kendall area of Miami with a distinct focus on wellness.
New Marriott Autograph Collection hotel to open across from the Daytona International Speedway
Daytona Beach's first full-service hotel situated next to the famed Daytona International Speedway, is slated to open this spring as The DAYTONA, an Autograph Collection property. The modern, boutique hotel will anchor the new retail, dining, and entertainment destination, ONE DAYTONA, while offering access to the city's hottest attractions.
Pauline Abatemarco-Pigott has been appointed as Vice President North American Sales at Couples Resorts North America
Couples Resorts, Jamaica recently appointed Pauline Abatemarco-Pigott to the newly created role of Vice President, North American Sales. Pigott has more than 25 years experience in hospitality sales and has worked on both sides of the equation as a buyer and seller of all-inclusive resort products in the Caribbean. Piggot will lead a salesforce located across North America and focus on expanding and refining travel agent programs that have been the foundation for Couples Resorts' success since inception. She will also work closely with major tour-operators, wholesalers and online travel agencies that feature the Couples Resorts brand in their portfolio of Caribbeanofferings.
HRI Properties Breaks Ground on New Dual-Branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Hotels in Downtown Tampa
HRI Properties, LLC (HRIP), Hyatt and public officials broke ground today on construction for the dual-branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House hotels in downtown Tampa. The project will add a transformative new development to the city's downtown area and create a hotel experience that offers an array of shared services and amenities that meet the needs of guests, whether traveling alone, with family, for business, or for leisure.
Jason Cabrera has been appointed as Hotel Manager at The AAA Four Diamond Hilton Orlando
The AAA Four Diamond Hilton Orlando is proud to announce the appointment of Jason Cabrera as hotel manager. Over the course of two decades in the hotel industry, Cabrera has amassed a notable track record for generating year-over-year sales increases at his properties. He joins Hilton Orlando during the hotel's pivotal 10th anniversary and will oversee strategic development to prepare for another successful decade-plus in operation. In his new role, Cabrera will supervise daily operations for each of the hotel's departments, implementing new strategies that build upon the hotel's reputation for unmatched guest satisfaction. Joining at a transformative time for the property, he will also be responsible for directing capital projects as the property continues to accommodate the growing group sales market from the Orange County Convention Center, a formal extension of the resort. Born and raised in Maui, Cabrera began a lasting tenure on the mainland with the Hyatt brand that defined a majority of his career and took him to all parts of the U.S. and Caribbean. With Hyatt, Cabrera gained firsthand experience in all aspects of hotel operations, starting with his first role as an executive housekeeper at the Grand Hyatt Denver. His experience evolved to include further positions as front office manager, assistant rooms executive, director of rooms and hotel manager. In his latest role, the well-traveled Cabrera served as the director of rooms for more than three years at the Orlando-based Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Born and raised in Maui, Cabrera began a lasting tenure on the mainland with the Hyatt brand that defined a majority of his career and took him to all parts of the U.S. and Caribbean. With Hyatt, Cabrera gained firsthand experience in all aspects of hotel operations, starting with his first role as an executive housekeeper at the Grand Hyatt Denver. His experience evolved to include further positions as front office manager, assistant rooms executive, director of rooms and hotel manager. In his latest role, the well-traveled Cabrera served as the director of rooms for more than three years at the Orlando-based Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.
Tranquil Beach Meets Modern Oasis at South Florida’s Newest Resort
Carved into Key Largo's most lavish and secluded area of the archipelago, Baker's Cay Resort opens this week in the straits of Florida. As the newest addition to Curio Collection by Hilton and the first in the Florida Keys, Baker's Cay Resort Key Largo is timeless as a mid-century landmark with a welcoming appeal.
Erynn Torrenga has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Sales, East at INTELITY
INTELITY™, provider of the travel industry's first and broadest enterprise guest engagement and staff management platform, announced today that Erynn Torrenga has joined the company as the new Senior Vice President of Sales, East. Torrenga will oversee INTELITY's East Coast and Latin American sales team, supporting efforts within the hotel, luxury residential, and cruise markets. Torrenga previously worked for three years as INTELITY's Vice President of Hospitality Sales from 2010 to 2013, before joining Cendyn as their Senior Director of Sales. Prior to that, she worked as Vice President of Business Development for Metropolis Technologies. Torrenga is a graduate of Northern Arizona University.