Tharaldson Hospitality Management proudly announces the grand opening of their 88th hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Porter Ranch Los Angeles. This milestone marks another significant achievement in THM's continued expansion and commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, San Francisco Bay Area's premier Forbes Five-Star oceanfront resort, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Sandeep Kumar as the new Hotel Manager starting this November. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the luxury hospitality industry, Kumar brings a wealth of international experience and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences.
COMO Hotels and Resorts has appointed Birgit Albicker-Rimpel as Senior Global Director of Sales for the Americas, and Cataline Richmond as Director of Global Sales, for the West Coast, working in tandem with Erica Cordon and Linda Linzetto, to manage sales strategies across the Americas.
Kai Lermen has served as a cornerstone of The Peninsula Hotels since 2009 and has led The Quail with passion and dedication since 2017. Over his 15 years with The Peninsula brand, Lermen's leadership has guided The Quail to new heights of excellence and exclusivity. In his new role as Senior Vice President of The Peninsula Signature Events, Lermen will oversee The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels' team and lead both properties' global motorsport experiences. "Leading The Quail has been a rewarding experience, and I am incredibly proud of what we've achieved during my time here," said Lermen. "I look forward to taking on this new challenge and shaping the future of The Peninsula's signature events on a global scale."
James Overbaugh, a seasoned executive with over 16 years of dedicated service to The Peninsula brand, returns to California, where his journey with the brand first began in 2008. Overbaugh brings extensive global hospitality expertise and a personal passion for the culinary realm to Carmel Valley's cherished destination. After serving as an Executive Chef at an esteemed collection of hotels for the first 13 years of his career, Overbaugh joined The Peninsula team in 2008 as the Executive Chef of The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Over the next nine years, he ascended to the role of Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage Operations.
Nobu Hotel Palo Alto, an award-winning 73-room boutique hotel, has announced Chris Suarez as the hotel's new general manager. An industry veteran with nearly 25 years of hospitality experience up the California coast, Suarez will oversee all aspects of the hotel's operations including daily functions, ensure an exceptional guest experience, as well as manage and lead a dedicated team to maintain the highest standards of the Nobu brand's globally known hospitality. Previously the Director of Sales & Marketing at Nobu Hotel Palo Alto, this appointment is especially exciting for Suarez.
Jacob Heck recently joined the company as Director of Agronomy from his previous role at the nearby Palm Valley Country Club in Palm Desert, overseeing 200 acres and 36 holes of golf. He has held senior leadership roles in agronomy with Troon Golf and at multiple prestigious locations across the Coachella Valley, including Gary Player & Pete Dye golf courses at the Westin Mission Hills, Rancho Mirage, and as the Director of Agronomy at Indian Wells Golf Resort. Heck began his career in agronomy and horticulture at the young age of 14, volunteering with his father at the local country club and later working on farms in his home state of Iowa. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture with an emphasis on agronomy and turfgrass management from Iowa State University.
With extensive senior leadership experience in the culinary space, Joshua Nudd joins Sensei Porcupine Creek as Executive Chef after tenures as Director of Food and Beverage at the five-star Little Nell in Aspen, CA and MacArthur Place in Sonoma, CA. For 12 years, Chef Nudd lived and worked between Hong Kong, mainland China and The Bahamas, serving as Executive Chef at Abaco Club, an exclusive private club in the Bahamas; Temple House in Chengdu, China; and the Niccolo by Marco Polo, an urban chic luxury brand also in Chengdu. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Chef Nudd is described by his peers as an individual with integrity and a passion for the industry, spending the last 15 years focused on creating a great culture and atmosphere in the kitchen.
John Gustafson joins Sensei Porcupine Creek as Director of Sales and Events, following 14 years at the Fairmont Chicago. An accomplished sales partner in luxury wellness, Gustafson brings his passion and background in curating experiences for groups with a skilled expertise in events. Gustafson started his career with Fairmont in 2003 and was promoted to various positions such as Director of Corporate Catering, Senior National Sales Manager, Director of Group Sales, and lastly as Director of Sales. In his early career, he explored a variety of different roles across the hospitality sector that included stints at the front desk, to concierge, reservations, call center and food and beverage, providing him with a strong foundation and understanding of the importance of collaboration across departments.
Vince Smit joins Sensei Porcupine Creek as Director of Wellness, where he will oversee wellbeing and spa programming for the property. He comes to Sensei from his previous role as Director of Spa for The Miami Beach EDITION. Possessing extensive experience in the wellness space and serving on the Marriott Corporate Spa & Retail Advisory Council since 2017, Smit was responsible for driving sales, enhancing guest experiences and he consulted on spa and wellness space development for the Edition brand globally. Before the EDITION, Smit worked at The Standard Spa in Miami and was the Health Club & Pool Department Head at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. In his spare time, he co-founded iRetreat, directing international wellness retreats and building the brand through successful marketing and service initiatives.
As Director of Sales, Livingston brings a wealth of experience and passion for hospitality to Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. A seasoned professional, Livingston began her journey in the hospitality industry as an Events Manager, before excelling in Catering and Group Sales in Savannah, Georgia, where she spent the past seven years.
Murphy began his hospitality career at Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa with Evolution Hospitality before joining Hard Rock Hotel San Diego in 2020, serving as Assistant Director of Rooms and Director of Operations. During his three years with the property, he played a critical role in rebuilding operations post-pandemic, with a focus on elevating service standards and enhancing the overall guest experience.
The legendary Regent brand returns to the shores of the United States with the opening of Regent Santa Monica Beach. This elegant beachfront resort cements the reimagined Regent brand and the beauty of contrast by c ombining the glamour of Los Angeles with the splendor of the coast.Regent Santa Monica Beach, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, reintroduces the legendary Regent name to Los Angeles and becomes the brand's first flagship property within the Americas. Originally located in Beverly Hills, and famously known as the setting for the film "Pretty Woman," Regent returns along one of the nation's most celebrated beaches and just steps from the famed Santa Monica Pier. The destination resort will deliver inspired stays through a blend of timeless elegance and modern luxury and is poised to usher in a new era of extraordinary experiences. Regent Santa Monica Beach will set a new standard with its luxuriously spacious guestrooms — with base rooms starting at a generous 720 square feet — and suites, inviting public spaces, spectacular restaurants, and an elevated pool deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Casa Loma Beach Hotel, a 70-room bespoke, serene haven on the world-famous, rock-strewn cliffs of Laguna Beach, has debuted a $15 million renovation befitting the property's location on the choicest slice of sea and sand on Main Beach. Renowned group Marc & Rose Hospitality enlisted the acclaimed Venice, California-based architecture and interior design studio Electric Bowery, as well as the lauded graphic and branding firm LAND, to reimagine what was formerly the beloved Inn at Laguna Beach. The celebrated oceanfront property's transformation is influenced not only by the beauty of its clifftop landscape, but by a laidback Mallorcan mindset and the vivacity of California's coastal spirit. The private, sensual, and understatedly-elegant refuge offers bespoke beach club service hiding in plain sight just steps from Laguna Main Beach, ensconced in stone and lush greenery. Boasting unrivaled ocean views, the luxury hideaway welcomes curious, adventurous and seasoned travelers for an experience akin to staying at an old friend's coastal villa—where hospitality feels familial along the edge of the Pacific.
The only hotel within the largest mixed-use mega development under construction in the Western United States to open in 2026.
Nathaniel Johns has been appointed as the new General Manager of The Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Pasadena/Old Town, bringing over 16 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. Johns will oversee all aspects of the hotel's operations, including business development, financial performance, and community engagement. His experience spans major hotel brands such as Marriott and Hilton, and his guiding philosophy emphasizes creating clean, friendly, and well-maintained environments for guests. Johns holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from McNeese State University and is known for his ability to enhance guest satisfaction and operational success.
Zuziak most recently served as the director of group sales at Park Hyatt Aviara, a luxury resort in the heart of Carlsbad, where he led his team to capture incentive business following a $50 million resort-wide transformation. Over his decade of experience, he has held numerous esteemed positions, including director of sales for the Marriott Southwest Group Sales Office. In this role, he oversaw numerous sales teams responsible for driving annual revenue across a diverse range of Marriott hotels from Santa Barbara to San Diego, as well as in Arizona and Nevada. His responsibilities included managing the execution of post-acquisition integration operations and ensuring a smooth transition to Marriott's software suite and internal processes.
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay - the leading Forbes Five-Star oceanfront resort in the San Francisco Bay Area - is pleased to announce the appointment of Maurice Tax as its new Director of Food & Beverage.
Renaissance ClubSport, Aliso Viejo's premier hotel and fitness resort serving the Aliso Viejo and Laguna Beach area, announces the complete renovation of their 174 rooms. As one of the only premium hotels and fitness resorts in the country, the destination has proved to be a favorite for business, leisure, families, and wellness-minded travelers alike.
Hyatt's Newest California Hotel Brings Culinary Excellence, Curated Art Programming and Locally Inspired Touches to the Bustling Downtown Region.