The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, the area's premier 5-star resort and luxury landmark, is pleased to announce the appointment of Leslie Bloznalis Ellis as the property's Director of Group and Catering Sales. In her role, Bloznalis Ellis will spearhead sales for the hotel's group events, as well as oversee weddings, social events, and corporate catering gatherings.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North is pleased to announce the completion of a multi-million-dollar renovation to its 277 All-Suite Hotel. The Fourteen-month extensive renovation project includes fresh and modern chic updates to all guest suites, lobby, atrium area, Omaha Steakhouse and more than 7,200 square feet of event spaces. Located at 225 Shorecrest Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL on beautiful Cranes Roost Lake, Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North is just 8-miles north of Downtown Orlando. Conveniently close to major Orlando venues, such as the RDV Sportsplex, Maitland Art Museum, Orlando Science & Art Museums, the Amway Center, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Camping World Stadium and Exploria Stadium.
Starting November 10, 2023, travelers visiting the Fort Lauderdale area will be able to enjoy a convenient stay at the new Aloft Hotel at Fort Lauderdale Airport by Marriott. The 138-room, 14-floor property is located at 501 SE 24th Street, Fort Lauderdale, just 3 ½ miles from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and 1 ½ miles from the Port Everglades cruise terminals.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, an upscale resort located just steps away from the Gulf of Mexico and Pier 60, welcomes Ernesto Fernandez as general manager. In his new role, Fernandez will oversee the daily operations of the 286-room resort including the on-site spa, more than 20,000 square feet of functional meeting space, and multiple on-site restaurants.
With nearly 20 years in the hospitality industry, Mills joins Luminary Hotel & Co. from the ChampionsGate Country Club in Davenport, Florida, where she served as General Manager. She has previously held roles in the robust Orlando market, including Restaurant Manager at JW Marriott Grande Lakes, and Director of Restaurants at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Mills also served as Director of Food & Beverage at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra from 2014 to 2020, where she made significant contributions to the hotel's culinary excellence. Mills has also been running her own consulting business since 2021, showcasing her dedication to the food and beverage industry. As Director of Food & Beverage at Luminary, Mills will guide the success of all dining outlets and the complex banquet team, working closely with Chef Pankrath.
Pompano Beach will be the first stand‑alone residences to enter the portfolio and cement the picturesque oceanfront village as luxury hotspot
Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) announced strategic changes to its leadership team effective October 1, 2023. Louise Bang, who until now served as Regional Vice President of Sales and Distribution for the region, will become Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, taking over from Diana Plazas-Trowbridge, who advanced her career within the company to the role of Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, and will now oversee Marriott International's Select Service brands globally.
Lodging industry innovator WaterWalk opened the doors of its newest property under the brand's Gen 2.0 model, WaterWalk Jacksonville, on October 2. Located at 8895 Perimeter Park Blvd. in Jacksonville, the property blends the best of an upscale extended-stay hotel and home with fully furnished 'STAY' units and ready-to-furnish 'LIVE' units.
The Ben West Palm, Autograph Collection, a premier destination for upscale accommodations and exceptional guest experiences, is delighted to announce the appointment of Elena Peroulakis as Director of Sales & Marketing. With an illustrious career in the hospitality industry, she brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the esteemed property. With deep-rooted ties to the community and an impressive track record of spearheading top-performing sales teams, Elena is the ideal visionary to script the next chapter of The Ben Hotel's story.
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Aventura's tropical oasis, rich with a culture of accessible luxury and enriching experiences, has appointed Alice Land as Executive Director of Sales and Marketing. Ms. Land will oversee all sales, marketing, and public relations efforts for the 685-room luxury destination, bringing more than 20 years of experience working with independent, resort, and branded hotel properties - including more than 15 years with Marriott hotels - to her new role.
AKA, a global leader in luxury hospitality and the creator of the World's Most Livable Hotels®, today reveals its design transformation at the 36-story Hotel AKA Brickell, located in the energetic Brickell neighborhood at the Brickell Arch at 1395 Brickell Avenue. Just as Brickell continues to evolve and shape this burgeoning area of Miami, AKA does the same for the hospitality and design space - the brand evolves, shapes and leads the charge.
Northwest Florida's iconic resort launches first stage of a multi-phased property-wide refurbishment.
Dougherty joins Cabot as the Director of Food and Beverage with over 10 years of hospitality experience, most recently at Room 11 Hospitality Group as Corporate General Manager and Wine Director for Box House Events and MADRE, which earned a Michelin Plate Award just one year after opening. He spent his early career at Hermann J Wiemer Vineyard and later served as an assistant winemaker at Cornell University. Dougherty will execute food and beverage concepts, build menus, and ensure exceptional hospitality, service and dining experiences for Cabot guests. From a cocktail program that will pay homage to the classics while incorporating innovative flair, to a wine list that will feature the great regions of the world and the roads less traveled, there will be something for every occasion. A golf aficionado, Dougherty was a collegiate golfer and enjoys spending time on the links when not creating new drinks and dishes.
Ha brings years of experience working in internationally acclaimed restaurants across the globe, including Café Boulud in New York City, Restaurant Den in Tokyo, and Restaurant Ester in Sydney. Most recently, she served as Executive Chef at Momofuku Ko, a two Michelin star restaurant guided by the Japanese kaiseki tradition in New York City. As Executive Chef at Cabot, Ha will create food and beverage dining concepts and oversee menus for all Cabot properties. Her responsibilities also include building the food sourcing strategy, hiring and training culinary staff, and working with each property to ensure the strategic vision of Cabot is executed to the highest standards. Ha was named Rising Star Chef 2023 from StarChefs and awarded Steelite's Art of Plating Award 2023 for New York City. Outside of her culinary expertise, Ha is an avid golfer who played competitively in high school and college.
Texas Western Hospitality of Addison, Texas today announced the opening of their newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton in Davenport, Florida. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, the hotel features 128 suites and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. General Manager Kari Hall-Adams leads the management team at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Orlando South Davenport for Texas Western Hospitality.
The Salamander Collection, the hospitality company founded by Sheila Johnson, has appointed Christopher Walling as Vice President of Operations and Managing Director of Innisbrook in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is investing in multimillion-dollar resort renovations. The renovations of the meeting space, restaurant, lobby, marketplace, bar, and lounge will further elevate this luxury resort with a modernized, yet warm coastal design.
Located in the heart of downtown Gainesville, Georgia, the highly anticipated Courtyard by Marriott Gainesville opened its doors and officially began welcoming guests today. The all-new contemporary hotel - Gainesville's largest hotel property - anchors the mixed-use development, The National, a revival and redevelopment of Gainesville's long-vacant First National Bank by developer and owner, Capstone Property Group, LLC.
Novotel Miami Brickell announced today the appointment of hospitality veteran Michael Boulanger as Director of Sales & Marketing. With a decade of distinguished experience in the hospitality industry, Boulanger will leverage his deep insights and innovative approach to enhance Novotel Miami Brickell's profile, expand market reach, and strengthen guest experiences.
Following her success as Senior Catering Sales Executive, Brittany Erigo will now spearhead both properties' catering services and programs, from planning to execution. Her previous experience includes stints as Event Services Coordinator at Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort, Convention Sales Coordinator at Visit Tampa Bay, Private Events Coordinator at The Tampa Club and Director of Convention & Corporate Sales at ZooTampa at Lowry Park.