Located in the heart of the city's bustling business district, Hyatt Centric Las Olas Fort Lauderdale will open its doors April 2nd as a premiere destination for business, group, and leisure travelers. The full-service, 238-room property is located inside the new-build 100 Las Olas tower, which has dramatically transformed the city's downtown skyline as its tallest building to date.
Home2 Suites by Hilton, part of Hilton's (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Home2 Suites by Hilton Ormond Beach Oceanfront. Designed for travelers who want to maintain their normal routine, all of the hotel's 93 suites feature a full or partial oceanview balcony and a range of value, tech-focused and eco-conscious amenities. Home2 Suites by Hilton Ormond Beach Oceanfront compleme nts the strong Volusia County tourism industry, which hosts more than 10 million visitors annually.*
The development team behind Miami Beach's new Convention Center hotel announced today that an 800-room property will be operated by Hyatt under the luxury Grand Hyatt brand, when it opens to guests in 2023. Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will create a new hospitality option for visitors attending events at the adjacent Miami Beach Convention Center, which underwent a $600 million renovation that was completed last year, and anchor the Convention Center District.
JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, Inc., today announced the upcoming opening of JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa slated for March 2020, marking JW Marriott's second property in Orlando. Just a 30-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport and ideally located on the doorsteps of Walt Disney World, the resort will provide families a luxury experience with unique family-friendly offerings and specially designed Family Suites. The resort's warm, inviting social spaces and amenities include a Spa by JW, resort pool with splash pad, specialty restaurants, as well as a rooftop terrace boasting nightly views of theme park firework displays.
Hilton announced today the appointment of hotel industry veteran Frederick Sawyers as the managing director for Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando. In this role, Sawyers will oversee the management of daily hotel operations, development and execution of strategic sales and marketing initiatives, and financial planning and analysis for the Bonnet Creek resort complex. The 1,500 room complex features 175,000 square feet of meeting and event space, 12 distinct dining outlets, a nationally-acclaimed golf course, and the world-class Waldorf Astoria Spa.
Simpson was most recently the opening Director of Finance for Dockside Inn and Suites' sister hotel, Surfside Inn and Suites, and has held various financial leadership roles with the company. Prior to joining Loews Hotels & Co in 2013, Carla was the Assistant General Manager of Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Airport.
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, a AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star resort, has announced the appointment of Gregory Polino as general manager. In his new role, Mr. Polino will oversee day-to-day operations of the acclaimed 216-room oceanfront resort including the resort's four distinct dining concepts: Atlantikós, The Grill at St. Regis, The St. Regis Bar, and La Gourmandise as well as the Forbes Five-Star Remède Spa.
In his new role, Mr. Sampert will oversee the day-to-day operations of the 653 room Bayfront hotel, which includes the recent addition of a 30,000 square foot turf-covered flexible lawn space with sweeping views of downtown Miami and Bayfront Park that will lend itself well to meetings, events, new programming, and social gatherings.
Bringing more than 15 years of hospitality industry experience to his new role, Sam Atwood will hold his fourth career general manager position at The Atlantic Hotel & Spa. With a keen interest in analytics, Sam's hotel operations acumen creates a positive environment that both his team and guests will benefit from.
Today, Autograph Collection Hotels announced the opening of The Ben, the first hotel on the downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. waterfront. The Ben is part of Autograph Collection's diverse and dynamic portfolio of more than 180 independent hotels carefully crafted with vision and passion. Just like The Ben, each distinctive hotel in the Autograph Collection is singular and special: Exactly Like Nothing Else.
Edwin Millan is Director of Engineering. He brings more than 20 years of experience as a Director of Engineering for Diamond Resorts International, Hilton Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts and Radisson Hotels. Most recently, he was part of the opening team for Margaritaville Resort Orlando.
Marty Grozdanich is Director of Housekeeping. In his previous role as Director of Housekeeping at Westgate Resorts, he oversaw a team that serviced more than 2,100 rooms. Marty's background also includes Radisson Hotels, Holiday Inn Vacation Club and Walt Disney World.
Khalid Benghallem has been named Executive Chef. He was most recently Executive Sous Chef for the Wyndham Grand Resort Bonnet Creek, where he oversaw the culinary operations of multiple high-volume restaurants and banquets. Benghallem's career spans four continents with Executive Chef roles in Morocco, France and more. When he first arrived in Orlando, he worked as Sous Chef for Emeril's Orlando at Universal CityWalk.
Stephanie Legros has been named Director of Human Resources. She was previously opening Director of Human Resources for Universal's Aventura Hotel and Complex Associate Director of Human Resources for Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. Legros' robust 18-year career with Loews Hotels & Co began at Loews Philadelphia Hotel and brought her to Orlando in 2011, where she has served in a variety of human resources leadership roles.
Phil Klinkenberg is Director of Food & Beverage. He was previously Associate Director of Food & Beverage for Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, where he played a key role in building its award-winning and distinctive food and beverage operations. Klinkenberg joined Loews Hotels & Co in 2013 as the opening Director of Food & Beverage at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort and brings more than 20 years of progressive food and beverage leadership experience.
Leonard Kong has been promoted to Hotel Manager. He was previously the Complex Director of Rooms at Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. With more than a decade of hospitality and leadership experience in a variety of positions with Loews Hotels & Co, Kong has been instrumental in driving guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
George Cronk is the Managing Director. He brings more than two decades of leadership experience working at Loews Hotels across the country. His deep company roots have taken him coast to coast, from an opening team member at Loews Coronado Bay Resort to Hotel Manager at Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel, followed by General Manager at Loews Annapolis Hotel and Loews Hotel 1000 Seattle. Cronk returns to Orlando where he previously held a variety of roles, including Executive Chef for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Executive Chef, Director of Food & Beverage and Executive Assistant Manager for Loews Royal Pacific Resort.
Hospitality industry veteran France Langan has been appointed vice president of operations/general manager for the first-ever Compass hotel, a new hotel collection from global lifestyle brand Margaritaville, inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of singer, songwriter, and best-selling author Jimmy Buffet.
Centrally located in beautiful Feather Sound between Clearwater, St. Pete and Tampa, The Karol features 123 guest rooms and suites; the signature K Club Bar & Bistro; Vantage Rooftop Bar overlooking Tampa Bay, which is expected to open the end of February; a combined 7,340 square feet of event space, including a ballroom and executive conference rooms; and an outside pool and fitness center. The first member of Marriott's Tribute Portfolio to open in Pinellas County, Florida, The Karol Hotel is named for and inspired by Karol Kelly Bullard, "Miss Karol K," wife of Fred Bullard, CEO of The Bullard Group, developer and owner of the property.
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc., along with national real estate developer Charles S. Cohen today announce the opening of Le Méridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport. Taking cues from the brand's mid-century design aesthetic, the top-to-bottom conversion of the property brings to life Le Méridien's distinctive French heritage and the allure of the Côte d'Azur to South Florida.