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Alexis Hansen has been appointed as Director of Food and Beverage at AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay

Slated to open this summer, the AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay, a new build Marriott lifestyle hotel with a rooftop restaurant and bar, announces the appointment of a dynamic team member. Welcome Group, Inc., the El Segundo-based hospitality group behind the South Bay's most buzzed about new property, has named Alexis Hansen as Director of Food and Beverage. Given a genuine passion for people, all things F&B, and old-fashioned, Southern hospitality, Alexis Hansen may have found her dream job as the Director of Food and Beverage at AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay. With a decade of experience, Hansen brings positivity and creativity to every task, and will oversee all F&B operations at the property from the European breakfast spread at the AC Kitchen, to business lunches at the AC Lounge to Happy Hour around the fire pit at the hotel's rooftop restaurant and bar. She graduated from University of North Carolina Charlotte and honed her skills working for various hospitality establishments including 1212 Santa Monica, Delaware North, the foodservice operator of Petco Park stadium in San Diego, and most recently, Blackhouse Hospitality Group. Hansen's entrepreneurial spirit, a keen sense of humor and a love of being in the kitchen will ensure that the AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay's F&B programming will not only be on top of the industry's most cutting edge trends but also executed in a flawless and friendly manner.

Hector E. Martinez has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay

Slated to open this summer, the AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay, a new build Marriott lifestyle hotel with a rooftop restaurant and bar, announces the appointment of a dynamic team member. Welcome Group, Inc., the El Segundo-based hospitality group behind the South Bay's most buzzed about new property, has named Hector E. Martinez as Director of Sales and Marketing. Hector Martinez, a longtime South Bay resident and the 3rd generation in his family to work in hospitality, brings 14 years of professional experience to his new role as AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay's Director of Sales and Marketing. Martinez started his career in the industry as a Front Desk Agent at the Renaissance Los Angeles Airport and has worked his way up at a number of hotels including the Hilton Long Beach, Residence Inn Long Beach Waterfront, and most recently as the Associate Director of Sales at Long Beach Marriott. In his new role, Martinez will be responsible for leading sales strategies, marketing initiatives, and maximizing revenue streams. Both a father and a foodie, Martinez is stoked about being a part of an evolving hospitality scene in his own backyard.

Tory Coursen has been appointed as Assistant General Manager at AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay

Slated to open this summer, the AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay, a new build Marriott lifestyle hotel with a rooftop restaurant and bar, announces the appointment of a dynamic team members. Welcome Group, Inc., the El Segundo-based hospitality group behind the South Bay's most buzzed about new property, has named Victoria "Tory" Coursen as Assistant General Manager.

Camila Frederico has been named Hotel Manager at The Westin St. Francis

Camila Frederico has been named Hotel Manager of The Westin St. Francis where she will be responsible for assisting the area general manager with staffing, directing, and supervising this historic 1,195-room hotel on San Francisco's Union Square. In her new position, she will lead all operational departments including rooms, food & beverage, events, and engineering. Frederico comes to The Westin St. Francis from W San Francisco where she served as Director of Operations. Prior to this role, she was at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, starting as Assistant Director of Food & Beverage and transitioning to Director of Rooms where she oversaw a $36 million renovation of the guestrooms and spa. Previously, she was at The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix as Assistant Director of Meetings and Special Events. Frederico graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University Mackenzie in São Paulo, Brazil. She also holds an M.A. in Journalism from the University Casper-Libero in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Donna Esparza has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa

Donna Esparza was previously the remarkably successful director of sales and marketing for Marriott Hotels - Riverside, California, where she led her team to significantly exceed sales goals for 2018. She earlier served in the same position for Hyatt Place - Riverside and Hilton Hotels - San Bernardino, California. Ms. Esparza's career has included numerous important leadership positions in sales, including regional positions, and also within the public relations discipline. With a degree in marketing and sales leadership, Donna Esparza is a graduate of Sunstone Sales University, as well as the Marriott Sales Leadership program and Master Connections-Mastering Sales Leadership. She is the recipient of numerous prestigious career honors, including the Individual Property Sales Leader of the Year Award for Marriott Franchise Partner - North America; the Director of Sales of the Year Award for Marriott Riverside/Courtyard by Marriott, Riverside (a cluster sales office); the Director of Sales of the Year Award and Most Improved RevPar Index Growth Award for Hyatt Place, Riverside; and the Sales Excellence Award of the Year from Interstate Hotels.Donna Esparza is a member of Meeting Professionals International, the Society of Government Meeting Planners, and the Religious Conference Meeting Planner Association. She resides in Lake Gregory, California.

Santa Monica Proper Hotel - California dreaming

Following the success of San Francisco Proper Hotel, the evolution of Proper continues amid the sun-drenched boulevards and sea breezes of L.A.'s cinematic Pacific coastline. Opening June, Santa Monica Proper Hotel emerges as an architectural wonder just seven blocks from the crashing waves of the ocean, spanning two stylistically disparate buildings linked by an artfully crafted bridge. With interior design by Kelly Wearstler, the hotel is a lesson in restrained elegance—think nature-inspired palettes, light hardwood floors, and organic textures augmented by artworks from emerging local artists. The exquisitely pared-down aesthetics provide the stylish backdrop to the neighborhood's only indoor-outdoor rooftop playground, complete with pool, cabanas, restaurant and bar. Add in a restaurant serving innovative Californian- and Mexican-inspired cuisine devised by celebrated chefs Jessica Koslow and Gabriela Camara, and an expansive Ayurvedic spa, and you have the hottest hotel to hit Westside L.A. in decades.

Peggy Trott has been appointed as General Manager at Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs

Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs, located in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Peggy Trott as General Manager of the 153-room urban desert escape. In her role, Trott will oversee daily and long-term operations to maintain Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs' position as the destination's top boutique hotel.

Start renovation of Kimpton Hotel Wilshire, Los Angeles

R.D. Olson Construction, an award-winning general contracting firm in California, has begun the renovation of Kimpton Hotel Wilshire, a 41,900-square-foot boutique hotel that the firm originally built in 2011 as an adaptive re-use of a 1951 office building. The renovation will encompass a full modernization of the Los Angeles hotel's 74 guest rooms, as well as a revitalization of the rooftop deck and other common spaces. Hotel Wilshire will remain open during construction, which is expected to be completed by fall.

Update Set for Fall 2019: The InterContinental San Francisco Unveils Extensive Renovation

Two Bay Area-based design firms, BraytonHughes Design Studios and EDG Design, are pleased to unveil the updated design for the InterContinental San Francisco , the landmark South of Market San Francisco high-rise hotel. Since 2008, the InterContinental San Francisco has been an optimal destination for both business and leisure travelers visiting the dynamic and beloved city of San Francisco.

Simon Moulden has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Beverly Hilton

Moulden comes to The Beverly Hilton from the MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas, where he served as Executive Sous Chef for dining outlets spanning three hotels - Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Delano and Four Seasons Hotel - overseeing the individual hotels as well as large-scale events. Prior to that, Moulden was Chef De Cuisine at the Viceroy L'Ermitage in Beverly Hills, Calif. and previous to that, spent nearly two decades in his native Australia, working for the De Olivieras restaurant group among others before opening his very own restaurant, The Yard on Australia's Gold Coast. Moulden began his culinary career as Chef De Partie at the Savoy Hotel in London, England where he worked under renowned restaurateur, Michelin-starred chef and television personality, Marco Pierre White.

Michael Bridges has been appointed as Area Managing Director at SIXTY Hotels

SIXTY Hotels proudly announces the appointment of its new Area Managing Director for SIXTY Beverly Hills, Michael Bridges. In his new role, Bridges will oversee all aspects of operations at the property, as well as day-today staff management and ensuring guest comfort and satisfaction. Bridges will be the SIXTY Beverly Hills ambassador, providing leadership and strategic planning in support of bringing the property to the next level of lifestyle hotels. Prior to joining the SIXTY Hotels team, Michael Bridges held the position of General Manager at Viceroy Santa Monica, where he oversaw the full Executive Team at Santa Monica's first luxury boutique property.  Throughout his extended career in hospitality, Bridges has held positions at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Viceroy New York, Mondrian SoHo, Smyth Tribeca, Gild Hall (both Thompson Hotels) as well as The-Ritz Carlton Hotels in Battery Park and Dallas. 

Marco Foelske has been appointed as Resort Manager at La Quinta Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort

Nested beneath the Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta Resort & Club is known as the original Hollywood hideaway where Foelske will oversee the day-to-day operations at the iconic, 777 room resort. In addition, Foelske will work closely with staff to ensure all resort functions are efficient and organized across the resort's amenities including 41 outdoor pools, 21 tennis courts, seven distinctive restaurants and the award-winning Spa La Quinta. An industry veteran with over 25 years of hospitality management experience, Foelske most recently served as the Director of Food & Beverage Operations at Hilton Atlanta where he was responsible for budgeting and forecasting, strategic planning, marketing, and special projects for all food and beverage, banquets and events at the 1,249-room convention property. Prior to that, Foelske worked for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts where served as General Manager at Sheraton Poznan Hotel in Poznan, Poland and Hotel Resident Manager at Sheraton Warsaw Hotel in Warsaw, Poland. Foelske has a track record of successful business development in increasing occupancy, guest satisfaction scores, and revenue streams. Throughout his career, Foelske has been credited with improving profit margins, heading teams to double digit growth year after year, and leading hotel operations teams during extensive Hotel and Food & Beverage refurbishment and renovation projects.

Jeff Josenhans has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at InterContinental San Diego

Jeff Josenhans brings more than 20 years of global wine, beer, and spirits expertise to his new role at InterContinental San Diego, where he will oversee the hotel's comprehensive and innovative food and beverage program including: Vistal Bar + Restaurant, located on the 3rd floor and serving coastal California-cuisine by Chef Amy DiBiase, the rooftop pool bar, Starbucks, banquets, and in-room dining for the hotel's 400 bay view guestrooms and suites.

Eric Manning has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at InterContinental San Diego

Eric Manning returns to InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) as Director of Sales & Marketing for InterContinental San Diego where he will lead group sales efforts for the hotel's 400 rooms and 95,000 square feet of meeting and event space. A longstanding San Diego resident, Manning began his hospitality career in 2003 as Sales Manager for Evans Hotels and later dedicated seven years to leading the Kimpton Solamar (an IHG property) sales team towards new successes. Most recently, Manning served as the Director of Sales & Marketing for Omni Hotels & Resorts in San Diego. Now with over 15 years of professional experience, he brings strong sales leadership and extensive local market expertise to the InterContinental San Diego team, with a primary focus on driving top line revenues and building client loyalty. Manning was born and raised in San Jose, Calif., where he attended San Jose State University.

Taco Bell Hotel Launching August 2019 - Adding A Spicy Twist To Summer

Get ready for "Bell"hops and Baja Blasts, fire sauce and sauce packet floaties, because the Taco Bell Hotel is coming and will give fans an unexpected and unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Beginning August 9 for a limited time, doors will open at The Bell: A Taco Bell Hotel and Resort in Palm Springs, California, making fans' dreams come true with an immersive way to celebrate the best of the brand.

David Serus has been appointed as Executive Chef at Montage Laguna Beach

Raised in Le Mans, France, and taking early inspiration from watching his grandmother in her kitchen and working at his uncle's bakery during school vacations, Serus knew early on excelling at fine hotel restaurants would be his chosen career. After attending cooking school in Quimper, France, he served a year in the French navy and then worked at two Michelin Star restaurants - one in London and the other in the South of France. He went on to work seven years at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, followed by 17 years working for The Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts across the U.S., including serving as executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Arizona; The Ritz-Carlton, Orlando Grand Lakes, Florida; and The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C. In 2013, Serus was awarded the prestigious title of Maître Cuisiniers de France (Master Chef of France) from the French culinary community, of which there are only 86 in the U.S. He's an avid cookbook collector and enjoys exploring the region on his motorcycle.