ICONIC LUXURY HOTELS NAMES SVP
Iconic Luxury Hotels has announced that Francisco Macedo, the current general manager of Cliveden House and group operations director of Iconic Luxury Hotels, has been promoted to the newly created position of senior vice president asset management, Iconic Luxury Hotels – International.
Macedo joined Cliveden in 2018 and has management experience across several hotels, including Bovey Castle in Devon, the Stapleford Park Country House Hotel and he Manor at Weston on the Green.
Part of L+R Hotels, Iconic Luxury Hotels is a family-owned global hotel investment and management company with a portfolio of over 115 hotels across the U.K., Europe, the U.S. and the Caribbean.
LOEWS APPOINTS SENIOR EXECS AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT HOTELS
Loews Hotels, the co-owner and operator of a portfolio of hotels at Universal Orlando Resort, has welcomed three senior executives to leadership positions. Loews is on track to open three new properties in 2025, when Universal’s upcoming theme park — Universal Epic Universe — is also scheduled to open. The three new appointments include:
- Robert Rivers as managing director for Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, the destination’s first-ever hotel inside a theme park.
- Jonathan Barisano as complex managing director for Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort, the two new hotels which will open adjacent to Universal Epic Universe.
- Chris Coles as complex managing director for Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal Aventura Hotel, located at Universal Orlando Resort.
MISTY ROSS JOINS OTO DEVELOPMENT
OTO Development has named Misty Ross as vice president, sales and marketing. She will spearhead business development, revenue generation and profit maximization across the company’s owned and managed hotel portfolios. Ross will be based out of OTO Development’s corporate headquarters in Spartanburg, S.C.
Ross started her career in hospitality with Marriott International and joined Concord Hospitality in 2008, where she most recently served as regional vice president of sales.
“Misty is a dynamic addition to OTO Development, bringing both enthusiasm and expertise to our leadership team as we lean into aggressive goals. She has a proven track record of developing and executing strategic initiatives that drive revenue and enhance brand reputation,” said CEO Todd Turner.
MINOR HOTELS ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS IN THAILAND
Minor Hotels has announced two promotions in Thailand at its hotels in Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. The two appointments include Ahmed Asim as the new general manager of Anantara Rasananda Koh Phangan Villas and Frederic Kolde as general manager of Anantara Lawana Koh Samui Resort.
This is Asim’s first general manager role after serving as resort manager at the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Hotel for more than a year. A Maldivian national, he joined Minor Hotels in 2019 as director of rooms at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort and was promoted to hotel manager at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok in 2021.
In his most recent position, Kolde served as hotel manager at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. He has worked at Hyatt hotels in China, Japan and Thailand before joining Minor Hotels.
APPOINTMENTS AT SHINOLA HOTEL
Shinola Hotel in Detroit has appointed Jacob Dondzila as general manager and Patrick Petrides as executive director of food and beverage.
Appointed to his new role by Sage Hospitality, the hotel’s operating partner, Dondzila brings over 15 years of experience to his new role. A Michigan native, he has previously worked at properties such as Ritz-Carlton Boston, as well as working across multiple Waldorf Astoria properties including in New York, Washington, D.C. and the Arizona Biltmore.
Petrides has more than 25 years of experience in culinary operations and hospitality management. His journey with NoHo Hospitality began in 2016, where he served as general manager at Chef Andrew Carmellini’s Locanda Verde.
APPOINTMENTS AT HOKULI’A
Hokuli’a, the oceanfront residential community located on the Kona Coast in Hawaii, has announced two key appointments:
- David Stepetic has been appointed general manager. Stepetic brings more than 25 years of experience and will lead the daily operations of the Club at Hokuli’a. Prior to his new role, he served as resort manager at the Mauna Lani Resort, Auberge Resorts Collection.
- Duane Otte has been named director of golf. A 28-year member of the PGA, Otte last served as the director of golf at the Mauna Kea Resort.
NEW GMs
Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay has named José Manuel Molina as general manager of the hotel, which opened earlier this year. An island native, Molina brings in 35 years of experience to maximize results and resources and support the hotel into its spring and summer season.
Most recently, Molina served as general manager at OKU Hotels. Prior to his position at OKU Hotels, he spent more than 20 years at Palladium Hotel Group where he was the managing director of several hotels in Ibiza and the Caribbean. During his time at Palladium Hotel Group, he also served as managing director of regional operations of the Canary Islands.
Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association has appointed Amir Blattner as general manager at Hyatt Regency Miami and the chairman of the board. He will be responsible for leading all aspects of the hotel.
With 30 years of experience in the hotel industry, Blattner started his career in 1995 as a hotel operator at the Hyatt Regency Coral Gables. He went on to hold several leadership roles across Hyatt hotels. In 2017, he was promoted to general manager for the Hyatt Regency Louisville and was then appointed as general manager for the Hyatt Regency Savannah.
Barnaby Kean has been appointed as general manager of the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, which is currently under construction and is expected to open in January 2025.
In his most recent position, Kean served as general manager with Klarent Hospitality. He has previously worked with the Zeal Hotels team and has experience with IHG brands.
