OMAR ROMERO JOINS MINOR HOTELS
Minor Hotels has named Omar Romero as its new chief development and luxury officer, a newly created position, as the company continues on its global expansion strategy.
Romero will lead the global development strategy, identify new business opportunities, oversee the planning and execution of projects and manage relationships with key stakeholders. He will play a key role in supporting the curation of Minor’s luxury brands and ensure the delivery of experiences in every project.
Based in Bangkok, Romero will report to Minor Hotels CEO and Group CEO of Minor International Dillip Rajakarier and work along with Minor’s senior leadership team.
“Omar’s extensive experience in identifying exceptional locations and his dedication to building lasting partnerships make him the perfect leader to drive our global development ambitions. We are confident that with his expertise, Minor Hotels will continue expanding its footprint and creating inspiring, memorable experiences for our guests around the world,” Rajakarier said.
Bringing more than 20 years of experience to his new role, Romero most recently served as chief development officer at Six Senses.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL PROMOTES AMANDA HYNDMAN
Amanda Hyndman has joined Mandarin Oriental as chief operating officer, following the retirement of Christoph Mares. She will also continue in her current role as chief people and culture officer.
With a career spanning more than three decades in the luxury hotel industry, Hyndman has been with Mandarin Oriental for 18 years. In that time, she has held several senior management roles at hotels in the U.K., Hong Kong, Bangkok and Washington D.C. as well as area vice president roles overseeing hotels in the U.K., Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland and thereafter Hong Kong, Macau and Southern China. In 2020, she was appointed as group director of quality and rooms and in May 2023, was appointed as chief people and culture officer.
SERENO HOTELS’ NEW CCO
Sereno Hotels has welcomed Claudio Cadeddu as the chief commercial officer. He will assist Sereno Hotels’ commercial, operational and management teams across its properties, including the all-suite Il Sereno Lago di Como and the Le Sereno St. Barths on Grand Cul-de-Sac.
With more than two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Cadeddu has previously served leadership roles with several brands and an impressive academic foundation. He has previously worked at noted properties, such as Cala di Volpe and The St. Regis in Rome.
“Claudio’s impressive track record with leading hotels and his vision for client-centered luxury make him an ideal fit for Sereno Hotels,” said Luis Contreras, owner of Sereno Hotels. “His expertise across commercial, operational and management areas will be a tremendous asset, strengthening Sereno Hotel’s commitment to our clients and ensuring every experience reflects our dedication to authenticity, elegance and service.”
MORE MOVES
ENVI Lodges has welcomed Lakshmi Moolraj as its corporate director of sales and marketing. Bringing more than two decades of experience in the luxury hospitality sector, she has experience in sales, marketing and operations, particularly in the lodge and safari segments in East Africa. In her new role, she will helm the development and execution of ENVI Lodges’ global sales and marketing strategies and focus on expanding the brand’s presence in key markets.
Moolraj has previously worked at Finch Hattons Luxury Tented Camp in Kenya as chief operations officer. Beyond Kenya, she has managed and consulted for several properties across East Africa, including in Rwanda, Uganda and Zanzibar.
The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Ltd. has named Philip Lawrence Kadoorie, non-executive director of the company, as the deputy chairman of the board to succeed Andrew Clifford Winawer Brandler with effect from January 1, 2025. Kadoorie will also be appointed as a member of the executive committee from January 1, 2025.
Brandler will resign as deputy chairman of the board with effect from December 31, 2024 and remain as non-executive director, chairman of the finance committee and a member of the audit committee, remuneration committee and executive committee. Appointed to the HSH Board in December 2017, Kadoorie oversees multiple Kadoorie family interests in Hong Kong and overseas.
Noble House Hotels & Resorts has named Ryan Kingston as the area managing director for its three Wyoming hotels — Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa and Snake River Sporting Club. Kingston will spearhead the strategic direction and operational excellence of the three properties.
Kingston has worked at several hospitality groups, including 11 years with Hilton Worldwide, where he served in the sales, marketing and operations departments. At SMASHotels, he held dual roles as senior vice president and general manager at the Wit Hotel in Chicago. In the private club sector, he served as managing director for Stirling Club at Turnberry Place in Las Vegas and later relocated to Scottsdale, Ariz. as COO for Abercrombie and Kent Towne Clubs.
Four Seasons Hotel New York has appointed Christopher Shiel as director of marketing. Bringing almost two decades of senior sales and marketing experience from global brands, Shiel has knowledge of luxury lifestyle-driven hotels in New York City.
Shiel will lead Four Seasons Hotel New York’s reopening this fall and contribute to the hotel’s growth and success. Previously, he has led marketing initiatives for Andaz Mayakoba, Hotel 50 Bowery, Refinery Hotel and Smyth, a Thompson Hotel in Manhattan.
NEW GMs
Hotel Maverick, located on the campus of Colorado Mesa University, has appointed Brian Smith as general manager. He will lead operations of the 60-key boutique hotel and its food and beverage concepts, while also managing the hotel’s hospitality management program.
Bringing more than 25 years of experience to his new role, he has held leadership positions with brands such as Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and Hyatt Hotels. Prior to stepping into his new role, Smith served as the regional director of operations at Main Street Hospitality.
VERANÓ Hotels + Resorts has welcomes Pierre-Alex Maillard as area general manager. He will lead the team at VERANÓ San Juan, the first of the three new luxury lifestyle hotels in Puerto Rico by the group. He will oversee all aspects of the hotel’s operations and lead the property’s opening and daily management.
Maillard brings 20 years of leadership experience to his new role. He joins from Hyde Midtown Miami, where he served as the general manager. He has a deep familiarity with Puerto Rico’s luxury hospitality sector, having previously worked as general manager at the Condado Beach Hotel (formerly known as Serafina Beach Hotel).
Four Seasons Hotel Prague has appointed Monica Eisen as general manager. Her career spans almost two decades with Four Seasons.
Eisen began her career with Four Seasons in 2006, when she interned at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon. She went on to serve at several other properties, including at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris and the former Four Seasons Hotel London at Canary Wharf.
