The New Gates Hotel Key West Announces Two Executive Appointments

Eugenia Simons appointed Complex General Manager and Stephanie Happ Complex Director of Sales & Marketing

. November 19, 2014

The Gates Hotel Key West, a new independent hotel set to open on the island of Key West, Florida, in early 2015, is pleased to announce two executive appointments to the hotel's staff. The 100-room boutique property managed by Highgate Hotels is a departure from traditional hospitality in the Keys, combining refined luxury, modern design, organic touches and Floridian flare to recreate the verve of Hemingway's "old school Key West." With its authentic island ambiance, residential-style interiors, Cuban-themed dining and drinking, and splashy pool deck scene, The Gates will bring the Key West lifestyle to life for guests and locals alike.

Eugenia Simons, Complex General Manager

Arriving in the Florida Keys after years of management experience earned with major hotel and leisure groups, Eugenia Simons oversees all hotel operations as Complex General Manager of The Gates Hotel Key West and sister properties Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn & Suites. Simons arrived in the Keys from New York, where she led the successful rebranding of On The Avenue, a Highgate Hotel property, into NYLO NYC. She also led a renovation of NYLO NYC, including the opening of LOCL Bar.

Previously, Simons was Hotel Manager of Eventi, a 292-room Kimpton Hotels property in New York. Over an 11-month period, she led Eventi to a Top 20 NYC Trip Advisor rating as well as a ranking of 153 out of all US hotels by Conde Nast Traveler while exceeding all budgetary targets. Simons also worked as Director of Operations at W Hoboken Hotel & Residences and as Director of Rooms at W Times Square, both Starwood Hotels & Resorts properties.

Simons earned an Advanced Professional Certificate in customer relationship management from New York University and a Bachelor of Technology in hospitality management with Magna Cum Laude honors from New York City College of Technology. Prominent among her many skills, Simons is a certified bartender and has a working knowledge of French.

Stephanie Happ, Complex Director of Sales & Marketing

With a decade of hospitality experience and keen focus on revenues, Stephanie Happ devises innovative and effective strategies to draw leisure, group and events clientele to The Gates and its sister properties as Complex Director of Sales & Marketing. Happ joined Highgate Hotels' new Key West property from River Terrace Inn, a Noble House Hotels & Resorts property in Napa, California, where as Director of Sales & Marketing she twice reached the Presidents Circle for impressive sales productivity.

Previously, Happ was based in the Florida Keys, spending three years as Director of Sales for Ocean Key Resort and Spa, a Four-Diamond boutique hotel on Key West that is managed by Noble House Hotels & Resorts. She also spent five years consulting on destination weddings as Founder and CEO of Swept Away, a sole proprietorship she founded on Key West in 2004. Happ got her start in hospitality as Catering Sales Manager for Ocean Key Resort and Spa in 2003.

Happ earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from John Carroll University in Cleveland. She resides on Key West with her spouse, and son.

Opening rates from $249. Reservations for The Gates Hotel Key West will soon be available at www.gateshotelkeywest.com or by calling 305-294-3773. More information is also available on the property's Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

About The Gates of Key West

Located near the entrance to Key West at the far end of the Florida Keys, The Gates of Key West combines modern industrial design, organic touches and Floridian flare to recapture the verve of Hemingway's "old school Key West" for contemporary travelers and scene-seeking Millennials. The boutique hotel opening in early 2015 will offer 100 guest rooms with distinctive design elements laid out in residential styles. From the lobby through the guest rooms, The Gates reveals striking design and textural elements, including reclaimed materials repurposed for furnishings and original imagery by award-winning photographer Jorge de la Torriente of De La Gallery. The pool deck will be the center of attention at The Gates, with live entertainment, Rum Row Bar serving small-plates inspired by traditional Cuban and Caribbean fare and irresistible rum drinks from Key West First Legal Rum Distillery. The hotel will also offer cigar rolling classes with local favorite's Rodriguez Cigars Factory in the hotel's exclusive Cigar Garden. www.gateshotelkeywest.com

About Highgate Holdings LLC

Highgate Hotels is a leading independent and fully integrated hospitality management company. Founded in 1988, the firm has acquired individually and with partners, more than 80 hotel properties. Highgate Hotels presently owns and/or operates a portfolio of more than 24,000 rooms located primarily in major gateway markets including New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, Boston, Miami and Honolulu. Highgate's Lifestyle Division of Hotels, focuses on luxury and lifestyle properties. In addition to the upcoming launch of The Gates Hotel Key West, in New York City the division recently launched and currently operates, The Quin, WestHouse New York, NYLO NYC, The ROW NYC, The Park Central and will also debut, The Knickerbocker Hotel.

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