Playa Largo Resort & Spa Announces Appointment of Kerem Kendigelen as General Manager
Kendigelen Brings Dynamic Hospitality Leadership Experience and Passion for Food & Beverage to Key Largo's Newest Hotel
Playa Largo Resort & Spa, an Autograph Collection beachfront luxury property situated on the Florida Bay in Key Largo, Florida, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kerem Kendigelen as General Manager.
In his new role, Kendigelen will be responsible for overseeing all resort operations, fostering staff development, budgeting and financial planning, increasing sales and revenue, and ensuring total guest satisfaction.
With over 15 years of hospitality experience working within top hotel brands, Kendigelen brings a track record of effectively leading and managing all aspects of the luxury resort experience, as well as executing award-winning food and beverage programs.
“Playa Largo has quickly made a name for itself by redefining the meaning of luxury travel in the Keys, while still embracing the authentic Keys way of life,” Kendigelen says. “I'm looking forward to supporting and enhancing the many guest programs and overall experience at Playa Largo, while steering the property toward continued success.”
Kendigelen has a long and impressive history with the Ritz-Carlton brand having launched his career at The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul, where he started as a Rooms Division intern. Over the next nine years, he served multiple Ritz-Carlton properties including Buckhead, Half Moon Bay, Arlington, and ultimately San Juan, where he led the team as the Director of Food and Beverage. Two years with the St. Regis in Washington, D.C. gave Kerem another perspective into luxury hotel product and service. While in San Juan, Kerem also directed the Food & Beverage Council for The Ritz-Carlton brand in The Caribbean & Latin America (CALA). During his time in these positions, he was responsible for exceeding the highest standards of culinary, meetings, and catering excellence, while maximizing all business opportunities to drive sales.
In his new position at Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Kendigelen will apply his passion for food and beverage and leadership expertise to elevate hotel performance even further.
“With his extensive background in hospitality management, Kerem is perfectly suited to take the reigns at Playa Largo,” says Brian Hockenbury, Senior Vice President of Operations at Shaner Hotel Corporation. “We're enthusiastic to see where he takes the property, including enhancements to the resort's restaurants and how he will shape the Playa Largo experience.”
Playa Largo Resort & Spa, the 100th addition to Autograph Collection Hotels, first opened its doors in 2016 and brings a new level of personalized luxury to the Florida Keys.
About Playa Largo Resort & Spa
Playa Largo Resort & Spa, a new addition to Marriott's Autograph Collection, opened in Key Largo, Florida in the spring of 2016. Perfectly situated on 14 secluded beachfront acres with sweeping views of Florida Bay, the resort features 144 luxury rooms and suites, 10 private bungalows and a three-bedroom beach house with private pool. Developed by Prime Hospitality Group (PHG) and Shaner Hotels, Playa Largo marks the first full-service resort to be built on Key Largo in 21 years. To obtain more information, call 305.853.1001 or visit www.PlayaLargoResort.com. Connect with Playa Largo's official Facebook fan page by visiting www.facebook.com/playalargoresort and follow on Twitter @PlayaLargo.
About Shaner Hotels
Shaner Hotel Group is one of the foremost owner-operator companies in the hospitality industry with more than 50 hotel properties owned and managed across the U.S., Italy and the Bahamas. New properties are constantly evaluated as the Shaner Hotel Group continues a conservative, yet opportunistic approach to growth. Shaner is an approved management company and franchisee of Marriott International, Inc., Hilton Hotels Corporation, Intercontinental Hotels Group and Choice Hotels. For more information about the company and its divisions visit www.shanercorp.com.
Media Contact:
Julia Cavalieri
Associate Account Executive
Diamond Public Relations
T: 305-854-3544
E: [email protected]
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Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
