Douglas R. Korn Appointed GM of THE US GRANT
Starwood Luxury Collection Hotel, in Downtown San Diego
SAN DIEGO, CA, July 25, 2008. THE US GRANT, a historic Starwood Luxury Collection hotel that underwent a meticulous $56 million renovation and reopened in October 2006, has named nine-year Starwood veteran, Douglas R. Korn, as its new General Manager.
No stranger to San Diego or the downtown neighborhood, Korn has spent the last six years as the General Manager of The Westin Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego, just a few blocks from THE US GRANT. Prior to that, he held the position of General Manager at the former Four Points by Sheraton Rancho Bernardo in San Diego, Calif. He also spent eight years with Interstate Hotels, serving as General Manager at The Cliffs Resort Hotel in Pismo Beach, Calif. and the Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla, another historic hotel in San Diego County.
Korn's addition to THE US GRANT - a Starwood Luxury Collection hotel - will bring fresh ideas and diversified hospitality experience to this special property that is downtown San Diego's only AAA Four Diamond and Exxon-Mobil Four Star hotel.
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the team at this celebrated hotel, which has been brought full circle to a modern version of its former glory and is once again synonymous with a downtown San Diego luxury experience," Korn explains. "I look forward to working with the talented and dedicated hotel staff to further develop THE GRANT."
Korn explains that his immediate goals will be to generate new sources of business for the iconic hotel, to oversee the ongoing development of a full-service luxury spa at the hotel and to draw even more of the local and visitor market to experience the singular dining experience of the legendary Grant Grill. Korn also looks forward to beginning preparations for THE US GRANT'S 100th anniversary celebration in October 2010.
"We have much to celebrate as we approach our centennial year and look toward the promising future - not only has THE GRANT reclaimed its position as one of San Diego's iconic hotels," Korn says, "but we are at the center of the inspiring renaissance that is sweeping our entire downtown."
Before relocating to California, Korn began his hospitality career with Marriott Hotels & Resorts at several properties across the Midwest before serving as Director of Rooms Operations at The Dearborn Inn in Dearborn, MI, a historic hotel that was a popular social gathering place and host of Ford Motor Company events. Korn continued to advance his career at Marriott properties in Colorado Springs, CO and Albany, NY.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Korn holds a bachelor's degree in Restaurant Hotel and Institutional Management from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He lives in San Diego with his wife, Rebecca, and sons, Jeffrey and Richard. He enjoys spending time with his family, participating in water sports and traveling in his free time.
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 
