Shawn Gracey Joins Houston's Hotel ICON as GM
HOUSTON, TX, November 7, 2008. Shawn Gracey has been appointed general manager of Hotel ICON, an award-winning Destination Hotels & Resorts boutique property located in the heart of downtown Houston. Since opening in 2004, the intimate, 135-room hotel, housed in the landmark Union National Bank building, has appeared on numerous "best of" lists. Earlier this month, its newly launched restaurant and lounge, VOICE, was selected by Esquire magazine as one of the country's top 20 new restaurants.
Gracey brings nearly two decades of hospitality experience to his new post. Prior to joining Hotel ICON, he was the general manager and served on the pre-opening team of Shorebreak Hotel, a Joie de Vivre Hospitality property anchoring The Strand mixed-use development, which overlooks the Huntington Beach Pier and the Pacific Ocean in the Huntington Beach, CA.
Before that, Gracey was the general manager of the Graciela Burbank Hotel - since renamed Hotel Amarano - the only luxury boutique hotel in Burbank, CA. In this role, Gracey developed the urban resort's fine dining and spa wellness offerings, acting as the point person between developers, city officials, councilmen, designers and architects. From 1998 until 2005, he was the general manager of the Four-Star, Four-Diamond Le Merigot, a JW Marriott Hotel & Spa property in Santa Monica, CA.
Gracey holds a BS in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the University of Missouri - Columbia and participated in The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company's corporate management training program.
John Spomer, Vice President and Managing Director said, "We're thrilled to have a leader with the luxury experience that Shawn brings to the property. Hotel ICON is unique in all of Houston, and with Shawn's quality background, leadership and vision, it's a perfect marriage."
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 
