Amara Resort in Sedona, Arizona Taps Hospitality Veteran as GM
SEDONA, AZ (January 11, 2010) - Amara Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, the AAA Four-Diamond property immersed in the natural beauty of Sedona, AZ, recently hired Debra Shinn as general manager. The chic boutique hotel in one of the world's most beautiful destinations is a perfect fit for this former “big city girl” and five-star luxury hotel general manager. “The vision for the hotel as well as my love for this destination are what attracted me most to this stylish property,” explains Shinn. “I've been working extensively on the expansion of Amara's sister property, L'Auberge de Sedona, which is scheduled for completion this spring. Taking over full general management of Amara provides the opportunity to draw on my experiences from this and other past executive-level hospitality industry positions.”
It is natural that Shinn would be drawn to Amara given its prime location in the heart of Sedona Red Rock country on the banks of meandering Oak Creek. With the award-winning restaurant Hundred Rox, top-notch Serenite Spa and contemporary accommodations located in what USA Today named, “The Most Beautiful Place on Earth,” Amara is a vacationer's paradise when visiting Sedona.
Shinn's accomplishments throughout her 20-year career in the hospitality industry provide her with the necessary skills to manage the award-winning Amara resort. As Rooms Division Manager at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Shinn facilitated and oversaw a $7 million Spa renovation. Her experiences at The Peninsula were put to use as she became involved with L'Auberge de Sedona. Her expertise in the areas of personalized service, seamless check-in of guests and eye for detail were evident to the owners and contributed to their decision to tap Shinn to manage their adjoining Amara property.
Previously involved in the opening of the Ivy in San Diego, Shinn's contributions to that successful boutique hotel helped gain the celebrity and hip audience for which it is known. These themes of personalized service, customization and creating top-notch service standards are all skills that Shinn has honed throughout her career and which she plans to use as general manager of Amara.
About Amara Hotel, Restaurant & Spa
The AAA Four Diamond Amara Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, a 100-room boutique resort set against the beautiful red rocks in the heart of Uptown Sedona, is included in Conde Nast Traveler's Gold List of the World's Best Places to Stay in 2008. Many of the rooms and suites boast magnificent red rock views or patios overlooking Oak Creek and are carefully designed for the needs of both leisure and business travelers. Amara is also a popular location for destination weddings. The Serenite Spa features six treatment rooms, nail care area, relaxation lounge, separate male and female locker rooms with steam showers and a private yoga studio. Amara is located at 100 Amara Lane. Visit www.amararesort.com or call 866.455.6610.
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