Morgans Strengthens New York Team With New GMs
At Royalton, Mondrian Soho and Hudson
February 1, 2011 - Morgans Hotel Group Co. (NASDAQ: MHGC) (“Morgans”), the original boutique hotel company, is strengthening its New York team with the appointment of new general managers at Royalton, Hudson and Mondrian SoHo, opening in March.
Morgans has appointed Mike Walsh as Regional Vice President for the Northeast and General Manager at Royalton. Walsh brings over 28 years of hospitality experience in both domestic and Caribbean markets, including management positions at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Carl M. Freeman Companies. Most recently, Wash served as General Manager of Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia. Walsh earned his B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Gary Thomas is now General Manager of the 270-room Mondrian SoHo, debuting in March. A 16-year veteran of the hotel industry, Thomas will oversee the opening of the latest Morgans Hotel Group property, the company's first in New York City in over ten years. Thomas started his career with Morgans Hotel Group in 2004, and has since served as Hotel Manager of Sanderson in London, Delano Hotel in South Beach, Miami, and most recently, Royalton in New York City. A native of South Africa, Thomas received his degree in Hospitality Management after serving in the South African army for three years as a 1st Lieutenant. He began his career in Cape Town, South Africa working for Southern Sun at the Cape Sun Hotel before moving to London, England.
Robert Cartwright recently joined the Morgans team as General Manager of the iconic Hudson Hotel. With more than 19 years in the hospitality world, Cartwright most recently served as General Manager of Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel and Regional Brand Leader for Renaissance. Prior to Blackstone, Cartwright was General Manager of the 1,052-room resort Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. He earned his B.S. in Economics from State University of New York-Oneonta, NY, as well as an advanced certificate in real estate and hotel investments from the Cornell School of Hotel Administration.
"To support our continued growth and achievement in the New York area, we are strengthening our leadership with this talented team. We are excited to have these General Managers at the helm of our New York City hotels, including our newest property in SoHo,” said David Weidlich, Executive Vice President Operations of Morgans Hotel Group. “Their strong hospitality background, combined with their understanding of Morgans' brand, will certainly lead to the continued success of our hotels.”
For more information please visit www.morganshotelgroup.com.
About Mondrian SoHo:
Mondrian SoHo will be Morgans' third addition to the distinguished Mondrian brand, and the company's downtown debut in Manhattan's famed SoHo neighborhood. Fantasy meets sophisticated chic through the distinctive vision of Benjamin Noriega Ortiz, who also re-imagined Mondrian in Los Angeles, and the renowned Morgans Hotel Group design team. At the highly anticipated Imperial No. Nine, located just off the lobby, Chef Sam Talbot will introduce his interpretation of sustainable seafood with a 150-seat restaurant. In keeping with Ortiz's dream-like theme, a cluster of crystal chandeliers hangs over a large communal table and anchors the main dining room. A play of sand colors and textures compliment subtle references to ocean motifs, giving the room a sense of refined elegance while maintaining the allure found throughout the hotel. The mesmerizing ambiance continues throughout the 270-room hotel, which includes four sprawling suites, each featuring a terrace, and a 1,170 square-foot Penthouse on Mondrian's 25th floor. Saturated blue corridors with custom carpet adorned with a rose vine design provide entryway to the elegant jewel-box rooms featuring large mirrors, a clever nod to the ubiquitous French tale. www.mondriansoho.com
About Morgans Hotel Group:
Morgans Hotel Group Co. (NASDAQ: MHGC) is widely credited as the creator of the first “boutique” hotel and a continuing leader of the hotel industry's boutique sector. Morgans Hotel Group operates and owns, or has an ownership interest in, Morgans, Royalton and Hudson in New York, Delano and Shore Club in South Beach, Mondrian in Los Angeles and South Beach, Clift in San Francisco, Ames in Boston, and Sanderson and St Martins Lane in London. Morgans Hotel Group and an equity partner also own the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and related assets. Morgans Hotel Group also manages hotels in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico and Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Morgans Hotel Group has other property transactions in various stages of completion in various locations around the world. For more information please visit www.morganshotelgroup.com
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