Pyramid Global Hospitality and Palm House Hospitality are thrilled to announce the appointment of Matthew Strawn as the new General Manager of the iconic Flamingo Resort & Spa in Northern California’s Sonoma Wine Country. With over 20 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry, Strawn brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for exceptional guest service.
Strawn joined the Flamingo Resort & Spa earlier this year as Assistant General Manager after serving as the General Manager at the 228 all-suites Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North. He also held the role of Corporate Director of Rooms for Heavlin Management Company, where he oversaw the operations, financial performance, and development of all Rooms Division locations at Heavlin-managed properties. With specialized experience managing Hilton, Marriott, and IHG-branded hotels, Strawn has built a distinguished career in the hospitality industry.
Matthew grew up loving to travel, and on long family road trips, he’d study up on hotels by reading the AAA guidebook. This early passion for hospitality laid the foundation for his successful career in the industry. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Collins College of Hospitality Management, California Polytechnic University, Pomona, California.
The team at the Flamingo Resort & Spa is very excited for Matthew’s promotion to General Manager and look forward to a new chapter under his guidance, positivity, wealth of experience, and leadership. “We are thrilled for Matthew to be named General Manager of the Flamingo Resort & Spa,” said Benson Wang, CEO of Palm House Hospitality. “His proven leadership and deep understanding of hospitality will be invaluable as we continue to elevate our guest experience and strengthen our position as a premier destination.”
In his new role, Strawn will oversee all aspects of the resort’s operations, including guest services, wellness programs, and event management. He is dedicated to enhancing the resort’s signature offerings while fostering a culture of service excellence among staff.
“I am honored to be chosen to lead the Flamingo Resort & Spa and shepherd its legacy into the next chapter,” said Strawn. “This iconic property has a rich history and holds many fond memories for the current and former residents of Santa Rosa. I look forward to working with the talented staff to continue to create memorable experiences for all of our guests.”
Built in 1957, the Flamingo Resort & Spa is the legendary oasis in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country that was historically a place to mingle and leave the pressures of everyday life behind while experiencing a different side of California. Located in the heart of Santa Rosa, it was designed by Las Vegas architect Homer Rissman for developer Hugh Codding. In its heyday, the hotel drew celebrities and wealthy world travelers to its oversized pool and courtyard. Far enough from Hollywood but close enough for an impromptu escape, The Flamingo was there to host those drawn to the privacy and beauty of Sonoma, and serve bottomless martinis along the way. The City of Santa Rosa declared the Flamingo a historical landmark in 1996, and the resort’s original hot-pink neon sign still stands out front, a beacon among the redwoods.
The resort’s recent renovations include the building’s sweeping art deco entryway which has been adorned with striking angles and warm wood; a new lobby accented with a mix of retro and contemporary artwork; and all 170 guest rooms including 14 spacious suites have been remodeled with an emphasis on natural light and a serene palette. The fully-renovated, cutting-edge fitness center and spa are designed to revitalize the senses and promote wellness, while the tennis & pickleball courts, serene lap pool, yoga studio, and brand-new cycle studio encourage guests to stay motivated and moving. The on-site dining destination, Lazeaway Club, serves up inspired Cal-Pacific cuisine led by Executive Chef Chris Ricketts; and Wild Bird is available on the patio for poolside dining.
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La Miniera Pool Villas Pattaya is thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Govnd Joshi, who joins the hotel as a new General Manager, the first and only Small Luxury Hotels of the World in Chonburi area of Thailand. With an impressive track record in leadership and operational excellence, Govnd brings a wealth of experience that will undoubtedly propel our team and mission forward.Prior to joining La Miniera Pool Villas Pattaya, Govnd has worked with renowned luxury hospitality groups such as InterContinental, Kempinski, Minor Hotels, and most recently, Onyx Hospitality Group.His passion for developing strategic initiatives aligns perfectly with our vision at La Miniera. The team is confident that his leadership will enhance their commitment to delivering exceptional services and experiences to the guests.Please join the team in welcoming Govnd Joshi! They are excited about the journey ahead and the positive impact he will bring to the organization and community.
With more than 20 years of experience, most recently as General Manager of the prestigious Villa Le Blanc, a Gran Meliá Hotel, this talented and passionate leader is now elevating the guest experience at the first luxury Gran Meliá branded resort in Southeast Asia.
Villa Le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel is delighted to welcome Ms. Beatriz Ávila as its new General Manager. Having completed an award-winning spell as GM of Villa Le Blanc, a Gran Meliá Hotel, the prestigious Spanish resort that is also a member of The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), she now brings her unique vision, strong yet compassionate leadership, and distinct sense of Spanish style to Vietnam's pure shores at Southeast Asia's first and only Gran Meliá branded resort.
A talented Spanish hospitality professional with more than 20 years of experience at some of Spain's leading hotels and resorts, Beatriz has gained a reputation for her ability to empower her teams and achieve outstanding results. Blending emotional intelligence with business acumen, she understands the needs of her guests and associates, while also being analytical and results-oriented with an intuitive ability to enhance her hotel's performance.
Beatriz is also fully committed to delivering Gran Meliá's timeless brand philosophy, which seamlessly weaves together world-class luxury hospitality and Spanish sophistication to create "A Life Well Lived" for each guest, in every destination. Having worked with Gran Meliá hotels and resorts in Spain for more than 14 years, she is perfectly positioned to bring this concept to life. Her passion for sustainability is also perfectly aligned with Villa Le Corail's focus on coral conservation, and her dedication to the creation of VIP experiences will inspire the delivery of exclusive guest activities.
A graduate of the prestigious University of Sevilla, which has more than 500 years of history, Beatriz entered the hotel industry in 2003. Her talent was quickly recognised by Meliá Hotels International, and in 2007 she joined Gran Meliá Sancti Petri, the stunning five-star seafront resort in Spain's Andalusia region. This marked the start of a long and highly successful career with Meliá, and in 2021 she was named General Manager of Meliá Cala Galdana on the idyllic island of Menorca.
Having moved to Villa Le Blanc, a Gran Meliá Hotel in 2023, Beatriz achieved a series of impressive accolades. Conde Nast Traveler, the leading luxury lifestyle magazine, named Villa Le Blanc as the "Best New Hotel of the Year", and the resort also won the Beyond Luxury Award for "Best Interior Design" and a Magellan Award for "Best Eco-Friendly Sustainable Resort". In terms of performance, she inspired a 15% surge in the hotel's revenue and a 22% jump in gross operating profit.
Now, as General Manager of Villa Le Corail, Beatriz will use all her knowhow, creativity and expertise to guide the resort into an exciting new era of five-star hospitality. She is committed to elevating the guest experience with a particular focus on local culture, sustainability and wellness, and will create activities that empower guests to boost their body, mind and soul, while uncovering the authentic heritage of this Vietnamese coastal region in environmentally sensitive ways. And of course, every aspect will be underpinned by the Gran Meliá brand's timeless sense of Spanish luxury, style and elegance.
"I am delighted to have been entrusted with the leadership of Villa Le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel, which has already gained a strong reputation as one of Vietnam's leading five-star resorts. As the first Gran Meliá property in Vietnam, and the brand's only resort in Southeast Asia, my team and I have an exciting opportunity to showcase our timeless standards of Spanish luxury hospitality to a new audience of discerning explorers. Life is all about creating lasting memories, and I will strive to deliver original experiences that stay in our guests' hearts and minds long after they check out," said Beatriz Ávila, General Manager, Villa Le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel.
Nestled directly on Vietnam's serene central coast, overlooking Fairy Mountain, Villa Le Corail, A Gran Meliá Hotel seamlessly blends the Gran Meliá brand's five-star standards, Spanish style and personalised service with the charm, beauty and elegance of Vietnamese culture. Throughout their vacation, couples, families and friends can stay in luxurious villas crafted by some of Europe's leading design studios, enjoy delectable cuisine at Hispania Nha Trang, the first Asian establishment by Michelin-starred Spanish chef Marcos Morán, and Shibui, which dazzles diners with its fresh Japanese flavours, or simply unwind with water sports such as kayaking and paddle-boarding, and mindful activities including yoga and tai chi, all just 45 minutes' drive from Cam Ranh International Airport.
Kamat Hotels India Ltd is proud to announce the promotion of Mr. Lalan Kumar from Assistant Head of Sales to Head of Sales, RSO.
With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, Lalan Kumar has consistently proven exceptional leadership, he understands the sales strategies and is passionate about helping the business grow. His journey began with significant achievements at Fort Jadhavgadh, where he rose through multiple roles, eventually becoming the Head of Sales in 2015. During his tenure, he successfully expanded the client base, introduced innovative promotional activities, and exceeded revenue targets year after year.
Lalan joined The Orchid Hotel Pune in 2021 as Senior Sales Manager and quickly advanced to Associate Head of Sales in 2023. In these roles, he played a pivotal part in refining sales strategies, mentoring a high-performing team, and building strong client relationships. His contributions have consistently driven exceptional results, earning him accolades such as the Game Changer of the Year Award (2022-23) for the highest individual revenue contribution across the company’s portfolio.
Reflecting on his promotion, Lalan shared, “I am honored to take on this new role and grateful for the trust placed in me by the leadership team. I look forward to continuing my journey with Kamat Hotels India, building on our legacy, and achieving new milestones together.”
Kamat Hotels India Ltd is confident that under Lalan’s leadership, the sales division will reach new heights, driving both growth and innovation.
