| Boston, MA (January 17, 2007) - The Lenox Hotel, a historic
AAA Four Diamond hotel in Boston's prestigious Back Bay neighborhood has
named Daniel Donahue as General Manager and Sheila Hayden as Director of
Sales and Marketing for the hotel. Both bring extensive hospitality experience
and senior management expertise to The Lenox and The Saunders Hotel Group.
Mr.
Donahue most recently served as Deputy General Manager, directing hotel
operations at Jurys Boston, a hotel he helped open in 2004. Mr. Donahue
led the hotel to achieve a number of accolades, including Boston Magazine's
"Best New Hotel, 2005" and Conde Nast Traveler's "Hot Tables, 2005" distinction
for the Stanhope Grille. Prior to that, he worked as Director of Operations
at the Jurys Hotel in Washington DC. Mr. Donahue began his hospitality
career in 1990 with the T.G.I. Fridays Group, and joined Starwood Hotels
in 1995, holding senior managerial roles with Washington-area hotels including
the Marriott Crystal City Courtyard and BWI Marriott. He is a member of
the Board of Directors for the Elliott Memorial School and plays an active
role within his community.
Ms.
Hayden brings nineteen years of experience to her position as Director
of Sales and Marketing. Most recently, she was Northeast Regional Director
of Sales for the Garrett Hotel Group whose properties include The Point,
The Lake Placid Lodge, The Inn of the Five Graces and The Willcox hotel.
Prior to joining Garrett, Ms. Hayden spent nearly a decade of her career
with Swissotel Boston, from 1993 through 2002. She began as Director of
Conference Services and progressed to Senior Sales Manager, Assistant Director
of Sales and finally Director of Sales and Marketing, earning National
Director of Sales and Marketing of the Year recognition from Swissotel
in both 2000 and 2001. Ms. Hayden began her lodging career in the metro-Boston
area, working with the Back Bay Hilton, Hilton at Dedham Place, the Sheraton
Tara Hotel in Newton and the Copley Plaza Hotel. She is a graduate of Niagara
University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management
and participated in the GWSAE, HSMAI, MPI, ASAE, NACE, MLA, DCA and MOTT,
and NBTA professional associations.
"The Lenox is a world class hotel and we are excited to add this world
class talent to lead us forward. With the opening of many new hotels in
Boston, guests have several choices. Our new team will help us provide
superb, memorable service, one guest at a time." said Jeffrey Saunders,
President & CEO of The Saunders Hotel Group. "We expect Mr. Donahue
and Ms. Hayden to infuse The Lenox with the passion, pride and professionalism
that complement our ongoing investment in the physical plant and innovative
services at The Lenox, one of Boston's true Four Diamond gems."
The Lenox Hotel
Built in 1900 for the princely sum of $1,100,000 by the hotelier and
impresario Lucias Boomer (best known as the owner of New York's Waldorf
- Astoria), The Lenox was the most luxurious hotel in New England. The
Lenox, the tallest building in Boston at the time, opened its doors in
the heart of Back Bay and a proud tradition was born. Since 1963, the Saunders
family has been at the helm of The Lenox, overseeing day-to-day operations
and a series of meticulous restorations (including one in 2003 that earned
worldwide accolades for historic preservation and design.) The Lenox has
received numerous prestigious awards for pioneering luxury within ecotourism
including its selection in 2006 as the top urban hotel in the world on
Conde Nast Traveler's Annual Green List of the world's best "green" hotels,
destinations and tour operators and 2006 honors from the Skal International
Ecotourism Awards. Skal, the largest organization of travel and tourism
professionals in the world, recognized The Lenox's environmental program
for its comprehensiveness, innovation and excellence.
The Saunders Hotel Group
The Saunders Hotel Group is a third generation family business that
is known worldwide for its genuine commitment to gracious hospitality,
innovation, and environmental leadership. Saunders Hotel Group owns and
or operates six distinctive properties including: the historic, 4-Diamond
Lenox Hotel (Boston, MA); the Comfort Inn & Suites (Boston, MA
- Logan Airport); the Marriott Residence Inn (Merrimack, NH); the Holiday
Inn/Outback Steakhouse (New London, CT); The Hawthorn Suites Hotel (Alexandria,
VA.); and the Hampton Inn (Norwood, MA.). See the portfolio at www.saundershotelgroup.net |