Benchmark Hospitality International has appointed Roy Atherton Young as managing director for Naples Bay Resort, a mixed use property currently under construction in Naples, Florida. Sam Haigh, president and chief operating officer, made the announcement.
'It is with great pleasure that I announce Roy's appointment,' said Mr. Haigh. 'He brings extensive hospitality experience gained over 30 years in the industry as well as dynamic leadership to this spectacular new destination resort.'
Mr. Young was previously project director for Benchmark at the French Lick Resort Casino and West Baden Springs Resort, supervising and coordinating operational aspects of the combined $382 million historic restoration and casino development project, located in French Lick and West Baden Springs, Indiana, respectively. Prior to this appointment, he served as managing director for The Georgian Terrace Hotel, an historic property located in the heart of Atlanta's burgeoning Midtown district and operated by Benchmark at the time. Young has also previously served as general manager of The Northland Inn, a 231-guest suites property managed by Benchmark and located near Minneapolis.
Before joining Benchmark Hospitality International, Mr. Young served as senior vice president of hotel operations for The Claridge Casino Hotel, a 510-guestroom property located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. While at Claridge, Mr. Young planned and effectively executed the Senior Leadership Conference for Claridge officers, directors and managers.
Roy Young has also served as vice president and general manager for the Players Island Resort and Spa, a 500-guestroom property located in Mesquite, Nevada, where he successfully lead the resort's pre-opening planning and execution programming. Prior to this, he served as senior vice president of operations for Park Place Resort and Bally's Grand Hotel of Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he was instrumental in significantly increasing occupancy, room revenue and market share for the property.
Mr. Young has held senior-level executive positions for a number of additional prestigious properties, including the Doral Resort and Spa, a 650-guestroom, 2400-acre destination resort located in Miami, Florida -- and home to the PGA Classic: The Doral Ryder Open; the John B. Coleman Hotel Company of Chicago, Illinois; and the Omni International Hotel, located in Atlanta, Georgia. He served as the chairman of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau from 1981 to 1983. Mr. Young attended New York City Community College and Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he has also served on the Advisory Board.
Upon opening in September of 2007, Naples Bay Resort will be a Four Star, 193-key destination resort. The property will feature an 85-key hotel with 65 condominium suites, 108 spacious resort cottages, and a contemporary gourmet restaurant and bar offering magnificent views of the bay. Thirty townhomes and flats will round out the residential mix at the resort. The property will provide 2,500 square feet of comprehensive meeting and special event space serviced by Benchmark's signature Conference Concierge. Recreationally, Naples Bay will feature a 97-slip marina, comprehensive fitness facilities with a Pilates Studio, an international tennis center and a masterfully designed, foliage-laden resort pool complex with a meandering lazy river pool, lap pool, children's pool, expansive sundeck and poolside cabanas. Championship golf will be available nearby at several well-known golf courses. Adding to the resort experience will be a retail promenade, located adjacent to the marina. Featured in this space will be boutique specialty retail, entertainment and casual dining opportunities. The resort will offer The Yacht Club and Captain's Lounge, as well as an amenity-rich residents' club, The Club at Naples Bay Resort, with a specially-designed clubhouse and up to 600 members. The two clubs will be private. Both members and resort guests will have access to Keewaydin Island (subject to final regulatory approval), a private barrier island featuring a beach club. Benchmark Hospitality International will operate the resort.
Benchmark Hospitality International, an independent hospitality management company based in The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, operates resorts, conference centers, hotels and condominium resorts both domestically and internationally.
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