May 26, 2021 | By Bronwen Largier
Marriott International has announced the appointment of award-winning hotelier Craig Seaward as General Manager of the largest W Hotel in the world, set to open in Sydney next year.
W Sydney will open within landmark building The Ribbon in Darling Harbour in the back half of 2022. The hotel will have 586 rooms and over 1,100m2 of event space.
Seaward (above) has 25 years of experience in premium hotels and has spent the last 11 years as GM of W Bali-Seminyak. He was named General Manager of the Year 2018 for Marriott Luxury and Best General Manager in Indonesia at the 2019 World Luxury Hotel Awards.
“I am thrilled and honoured to lead the W Sydney team,” says Seaward.
“The hotel holds a prime position in Sydney’s leading entertainment district, and its bold design and electric energy will transform the Darling Harbour precinct and turn traditional luxury on its head.
Seaward is overseeing aspects of the final build of the hotel and recruitment and training of the more than 500 staff the property will need to open.
In other appointment news, Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific has appointed Ben Hislop (above) as Director of Sales and Marketing.
Hislop, a Central Coast native, is returning home after opening Crowne Plaza Sydney Darling Harbour in the same role. Hislop has been with IHG for over a decade to date.
“Terrigal is one of the most iconic beachside villages on the Central Coast with an overwhelming sense of community. It’s a privilege to be back and reconnecting with the community during a time we are celebrating and rediscovering unique destinations like this around Australia,” says Hislop.
The Central Coast property has seen $7 million invested in its conference and event facilities and its waterfront venue Terrigal Beach House since 2019.