GM appointed ahead of Crystalbrook Sam opening
With the opening of the 196-key Crystalbrook Sam slated for later this year, Crystalbrook Collection Hotels and Resorts has appointed Kelvin Dodt as the property’s first general manager.
Dodt brings more than two decades of hotel and tourism experience to the Adelaide hotel, having most recently been the chief operating officer for The Star Brisbane. In all he spent over 10 years with The Star Entertainment Group in Queensland.
Previously, he was also general manager for the Sea Temple Resort and Spa in Port Douglas under Accor and spent more than seven years in various roles with Mirvac Hotels and Resorts.
“Opening a new hotel is a rare opportunity, and Crystalbrook Sam is set to become one of Adelaide’s most exciting new hospitality destinations,” said Dodt.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Crystalbrook Collection at such an important stage of the journey and building a passionate team that delivers exceptional experiences for guests from day one.
“Adelaide’s hospitality scene continues to go from strength to strength, and I’m looking forward to introducing Crystalbrook’s style of contemporary luxury to South Australia.”
Alongside its guest room inventory, Crystalbrook Sam will have a restaurant and bar on level 12 with panoramic city views, a café on the ground floor, a day spa, a gym, a sauna, a swimming pool and meetings and events space.
“Crystalbrook’s arrival in Adelaide marks an exciting new chapter for the group, and Kelvin brings exactly the experience we were looking for as we prepare to open our first South Australian property,” said Crystalbrook Collection CEO, Geoff York.
“He has an exceptional track record leading major hotel openings, building high-performing teams and delivering outstanding guest experiences, making him the ideal person to lead Crystalbrook Sam.”
New GM for Sofitel Brisbane Central
Rob Unson has been appointed general manager of Sofitel Brisbane Central, bringing over 30 years of hospitality experience to his new position.
It’s a return to Sofitel for Unson, who has worked at two Sofitel properties previously, in Melbourne and Hanoi, Vietnam.
He joins the Brisbane Sofitel property from Amora Brisbane where he was general manager. He has also spent more than six years with TFE Hotels in addition to working for The Ritz-Carlton brand in the USA and Australia, and various Accor brands in Australia and the UK.
“We are delighted to welcome Rob back to the Sofitel family,” said vice president of operations for Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems in the Pacific, David Fraser.
“His depth of experience, his passion for both guests and colleagues, and his proven ability to inspire teams to deliver at the highest level make him the ideal leader for Sofitel Brisbane Central.”
The 416-room hotel has a significant inventory of event space across 11 rooms, with the largest space able to host over 1,000 people in theatre.
