RYE BROOK, NY—Kai Fischer has been appointed general manager at the 445-room Hilton Westchester and is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day operations of the hotel, located here in Westchester County.
Fischer most recently was multi-property director of sales and marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. During his tenure, he helped lead the 1,781-room Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel through a $180-million renovation and the 650-room Sheraton Manhattan through a conversion to The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel. He also directed the consolidation and deployment of 11 metropolitan New York-area sales teams into a centralized sales force.
“Kai’s proven leadership and expertise in operations, management and sales, coupled with his commitment to outstanding customer service, will ensure the Hilton Westchester’s continued success as the leading upscale hotel in Westchester County,” stated Ted Ratcliff, SVP, operations, eastern North America, Hilton Worldwide. He added, “His prior knowledge and familiarity with the metropolitan New York market, is a key asset for this position, and will serve him well as he begins his new role in managing this important suburban property.”
From 2008 to 2010, he was general manager of the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center in Plano, TX. Prior to that, he was general manager of the Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Solana in Westlake, TX, where he led the hotel through a $27-million renovation.
He worked at Marriott’s headquarters in Bethesda, MD, from 2000 to 2003 as market director, sales & revenue strategy, responsible for directing sales, marketing, budgeting and revenue strategy decisions for 21 hotels and conference centers.
The Hilton Westchester recently completed a $35-million, multi-year project to transform its guestrooms and public spaces in the image of Westchester County’s country clubs. Hilton Westchester offers 32,000 sq. ft. of newly renovated flexible space.