KEY LARGO, FL –NOVEMBER 2019 – Playa Largo Resort & Spa, situated on the Florida Bay in Key Largo, Florida, has recently announced Kristine Cox as the new General Manager of the 14.5-acre property. Cox will oversee all aspects of the 175-room resort including day-to-day operations, staff development, financial planning, sales and revenue, and overall guest satisfaction.
Born and raised in the resort town of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Cox has always been drawn to the hospitality field. Most recently, she spent the last five years as General Manager at the Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina in Rhode Island, during which time she earned the Griffin Award of Food & Beverage Women of Influence in 2017 and was named General Manager of the Year for Shaner Group Hotels in 2016 and again in 2018.
“We are excited to bring Kristine’s fresh ideas and perspective to Playa Largo Resort,” said Brian Hockenbury, Senior Vice President of Operations at Shaner Hotel Corporation. “We are confident that under Kristine’s leadership Playa Largo will only continue to thrive and provide an outstanding experience for guests.”
Her experience spans the industry having fulfilled roles from Catering Manager and Director of Catering to Front Office Manager, Rooms Division Manager and Director of Operations, and ultimately, General Manager by the time she was 30. Prior to taking her talents to Newport, Cox was a true star of the Southern hospitality world, working as General Manager at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort and Spa, Director of Catering and Acting General Manager at Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort and General Manager at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Airport hotel before that, among other roles.
A natural leader, she joins the noted Playa Largo Resort and Spa with hopes to not only maintain, but elevate the guest experience beyond customer expectations. “I am thrilled to be joining such an exceptional resort and look forward to putting my experience and enthusiasm in to this role,” said Cox. “My favorite part of leading a resort team is training and developing rising stars for the hospitality industry and allowing them to shine, as that passion is then naturally reflected in the hotel and guest experience they provide.”
Cox has sat on the boards of the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce, Rhode Island Hospitality Association, Discover Newport, and represented Rhode Island on The American Hotel Lodging Association board. She now resides in Key Largo with her family and looks forward to the endless days of sunshine ahead.
