DANA POINT, CA – April 20, 2021 – Southern California’s premier coastal resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, proudly announces the appointment of a new General Manager Karen Chastain, who joins the oceanfront resort from Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino where she served as Complex General Manager. She returns to California, overseeing The Ritz-Carlton’s flagship just as the resort unveils a captivating guestroom, suite, and Club Level renovation. With over 28 years of industry experience, she brings a strong leadership foundation with expertise in finance, operations, strategic management, and career development.
“We are pleased to announce Karen Chastain as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel and are excited for her return to The Ritz-Carlton brand since the beginning of her career in hospitality in 1992 where she worked at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco for over five years,” said Carla Murray, President of U.S. Full Service Western Region of Marriott International.
In her recent role in Aruba, Chastain oversaw the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and the two Marriott Vacations Worldwide properties – Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club and Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club. During her time in Aruba, she achieved excellent results, including winning Hotel of the Year in 2018 and becoming the first female General Manager on the island.
“I am truly honored to return to The Ritz-Carlton brand and feel great pride to serve as the General Manager of the first Ritz-Carlton resort in the entire collection,” says Chastain. “To lead The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s Ladies and Gentlemen brings me gratitude as we move forward together rebuilding our iconic resort, while continuing to make unforgettable memories for our guests,” she continues.
Chastain began her career as a CPA and held financial roles at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco and Santa Clara Marriott before joining the Marriott Western Regional Team as the Regional Director of Finance and Accounting. She then moved to Arizona to become the Director of Room Operations and Sales Manager of the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, and soon after, she became Area General Manager for Revenue of the San Ramon Marriott Hotel in 2006. By 2010, she held the role of Multi-Property General Manager for the Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains and the Scottsdale Marriott Old Town Suites. She later served as General Manager of the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa for over four years, achieving outstanding results in house profit and guest satisfaction. Chastain graduated from Ball State University in Indiana and holds a B.S. in accounting.
Consistently ranked among the best resorts in the world, The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel is located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego and sits on a seaside bluff overlooking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean with direct access to miles of sandy beach. For more information, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/lagunaniguel.
