PHOENIX (Aug. 18, 2022) – The Global Ambassador, the debut luxury hotel from restaurant innovator Sam Fox, announced today the appointment of Geoff Gray to the role of managing director and general manager ahead of the hotel’s highly anticipated late 2023 opening.
Gray returns to Arizona after four years as the general manager of the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa, a five-star, five-diamond property set on 200 lush acres in Carlsbad, Calif. Prior to that, Gray served as the general manager of the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, a luxury Historic Hotels of America resort in Phoenix. During his 12-year tenure with Hyatt Hotels, Gray helped lead some of the brand’s signature properties including Andaz Maui at Wailea, Andaz San Diego and Hyatt Centric Park City.
“Geoff brings with him an impressive hospitality background and a keen sense of creating and curating memorable, elevated guest experiences across a variety of different hotel brands. We are fortunate to leverage his expertise and have him help guide the operations, management and impeccable service at The Global Ambassador,” said Fox.
In his role, Gray will be responsible for all aspects of the 141-room hotel’s day-to-day operations including the five uniquely inspired dining experiences, which includes the expansive rooftop restaurant, an exclusive member’s club and a bespoke fitness and wellness center.
“To work alongside someone like Sam, who has established himself as one of the foremost leaders in the restaurant world and is now bringing his vision and creative forces into the luxury hotel industry, is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Gray. “The Global Ambassador promises to introduce a new perspective to Arizona hospitality that is built on a global vision of design, culinary, art, music, wellness and an overarching sense of community. It’s going to be a remarkable destination for world travelers as well as locals to experience Phoenix in a whole new way.”
The Global Ambassador is the newest addition to Author & Edit, a growing collection of hospitality experiences by Fox. The company is now hiring for leadership positions at the forthcoming hotel located on the northwest corner of 44th Street and Camelback Road.
Where Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley converge, The Global Ambassador will combine a refined and elevated hospitality experience that is created through a global lens and locally connected. Every detail of the well-appointed hotel has been meticulously poured over, studied and designed by Fox himself.
The hotel is oriented around its plaza courtyard with a sprawling lawn accented with lush, verdant landscaping and inviting seating that encourages guests to relax and unwind. The world-class amenity offering includes a Wellness Center complete with an expansive fitness level and ultra-luxe spa where health, beauty and fitness experts will curate treatments and practices designed to put the mind and body in perfect balance. In addition, a private Member’s Club will take exclusivity to the next level, which will be the first of its kind in Arizona with limited membership.
As a dynamic restauranteur, Fox’s stellar lineup of inventive culinary offerings will define The Global Ambassador. The hotel will feature five original dining venues with cuisine influenced by the vibrant flavors found all over the world. The lobby level will include a European market and café; the hotel’s signature restaurant will be a Parisian Bistro and Steakhouse; a poolside restaurant will highlight Mexican and Peruvian fare; the Member’s Club restaurant will be a supper-club style retreat; and the rooftop restaurant, overlooking the iconic Camelback Mountain, will boast shareable plates inspired by the Mediterranean region including Greece, Italy, Spain and Morocco.
For more about The Global Ambassador, visit GlobalAmbassadorHotel.com.
