LOS ANGELES, CA (January 13, 2017) – Renowned hotel brand and management company Dream Hotel Group announces the appointments of three seasoned hospitality executives to lead its west coast flagship, Dream Hollywood: Ayo Akinsete as General Manager; Kendall Viola as Director of Sales & Marketing; and Carly Skinner as Hotel Manager. With nearly 30 years of collective experience within the highly competitive hospitality industry, Akinsete and team will be integral in the launch and success of Dream Hollywood, slated to open in February 2017.
“Los Angeles has long been on our short list of dynamic U.S. cities for growth, and we are thrilled to have such a strong and talented team in place as we introduce our founding brand to the west coast,” said Jay Stein, Chief Executive Officer, Dream Hotel Group. “Ayo, Kendall and Carly are exceptional leaders, bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to Dream Hollywood. With a shared passion for arts, culture and design, as well as a deep understanding of the LA market, there is no doubt they will prove to be invaluable additions in helping us reach our goals.”
“Dream Hollywood sets the standard for experience-driven hospitality in Los Angeles,” added Ayo Akinsete, General Manager, Dream Hollywood. “I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of this innovative team leading the way for Dream Hotels in California.”
Tapping into nearly a decade of experience earned at hotels in New York, Miami and soon Los Angeles, Ayo Akinsete is a proven leader in launching experiential hospitality brands to new markets. As General Manager, Akinsete is responsible for all pre-opening efforts, day-to-day management and operations of the 178-room property, including oversight, recruitment and development of staff; the hotel’s annual budget; and assuring guest satisfaction. Working closely with TAO Group, he also helps to ensure the success of six food and beverage venues located in and adjacent to the hotel, including an 11,000-square-foot outdoor rooftop lounge and pool deck. Akinsete arrives at Dream Hollywood from Dream Downtown hotel in New York, where he most recently served as General Manager. Previous roles included Hotel Manager at SLS South Beach and Director of Front Office at Gansevoort Park Avenue. Born and raised in South East London. Akinsete earned a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Retail Management from the University of South Carolina-Columbia and a Master of Science in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada.
With ten years’ hospitality sales experience, Kendall Viola is a charismatic, results-oriented executive with vast expertise in leading lifestyle hotels to top notch performance. As Director of Sales & Marketing, she leads all sales efforts through the development of creative tactics to drive revenue for Dream Hollywood, while also keeping the hotel top of mind for corporate and group clients. Viola joins Dream Hollywood from Hotel Indigo Lower East Side in New York, where, as Director of Sales & Marketing the flagship property was awarded the Grand Final at the 23rd Annual World Travel Awards for ‘World's Leading Boutique Hotel’ and ‘World’s Leading New Hotel in Sales, Marketing and PR.’ Previous roles included Associate Director of Travel Industry at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel; Associate Director of Sales at Gild Hall – A Thompson Hotel; and Business Travel Sales Manager for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Viola earned her bachelor’s degree in Sports Entertainment with a concentration in Event & Hotel Management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.
As Hotel Manager, Carly Skinner oversees tasked with overseeing the Front Office, Guest Services, Housekeeping & Engineering departments. Bringing another ten years of hospitality and food & beverage experience to Dream Hollywood, Skinner rounds out the opening hotel team. She most recently served as Director of Rooms at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica. Previous roles also included Director of Guest Services for Dream Downtown in New York; Manager of David Burke Kitchen at The James Hotel in New York; and Manager of two restaurants within the Donatella Group – Eos at the Viceroy Hotel in Miami and Donatella/DBar in New York. Skinner studied at Marymount Manhattan College, New York, New York.
